"Explaining" balls

[umpire_scott]

@umpire_scott

 

What you described can ONLY happen if you've failed to establish a good working relationship with F2.

 

That can only be a result of two things:

1. you're not calling a good game...solution: get better

2. F2 is an arrogant dipstick...solution: find some creative way to punish him...I'll leave those details to your imagination

 

Seriously, I've only had this happen once...F2 said "HE said it was outside."  I called time and swept the plate (which didn't need it).  I quietly said "Johnny, do you like apples"  yes, why? "pull that crap again and your zone will be about the size of one."

 

I agree to a point.  But this was a 15 year old kid and yes he was an arrogant dipstick.  I don't know that he had the maturity or attitude to establish a relationship with.  This was the only time it was this egregious to me as well.  I would worry about telling a catcher that you were going to shrink his teams strike zone.  What would your explanation be to the coach when he came out and asked you about it? I simply said to him "if those are going to be your answers then we are in for a long day.

 

I do agree in general that I need to do more in establishing a relationship with catchers.  I don't generally have adversarial relationships with them, but in some respect I may be too professional and not establish a rapport that has them on my side.

[BigUmpire]

New bumper sticker:

 

"Johnny (F2), do you like apples" yes, why? "pull that crap again and your zone will be about the size of one."- FleasOf1000Camels

 

Thanks @FleasOf1000Camels

[Haid D' Salaami]

For me, this all starts with establishing a relationship with the catcher right from the beginning.  I make a point to introduce myself and get the catcher's name.

 

I call strikes LOUD and CLEAR.  Everybody in the park hears me.

 

If a ball is obvious, I just say BALL...still loud enough to be heard on the infield.

If a ball is close, I say BALL in that same outdoor voice, then softly say "That's down", or "that's out"..whatever, just loud enough for F2 and maybe the batter to hear.

 

I NEVER respond to the "where was that?" question from the dugout.  When that question comes, I quietly say to the catcher "Tyler, your coach wants to know where that one was."  or "Josh, your coach has a question for you."  9 times out of 10, that solves the issue for the rest of the day.  The smarter catchers figure it out right away, others might have to be nudged with the knee once or twice.

I will disagree... if the coach ask "where is that pitch"  answer him... but dont make a habit out if it... so maybe he asks in the 2nd inning, 4th, and 6th.. I'm ok with that.. but you ask me a bunch of times.. no good.

[FleasOf1000Camels]

I am blessed with extremely selective hearing. Just ask my wife.

 

As far as I'm concerned, a coach asking me "where was that" is nothing but a pussified way to argue balls and strikes.  I can either hear these comments or HEAR them.  If I only hear them, I can pretend NOT to have HEARD them and then ignore them.  If I respond, that proves I HEARD it.  Since arguing balls and strikes is grounds for ejection, I'm doing the coach a favor by not HEARING them.

[umpire_scott]

I am blessed with extremely selective hearing. Just ask my wife.

 

As far as I'm concerned, a coach asking me "where was that" is nothing but a pussified way to argue balls and strikes.  I can either hear these comments or HEAR them.  If I only hear them, I can pretend NOT to have HEARD them and then ignore them.  If I respond, that proves I HEARD it.  Since arguing balls and strikes is grounds for ejection, I'm doing the coach a favor by not HEARING them.

 

I am interested in knowing what your response would be if F2 goes back to his coach and says that you told him his teams strike zone was going to the be size of an apple, and the coach comes to you and asks whether you told his catcher that or not?

[Dean]

[BigUmpire]

New bumper sticker:

 

" Boys, I am one of those umpires that misses 'em every once in a while SO if it's close, you'd better hit it" Cal Hubbard & Dean

 

 Thanks  @Dean

[millerforrest]

No need to justify your calling of a "ball". It makes you sound defensive.

[Thunderheads]

No need to justify your calling of a "ball". It makes you sound defensive.

<br />..... Hardly

[Dean]

 

No need to justify your calling of a "ball". It makes you sound defensive.

<br />..... Hardly

 

 

Well it might if you sound like this: http://youtu.be/Nc52OMftJSk

[Haid D' Salaami]

No need to justify your calling of a "ball". It makes you sound defensive.

Not rue.. if the coach is asking a legit question, you need to answer... please notice i said asking, not yelling.