Umpire Signals

[JaxRolo]

Can someone tell me where I can find some illustrations or video on signals you use to communicate with your partners?

I have looked but can't find any.

Sometimes I get a partner that throws a new one at me.

[Mike Prince]

If you do a pregame with a partner, especially a new one, it should take care of most of it. I find that the preferences vary from umpire to umpire.

To answer your question more directly:

http://www.amateurumpire.com/amateurumpire/mech/signs.htm

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Umpire+signals :Horse:

[JaxRolo]

If you do a pregame with a partner, especially a new one, it should take care of most of it. I find that the preferences vary from umpire to umpire.

To answer your question more directly:

http://www.amateurumpire.com/amateurumpire/mech/signs.htm

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Umpire+signals

Thanks for the links.

As far as pregame we try to cover as much as possible. But you just never know when your partner might throw a signal at you that you haven't seen before.

[mstaylor]

I had a guy that used to look like a lifeguard signaling stand to stand. I had no clue what most of it meant but I would nod and do what I knew I was supposed to do. The signals are simply reminders of mechanics that should be ingrained anyway.

[noumpere]

Sometimes I get a partner that throws a new one at me.

If it happens more than, oh, twice in a career, then something is wrong, imo.

Signals can vary by area, but within an area should be standard. So, once you see the new one, then the next time it isn't new and you should know it.

Did you ask your partner what the signal meant, and either adopt it (because it was new to you) or correct him (because he used a non-standard signal for your area)?

[JaxRolo]

If it happens more than, oh, twice in a career, then something is wrong, imo.

Signals can vary by area, but within an area should be standard. So, once you see the new one, then the next time it isn't new and you should know it.

Did you ask your partner what the signal meant, and either adopt it (because it was new to you) or correct him (because he used a non-standard signal for your area)?

I dont think its an area thing.

Its Training.

We have 87 Umpires in our association. And unfortunately there is no training. They may have a 2-3 hour clinic for the new guys once a year but that is it.

Our UIC is a 65 year old man that runs the whole thing by himself. All on paper. No computers no nothing.

If we are lucky he calls us the day before a game with our assignment.

Somehow he has managed to get the better Parks and Tournaments in our city.

Some guys are the ones with 1 year experience 15 times.

So when it comes to hand signals - good luck with that.

Some have attended camps or clinics here or there.

[mstaylor]

That is unfortunate but guys like yourself need to get together among yourselves and teach yourself what you are picking up here. The guy current guy will eventually retire and you will be in a position to be a new leader and bring your group up to speed.

[Kevin Finnerty]

If you do a pregame with a partner, especially a new one, it should take care of most of it. I find that the preferences vary from umpire to umpire.

To answer your question more directly:

http://www.amateurumpire.com/amateurumpire/mech/signs.htm

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Umpire+signals

THAT is very funny! :D

[Kevin Finnerty]

That is unfortunate but guys like yourself need to get together among yourselves and teach yourself what you are picking up here. The current guy will eventually retire and you will be in a position to be a new leader and bring your group up to speed.

A JC and two of the leading D-I universities allow us to do these informal umpiring clinics accompanying their intrasquad games. Those of us who want to get better work a few dozen college games during the fall and winter with a self-appointed mentor (a local college and h.s. umpire and unit president), who pulls us through the entire D-I experience from the time we roll into the locker room and rub up the baseballs, until we turn out the lights. After one off-season, one of the schools took me in to the extent that I'm friends with the entire club, and I'm on the pass list for all their games, home and road.

[cardinalfan]

We have a local small college that offers a Saturday showcase in the spring for high schoolers. It is their way of seeing a bunch of kids they haven't seen because of their limited recruiting budget.

Our association shows up, and the younger guys take their turns behind the plate and on the bases with the more experienced guys helping with advice. We also do a classroom clinic beforehand and lunch afterwards.

The college gets free umpiring, and we get to meet the young guys and help them. Definitely a win/win situation!

[Kevin Finnerty]

Doing college level games in the off-season when they don't really count is the best way to develop premier level skills as quickly as possible. The ball/strike, fair/foul and safe/out decisions at the D-I level are extremely high level, so the skills practice is invaluable.

After digging in behind the plate with a guy who throws 99 m.p.h. and a half dozen others who throw consistently in the low-to-mid-90s, the several premier high school pitchers I saw during this past season were yawners.