Meeting On The Mound

[twister]

Why does the home plate umpire walk out to the mound when there is a mound meeting happening?

[noumpere]

9 minutes ago, twister said:

Why does the home plate umpire walk out to the mound when there is a mound meeting happening?

Because it doesn't look good to run out to the mound

To break up the meeting in order to get back to the game.

[The Man in Blue]

Because it is an even worse look to stand at home plate and yell, “Hurry the #%+{ up, Jim!  Your wife is waiting at home!”

[Coach Carl]

I believe the MLB rule is 30 seconds from when the umpire granted time.  The umpires are trained to start walking out after 20 seconds (with 10 seconds left).  This gives the manager/coach a non-verbal cue to wrap things up without a confrontational call out from 60 feet away (as The Man in Blue so aptly described).  He gets there in about 10 seconds and it's time to get back to baseball.  

 

[twister]

thanks.

[BrainFreeze]

This is a good opportunity to check your lineup card, give the plate a good brush, and start walking slowly towards the mound.  That give the defense plenty of time to wrap up whatever by the time you arrive. 

[SeeingEyeDog]

I stand next to the plate. As soon as the conference starts, I clean the plate whether it needs it or not. I then walk to the opposing 45' line and turn in to the mound. I approach the coach on a vector from which I am visible. Upon arrival, I ask the coach, "{Insert name}, what would you like to do?" As the coach departs, I then run back to the plate making sure I beat F2 there and get the game going again.

If it is a player's only meeting at the mound with no coaches, I come to the top of the dirt circle only and say, "Here we go , boys..." or "Here we go, players..."

~Dawg 

[Richvee]

On 6/8/2025 at 6:37 PM, The Man in Blue said:

Because it is an even worse look to stand at home plate and yell, “Hurry the #%+{ up, Jim!  Your wife is waiting at home!”

In all seriousness  … Pet peeve # 47 on my never ending list of pet peeves.  Shouting out from home plate…” OK let’s go guys”. 

[Richvee]

4 hours ago, BrainFreeze said:

start walking slowly towards the mound

Walk with a purpose. Don’t stroll. Jog back to the plate. Never let the catcher beat you back. 

[The Man in Blue]

2 hours ago, Richvee said:

Walk with a purpose. Don’t stroll. Jog back to the plate. Never let the catcher beat you back. 

 

 . . . and don't beat the catcher back.  Keep him with you so he doesn't turn around and head back out to the mound without you realizing it.

[urout17]

And if I may on a personal note, as far as the base umpire goes, I was taught if a player(s) calls time and has a meeting on the mound, you can stand away from the mound at the infield grass edge depending on if you were in B or C to start.  If a coach or manager has a visit, you go to the outfield grass edge of B or C.  The latter being two reasons....one, he can't bit** to you about a call you might have made on the bases or two, he can't bit** to you about your partners zone.  It's your partners game to manage so let him manage it.  You might help him out with substitutions, player changes, etc, but it's his game.  The same respect will be shown to you when it's your turn as UIC.