BASEBALL

SO YOU SAY YOU WANT GAMES?

Make Your Assigners’ Life Easy and You’ll Stay Busy

If he wants to continue to receive a solid schedule of games, umpire Santana Tafoya of Albuquerque, N.M., knows he must not just take care of business on the field. He also has to prove his value to the assigners who decide which umpires work which games.

By Jon Bible

Ispent years as an umpire assigner from Little League to major college and, of course, I worked for my fair share. All have pet peeves and most have the same ones. I’m sharing some today because I’m not sure that all umpires know what they are. First, a few words about assigners. Most of those I’ve known were fair, but not all of them. Some had favorites to whom they gave the best games. Some ran things like a fiefdom. Some charged fees for assignments. A couple who were still working on the field held back newer umpires with potential whom they saw as threats. I hired two such up-and-comers in a collegiate conference in which I was coordinator, and both made the College World Series. They needed a break and weren’t going to get it locally. So you need to figure out who you’re dealing with.

Attitude matters. In one college game I asked a young umpire to switch with a crewmate with a health issue and take the plate. He grudgingly said OK but made a big deal of the fact he had worked one of the teams from behind the plate three times that season. I thought fine — if you want to balk, I’ll ask someone else. Another crew member — a veteran with years in pro ball — said no problem (good answer). When he heard about this, the younger guy said he’d do it, but I said too late — I had asked someone else and, by the way, he switched without complaint. Was I trying to send a message? You bet.

I didn’t expect people to kiss my rear, but it did bother me when someone did something I asked them to do or accepted an assignment

but griped about it all the way. In contract law we call this a “grumbling acceptance” — you end up accepting an offer, but you make it clear how much you dislike it. If you’re new, this applies in spades; a reputation for being difficult or a prima donna acquired early in one’s career can have a long shelf life.

Repeated turnbacks are a big deal. We know that last-minute stuff happens, but often? If you do this, understand that at some point I may reduce my headaches by choosing a more reliable person to begin with. No one is so good that he or she is irreplaceable. Also, realize that your turnback may not be the only one I have to deal with that day. The more I have, the harder it may be to find replacements (especially today, with the number of officials falling), which makes the whole process timeconsuming and onerous and reduces my patience level.

One guy turned back kid-ball assignments every few days. After a while I quit assigning him anything. When he asked why, I told him. He asked for another chance and it worked out. Which told me that some of his “can’t avoid it” cancellations weren’t so unavoidable after all. As the saying goes, I may have been born at night, but I wasn’t born last night.

Don’t let your assessment of how good you are make you complain about the caliber of games you get. Other umpires think they’re pretty good, too. I may share your opinion but just think that for whatever reason you’re not best suited for that game. My advice is to take what you get, keep quiet and work to the best of your ability. The last thing an assigner needs is a slew of divas working for him.

Some umpires don’t understand that many factors, about which they’ll likely know nothing, may affect the assignment process. Have you had one team often, especially recently? Has bad blood developed so that it may be best to keep you and a team apart for a while? Is the assigner getting orders from someone else? Does the assigner want to mix newer and veteran officials? Is the assigner spreading the cream so that everyone gets an even quota of top, mid-level and not-so-great assignments? Does the assigner feel the crew chemistry would be better by choosing someone else given the personality of who is already assigned for that game? And so on. So there may be sound reasons for assignments that, on the surface, don’t seem to make sense.

Game shopping is a flagrant offense. I’ve assigned for smallercollege conferences and had officials who also worked in larger ones. If I give you an assignment and you get a last-minute opportunity in a larger conference (not a lateral move), I’ll gladly replace you if you’re honest about what happened. I want to help people climb the ladder, just as assigners helped me. But if I find out that you lied and said you had a work or family issue to get out of my game and take someone else’s, you’ll pay down the road. And, because assigners compare notes, someone other than I may exact that payment.

Don’t belittle or tell me stories about other umpires to try to make yourself look better or try to kiss up; we assigners have been around the block a few times and can smell this stuff a mile away. And take it to the bank that trashing me behind my back will get back to me.

Now, most assignments are handled online. Don’t wait until the last second to accept or, worse, not accept by the due date. Assigners don’t like having to continually send out reminders about past-due acceptances, especially to the same people. I know a couple who, after one reminder one time, just replace that umpire with someone else when a due date passes.

In sum, assigners are human and can’t help but be affected by stuff that umpires do that causes us heartburn. Don’t be high maintenance, especially if your assigner isn’t the most patient person around. Above all, be 100 percent honest at all times. We’ll tolerate a lot of things, but dishonesty isn’t one of them. Jon Bible, Austin, Texas, worked seven NCAA Division I College World Series. In 2019, he was inducted into the National College Baseball Hall of Fame in Lubbock, Texas. 

THEY SAID IT

“There are times it’s impossible for one of your eyes to go one way and the other to go the other direction. The key is to get set, slow your timing down and see the whole play.”

– Tom Hiler, speaking on a play like a drag bunt when you have to see both the pitch and batter’s attempt. Hiler retired as NCAA Director of Umpire Training on Aug. 31 after 13 years in the position.

