Passed ball

quote:

Is the ump supposed to move out of the way to give the catcher a straight shot at a passed ball?

In training clinics umpires are taught to clear in the opposite direction of the catcher in any pop up, passed ball or wild pitch situation. Catchers normally clear on the side of the pitch....meaning if the ball is inside they will turn to the inside to chase the ball.......We are taught to clear the opposite way. This is what I teach in my classes.

Now given that, there is no rule that says we must, or even have to move. At that point the umpire is just part of the field and must be manuvered around.

In the real world, many catchers forget that we are behind them and their first step/turn is right around and into the umpire which can lead to the left/right dance you describe. I was taught the clearing technique and for the most part it keeps me out of the way.

As to the results of the play, I would assume that the umpire called it the way he saw it, because I will do the best I can to get out of the way, but I can not disappear...

Yes, the ump is supposed to clear to allow the catcher a shot at the ball. But in this case they just couldn't figure it out, sometimes this happens.There is no rule violation if this happens, it is not an umpire interference. Did the ump give him a break, maybe. Should he, absolutely not. Umpires simply can't make what's known as a make-up call. Sometimes we get in the way, unfortunate not a part of the game.

bcb3 tell your son on passed balls to pick a side (best thing is what piaa_ump said about going to the side the ball goes). As he starts to turn (let's say glove side) to take that arm and swing it back to "find" the ump. This lets him know you are turning that way and helps "move" him out of the way.

This is no way meant to be taken that your son should push the ump. It's called a clearing sweep. You are not taking a straight path back but it does help eliminate the catcher and ump dance.

I always assume that the catcher is going to the "Ball side" and I open the gate by turning the other way. But sometimes when the ball ends up right under the catcher's feet or your feet, its a cluster and there's nothing you can do about it but try your best. The PU is part of the field, just something else put there to make the catcher's life more difficult....