Important 'little' things

[kstrunk]

Putting the ball in play,

putting the ball in play with the right hand,

holding the indicator in the correct hand,

calling a close foul ball loudly enough for the base ump to hear,

calling balls and strikes loud enough or using a VISIBLE mechanic,

giving the count,

PU verbalizing 'infield fly if fair' on  a ball on the line,

PU saying 'I've  got the ball, or I'm on the line' when it's appropriate,

base umpires turning their back on the ball needlessly,...

And more... Am I the only person that gets annoyed when experienced umpires fail to do things correctly? I'm relatively inexperienced but I've found discipline with many of these things very helpful in doing the job the right way, but I find myself struggling when others don't, and I'm curious about my own responsibility to them and the game. I've been keeping it to myself, mostly, but I'm finding it increasingly difficult to do that. Am I being hyper-critical? Should these things matter to guys who are content with where they are? Should they matter at all? 

[scrounge]

A good start to a list of things that can help set you apart and make things smoother. Some nitpicks:

• What does it matter which hand is used to put the ball in play? If it's a left handed batter, why not use your left hand so the pitcher can see better?
• Most people hold their indicator in their left hand. But as long as you're not staring at it, does it matter?

[maineump]

Others:

• Verbal communications when plate guy gets to 3B on a coverage
• Verbal communications when PU gets into the run down
• Letting base ump know when you have the ball (when the base ump is in) on the line
• Take your mask off with the left hand
• I  like to keep indicator in my left hand (it is designed that way)
• Make sure to trail runner (if applicable) to 1B on infield ground ball.
• KEEP THE GAME MOVING by keeping the batter in box (by rule)
• As BU, be on the proper side of the mound when calling a play from the inside. For instance, if you start in C, and are calling a play at 1B, be on the B side when making the call. Perception is half the battle, and it gives you a better angle on the play.

[maineump]

31 minutes ago, kstrunk said:

Putting the ball in play,

putting the ball in play with the right hand,

holding the indicator in the right hand,

calling a close foul ball loudly enough for the base ump to hear,

calling balls and strikes loud enough or using a VISIBLE mechanic,

giving the count,

PU verbalizing 'infield fly if fair' on  a ball on the line,

PU saying 'I've  got the ball, or I'm on the line' when it's appropriate,

base umpires turning their back on the ball needlessly,...

And more... Am I the only person that gets annoyed when experienced umpires fail to do things correctly? I'm relatively inexperienced but I've found discipline with many of these things very helpful in doing the job the right way, but I find myself struggling when others don't, and I'm curious about my own responsibility to them and the game. I've been keeping it to myself, mostly, but I'm finding it increasingly difficult to do that. Am I being hyper-critical? Should these things matter to guys who are content with where they are? Should they matter at all? 

You're not being over critical. You want to improve and be a better umpire. You will find that some people just don't want to do that.

[Aging_Arbiter]

1-Don't forget your cup!

[maven]

3 minutes ago, Aging_Arbiter said:

1-Don't forget your cup!

You mean, to protect those "important 'little' things?"

[Aging_Arbiter]

I was wondering if anyone else out there had as a sarcastic sense of humor as I do.....................

[kstrunk]

So how do experienced and mechanically sound  umpires handle  such things? Do you coach and teach, understanding that those you're working with may form an opinion of your 'dogmatism', or do you simply live and let live? 

[maven]

1 minute ago, kstrunk said:

So how do experienced and mechanically sound  umpires handle  such things? Do you coach and teach, understanding that those you're working with may form an opinion of your 'dogmatism', or do you simply live and let live? 

The likelihood of my offering unsolicited advice is inversely proportional to the partner's number of years of service.

If solicited, I'll start with a few positives and then mention up to 3 criticisms. Few people can absorb more than that in one game, especially when tired, plus I don't want to appear to be a total dick.

[Stk004]

I also keep my indicator in my left hand. 

[maven]

26 minutes ago, Stk004 said:

I also keep my indicator in my left hand. 

Just like earrings on men in the 80's: left is right, and right is wrong, and 2 is not twice as good as one.