DID YOU KNOW?

Two American umpires were selected to work the 2020 Olympic baseball tournament, held this summer in Tokyo due to a one-year delay caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Kevin Sweeney, Bristow, Va., and Mark Winters, Springfield, Ill., are both former minor league umpires who now each work at the NCAA Division I level.

Sweeney

Winters

QUICKTIP

There is nothing in the rules that says an umpire can’t wear jewelry. However, if you are working the

plate, it’s always a good idea to take off any rings that may typically adorn your fingers.

The last thing you want is to take a foul ball off your ring-wearing digit, have it swell up and need a jewelry saw to remove your beloved bling.

TEST YOURSELF Three for Three

In each question, decide which answer is correct for NFHS, NCAA or pro rules. Solutions:

p. 81.

1. An obstructed runner who is being played on and is returning to a base is awarded: a. The base to which he was returning. b. A mandatory two bases. c. A minimum of one base beyond his position on base when the obstruction occurred. d. There is no minimum award for an obstructed runner returning to a base.

2. Jones, while advancing from first to third, fails to touch second base and is standing on third when the throw from the outfield goes into the dugout. a. The umpire is to immediately declare Jones out for missing second base. b. Because Jones missed second base, he cannot be awarded home from the errant throw to the dugout. c. If Jones attempts to return to second base, the defense cannot appeal his missing second until Jones has completed his opportunity to correct the mistake. d. Jones cannot legally return to his missed base and is subject to being declared out upon proper and successful appeal.

3. Obstruction of a batter is ignored if: a. The batter-runner reaches first base. b. Any other runners advance at least one base. c. Both a and b. d. Obstruction of a batter can never be ignored.

4. When a runner dives over a fielder: a. The runner is out and the ball is immediately dead. b. Unless interference occurred, the ball remains in play and the runner is only out if he was tagged. c. The runner is out and the ball remains live unless interference occurs. d. The runner will be warned for committing a dangerous act.

By Scott Tittrington

This summer, while engaged in a pregame discussion with a fellow umpire with whom I had worked several games in the past, I uttered the following phrase when discussing rotations by the plate umpire in the two-umpire system:

“I’ll be at third base whenever I am supposed to be.”

After taking another couple steps toward the ballfield from the parking lot, the realization hit me — I might know when I am supposed to be there, but I should not assume my partner does. At that point, I shared the three situations when I would be rotating up to third base, he nodded in agreement and we proceeded to work a game where there were no issues related to rotations.

I wish I could tell you that’s the norm. That would be a lie. Having seriously committed myself to umpiring about 15 years ago, I am extremely comfortable in the two-umpire system, and when I am working with someone who I know has more than a few years of experience under his or her belt, I expect the same. Basic rotation mechanics are something each of us should have been taught early in our careers, and something from which we should not waver.

However, it became apparent to me this summer it’s not just freshfaced rookies who sometimes struggle to understand when they should be moving to cover third base as a plate umpire. So, a bit of a refresher is in order.

Runner on first, clean hit to the outfield

Whenever there is a runner on first base only and there is a clean hit to the outfield, the plate umpire should be rotating up to third base to take any play that is going to be made on R1. The plate umpire also maintains responsibility for any plays that develop at the plate, such as on an overthrow. Because of this dual role, the plate umpire should come up the line into fair territory and make any call at third base from the cutout, to avoid getting caught in a bad position should the ball (and subsequently, defensive players) end up in foul territory due to an errant throw (MechaniGram A).

This rotation allows U1 to stay in the working area, watch R1 touch second base, and then release him to the plate umpire while shifting attention to the batter-runner. Should R1 put on the brakes and not attempt to advance to third base, he remains U1’s responsibility for all plays back into second base.

Of course, every rule (and in the case of sports officiating, every mechanic) has its exceptions. There are three key exceptions on this rotation, and they require solid pregame and in-game communication between the two umpires on the crew.

The first exception involves a ball hit down the right-field line that is going to require a fair/foul ruling or a catch/no catch ruling. Both of these are the plate umpire’s responsibility — remember, U1 is in the middle of the field in the working area — and require the plate umpire to maintain a position on the first-base line rather than vacating the plate area to rotate to third base. The plate umpire should verbally inform the base umpire that PU is “on the line” or “taking the ball,” which signals to the base umpire there will be no rotation and the base umpire will be responsible for all plays involving R1 at third base (MechaniGram B).

The second exception involves a ball hit to the outfield on which it

F9 F8

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Steve Pullbrook, Hemet, Calif., arrives at third base, completing a rotation as the plate umpire. It is important for all members of a crew to understand when such a rotation is required.

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F9 NO CATCH

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is clear there will be no play against R1 at third base but during which a play at the plate may develop — in other words, a clear extra-base hit to the gap or over an outfielder’s head. Again, the plate umpire should verbally notify the base umpire that PU is “staying home,” signaling to the base umpire there will be no rotation and the base umpire has all plays at all the bases.

