Batting out of order

[Jeff C.]

I was BU on Tuesday for a JV game. VT @ bat, first batter of inning. After two pitches, the HT coach requests time and approaches the PU. I can hear him say wrong batter. As the PU reaches for his lineup card, the VT coach says yep we're out of order. PU calls batter out. I know he just kicked a rule but don't interject. Should I have said of something? I did mention to him between games that he was incorrect. He thought about it and admitted he was. Was I wrong for not speaking up? I wasn't approached by anyone during the situation.

[tjthresh]

Sometimes I get confused whether a partner should speak up or not. I know you don't want to throw anybody under the bus, but this seems like it was real easy to get right.

And again, it looks like we have two coaches that don't know the rule either. For some reason, I always find that amazing.

[BrianC14]

I was BU on Tuesday for a JV game. VT @ bat, first batter of inning. After two pitches, the HT coach requests time and approaches the PU. I can hear him say wrong batter. As the PU reaches for his lineup card, the VT coach says yep we're out of order. PU calls batter out. I know he just kicked a rule but don't interject. Should I have said of something? I did mention to him between games that he was incorrect. He thought about it and admitted he was. Was I wrong for not speaking up? I wasn't approached by anyone during the situation.

This is an application of the rules, not a judgment call.

You should feel comfortable in approaching him and (away from ears of the coaches/players) remind him that the rules call for the proper batter to enter and assume the count.

I guess the difficult part is how to get his attention without putting him in a bad spot. Some guys suggest the 'remove your hat' signal, others suggest an intense stare, with maybe a very small shake of the head so that he gets the message and then he can suggest that the umpires need to confer.

It's not easy, that's for sure.

[JaxRolo]

This is an application of the rules, not a judgment call.

You should feel comfortable in approaching him and (away from ears of the coaches/players) remind him that the rules call for the proper batter to enter and assume the count.

I guess the difficult part is how to get his attention without putting him in a bad spot. Some guys suggest the 'remove your hat' signal, others suggest an intense stare, with maybe a very small shake of the head so that he gets the message and then he can suggest that the umpires need to confer.

It's not easy, that's for sure.

Great idea. I will start doing this at pre-game meetings with my partners.

[Jeff C.]

This is an application of the rules, not a judgment call.

You should feel comfortable in approaching him and (away from ears of the coaches/players) remind him that the rules call for the proper batter to enter and assume the count.

I guess the difficult part is how to get his attention without putting him in a bad spot. Some guys suggest the 'remove your hat' signal, others suggest an intense stare, with maybe a very small shake of the head so that he gets the message and then he can suggest that the umpires need to confer.

It's not easy, that's for sure.

Yeah, that is the way I felt. I didn't want to look like I was butting in. I need to pre-game this next time. Working with him again tomorrow and I will pre-game this with him. I'm always amazed too at the coaches that don't know the rules.

[Umpire in Chief]

It is tough, we don't want to step on our partners but you need to try to communicate with him. We don't want a misapplication of the rules. Like Brian said if you can get him get him away from both of the coaches and all the players and be discrete.

[Dragon29]

. . . and to follow up on what both Brian & Warren said, if you can't get his attention without, well, . . . calling attention, I'd leave it alone (till after the game)

While it's always best to get it right, if the managers don't know the rules, they have only themselves to blame.

[Pops]

Before the game we are taught to talk about mechanics and signs with our partner, and I have noticed that most umpires do not go strictly by the book. (Who covers 3B? Who calls foul balls when F2 is in the A position? Who watches what bases during what plays? And so on.) It's sad that so many umps have a differing opinion about how these things should be done. BUT...the pre-game talk should include how the plate ump wants these mechanics and signs to be handled. If this is not discussed, you are just asking for trouble when an awkward situation presents itself. One of the signs I mention is the removal of the hat and giving it a slight shake so that your partner knows you've seen something you want to add. And of course you don't want to embarrass your partner. If he wants to talk about it and risk turning around a call, he will come get you and talk. We're all taught not to come running in and overturn your partner, so this seems to work well. It's a little bit of "preventive medicine."