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The Umpire's Call |  |
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Greetings Fellow Umpires and Coaches! Welcome to the Umpire's Call, a monthly (January -
May) eNewsletter for amateur baseball umpires, coaches, and those
interested in becoming baseball umpires. New this month are several Quick Links to web pages of umpire interest - scroll to the bottom and enjoy! Baseball is the greatest game ever created. No game clock, no shot clock, no instant replay, we can play two games in one day, the defense can't score, and we are smart enough to come in out of the rain. Our Mission: Why an eNewsletter for baseball umpires?
"Waiter, there's a fly in my infield!" Both inexperienced umpires and players often misunderstand the infield fly rule. The rule is intended to protect the base runners and here is a quick review. An infield fly is a FAIR fly ball, that is not a line drive, nor a bunt attempt, which can be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort, at a time when first and second bases or all bases are occupied, and there is less than two outs. The pitcher, catcher and any outfielder may be considered infielders for the purpose of the rule. Umpires are to communicate non-verbally when the infield fly rule may take effect. Normal procedure is to signal your partner by placing an open hand on the chest, or touching the forefinger to the bill of the cap. As the ball is hit, do not follow the flight of the ball, but watch the fielders as they will take you to the play. Wait until the ball reaches its apex before you raise your had with a fist and loudly proclaim. "Infield fly, the batter is out!" If the infield fly is near the foul lines, add the words, "If fair" to your proclamation. Waiting until the ball reaches its highest point will allow umpires to be sure it is an infield fly and not anything else. Once the infield fly rule is declared, it cannot be changed - so wait the extra second and give yourself the opportunity to be right!
We have all thought it and done it! I have worked with him before, he knows me and I know him. We work so many games together - our coverage is automatic. We have been at this for years, if something goes wrong we'll handle it on the field. As the spring baseball season progresses and our schedules become packed with both scheduled and make up games, we find ourselves with tighter time constraints and later arrivals to our game sites. Try very hard to arrange your game day so there is ample time for a pre-game conference with your partner. A phone call earlier on game day to confirm game time and travel can be the start of the pre-game conference. Suggestions for umpire pre-game conference Equipment check responsibilities Just a few moments of preparation, even with your regular partner, will help eliminate errors in coverage and embarrassment later in the day.
Beginning a game properly starts with the managers/coaches conference at home plate. This gathering sets the tone for the day and will do much to eliminate potential confusion later in the contest. The conference should begin no later than ten minutes prior to game time and players are to be in their respective dugouts. The home plate umpire standing behind home plate, facing the field, leads the meeting while base umpire (s) are standing in front of home plate, facing the plate umpire Umpires should introduce themselves to each manager/coach - use a firm handshake and make eye contact. Line up cards should be presented to the home plate umpire, first by the home team manager/coach and then the visiting team manager/coach. The home plate umpire will inspect the cards for correct number of players in the batting order, use of a designated hitter, duplicate defensive positions, and ask any needed questions to assure correctness. Some conferences and leagues may require the manager's/coach's signature. The home team manager/coach should cover the ground rules. If at a neutral site, the home plate umpire should preside. Be precise, listen carefully, ask questions, and make sure all ground rules are understood. Confirm the number of games, innings, special rule adaptations and run rule(s). Ask each manager/coach to confirm that their players are properly equipped. Request the managers/coaches cooperation in keeping the game moving along by getting defensive players to their positions quickly between innings. Should there be introductions and/or playing of the National Anthem umpires are to remain at home plate until all pre-game activities are concluded. With only ten or less minutes to cover much information, do it professionally, and be concise. These important few minutes will do much to make your day a great deal easier and more fun!