The third “exception” isn’t truly an exception, as it involves a slight wrinkle to the original premise that the ball is hit cleanly to the outfield. How should the umpiring crew handle a situation where a batted ball ends up in the outfield because it caroms off an infielder and R1 decides to try for third base? Again, this type of action involves both pregame discussion about how you as a crew will ideally handle such a situation, and the ability to verbally communicate during the play to put the crew in the best position to rule on all runners.

Runners on first and third, clean hit to the outfield

The rules for a rotation by the plate umpire to third base are exactly the same in this situation as with a runner on first base only. The exceptions are also the same, with the plate umpire staying home on the situations described above.

Too often, plate umpires allow the fact there is a runner on third base to change their thinking about rotating up to take plays on R1 into third base. They seem to believe they need to stay home and worry about what is happening with R3. However, the only attention they must give R3 in this situation is checking to make sure he touches the plate. Remember, the rotation only kicks in on a clean hit to the outfield. In that situation, R3 should be scoring easily, without a play. The plate umpire, while moving toward third base, should take a look to make sure R3 touches the plate and continue on to third base, creating a situation where each umpire is responsible for one of the remaining baserunners (MechaniGram C, next page).

Runners on first and second, less than two outs

Whenever this situation comes to fruition, the umpiring crew needs to be aware of two key possibilities. The first is an infield fly situation is now

CASEPLAYS

Shoulder Loin

Play: With R1 on first, B1 smashes a line drive toward F3, the ball deflects off R1’s shoulder and is caught by F3 playing behind him. The umpire judges that R1 did not intentionally interfere. Ruling: The ball is dead. R1 is out for being hit with a fair ball and B1 is awarded first base (NFHS 8-4-2k; NCAA 8-5k; pro 6.01a11).

Goldie No Lace

Play: In the third inning Paul reports as a pinch hitter for Adam and doubles. Before the next pitch or play the defensive coach tells the umpire that Paul is wearing a gold necklace. The umpire inspects the chain and determines it is not a medical alert necklace. Ruling: In NFHS, the umpire will require Paul to remove the chain and give a warning to Paul’s team that the next player who is discovered wearing jewelry will be ejected. In NCAA and pro, wearing jewelry is legal, so there is nothing for the umpire to do (NFHS 3-3-1d Pen.; NCAA 1-14; pro interp.).

No Sanctuary

Play: With R1 on first, B1 hits a line drive toward first. R1 standing on the bag leans over to avoid being hit, but gets hit by the fair ball. Ruling: R1 is out; award B1 first base. Being on the base does not give the runner immunity (NFHS 8-4-2k; NCAA 8-5k; pro 6.01a11).

No Hands Up

Play: With R1 on first and R2 on second with no outs, B1 hits a ground ball to F5. F5 throws to second to start a double play. R2 reaches up and touches the thrown ball. Ruling: R2 is out for interference and B1 is also out for his teammate’s actions. R1 returns to first (NFHS 8-4-2g; NCAA 8-5p; pro 6.01a6).

Not Yours

Play: With R3 on third and one out, B1 hits a pop-up just past the dugout. A spectator interferes with the catch. Ruling: The umpire should declare B1 out on the interference; R3 remains at third (NFHS 2-21-3; NCAA 7-11t; pro 6.01d).

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in effect. The second is the possibility of a double tag, and this is where the rotation comes into play.

On any fly ball hit into the outfield with less than two outs, the plate umpire should be rotating up to third base to take any plays being made against R2. This allows U1 to take any plays at second base being made against R1. Again, if an overthrow develops and R2 advances toward the plate, that play also remains the responsibility of the plate umpire (MechaniGram D).

A couple of things to remember about plays that start with this situation. First, like the two previous situations, if a trouble ball is hit down the right-field line, the plate umpire will need to stay home to ensure those rulings that take precedence, communicate that PU is doing so, and leave all plays against R2 and R1 on the bases to the base umpire (MechaniGram E). Second, remember that while the plate umpire has the play being made involving R2 at third base, the base umpire is responsible for R2 tagging up at second base and ensuring that it is legal. The plate umpire should be watching R1 for a legal tag (if PU does not have the catch/no catch responsibility on the play) while advancing up the third-base line for any possible plays against R2.

Signaling

Each of these three rotation situations should be discussed during your pregame with your partner to make sure both members of the crew are on the same page. And once these situations present themselves during the game, both umpires should be signaling to one another as a reminder of where they will be should a play develop that requires a rotation. Shown are the correct signaling for a simple rotation (PlayPic A, next page) and an infield fly situation that also could necessitate a double-tag rotation (PlayPics B and C, next page).

D

F8 CATCH

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Rundowns

The only other time a plate umpire should be moving to third base is during a rundown situation involving R2 as the lead runner. With no responsibilities at the plate in this situation, the plate umpire should come up the line, allowing the base umpire to remain on the back side of the play and allowing for the two umpires to “box in” the action. Again, if an overthrow occurs on this

B C

play, the plate umpire would also be responsible for all plays at the plate. Scott Tittrington is an associate editor at Referee. He umpires college and high school baseball, and also officiates high school basketball and football. 