The Unwritten Rules of Umpiring

[Paperipper17]

Last week on the "Hit by pitch in dirt" thread, UIC wrote the following post-

I don't think there is an official interpretation on this. It is more like other unwritten rules of umpiring.

--In the dirt and hits him the batter gets 1st.

--Catcher stands for a pitch, even if a cock shot, it is a ball

--Umpire gets hit by a pitch, it's a ball

--Catcher catches one underhanded, almost always a ball

--Pitch which goes to the backstop is always a ball

I'm sure others will add more of the unwritten rules of umpiring.

I thought this was great.

There were one or two responses, but I think this could have some legs as its own thread

Any other unwritten rules, guidelines, etc?

I'll start with this: Fielder puts down the tag, then goes back to tag him again, even if the ball beat him by 10 feet, he's safe.

Edited April 19, 2010 by Paperipper17

[kcfan102]

Here ya go.

I picked one up at Barnes and Nobel during the off season. Its pretty good.

It's broken up kind of like the rules book.

3.0.0 The Unwritten Rules for Umpires

3.1.0 Umpire Will Permit "Neighborhood Play" to avoid Mayhem on the bases.

3.2.0 Umpires don't fight or complain, the punish.

3.30 Umpires must always protect eachother.

3.7.1 Umpires have "Magic Words" that virtually guatantee an ejection.

then there are some for the fans..

5.3.0 Don't throw anything onto the field, except the opponents home run ball.

5.6.0 Baseball Fans have a long established inalienable right to throw peanut shells and other litter around their seats.

It also has a glossary in the back as well as going into detail about each rule. I gave it to my girlfriend to look over and she learned a little.

I recommend it.

[cardinalfan]

Unwritten rule:

You can work the first six innings of a game in 45 minutes, but if someone mentions how quick and smooth it has gone, you're screwed! The last inning will have 12 runs, 6 pitcher changes, two close plays, and take about an hour!

[amarillo]

Cardinalfan I will Amen that...

quick smooth games should be treated the same way a team treats a pitcher in the midst of a no hitter

[kcfan102]

Unwritten rule:

You can work the first six innings of a game in 45 minutes, but if someone mentions how quick and smooth it has gone, you're screwed! The last inning will have 12 runs, 6 pitcher changes, two close plays, and take about an hour!

Or, you need one or two runs for a spread. If you mention that to ANYBODY, it won't happen.

[mstaylor]

Unwritten game management:

Always let the home team win. If that's not possible make sure the visitors get the mercy.

[Paperipper17]

Another game management rule

Bottom five, eight minutes left before the time limit...That plate better be freakin spotless...

[JaxRolo]

3 Minutes left till time expires. 2 outs. Banger on 1st, Call it safe or play a whole extra inning.

I had this one last weekend. I called it "Out" Game went on another 20 Min or so.

[BrianC14]

Another unwritten rule of umpiring:

If you are the base umpire, keep your mouth shut at the plate conference until you're spoken to or asked to contribute.

:wave:

[Paperipper17]

Another unwritten rule of umpiring:

If you are the base umpire, keep your mouth shut at the plate conference until you're spoken to or asked to contribute.

ok...this reeks of a good story. Don't hold out on us :wave:

[Replacematt]

ok...this reeks of a good story. Don't hold out on us

It's just mechanics. One team, one spokesman.

Unless he learned that the hard way.

[BrianC14]

OK, I'll dish... but bear in mind this is a pet peeve of mine...

Yesterday, low level varsity game, I'm UIC.

We enter the field, do the 'hat & bat' check thing (and here's something... my partner is checking the bats... but the teams had agreed to use wood bats for that game... but he's checking the bats... for what? A BESR label? )

Anyway, we proceed over to the plate. And here's my base umpire, standing with the two HCs off to the 1B side of the plate... he apparently knows them both, and they're over there, have a good ol' time, yukking it up....

Turns out that one of the HCs is also an umpire in our association, though I've never worked with the guy (have only heard his name mentioned here or there, in fact).

So I "invite" their little party over to the plate... "You know, so we can have an actual plate meeting" says I. Throughout the 1.5 minute meeting, he'd interject some comment or two... without being asked. Again,

I gave my base umpire a good hard stare after we finished, and wished I had said something after the game, but didn't want to be Mr. Buzz Kill, since everything after that went as smooth as silk... we went 7 full in 1:45, with the final 7-2.

I do plan to mention it at our next association meeting. though. :FIRE:

Edited April 21, 2010 by BrianC14

[Penguin]

OK, I'll dish... but bear in mind this is a pet peeve of mine...

