Between innings positions

[jomatiky]

Is there a designated position for each umpire between innings and time outs. (2 man crew)

[Richard_Siegel]

The umpires school teach:

The BU should jog out to the shallow part of RF, about 30 feet behind the back edge of the infield dirt, and wait. When he sees F2 throw down to 2B he should jog to his postion behind 1B ("A") ready for the inning to start.

The PU stands about 25 feet up one of the fould lines facing the pitcher, hold ing his mask in his hand at his side, or held under his arm if he needs his hands to take a line-up change. When F2 thorws down to 2B, he should bounce over the front of the plate and (facing towards the backstop) briskly brush it off. Then go behind the catcher ready to start the inning.

It is discouraged for the BU to come over to the PU to chat between innings. It should only be done rarely, if something absolutely important needs to be mentioned. If you do speak face to face do not make movements or demonstate anything to each other that a player or coach might do (i.e. do not mimic a set position if you're discussing a potential balk you saw). Between inning chatting should never be done after a half-inning where a problem with a coach or a player has happened. It would be assumed that you're asking your partner if you were right or wrong in the call that was disputed.

[TarheelUmp]

Our association teaches that the PU stand on the side of the team coming off the field. The theory is that they are the happier of the teams and are less likely to cause you grief.

[dash_riprock]

Funny - our association teaches the opposite - because there are fewer of them in the dugout! If anyone is unhappy about anything, we are taught to go to the other side.

I agree with everything Richard said.

[Richard_Siegel]

Our association teaches that the PU stand on the side of the team coming off the field. The theory is that they are the happier of the teams and are less likely to cause you grief.

The side you choose to stand on can have many factors. There is no one rule that an umpire ought to follow. The situation at the end of each inning shoudl dictate where you go.

There is no garruntee that team coming off the field will be more happy than the other team will. The team coming off the field could be pissed at you for walking the five of the last six batters! The team going on offense might have just scored five runs to take a 6 to 1 lead. You never know.

Sometimes, if I just called the batter out on a called strike three for the third out of the inning I will go to the line on the side opposite his dugout so he can not easilly pass me and say something to me while going back to his bench.

[TarheelUmp]

I definately agree that a recent situation can dictate where you go. Otherwise I go where wont get me dinged on my eval :wink:

[shickenbottom]

There are some situations where you may wish to take the opposite side as expounded upon by Richard and others.

However, there are many reasons for being on the side taking the field:

1) You are opposite the batters warming up and don't get clocked in the back of the head. This also allows you to visually monitor that dugout.

2) You are closer to the side that will probably be making changes (Defensive) and that coach does not have to walk behind the pitcher / catcher warming up to inform you.

3) You can get inform the players exiting the dugout to defense to get a move on if they are slow. (Game Management)

[charliej47]

ASA does teach where to go and most of the umpires I work with and are ASA they follow those standards.

I have used the ASA standards for years before they became standards and never had problems, of course I have hearing aids and I always take them out before the game so I never hear any chirping. :P

[first2third]

JC has you stand near the catcher slightly behind so you have all players and hopefully all balls (game and warm up) :) in front of you. The physical presence also makes them concentrate on throwing their warm-up pitches and not dawdling or chatting.

[gilbert924]

When F2 thorws down to 2B, he should bounce over the front of the plate and (facing towards the backstop) briskly brush it off. Then go behind the catcher ready to start the inning.

I don't know if I ever have, or even want to, see an Umpire Bounce. Is that something like a Skip or a Hop?

Sorry Richard, Couldnt help it.

[lawump]

When I punch out a batter to end an inning, I ALWAYS go to stand on the line NOT in front of that player's dugout.

[Richard_Siegel]

When F2 thorws down to 2B, he should bounce over the front of the plate and (facing towards the backstop) briskly brush it off. Then go behind the catcher ready to start the inning.

I don't know if I ever have, or even want to, see an Umpire Bounce. Is that something like a Skip or a Hop?

Sorry Richard, Couldnt help it.

Bounce = Move briskly, and with purpose.