Ask an Umpire

Rules 1 and 33

What can players ask an umpire without drawing a penalty?

Communication with the umpire is limited to the team captain asking about procedural matters.

This month nobody is interested in chatting about polo rules. I understand that with all the uncertainty going around, everyone is focused on their jobs or businesses. I know these are crazy times but we will get back to normal—our older generations got back to normal after the world wars and that was much worse than what we are experiencing. I feel the stress of the uncertainty just like the rest of the world and I don’t know what to do with it. So, I’m just going to do my part—like our parents did their part when they faced

adversity and their parents and so on. What do you think got us to the great lives and high standard of living we all (rich and poor) now live? They went through things and came out the other side. So, right now, I’m going to chat with you about the rules, mostly because I’m tired of chatting about the virus and political economics.

Not only am I going to ask the question this month, I am going answer it. This is a question I get every time I engage players off the field and they begin to feel comfortable with me—like I might be human or something. I’m not human by the way, I’m an umpire—never forget that. (that’s a joke—you’ll forget it).

Players seem to be arguing with the umpires all the time, especially in the high goal. Players act as though the umpires have no idea what they are calling. Even more strange is that players on both teams in the same game are doing this. Somebody must wrong, right? Actually, it’s just part of the polo culture and it’s part of competitive sports.

According to the USPA rules, what are players actually permitted to ask the umpire? Also, as a practical matter, what will umpires allow before they issue a yellow card or penalty? Every player wants to know the answer to these questions without finding out the hard way. The rules that cover this question are Rule 1 and Rule 33. I listed the relevant parts on the opposite page for your reference.

Basically, each team has a captain. The team captain is the only one who is allowed to talk to the umpire. He or she is limited to procedural matters only. Now this gets fun because the rulebook does not define procedural matters, but we can define it. Google defines it as an established method of doing something. That’s true. It is the way we do something that does not involve independent judgement. For polo, we define it specifically as things that do not involve the judgment of the umpire. To be very specific, it is the following: the score is wrong, the time clock is wrong, time out for tack or injury (horse or player) and an instant replay challenge to a call—that’s it.

Fouls and ball placement require the judgment of the umpire, so they are off the table. Players still try to influence the umpire and argue ball placement or the foul most of the time. Remember, only the captain can ask and it can only be about those four procedural items. With that being said, umpires are human and they have ears so they may respond to the players. The professional umpires are trained to give a brief answer to a question, any question, and move on. They try not to respond to statements or obnoxious behavior.

Rule 1-Teams a.

There shall be four players on each team to start every game, subject only to the provisions of Rule 1.d below. Each team shall designate one player as its Captain, who shall have the sole right to represent the team and to discuss with the Umpire(s) procedural matters arising during the game. Other players on either team may request a time out from the Umpire(s) when allowed elsewhere in these rules or the Tournament Conditions. (See Rule 21.d, f, g; Tournament Conditions, Section VIII (“Instant Replay”).)

Rule 33 Unsportsmanlike Conduct a.

Unsportsmanlike conduct, including but not limited to the following, shall not be permitted. • Appealing to the Umpires or Officials • Unwelcome talking to an Umpire • Vulgar or abusive language • Disrespectful attitude toward any official, player, coach, or spectator • Arguing with Umpire(s) or other officials • Inappropriate behavior by any member of a team organization

*This is a partial list, limited to those items pertaining to disrespect to the umpire*

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Rule 33 specifically prohibits unwanted talking by the players to the umpire. Once the umpire says, OK, that’s enough, then further talking is at the risk of a yellow card for unsportsmanlike conduct. That is it, plain and simple. The problems happen when different umpires allow varying amounts of talking from players who may not be the captain. That is where umpires can get themselves in trouble.

The core of the problem actually rests with the team patrons. If we are being honest, power follows the flow of money. The team patrons have the power because they pay the professional players. If the patron wants quiet on the field, quiet is what he or she shall have. But, if the patron fails to control the professionals, then the umpires must deal with unruly professional players. As umpires, we deal with these issues constantly. It is all part of the game and we know that when we sign up. I have found the best way is to treat everyone the same and with respect regardless of their USPA status. I train my umpires to do the same. This way, we sleep well at night and do not expose ourselves to unwanted criticism from those who wish to use politics to influence the umpiring.

It’s a tough road with few friends. Umpires prefer to live beyond reproach rather than have friends at work. We have friends outside of work. OK, I really have only one friend from law school but he’s really nice. What we do have is a good sense of humor and a great lifestyle enjoying our contribution to the sport and the horses we love so much.

Good luck out there umpiring and remember the players will chat you up as much you allow. Maybe that’s a good thing, maybe not so much. It is what it is.

See you around the country. •