Common Hand Signals?

[KayTup]

As a guy that has mostly worked as a one-man crew, I’m interested to know what some common communication signals are among partners? I know the infield fly (bill of the cap) signal, but what are some others I should know?

 

I could use some training in this aspect since I’m often stuck working with a randomly assigned partner I’ve never worked with before.

[Senor Azul]

You could search the term umpire signals on YouTube and get several videos on the topic. Or you could look in the back of any year high school baseball rule book. There you will find Play-Pics of every official signal used in high school baseball with a brief explanation on how to perform each one.

[SeeingEyeDog]

OP, hand signals are critical. If you are working with a partner or crew you haven't worked with before, make sure you pre-game signals...

~Dawg

[LRZ]

Kaytup, I found this NFHS signals chart on-line: https://www.nfhs.org/media/1017816/baseball_umpires_signals_2021-1.pdf  However, there may be regional differences; in non-FED games, umpires may signal differently or may use other signals (eg, some umpires have a "wipe-off" signal); so you should probably talk with local officials, or, if you are in a scholastic chapter, bring it up at a meeting.

Also note that the NFHS chart is missing two signals: finger-to-tip-of-cap (or, old school hand on chest) = a reminder about an IFF situation; and BU's open hand or closed fists, at waist level, to indicate a clean catch by F2 or a U3K. Maybe a third page is missing?

As a retro-grouch, I find many of these signals--not all, but a number--unnecessary, like waving in a landing aircraft on a carrier; IMO, it's much more important to communicate with your partner. "I've got third if he goes," for example. For me, I keep it simple.

YMMV. But, as SeeingEyeDog said, pre-game what signals and what verbal communications you'll use.

[MadMax]

17 hours ago, KayTup said:

I know the infield fly (bill of the cap) signal, but what are some others I should know?

How do you know about this one? It’s not one most of us (in Phoenix, and out here on the road) use. We use the fist/point above the right shoulder signal. Then again, since pre-pitch signals (are supposed to) originate from the PU, and I do so many Plate games, I implement the hand signals I know / have been taught. 

And trust me, they are minimalist. 

If you’re ramping up your involvement in 2-man (and then 3- & 4-man), it’s far more important to know what positions, actions, responsibilities and rotations you have, in which situations, and how to perform them (and why). Once you know these things, then the signals actually mean – or signify – something to the both (or three, or four) of you. 

I’ve watched guys misuse them; I’ve watched guys absentmindedly do them, only to not do what they signify, nor do anything at all! I’ve watched guys make them way too complex, and I’ve watched guys insist on using their own signals, only to not even understand what those signals actually mean! Example? PU gives the “standard” R1 PU rotation to 3B, but on a textbook liner to the outfield, PU doesn’t budge, and BU has to scramble to cover 2 bases, and judge two subsequent tags (upon R1 at 3B, and then upon BR at 2B). When asked between innings, or in post-game, “Where were ya?”, PU replies with, “For what? Oh, we’re supposed to leave the plate? I had this partner last week that did that signal before every batter, I’m just imitating him!” 

Really, it’s not that hard… if you do this enough, you don’t even need signals. With a quick count, there are… six pre-pitch signal sets you and your partner exhibit, depending on situation. None are needed to be shown when BU is at A, 2 are shown at B, while the other 4 are at C. 

[Velho]

22 minutes ago, MadMax said:

19 hours ago, KayTup said:

I know the infield fly (bill of the cap) signal, but what are some others I should know?

How do you know about this one? It’s not one most of us (in Phoenix, and out here on the road) use.

Bill of the cap for IFF is standard practice here in Southern Bay Area, CA LL. I noticed during HS season the crews used a shaka-bra signal. Not defending those or equating them to higher levels or other locales. Just saying.

24 minutes ago, MadMax said:

Really, it’s not that hard… if you do this enough, you don’t even need signals.

I worked a game with my District UIC (years of experience probably about equal to my age - there's some pressure). I was PU. I'd give signals (minimal as I've absorbed from you all the excessive redundancy in prior practice). And... I'd get a subtle nod in return. Made me chuckle to myself.

[MadMax]

3 hours ago, Velho said:

Not defending those or equating them to higher levels or other locales.

The point is, there is no standard, widely accepted “one”. They differ per region, and they differ per level. Should there be “one”? Possibly… but who’s to say which one it shall be? 

I can guarantee that MLBU, CBUA, and NFHS will not agree as to what it shall be. 

Even if you did, you’d still have that one rogue association in X-state who’d do their own signal set… because they wanna be diff’rent. 

