Where Have You Gone Joe DiMaggio?

Some say Pete quit and is livin' in Nepal, fighting for religious freedom. . .
Some say Pete is serving time after getting nabbed with a half pound of coke and two underage midgets at a Motel 6 outsida Bakersfield. . .
Some say Pete got smacked with a foul tip (foul ball!) and now wanders these United States one step ahead of the terrible green monster within him. . .

The truth is that I moved to Tennessee, met the worst assigner ever, got suspended for a righteous ejection, and quit umpiring. Last season was a dream for me as an umpire. I exceeded all of my goals, including a prestigious college World Series assignment (no, not D1, silly!). I was a member of a great college umpire group, all of my assigners were amazing, and we lived all in peace and umpire excellence - just read the blog!

Last June I moved to Tennessee and started umpiring from the bottom (as is proper and customary). Unfortunately, I nearly immediately tossed the organizer/ rat coach of a summer league and lost my games. The assigner has no backbone. More unfortunately for poor Pete, he is a bigwig in the area, especially for college ball, so I had to decide my course of action. I decided to walk away. I did not go to any camps or clinics, I did not attend the NCAA meeting, I did not register for high school, I quit blogging. . .

Know what? The world didn't end. 

I spent more time with my family. I went on vacation. As I write this I am at the pool instead of a ball field. I am also a new volunteer head coach for my 9 year old daughter's softball team. I intend to blog for her team and about my experiences.

I will keep Midwest Ump online, but the comments are disabled. My experience umpiring was a blast, and I met some really outstanding people in the Midwest and online, notably 

Warren from Umpire-Empire
Jim from Ump Attire
Brett from St. Louis
Don from Peoria
Mark from Springfield, IL
Bud and Jason from Springfield, Mo
Keith, Don, Justin, Ramon, Kerry, Johnny from central Mo
Bud and Pete, from IL
Ken from St. Louis

The love and generosity these men give to their fellow umpires and to the sport is amazing! If you find brothers like these, "grapple them to thy soul with hoops of steel." Turns out, not all umpires are brothers. I bid you adieu and

Don't suck!
Pete

Separated at Birth: Umpire Edition

It seems to me that the umpire head shots from the MLB website and are about as good as photos taken at the DMV. Soooo. . . remember those cheesy "separated at birth" celebrity photos? Well, here is the Midwest Ump version for MLB umpires. Enjoy!

Tim McClelland

Actor James Cromwell

Brian Runge

TV Celeb Kody Brown

Tim Tschida

Children's icon Captain Kangaroo

CB Bucknor

Talk show host Montel Williams

Jeff Nelson

Private Pyle from Full Metal Jacket

Douche of the Day: Attention Seeking Umpires

Youth baseball teaches many lessons like teamwork, sacrifice, fair play, and giving your best effort. The nature of baseball is mostly about failure and coping with disappointment, especially at the youth level. Even the best players will often fail more than they succeed, whether pitching, hitting or fielding. For the most part, parents, coaches and teammates forgive failure and encourage the child to try again.

"That's ok, Johnny! You'll get 'em next time!"

Baseball is a team sport that allows for individual achievement. What a great life lesson! Each player gets his turn at bat and a chance to perform in the spotlight. For a child, that time can be stressful. With everyone watching the pressure to succeed can be intense for a kid. To ridicule or embarrass a child for failing to hit a baseball, what Ted Williams once called "the hardest thing to do in sports," is not only mean, it is the act of a bully. Yet this is exactly what is happening on many youth fields.

Lately there has been a rash of umpire videos in internet news showcasing youth league umpires with over-the-top strike three mechanics. Here is an example at a 10U baseball game:

The commentary in these news articles is generally something like, "entertaining, but is this appropriate for youth baseball?" Let me answer that:

No

Exaggerated strike three calls are a part of adult baseball. Who doesn't like MLB umpire Tom Hallion and his uppercut strike three call? It's great entertainment. However, umpire theatrics have no place in youth baseball. Unfortunately, many amateur umpire scour YouTube looking for unique punch out calls that will add a little flair to their games. YouTube is full of amateur and untrained clowns flailing around. The danger is that the inexperienced umpire gets the idea that an exaggerated call is the norm. It's not. Even at the big league level mechanics like Hallion's are rare.

