When it comes to umpiring, it's an inexact science. I recognize that. But every umpire should strive to be better.

 

When I see an ump doing a good job I compliment him here on BGP (see the Conner/Cooper thread from a three weeks ago). But when I see poor umpiring it drives me nuts, because it's fixable with a little effort.

 

So rather than complaining further, I'm going into instructional mode. If you are an aspiring umpire or just a parent that wants to learn a bit about making calls at first base, keep reading right here....I'm going to teach you how to make those calls easily.

 

What I'm talking about is ground balls in the infield where there's a close play at first. Once you've mastered this technique, you will be shocked at how easy it is to make those calls, and you'll be shocked at how many of them are called incorrectly.

 

I don’t know exactly what umpires are thinking when a play is imminent, but I have to assume many of them are watching the batter/runner and trying to make their best guess on out or safe. This is the absolute wrong approach.

 

You're going to be surprised at how simple this is......

 

You must do two things: (1) watch the base, and (2) listen for the catch.

 

Let me repeat that: watch the base, and listen for the catch.

 

I'll say it once more: watch the base and listen for the catch.

 

That horse is getting up I'm hitting him again: watch the damn base and listen for the catch.

 

Why not watch the runner and the base and the catch? Because no one can physically see all of that at once and make accurate calls. These plays happen quickly. But if you use the right technique, it slows everything down.

 

So, why watch the base? By watching the base you can see two things…(1) when does the runner make contact with the base, and (2) is the first baseman’s foot on the base when he’s making the catch?

 

For the rest of the summer practice this technique. When a ball is hit on the ground in the infield immediately lock in on first base with your eyes. Watch the base and listen for the catch. In your mind sort out the order in which those two events occurred. Do this over and over and over. After you’ve done this 50 or 100 times you’ll be really good at calling out or safe.

 

While you’re learning this technique, you will become more and more relaxed at making these calls, even really close ones, and you’ll notice that when the runner hits the base it’s loud and you can clearly hear it. So you can use not just the visual sighting of the runner hitting the bag but also the sound to confirm it.

 

I’ve done this long enough that I can make the calls accurately with my eyes closed, and eventually you’ll be able to do that too.

 

The key to these calls is using your ears not just your eyes. And when you see an umpire who knows what he's doing on these types of plays, give him a compliment. Tell him what a great job he's doing.

 

Good luck!!

Edited May 23, 201412 yr by BlueTip

Are you saying that in yesterday's game you saw an umpire trying to watch the base, the foot, and the catch at the same time?

Clyde, I have no idea what he was looking at. But I don't think he was using the technique I'm promoting.

 

I could hear the catch and the runner hitting the base from 150 feet away so there's no reason for an ump to miss that when he's 140 feet closer to the play than me.

Clyde, I have no idea what he was looking at. But I don't think he was using the technique I'm promoting.

 

I could hear the catch and the runner hitting the base from 150 feet away so there's no reason for an ump to miss that when he's 140 feet closer to the play than me.

 

I guess my point is that he was using that technique even if you think he got it wrong. It's like saying "stay down in your stance and get good plate coverage and you'll never miss a strike" or "get in the right position and you'll always get the safe/out call right on a play at the plate."

 

I wasn't there so I can't say if the call was missed or not. I'm just saying that errors can still be made even with perfect technique/positioning.

True I guess. I learned this technique many years ago and it's second nature to me. And I think the key to it is hearing two sounds and putting them in the correct order in your mind.

 

That doesn't seem difficult to me but at the end of a long day, with perhaps a lack of focus or concentration, an umpire using a good technique could still result in an incorrect call.

 

Most of the umps in this area doing varsity games and 18u summer games have been around for a while and after you've seen them a few times you know which ones know what they're doing. I generally give them the benefit of the doubt if they have a tough angle as long as they're hustling.

 

But if the ump is in position at first base he's gotta get that call right.

With the new replay rule you can really see the MLB umps staring down the bag, it doesn't matter if the ball is coming from 3rd, SS, or even a throw from the OF on a caught fly on a returning runner, they're watching the bag and listening. I learned that a while ago, it kept me from making a fool of myself several times coaching 1st. Don't get wrong, I used other opportunities to do that! Lol

This technique isn't really special. It's taught in every umpiring school.

 

I didn't start this thread to bash umps so I apologize if I've been too harsh.

 

There are good ones and bad ones, just like there are good coaches and bad coaches, etc.

 

I have a great appreciation for good umpiring. It's not easy. It requires a high amount of diligence. And that's why I always have told umps when they've done a good job.

 

And I've only ever been thrown out of a game once. Dang you infield fly rule!

I have always said that is an easy call to make and its missed tremendously, and the only one that knows truly if he was out or safe is the first baseman because he can feel the ball hit his glove and when runner hits the bag. But you are right BlueTip, I was yelling at that as soon as I seen the call.

It is an easy call to make. I usually see the call blown more when there is a runner on 1st already and the ump is making the call from 2nd base area. He can't see the first basemans foot off the bag all the time or on pickoff moves at first all the time if the tag is in time or not.

My son plays in Boone County Knothole. When they play, they have one ump. Obviously he's behind the plate to call balls and strikes. And most of the time, when there's a ball put into play, they may step out in front of home plate (probably no more than a step or two), and make the calls at first from there. I've seen everybody do it.

 

But, a couple of weeks ago, we had an ump (an older guy, by comparison to the others...I'd say 40-ish minimum) that hustled his butt off, and high-tailed it down the field after the ball was hit, so that he could make the call at first from a.) a LOT closer, but also b.) at a MUCH better angle to see the runner's foot hit the base. He never got in the way of the play, but if the ball was over thrown at first, and the runner headed to second...he was moving once again, to get a better look at the potential play at second.

 

I told our coach that I would never argue a call with this guy. Not because he was faultless and could never make a mistake...but, because he hustled his butt off to at least try and minimize the number of instances in which he could make a bad call. Most of the other umps we have, are completely lazy compared to this guy. It's a work ethic that's hard to find in a rec league like this.