3 hours ago, Velho said:

I'd give signals (minimal as I've absorbed from you all the excessive redundancy in prior practice). And... I'd get a subtle nod in return. Made me chuckle to myself.

My fellow Vulture and I worked a prestigious tournament series, and the Assigner had hired some on-furlough CBUA umpires to act as roving UICs and evaluators. I had been living in the same house as that Vulture for 2 years, had been working with him for 3 years, and the two of us had done over 100 games together by that point. Needless to say, we knew where each other was going to be on that field, during a play, implicitly. We did not need pre-pitch signals. 

We were approached in the locker room by one of these evaluators, who rattled off a bunch of feedback to us, but then concluded it with, “You two… you didn’t use any pre-pitch signals. Why didn’t you signal? You’ve got to signal!” My fellow Vulture looked at him funny, and replied, “You do realize that’s my housemate, right? Did we miss a rotation?” “Uh, no.” “Exactly.”

[Jimurray]

1 hour ago, MadMax said:

The point is, there is no standard, widely accepted “one”. They differ per region, and they differ per level. Should there be “one”? Possibly… but who’s to say which one it shall be? 

I can guarantee that MLBU, CBUA, and NFHS will not agree as to what it shall be. 

Even if you did, you’d still have that one rogue association in X-state who’d do their own signal set… because they wanna be diff’rent. 

My fellow Vulture and I worked a prestigious tournament series, and the Assigner had hired some on-furlough CBUA umpires to act as roving UICs and evaluators. I had been living in the same house as that Vulture for 2 years, had been working with him for 3 years, and the two of us had done over 100 games together by that point. Needless to say, we knew where each other was going to be on that field, during a play, implicitly. We did not need pre-pitch signals. 

We were approached in the locker room by one of these evaluators, who rattled off a bunch of feedback to us, but then concluded it with, “You two… you didn’t use any pre-pitch signals. Why didn’t you signal? You’ve got to signal!” My fellow Vulture looked at him funny, and replied, “You do realize that’s my housemate, right? Did we miss a rotation?” “Uh, no.” “Exactly.”

There is only one standard. That is there is no 'wipe off".

[Velho]

2 hours ago, MadMax said:

Did we miss a rotation?” “Uh, no.” “Exactly.”

Exactly. 😉

[LRZ]

KayTup, the above dialogue is a demonstration of why you should seek local knowledge about how are things done in your region. For a new umpire who wishes to move up, like you, it is important to know how things are done locally because you will probably be evaluated by assigners, some of whom may be obsessive about such things as proper signals. Your advancement could be hindered by a failure to comply.

[Velho]

3 hours ago, LRZ said:

Your advancement could be hindered by a failure to comply.

are we still just talking umpiring?

[beerguy55]

   Hand signals are a must if you ever ump games under water.

[SeeingEyeDog]

12 hours ago, Jimurray said:

There is only one standard. That is there is no 'wipe off".

That is not true...

~Dawg

[Thunderheads]

15 hours ago, Jimurray said:

There is only one standard. That is there is no 'wipe off".

 

2 hours ago, SeeingEyeDog said:

That is not true...

~Dawg

Actually, that is true.  There is not a documented signal for 'wipe off'.   BUT .... local associations, etc may have something they like to have crews do.    Let's all keep in mind that I'm sure we've all either done it, or ALMOST did it ... call an IFF when it was NOT in effect.  A coordinated (pregamed) wipe off signal 'could' prevent that if the crew deems it necessary.  AND THAT'S A BIG IF!    If you've got a 2 man crew with one experienced and one not as much, etc ...it could help.  I'm not saying it's necessary, so don't go there veterans, ..I'm just saying it could come in handy.

Subtle ... inconspicuous .... like, say: both hands below the belt, right hand on top of left.  Or, .. place your hand over your mouth and pull down as though you're wiping away sweat, etc....

[noumpere]

16 hours ago, Jimurray said:

There is only one standard. That is there is no 'wipe off".

 

3 hours ago, SeeingEyeDog said:

That is not true...

~Dawg

Correct. It's used to wipe away the blood after your partner butchers a call.

 

More seriously, why would you need to "wipe of" the infield fly?  Obviously, something has changed -- just signal the new situation.

[Catch18]

More seriously, why would you need to "wipe of" the infield fly?  Obviously, something has changed -- just signal the new situation.

BINGO!!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Aging_Arbiter]

As you see, signals (from training or not) can be different depending on your organization.  A good pre-game meeting with your partner should alleviate issues.

 

I will add just one more thing from the OP.  One man.....is not a crew.  He is a target of opportunity.

