Incoming pitcher situational information relaying

[udbrky]

So I know we no longer tell the pitcher what time it is when they're done with warmup pitches.

 

Why have I had so many partners that insist on having it done/doing it? I've had a couple partners when I'm on the bases that are basically telling me to tell the pitcher. I just stand there looking like I only speak Portuguese. They then get a little WTF ish and go tell the pitcher.

What do you do in that situation? Just stand there and ignore them as well?

[catsbackr]

Maybe tell them, "This ain't Little League, partner".

[indianaumpire15]

Tell them that's the coach's job.

[udbrky]

Yeah, but do I do that across the diamond? 

[Jimurray]

The BU needs to brief the pitcher after a change. When else does he get to be the center of attention. I teach to walk up to the mound, take the ball from the pitcher and rub it a little, tell him the outs and hold up your hand with the number of outs so the crowd can see it and then, if runners are on tell him where they are and point at them as you do it.

Does anyone need me to add a sarcasm emoji? 

Yes, I have seen this done. We have stamped it out in my neck of the woods.

[Richvee]

After RP's warmup pitches, I've had partners look out at me and say something like, "You got him?" I nod and go directly to "A", "B", or "C"

[LittleBlue]

I don't insist that my partners do it, but I won't do it myself and I won't stop you from doing it. At the local rec league they ask us to say it so the pitcher knows what's going on even though most of them don't even after I tell them (I've told them and then they turn right around and ask me how many outs). This one wise guy I used to work with a lot would tell the pitcher the situation and what the weather looked like the following day. Not for me though.

[Jimurray]

3 minutes ago, LittleBlue said:

I don't insist that my partners do it, but I won't do it myself and I won't stop you from doing it. At the local rec league they ask us to say it so the pitcher knows what's going on even though most of them don't even after I tell them (I've told them and then they turn right around and ask me how many outs). This one wise guy I used to work with a lot would tell the pitcher the situation and what the weather looked like the following day. Not for me though.

When the make a sub do they want you to go out to the defense position to brief or does the sub come to the BU for a brief. Tell the rec league it's just not going to be done. Anyone that goes along with this smittyism probably has a little "inserting himself into the game" desire.

[ricka56]

Umpires shouldn't have to tell the new F1 the count/outs, that is his coach's job. But if you're the only one refusing this silliness, you may be the odd man out. The other umpires may think that you think you're too good to give count/outs. Your future assignments may be impacted by your refusal to go along with the status-doh. It may come down to do you really want to keep working their games or tilt at windmills.  

[Richvee]

2 minutes ago, ricka56 said:

Umpires shouldn't have to tell the new F1 the count/outs, 

As PU, if I have a pitching change in the middle of a batter, I'm giving the count before I put the ball in play.

[Jimurray]

8 minutes ago, ricka56 said:

Umpires shouldn't have to tell the new F1 the count/outs, that is his coach's job. But if you're the only one refusing this silliness, you may be the odd man out. The other umpires may think that you think you're too good to give count/outs. Your future assignments may be impacted by your refusal to go along with the status-doh. It may come down to do you really want to keep working their games or tilt at windmills.  

The count would be an appropriate thing for the PU to announce. The status-doh can be changed. PONY started up as an alternative to LL and a chance to play real baseball in my area. "Real Baseball" was touted as a reason. As BU in one game after RP warmups As I was standing in position I was asked by the manager if I was going to brief the pitcher. I told him that was his job but if they ever started doing it in High School, College and the pros I would do it then. Got a laugh from him and the crowd. 

[udbrky]

Yeah, count is one thing. I mean, I've got no short term memory up to like an hour. So what happened 3 minutes ago, no clue. 

I like the whole nodding your head then going to your position, that's kind of what I've been doing. I just didn't know if you guys like doing something else.

[ricka56]

6 hours ago, Richvee said:

As PU, if I have a pitching change in the middle of a batter, I'm giving the count before I put the ball in play.

Let me clarify, I was talking about the BU briefing... isn't that what this thread is about.  

6 hours ago, Jimurray said:

The count would be an appropriate thing for the PU to announce. The status-doh can be changed. PONY started up as an alternative to LL and a chance to play real baseball in my area. "Real Baseball" was touted as a reason. As BU in one game after RP warmups As I was standing in position I was asked by the manager if I was going to brief the pitcher. I told him that was his job but if they ever started doing it in High School, College and the pros I would do it then. Got a laugh from him and the crowd. 

A seasoned umpire won't worry about repercussions for not following silly protocols. A less seasoned umpire that wants to keep getting assignments might. 

[Kevin_K]

I have heard many times over the years that umpires shouldn't coach a team's players. I have also learned not to offer more than I am asked.  An umpire's job is to umpire. Informing a new pitcher of the situation is coaching.

When BU, I count warm-up pitches for my PU who ought to be taking care of the lineup change. When he is done with that, I discreetly offer how many have already been taken to him and when there are two left I say in a conversational tone something like "OK guys lets go.... he's got two left," and then return to wherever I need to be. 

