accidentally showing the ump

I normally do not like a lot of conversation with the catcher because I want to remain focused, but in this case, I wouldn't mind if the catcher said something like "sorry about that blue." This tells me that he knows he was wrong and as an umpire, it gives me more respect for him as a ballplayer. Nothing more than that though, I don't really like kiss up catchers.

just smile ...

& tell him a blind man on horseback at 40 yds galloping could'a made that call

bee, haha

Imagine this:"Blue, you ok?" "Can I get you a water or something"

quote:

by jt: This tells me that he knows he was wrong and as an umpire, it gives me more respect for him as a ballplayer

jt, ya missed another one ...
the Q was "is it necessary to politely difuse the (umps) embarrassment at missing the call & kinda showing up the catcher"


or - - "Imagine this: "Can I get you a water windex or something"

quote:

or - - "Imagine this: "Can I get you a water windex or something"

LOL

My son did it just the other day. Beautiful strike three, he stands to throw around the horn, ball called.

I asked him later if he said anything to the ump. He said: "No, he knew he blew it, I knew I blew it, so neither one of us said anything."

Then, from the crowd, another Dad - NOT ME I SWEAR! yells out: "You were right, Jeff!"

My son did not appreciate that at all. Made an already awkward situation worse.

Rob, good point.

Maybe that is ok, just get back in crouch and play like a nothing.
I told mine if that happens again, get back in crouch and say "my bad" and leave it at that. Even if the ump knows he blew it, I doubt he wants the catcher to let everyone in the world know it too, even if it is accidental. BUT that is wht I'm asking
the question here, for opinions from experienced umps.

And yes this ump did blow the call and probably knew it. Even the batter was headed back.

I've been thinking on this for the past day or so, because I wanted to think/check back on what the situations I have been involved with so that I can put out a thoughtful and worthwhile answer.......so to that end, I have 3 scenarios.....all real world examples from my games over the years.....

First off, I am going to avoid using the term "showing up the umpire" in this instance.....I am not sure that I feel that way about this question. To me showing up the umpire is a demonstrative show of displeasure designed to prevoke.....this to me is just a difference of opinion....but what causes this???.... again my 3 scenarios....

My Mistake ...
Catcher Mistake...
Lack of Experience...

My Mistake....if I missed the pitch..(and I have)...the catcher needs to say nothing, I will say it....no need to worry about how it looked.... I will say it loud enough for both batter and catcher to hear......."Missed that one..wont miss it again today".......its one comment that informs the catcher I know I missed it and warns the batter not to let that one get by again....

Catcher Mistake...this happens, and in my game log I know it has happened most often on that knee high OUTSIDE pitch. How far outside is determined by me........sometimes the catcher and I disagree on the outside edge of the strike zone. I will say "too far out for me, bring him in a little".......I make it a goal to work with my catchers....Ive heard umpires tell catchers when this happens, that "Your job is to catch the pitch and mine is to call it"..."you do your job and I will do mine."....... I just never thought that was productive....

HOWEVER, if a catcher just has to say something to smart off....I will dust off the plate and verbalize that just for him........I might also add that the pitch I just called a ball is also a pitch he will want me to call a ball when he is batting.....

Lack of Experience...this goes back a long time, but bear with me........this involves timing....Bottom 7.. bases loaded...home team down by 1 run........3 balls 2 strikes.......young and inexperienced umpire (me) behind the plate....never felt pressure like that before.....ball comes in.. outside corner knee high.........catcher catches pitch...jumps up and rolls the ball out to the mound, the batter turns and walks to the dugout.......

I'm thinking maybe Ball 4/maybe strike.......but am froze...I dont think I have called that pitch yet.....everyone thougth it was a strike, so I let it go, game over.......

all of that situation comes down to working on TIMING. If I am consistent with my timing on my calls of balls and strikes the catchers and batters know in good time what I think the pitch was....This has drastically lowered any rate of this type of incident that I have........

so all in all, the catcher has to say nothing to me, an apology is not neccesary........better to say nothing....

hope this helps.

quote:

Originally posted by piaa_ump:
Lack of Experience...this goes back a long time, but bear with me........this involves timing....Bottom 7.. bases loaded...home team down by 1 run........3 balls 2 strikes.......young and inexperienced umpire (me) behind the plate....never felt pressure like that before.....ball comes in.. outside corner knee high.........catcher catches pitch...jumps up and rolls the ball out to the mound, the batter turns and walks to the dugout.......

I'm thinking maybe Ball 4/maybe strike.......but am froze...I dont think I have called that pitch yet.....everyone thougth it was a strike, so I let it go, game over.......

all of that situation comes down to working on TIMING. If I am consistent with my timing on my calls of balls and strikes the catchers and batters know in good time what I think the pitch was....This has drastically lowered any rate of this type of incident that I have........

so all in all, the catcher has to say nothing to me, an apology is not neccesary........better to say nothing....

hope this helps.

I would say this is a better job of being consistent on your balls and strikes. Both catcher and batter thought the same way. If your zone was floating then one of them would be thinking differently.

I have a problem with any ump that would call a ball a strike or a strike a ball, just becasue he felt like the batter or a defender was "showing him up" by walking off the field or heading to a base prematurly; make the correct call and put your ego in check.

quote:

have a problem with any ump that would call a ball a strike or a strike a ball, just becasue he felt like the batter or a defender was "showing him up" by walking off the field or heading to a base prematurly; make the correct call and put your ego in check.

No where in this thread is there any reference to an umpire deliberately retaliating for being "shown up" by a player.......as a matter of fact, I find that the responses to this thread all pretty much show that the players, parents and umpires who responded all kept their "egos in check" or responded humorously...

The greatest and brightest kid I ever had catch for our summer travel team (not the most talented) played this off as beautifully as any I have ever seen. This goes back about 12 years.

2 outs, 2-2 count, catcher presumed strike three called...bounces out of his stance and jogs to the dugout. Ump yells "ball". Catcher continues running over to dugout, without breaking stride, and finds a spare towel hanging from a fence. He thoroughly wipes his eyes and face, puts his mask back on, and jogs back to home plate. Next pitch was popped up and caught.

At the beginning of the next inning, while catcher was warming up pitcher, he and ump had a small laugh. After the inning I asked him what went on.

He said the ump asked him what was wrong the previous inning when he went over to get a towel and forgot to ask for time. Catcher told the ump he figured he better wipe the sweat out of his eyes cause he thought the previous pitch was a strike.

That's a pretty smart move by your Catcher larry!

Great Story, never in a million would I of thought to of done that if that were me in that situation.

Larry,
Great Story!!!

I had a college game with a good catcher where this happened. He just hopped back down, laughed (which helped) and said "can't blame me for trying." And threw the ball back to the pitcher. The next ball was in about 2" and got called a strike. He said good call and ran off.
I think there should be more communication between catchers and umpires. I try to tell mine why I didn't call it because it keeps me consistent. Unless the catcher is a jerk and then I remind him it is my opinion that counts but those are few.
I think if umpires are cordial and learn the catcher's name and are social the catchers are in return.