[KayTup]

On 7/26/2021 at 12:49 AM, Senor Azul said:

You could search the term umpire signals on YouTube and get several videos on the topic. Or you could look in the back of any year high school baseball rule book. There you will find Play-Pics of every official signal used in high school baseball with a brief explanation on how to perform each one.

Absolutely, I have that covered, but my concern is communication with my partner.

[KayTup]

On 7/26/2021 at 11:00 AM, LRZ said:

Kaytup, I found this NFHS signals chart on-line: https://www.nfhs.org/media/1017816/baseball_umpires_signals_2021-1.pdf  However, there may be regional differences; in non-FED games, umpires may signal differently or may use other signals (eg, some umpires have a "wipe-off" signal); so you should probably talk with local officials, or, if you are in a scholastic chapter, bring it up at a meeting.

Also note that the NFHS chart is missing two signals: finger-to-tip-of-cap (or, old school hand on chest) = a reminder about an IFF situation; and BU's open hand or closed fists, at waist level, to indicate a clean catch by F2 or a U3K. Maybe a third page is missing?

As a retro-grouch, I find many of these signals--not all, but a number--unnecessary, like waving in a landing aircraft on a carrier; IMO, it's much more important to communicate with your partner. "I've got third if he goes," for example. For me, I keep it simple.

YMMV. But, as SeeingEyeDog said, pre-game what signals and what verbal communications you'll use.

Awesome! I appreciate the link, and I agree some are redundant. My biggest concern is understanding what my partner is trying to communicate.

[KayTup]

On 7/26/2021 at 5:48 PM, MadMax said:

How do you know about this one? It’s not one most of us (in Phoenix, and out here on the road) use. We use the fist/point above the right shoulder signal. Then again, since pre-pitch signals (are supposed to) originate from the PU, and I do so many Plate games, I implement the hand signals I know / have been taught. 

And trust me, they are minimalist. 

If you’re ramping up your involvement in 2-man (and then 3- & 4-man), it’s far more important to know what positions, actions, responsibilities and rotations you have, in which situations, and how to perform them (and why). Once you know these things, then the signals actually mean – or signify – something to the both (or three, or four) of you. 

I’ve watched guys misuse them; I’ve watched guys absentmindedly do them, only to not do what they signify, nor do anything at all! I’ve watched guys make them way too complex, and I’ve watched guys insist on using their own signals, only to not even understand what those signals actually mean! Example? PU gives the “standard” R1 PU rotation to 3B, but on a textbook liner to the outfield, PU doesn’t budge, and BU has to scramble to cover 2 bases, and judge two subsequent tags (upon R1 at 3B, and then upon BR at 2B). When asked between innings, or in post-game, “Where were ya?”, PU replies with, “For what? Oh, we’re supposed to leave the plate? I had this partner last week that did that signal before every batter, I’m just imitating him!” 

Really, it’s not that hard… if you do this enough, you don’t even need signals. With a quick count, there are… six pre-pitch signal sets you and your partner exhibit, depending on situation. None are needed to be shown when BU is at A, 2 are shown at B, while the other 4 are at C. 

This is great, I appreciate it a ton. The bill of the cap IFF is pretty standard here in Indiana but very well could be different in different places.

[KayTup]

On 7/26/2021 at 11:10 PM, Jimurray said:

There is only one standard. That is there is no 'wipe off".

I know a few guys who would disagree… but I would agree with you there

[KayTup]

On 7/27/2021 at 8:36 AM, LRZ said:

KayTup, the above dialogue is a demonstration of why you should seek local knowledge about how are things done in your region. For a new umpire who wishes to move up, like you, it is important to know how things are done locally because you will probably be evaluated by assigners, some of whom may be obsessive about such things as proper signals. Your advancement could be hindered by a failure to comply.

Very good to know!! As I gain experience I’m sure I’ll start picking up more and more… when I see a signal I don’t understand I’m always sure to ask and find out.

[KayTup]

On 7/27/2021 at 11:45 AM, beerguy55 said:

   Hand signals are a must if you ever ump games under water.

This one got me good, thanks for the laugh!

[KayTup]

On 7/28/2021 at 1:08 PM, Aging_Arbiter said:I will add just one more thing from the OP.  One man.....is not a crew.  He is a target of opportunity.

I like to consider myself a one-man wrecking crew as I destroy kids’ hopes and dreams

[Velho]

18 minutes ago, KayTup said:

I like to consider myself a one-man wrecking crew as I destroy kids’ hopes and dreams

What you’ll come to realize is that it’s the parent’s hopes and dreams you’re crushing, not the kids’. That’s why they lose their crap so much worse. This is more true the younger the kids are.