MAC-NVBUA Umpires

Mechanics

Blue Crew News – Enhancing The Umpire Experience

February 3, 2025

The Mechanics of Umpire Communication

According to the dictionary, the definition of communication is “a process by which information is exchanged between individuals.” That being said, let’s talk about how we exchange information on the baseball field.

An umpire on a baseball field is communicating all the time, whether he knows it or not and whether he intends it or not. You communicate with coaches, players, even fans, and, of course, your partner. You communicate through things like body language, hustle, your appearance, and the words you use. Let’s talk about each one of those.

Communication with coaches starts at the plate conference. If at all possible, know the coaches’ name and use it. Be polite, but not too friendly. Remember, when you are talking to one coach, the other coach sees you two and is probably wondering what you are talking about. Engage the head coach only!

If you have to explain a judgement call, remember it is an explanation, not a debate. “Tim, I had the ball foul.” or “Joe, I had the runner under the tag.” Do not, under any circumstances, engage the coach in a discussion of the strike zone! “Bill, we are not discussing balls and strikes.” Remember, a check swing is considered the same as a discussion of balls and strikes. If the coach or catcher requests an appeal of a check swing, honor the request and give the call to your partner.

If you must explain a rule – DON’T GUESS! Know the rule and use rule book terminology. “Bill, your pitcher started and stopped his motion”NOT “Bill, he moved.” There is another article in BCN today from Greg McAvoy that speaks to managing situations. Please take a look at that.

Communicating with players can be tricky, because you are generally communicating with young people. The player you will generally communicate with the most is the catcher. Let him initiate the communication if he wants to. Coaches are teaching their players how to introduce themselves, so it’s happening more often. Some catchers feel comfortable engaging in casual banter with the plate umpire. While it’s usually innocent, please understand there are always pitfalls when talking to kids. Assume, for example, that the catcher will tell his coach everything you say to him! Do NOT tell the catcher that pulling the ball into the strike zone is an automatic ball. Tell him you saw him pull it and you had it out of the strike zone before he pulled it in. Remember, you are under no obligation to explain a call to a player – FULL STOP. Again, assume anything you say to a player will be repeated to the coach!

Communication with spectators should be kept to an absolute minimum. But remember, you communicate with your body language (people can tell if you don’t want to be there), the condition of your uniform (are your hats clean?), even where you go in-between innings. (We’ll have an article on this in the Feb17th edition…) All of this sends a message to everyone at the game.

Communication with your partner is, of course, paramount. It begins before you get to the field (have you communicated game time, location, uniform choice, positions, what kind of vehicle to look for, where to park?) If you are newly assigned to a game that already has an umpire on it, it’s your responsibility to initiate the communication. Otherwise, it’s generally the crew chief who initiates communication. You should use multiple methods to communicate (text, email, phone).

Once you hear from your partner – respond! If you are assigned to a game and you are not the crew chief and you have not heard from the crew chief inside 48 hours prior to game time, you should initiate the communication and contact the assigner, if necessary.

Once at the game, have a good pre-game, especially if you are doing a three-man or four-man game! This is the chance to talk about situations that have come up, issues with coaches, challenges you have had.

Once the game starts, remember two-way communication is vital. If your partner goes out, he should tell you and you should respond! If you take third on a rotation play, tell your partner. Your partner should respond. When you go back after the play, tell him you are going back. Make sure you are on the same page with rotation signals. Coaches have a habit of asking you to get together when a call doesn’t go their way. If you had a good look, tell them that and tell them you don’t need to speak to your partner. If you didn’t have a good look, or if your partner has information you need, then get together. If you get together, and wind up changing the call, understand that the offended coach will assume your partner made the change. Talk to him first!

Remember, the most important thing is to get the call right. After the game, give baseballs back to the home team and get off the field. Have a good post-game and leave the area. If you are the crew chief, please provide some feedback – even if it’s “nice job, see you next time.”

Remember, everyone communicates. Make sure you are in control of what you are communicating to others. Have a great day.

Table of Contents

Issue #2 – February 3, 2025

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