We enter the field, do the 'hat & bat' check thing (and here's something... my partner is checking the bats... but the teams had agreed to use wood bats for that game... but he's checking the bats... for what? A BESR label? ) Pine tar and cork

I do plan to mention it at our next association meeting. though.

I try not to let the little things get to me before a game even starts. If that's the worst thing that happens you've had a great night as you stated. I myself have actually spoken at the plate when not UIC - especially if one of coaches knows me from this or another sport or says something to me. I don't wait for a "look" or "nod" from UIC giving permission. I understand it's a pet peeve for you - but I gotta be honest - the evil look you gave would have had no chilling effect on me what-so-ever. Might have even drawn a smile and head shake. That said, I've never had a plate meeting go any longer than a minute or two and that's if there are several ground rules to go over whether I'm UIC or BU.

[BrianC14]

I try not to let the little things get to me before a game even starts. If that's the worst thing that happens you've had a great night as you stated. I myself have actually spoken at the plate when not UIC - especially if one of coaches knows me from this or another sport or says something to me. I don't wait for a "look" or "nod" from UIC giving permission. I understand it's a pet peeve for you - but I gotta be honest - the evil look you gave would have had no chilling effect on me what-so-ever. Might have even drawn a smile and head shake. That said, I've never had a plate meeting go any longer than a minute or two and that's if there are several ground rules to go over whether I'm UIC or BU.

What galled me about the whole episode was the back-slapping and joking around going on when we're supposed to be holding a plate meeting. Nothing says "home-town umpire" more than that, IMO.

And to add further to it, both the base umpire and the visiting HC are "senior" umpires in our association. You'd think that they'd know better. There are guys in my association that would have read this guy the riot act - -(some of them probably right there as the meeting ended).

My point here is one of common courtesy and professionalism. I'm not saying the base umpire needs to be a statue out there - of course he's going to shake hands, introduce himself, but the little party they were holding was over the top, and then he adds the interruptions on top of that.... :shakehead:

[carolinablue]

What galled me about the whole episode was the back-slapping and joking around going on when we're supposed to be holding a plate meeting. Nothing says "home-town umpire" more than that, IMO.

And to add further to it, both the base umpire and the visiting HC are "senior" umpires in our association. You'd think that they'd know better. There are guys in my association that would have read this guy the riot act - -(some of them probably right there as the meeting ended).

My point here is one of common courtesy and professionalism. I'm not saying the base umpire needs to be a statue out there - of course he's going to shake hands, introduce himself, but the little party they were holding was over the top, and then he adds the interruptions on top of that....

I agree. I don't think there's anything wrong with getting a knee slapper or two in there prior to game time if you know a coach or a player but when it's time to play it's time to play. Keep it professional . Some times former or active umpires will give you worse than a normal coach just because they know what you should and shouldn't be doing out there. I've got a few games under my belt now and one thing I have learned is that I would rather be sent somewhere where nothing and noone knows who I am. I hate doing a game where someone knows me and even worse, where a lot of people know me.

[DirtyDawg]

I couldn't disagree more. There is no quicker way to ensure yourself a bad night from a coach that to go over and be exchanging jokes and courtesies with a coach or player on his opposing team. He all of a sudden thinks that you are out there against him. I've got my former HS this weekend, and I'm sure they will hate me (doesn't help that I really didn't care too much for going to school there anyways).

[amarillo]

I would have to concur that perception is reality out there and we need to avoid being to chummy with coaches. That being said I have even gone so far as to make a point to go talk to the opposite coach just so it looks even

[PeteBooth]

3.1.0 Umpire Will Permit "Neighborhood Play" to avoid Mayhem on the bases.

Must be an old book at least for MLB where the "Neighborhood" has changed to a different location. Because of slo MO replay and IR the "neighborhood" at least in MLB is a thing of the past.

FWIW I agree for amateur baseball.

Pete Booth

[carolinablue]

I couldn't disagree more. There is no quicker way to ensure yourself a bad night from a coach that to go over and be exchanging jokes and courtesies with a coach or player on his opposing team. He all of a sudden thinks that you are out there against him. I've got my former HS this weekend, and I'm sure they will hate me (doesn't help that I really didn't care too much for going to school there anyways).

That is one reason why I said I would rather be sent somewhere that noone knows me. That way I don't have to deal with " friends on the field".

[JamesC]

What galled me about the whole episode was the back-slapping and joking around going on when we're supposed to be holding a plate meeting. Nothing says "home-town umpire" more than that, IMO.

And to add further to it, both the base umpire and the visiting HC are "senior" umpires in our association. You'd think that they'd know better. There are guys in my association that would have read this guy the riot act - -(some of them probably right there as the meeting ended).

