Specks

I like to hear batters ask on a swing was that a strike, shows they're engaged and trying to do better. On a called strike if the batter asks "bottom?" and you say yes and the next pitch comes in an inch lower and you bang it the batter's got a legit beef in turning and making a comment. A D1 umpire told me the better way to answer would be to say "just about" or something like that. Meaning you might go lower, keep swinging the bat. And it doesn't box you into a corner.

I will quietly tell the catcher "I might have squeezed you a little on that one. I see it again and I'll get ". Never had an issue.

I just got a chance to see the vid at home, not even close. I'm with Bam.

At the higher levels it's R2's job to create a little stress for the fielder, that's why you'll see them let the ball get as close to them as they can without it hitting them. I tend to let R2 have quite a bit of leeway as long as he's not doing anything else, ie. yelling, waving his arms etc. If R2 took a couple of steps then stoped and let the ball go between his legs, I MIGHT be tempted to consider interferrence. As long as everyone's doing what they're supposed to I let 'em play.

Not telling anybody how to work their games but calling location like RichMSN and others do is a very advanced mechanic, you must be skilled enough to handle the situation if it becomes difficult like asking too often or the classic "I'm talking to my catcher" comedy bit. I've worked with quite a few partners that do that and the less experienced ones usually have the problems. I personally do not provide location and don't think I've been asked that question in at least 2 years. The way I view it (below varsity level) is the manager is either trying to bust my balls or he's not paying attention. The reason I say below varsity level is because below that pitchers aren't that fine. When I have been ask I just give a quick answer "down" or whatever it was. If I'm asked again I tell the catcher where it was and tell him to tell the manager when he gets to the dugout. After that I'm out of answers and don't respond. The other thing you need to look at is why are you getting so many location requests. When calling pitches: Be Confident, Be Consistant and Be Big. Like others have said if you even think it could be a strike, it is! Coaches want strikes.

The PU shouldn't ignore the manager, he should simply direct him to the umpire that made the call. BU will tell him no appeal. Otherwise, like others have said, it just creates potential problems down the road. Managers go to the PU because they think he's in charge, teach them the proper way and the next crew will have it easier.

Why was the defense yelling it hit the ground, your call benefited them? Your partner should have been giving you a discreet sign if the ball bounced or was caught. That's not a situation I would ask for help. If he gives you a sign, take the advice. If not make the call as to what you saw and move on.

MS. So you know that the U2 missed the call because he was out of position and you know the U1 had the angle and you still don't think there should be a way to get it right? I agree that it opens the door to constant requests. Maybe we should use the "I have more info" sign in a case like this and go for help before the coach asks for it. In this case you don't have more information you have different information based on the same set of facts. You both saw the same play, you thought the outcome was different, but it was his call to make. We don't umpire by commitee, we each have our own calls and responsibilities. Don't grant appeals just because the coach doesn't like the call, he must have a legit reason to request an appeal.

Looked good! I thought your mechanics were crisp and sharp and I LOVED that when the catcher got hit and you walked out to the pitcher to give him an extra second. Not enough guys do that. Your timing looked good but I did notice on pitches that were low you had a little head dip. Also on right handed batters your feet were very offset, not on left handed batters. And it may have been a function of the camera angle but it looked like you were not in the slot, looked like you were more on the point. All in all, I liked it and kudos on posting the vid, it takes guts to open up like that!

This should be discouraged. There is simply no basis for granting an appeal for a judgement call. I might grant an appeal if my partner has additional information, ie. dropped ball, but not to see if he has a different opinion on the same play. It's not a matter of getting the call right, it's a matter of doing your job and getting your calls right.

Yeah, that picture...is...just...wrong. I liked the hat! Me too! Although I like The Walking Dead also, but the hat was too funny.

Throw him the damn ball.

I want to change my vote, go with Decker!

I won't take water from fans because I might have had their teams before and no telling what they'll do to it.

Do you have a problem with your pants getting caught in the top of the 1000's?

I'm one of the "sucks with names" guys here (first cousin of "Dances with Wolves," but that's another story). I see this advice offered all the time, and I just don't see how it helps. Why? Well, I don't know about anyone else, but I don't see my lineup card that much, or for that long, the rest of the game. And I, almost 100% of the time, will need to use/know a coachesmanagers name long well before that first time the card comes out. Often, the next time I see those cards, they're being crumpled up and thrown in the back of my car. So, is this really a thing? Does this really help? And please explain how? Type slowly, so I'll get it. I think it really helps if I need to speak with a manager, a ballfield is a noisy place and players may be yelling "hey coach" and if I say the same thing it sometimes gets lost (and I don't want to yell). If I say "Jimmy, can you ....." it cuts thru the noise. Again I also go back to it being the most professional way to address a manager. You know the old business saying of dress like you would in the job you want, not the one you have. Same thing with dressing and acting like you're working the level you want to be, not the one you're in.

Wow! GREAT post!

I have the black & white ones, wore them for about 10 games and put them away. Uncomfortable because they are too tight.

This is correct (or at least it was) but I might change "expected" to "allowed". I only said expected because they told me if your still using the "school hammer" when you get a job the managers will get on you because you'll look inexperienced.

The thing with me was clinics. I was able to work with REALLY sharp umpires (MiLB & D1) and learn from them. Whether it was my "umpire voice", footwork or sharpening my mechanics that got me over the hump, clinics are HUGE advantages.

Common sense and a rudimentary knowledge of baseball Are we talking about coaches?

I don't think that's right Specks. Don't MiLB umpires have to use the hammer up until AA? I haven't been to school (too fat, too old) but know several that work in the minors and 1 that taught at Wendelstadt and that's what they told me. Unless it's changed in the last couple of years I think they let you change.

If it's a laid back league and Batter says "That was the same pitch." and I respond "that one was lower." He shoots back "No way that was the same pitch come on." then I might be tempted to say "ok count is 0-2 because that first pitch was a strike" then when he looks at me, smile, and give the correct 1-1 count and say lets play.

The schools teach the hammer because it's uniform and they can grade everyone based on their criteria. Once your out of school then your expected to develop your own style.

If you decide to advance to the college level and call the manager "coach" he may decide to rip you a new one. He is a manager, coaches work for him and it's disrespectful. If you can't remember his name then "skip" or "skipper" would be better. There's nothing requiring you to use their names but it is more professional and at the higher levels they should be using yours also. It will be noticed if you don't.