As the unpredictable spring weather continues, a mention of procedures to be used during thunder and lightning need to be reviewed. Both the National Severe Storms Laboratory and the Sports Medicine Handbook echo each other in actions that should be taken when thunder and/or lightning occur. Whenever lightning can be seen and/or thunder can be heard, risk is already present. The NSL recommends that ALL individuals leave the game site and seek a safe location when the flash-to- bang (lightning to thunder) count is a minimum of 30 seconds. Using this formula (divide the number of seconds by 5) means that lightning is approximately 6 miles away. Both authorities agree and recommend that game personnel and participants wait a minimum of 30 minutes after the last flash of lightning is witnessed or thunder is heard before returning to the playing area. Any subsequent lightning or thunder after the beginning of the 30-minute count should reset the clock, and a new count should begin. Safety is always your first priority and erring on the side of caution is never an error.
Camps, clinics, newsletters, and umpire associations are welcome to post their news in The Umpire's Call. Our online readership has grown to over 7,000 worldwide addresses
including the U.S., Canada, Mexico, the U.K., Ireland, Germany, the
Netherlands, Italy, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Sweden, Japan,
and Australia. Please contact me to have your information listed here. Dave Mekelburg produces UmpNews.com a huge collection of information and articles covering all levels of baseball umpiring - a must see. Mark Wehrwein invites umpires to sign up for Fed Play of the Day sponsored by the Greater Huntsville, AL Umpire Association The Toughest Fair/Foul Quiz in the World! - with acknowledgements to Richard Siegel
Earlier I mentioned that I am adding an additional item to our mission list - assist new umpires in obtaining quality used and donated equipment. A main reason for new umpires not sticking with umpiring is the cost of equipment. More often than not, beginning umpires are working low level games and working behind a youth catcher who doesn't want to catch and/or has little skills. This is a situation where a new umpire should be well protected and confident in his/her equipment. I am asking veteran umpires who have extra or unused equipment and clothing to donate these items to a beginning umpire in their area. Use your local association as a starting point. Should this not be possible The Umpire's Call will be happy to act as a clearinghouse for donated equipment and clothing. Either we will put generous umpires in contact with those in need of equipment or umpires may send their donated equipment to my office and I will forward it, at our expense, to umpires, leagues, programs, and associations that indicate such a need. Umpires/youth programs/amateur leagues/associations that wish to buy, sell, donate, or are in need of equipment are welcome and encouraged to contact our office. Please include item description (a picture would be great), size, color, condition, price, and your contact information and I will be happy to post it in this section. This is for private individuals only and NO DEALERS PLEASE! (unless you wish to donate)
2007 British Open Week in St. Andrews, Scotland July 17-26 Includes Airfare from Newark, NJ Liberty Airport non-stop service to Edinburgh, Scotland and return 5-Rounds of Golf on these fabulous courses - Single Room Accommodations in St. Andrews Total package offered at $2,990.00 Please call now for booking information. Balloting for the Old Course (daily lottery for tee times) can be arranged and added to the itinerary. Over 50% of daily ballots are successful, and there is no charge for balloting. Green fees £120.00 – approx. $235.00 Please visit the USJT Golf Travel website for more information, and contact our office to book the golf trip of a lifetime.
Does your umpire association or local youth baseball league experience
any of the following problems? Designed for young umpires as well as veterans, Youth Baseball Umpire Clinics, a division of USJT Sports Education, has just completed its 6th year of educating baseball umpires with a comprehensive "HANDS ON" format. NOT "sit and listen, take notes, watch a video" instruction - YBUC participants come dressed for activity and take an active part in learning pre-game responsibilities, consistent umpiring techniques, on field positioning, and proper game administration. Host a YBUC at your site. Now accepting bookings for 2007 season. April 14, 2007 - West Bend, WI
Thanks for reading our 2007 March issue, I hope you have enjoyed it! Good news needs to be shared and I invite and encourage you to forward The Umpire's Call to all who may have interest. It's easy, just click here. If they wish to continue, have them contact me to be added to the subscription list. Great ideas, constructive criticism, differing thoughts, and varying opinions are most welcome. All 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007 issues of The Umpire's
Call are available at My best regards, Scott
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