My point here is one of common courtesy and professionalism. I'm not saying the base umpire needs to be a statue out there - of course he's going to shake hands, introduce himself, but the little party they were holding was over the top, and then he adds the interruptions on top of that....

I couldn't agree with you more Brian. I called with a guy not too long ago and he is always talking it up with the players, over by the dugout between innings, in and out of the dugout getting water throughout the game, talking to fans outside the fence DURING play. Just things that are VERY unprofessional and imo, quite aggravating and annoying!

Pitcher's breaking ball was breaking late and coming in high all evening for a ball and he seemed to be getting frustrated by me calling them balls, but I for whatever reason, did not notice his frustration. After the game he told me, "I started to call time and go tell the pitcher that the more he kept showing attitude, the less calls he was going to get." I'm thinking why in the hell would you do that? That makes absolutely no sense! You're not even the plate guy, and that's not even the truth, especially since I haven't even noticed this!

And I'll be dang if he would wipe off the pitching rubber about every 2 outs! Geez, leave the dang thing alone! It is in the same spot it was before the game started, and will still be there after the last pitch!

[Paperipper17]

What galled me about the whole episode was the back-slapping and joking around going on when we're supposed to be holding a plate meeting. Nothing says "home-town umpire" more than that, IMO.

And to add further to it, both the base umpire and the visiting HC are "senior" umpires in our association. You'd think that they'd know better. There are guys in my association that would have read this guy the riot act - -(some of them probably right there as the meeting ended).

I'm with you on that, Brian. Shake hands, introduce yourself, by all means, but being all chummy undermines both you and your partner's impartiality and professionalism. Home-town umpire is a good way to put it.

[BrianC14]

I couldn't agree with you more Brian. I called with a guy not too long ago and he is always talking it up with the players, over by the dugout between innings, in and out of the dugout getting water throughout the game, talking to fans outside the fence DURING play. Just things that are VERY unprofessional and imo, quite aggravating and annoying!

Pitcher's breaking ball was breaking late and coming in high all evening for a ball and he seemed to be getting frustrated by me calling them balls, but I for whatever reason, did not notice his frustration. After the game he told me, "I started to call time and go tell the pitcher that the more he kept showing attitude, the less calls he was going to get." I'm thinking why in the hell would you do that? That makes absolutely no sense! You're not even the plate guy, and that's not even the truth, especially since I haven't even noticed this!

And I'll be dang if he would wipe off the pitching rubber about every 2 outs! Geez, leave the dang thing alone! It is in the same spot it was before the game started, and will still be there after the last pitch!

Oh - yes - - thanks for that reminder. Every 1/2 inning, there he is, standing in foul territory, jacking his jaw with the home team AC at first. But not once with the visiting AC (not that he should be doing that at all, but it was pretty blatant after a few innings where his familiarities were...)

I'll have to be sure to bring that up as well.

[mstaylor]

I read your story wrong originally, I thought he was talking to both managers not two coaches from the same team.

[cardinalfan]

Another unwritten rule:

I worked the dish for a varsity game two nights ago, and my partner put on the gear for JV. He was young and inexperienced, but doing a solid job.

3-0 count on the batter, who squares to bunt, waving the bat over the plate. Pitch is about a foot outside, and the batter immediately tosses bat and heads toward first... only to hear "STEEERRIIKKEE!

The kid stopped and looked bewildered, but the veteran & well-respected HC yelled, "You just broke two unwritten rules of baseball. This ain't Little League. Don't fake a bunt when I give you the take sign and don't show up the umpire. You're lucky he didn't call two strikes!"

[Penguin]

What galled me about the whole episode was the back-slapping and joking around going on when we're supposed to be holding a plate meeting. Nothing says "home-town umpire" more than that, IMO.

And to add further to it, both the base umpire and the visiting HC are "senior" umpires in our association. You'd think that they'd know better. There are guys in my association that would have read this guy the riot act - -(some of them probably right there as the meeting ended).

My point here is one of common courtesy and professionalism. I'm not saying the base umpire needs to be a statue out there - of course he's going to shake hands, introduce himself, but the little party they were holding was over the top, and then he adds the interruptions on top of that....

Sorry, I guess I misread or took what you were trying to say wrong at first. I will speak with the coaches at the plate meeting but that's partly because I don't do the "good ole boy buddy" routine prior to that. Most of the conversations I've had will be a coach asking if I ever get any time off. I officiate 4 sports and he has sees me all year round either because he is coaching or is in the stands watching his own kids play. So it's really only a "how's it going" type of thing - not the back slapping routine.