[scrounge]

34 minutes ago, maven said:

The likelihood of my offering unsolicited advice is inversely proportional to the partner's number of years of service.

If solicited, I'll start with a few positives and then mention up to 3 criticisms. Few people can absorb more than that in one game, especially when tired, plus I don't want to appear to be a total dick.

Ah, yes, best to reveal that over time

[BCBrad]

When working with younger umpires (12-15 years old),

1. I tease them about sweeping the plate with their butts to the backstop.
2. I also cringe at shin guards outside pants.
3. BUs not moving inside on hits to the outfield from A or especially in no stealing levels, from all starting positions.

I like the saying my brother-in-law has for supporting young hockey officials: ``give them three stars and one wish.`` I try to do the same with young umpires.

I like the other points made as I find these ``little things`` usually lead to getting the bigger things right.

Ooh and I have indicator in left hand only as plate umpire.

[BCBrad]

3 hours ago, Aging_Arbiter said:

1-Don't forget your cup!

The cup is useless without the supporter or compression pants.

I have two supporters and one compression pants in my bag. Nothing is worse than realizing it is still in the wash when you get to the field.

[Umpire in Chief]

A lot of good advice here...

I wrote a little article on this a few years ago:

 

[taa71458]

Plate umpires that don't move when there's a pickle between 1st and 2nd or 2nd and 3rd. 

[LittleBlue]

It annoys me more when my partner knows better and chooses not to do the little things because they've gotten where they are doing it their way. I find that when I ask them about it, they say it doesn't matter or we don't need to cause we know what we're doing. Its my job to do certain things on the field and that includes the little things. I try to do my job the best I can. I try not to take short cuts. If my partner does and he hangs me out to dry, I'll be there to cover for him on the play, but we will have a long post-game. My opinion is, if you don't want to do all that is required of you for the job, don't to the job. My 

[RichMSN]

I've mellowed out over the years, I guess.

If I'm the base umpire, then please DON'T have a coffee can zone, DO call strikes above the belt, DO have good corners, and DO have good timing.  No gross misses, please.

If I'm the plate umpire, don't come to me looking for help on calls when you didn't work to get a good angle for a play.

Other than that, little bothers me.

[Tksjewelry]

1-Don't forget your cup!

I forget mine every game.

Sent from my SM-G920P using Tapatalk

[lawump]

3 hours ago, taa71458 said:

Plate umpires that don't move, period.

@taa71458 I had to change your post.  

[Jimurray]

How about calling, texting, emailing the day or two before about time, place, fashion, rotation. And then confirming with the coach, TD. But don't worry. If you show up I will have everything in my truck except gray, pink and whatever anyone can interject that i might not have. I do have red and hate it but I call with a guy that loves it if it counterpoints the playing teams colors. He's good, other than fashionwise, and I wear it and give him sheet.

[Aging_Arbiter]

9 hours ago, Tksjewelry said:

I forget mine every game.

Sent from my SM-G920P using Tapatalk

And just when I need to find the "rimshot" gif......I cannot

[BretMan]

23 hours ago, scrounge said:

What does it matter which hand is used to put the ball in play? If it's a left handed batter, why not use your left hand so the pitcher can see better?

I saw a guy get reamed pretty good for doing that in a COBUA clinic a few years ago.

[scrounge]

35 minutes ago, BretMan said:

I saw a guy get reamed pretty good for doing that in a COBUA clinic a few years ago.

That's the kind of petty, meaningless crap that drives me crazy. Unfortunately I do know a couple of evaluators who focus on that, picking up pennies while walking over dollars. It absolutely makes no difference.

[kstrunk]

I guess the higher the level, the greater the need for a higher standard in order to put the most competent and capable umpires on the field. Without that standard, which covers the little things, there's no way to ensure a baseline level of competency. Which  is likely the reason that the higher the level of baseball one watches, the greater consistency there is doing the 'little things' identically. I don't see D1 and pro umps putting the ball in play with their left hand very often, or holding the indicator in their right hand, taking their mask off with their right hand, etc...