I have never lost an assignment because I did not debrief a pitcher. I would think that assignments would more likely be denied on ability or inability for an umpire more-so than this silliness.  

My .02

 

[RichMSN]

Maybe tell them, "This ain't Little League, partner".

Let's dump on Little League for no good reason.

We don't do it in Little League, either.

[stkjock]

2 hours ago, RichMSN said:

Let's dump on Little League for no good reason.

We don't do it in Little League, either.

FWIW - in the last 3 years that I've been involved in Minors/Majors LL (9-12 y/o) the PU (solo) has always gone to the mound to inform a new pitcher of the situation.  So at least here it's done.

[kstrunk]

LL is where I learned it! And U-E is where I 'un-learned' it! 

[MadMax]

4 minutes ago, stkjock said:

FWIW - in the last 3 years that I've been involved in Minors/Majors LL (9-12 y/o) the PU (solo) has always gone to the mound to inform a new pitcher of the situation.  So at least here it's done.

It's still grandstanding, @stkjock. It's done by umpires who want to give a good impression ("Oh my, did you see that umpire? He's so helpful!") or feel good/better about themselves ("I'm such a helpful umpire. Lemme brush off the rubber for you while I'm at it!"). These same umpires are usually those that give near-complete instructionals on balks. 

Although, this is Solo LL work you're talking about... The PU might be seeking confirmation of the count and outs from the participants. 

[stkjock]

well, I've never had the thought that it was anything other than SOP for what the PU should be doing, maybe that's my lack of exposure and naivety, certainly "grandstanding" never ever once even occurred to me.

 

[kstrunk]

The only reason I EVER did it is because I thought it was supposed to be done. 

[BretMan]

Thanks for bringing up one of my pet peeves! I HATE this!

Back a few years ago, I was the base umpire and there was a pitching change. After the warm ups, I slide back over to "C". The plate umpire is standing off to the side looking at me. I'm staring right back. Then he points toward the pitcher. I ignore it. Then he starts to act agitated, like I'm holding up the game or something. Then he finally blurts out "Go tell him!". I kind of wave him off, but he doesn't budge and starts to look even more agitated!

Now we have a stalemate. He's waiting for me to "go tell him" and I'm just as adamant that I won't do that. But it becomes apparent that he has no intention of restarting the game until I do. So, reluctantly, I take a few steps toward the pitcher, lean in, and quietly, just loud enough for F1 to hear, I say, "Alright. Are you ready? Here we go".

Satisfied that all is again right in the world, the plate umpire hustles back behind the dish and we resume play...

Kids today have, like, five coaches in the dugout. Why would an umpire have to tell him how many outs there are, or point out base runners that he can see for himself? This just reeks of interjecting oneself into a game where you shouldn't be interjecting. You might not get 15 minutes of fame today, but, by golly, you'll get 15 seconds of fame in the spotlight by giving the pitcher "the situation".

Is this currently, or has it ever been, a recommended mechanic for ANY organization?

[Jimurray]

3 minutes ago, BretMan said:

Thanks for bringing up one of my pet peeves! I HATE this!

Back a few years ago, I was the base umpire and there was a pitching change. After the warm ups, I slide back over to "C". The plate umpire is standing off to the side looking at me. I'm staring right back. Then he points toward the pitcher. I ignore it. Then he starts to act agitated, like I'm holding up the game or something. Then he finally blurts out "Go tell him!". I kind of wave him off, but he doesn't budge and starts to look even more agitated!

Now we have a stalemate. He's waiting for me to "go tell him" and I'm just as adamant that I won't do that. But it becomes apparent that he has no intention of restarting the game until I do. So, reluctantly, I take a few steps toward the pitcher, lean in, and quietly, just loud enough for F1 to hear, I say, "Alright. Are you ready? Here we go".

Satisfied that all is again right in the world, the plate umpire hustles back behind the dish and we resume play...

Kids today have, like, five coaches in the dugout. Why would an umpire have to tell him how many outs there are, or point out base runners that he can see for himself? This just reeks of interjecting oneself into a game where you shouldn't be interjecting. You might not get 15 minutes of fame today, but, by golly, you'll get 15 seconds of fame in the spotlight by giving the pitcher "the situation".

Is this currently, or has it ever been, a recommended mechanic for ANY organization?

I can't imagine any association training umpires to do it. It must come from groups that don't train and the practice is just emulated thru the years.

[maineump]

Why is the BU anywhere near the mound? Should be back on the dirt/grass line, giving the pitcher his space to warm up. After he is done, slide up into B or C and go to work.

[stkjock]

wow, these comments are certainly a enlightenment on this topic.

[RichMSN]

Well, I have worked everything from LL through college.  My avatar is me working the plate in the final of a LL regional.  I have never "given the situation" to a pitcher.  Nobody I work with does, either.

It has nothing to do with LL.  It has everything to do with those umpires and groups of umpires who actually do it.