There is nothing wrong with being unique, but when it crosses the line into embarrassing a child, it has gone too far. Remember, even umpires are a role model at the youth level, so what does a zany strike three call teach? Nothing good.

Don't be an attention whore and a douche umpire. Develop a professional and crisp strike three mechanic and leave the clowning to other idiots.

MLB Umpire Adrian Johnson

Memorial Day

Memorial Day evolved from Decoration Day, a time when the graves of fallen soldiers were decorated following the Civil War. Today, Memorial Day is a national day of remembrance to honor Americans who died serving in the armed forces.

So what does Memorial Day have to do with umpiring?

Well, this weekend many of us will officiate the Grand Old Game of Baseball – our National Pastime. During this weekend, maybe between games while sitting in the shade, take a moment to reflect on the tremendous freedoms we enjoy as Americans, and remember our servicemen who gave the greatest sacrifice to preserve our way of life.

In many ways baseball epitomizes the American way of life. Baseball is at once collective and individualistic, much like our democratic society. Baseball also does not care if you are handsome, are born into the right social class, or endowed with extreme physical attributes. For instance, the Yankees’ Phil Rizzuto, usually listed at 5’6”, won the AL MVP Award in 1950. Rizzuto spent three years with the Navy during World War II, and was in charge of a 20mm gun crew on a ship in the Pacific. He is also the only MVP to lead the league in sacrifice bunts.

Union soldiers playing baseball in 1862

American troops playing baseball in Afghanistan in 2011

Our Game is important to our national identity, and has been played by our soldiers from the Civil War through today. American soldiers would ask, "Who won the World Series?" to flush out German spies. Perhaps the best way to remember our fallen heroes is to participate in our National Pastime and enjoy the freedoms they won for all of us through their great sacrifices. HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY!

Hero of the Day: Umpire Marty York

One definition of a hero is a person who steps up to the plate during a critical moment. Marty York should know all about that, he's a baseball umpire in middle Tennessee. He steps to the plate during critical moments all the time. But what makes Marty today's Hero of the Day is what happened just outside the diamond, at a youth field parking lot. At this critical moment it was life or death.

On April 26, eight year old Maddox Greathouse was playing baseball at a Franklin, TN sports complex. Maddox's mother was at another field watching another son play. Suddenly, a tornadic storm blew in bringing torrential rains and high winds. The storm sent children and parents running for their cars. Maddox was searching for his mother in the rain when longtime youth umpire Marty York scooped up the youngster just before a nearby car flipped over at the spot where the boy had been standing.

Marty was recognized at a special ceremony at the Franklin complex, and Maddox gave Marty a plaque for his heroic actions before hundreds of cheering parents.You know what Marty said about his heroic deed? "He was a brave kid that I just scooped up out of the rain and God did the rest."

GREAT JOB, MARTY! You deserve all the praise for your heroic act!

Rules Every Umpire Should Know: Backswing Interference

Baseball is beautifully complex. I know it sounds like a cliché, but I really do learn something every time I work a game. Heck, every time I watch a game I learn something. I believe that if you don’t, you just aren’t trying.

Case in point: earlier this year I worked a high school game for a small rural school. With the runner on first stealing, the batter swung through the pitch and hit the catcher with his backswing. What is the correct rule?

Backswing Interference in Professional Baseball and College Baseball

When a batter swings through a pitch and makes contact with the catcher (his mitt or his person) during his backswing, the ball is delayed dead. If the catcher throws and the throw directly retires the runner, the interference is disregarded. Otherwise, the ball is dead and runners return to TOP bases. [OBR Rule 6.06(c) CMT]; [NCAA Rule 6-2d-2]

If the batter swings, the ball is not caught, and the backswing hits the catcher, the ball is dead and the batter is out. [PBUC]; [NCAA Rule 6-2d-1).

In this video example, R1 is stealing. The batter hits the catcher with his backswing and the catcher does not throw. This is backswing interference and R1 is returned to 1B.

http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=8272771

In this video example, R1 is stealing. The batter strikes out and his backswing hits the catcher. The catcher’s throw does not retire R1, so the batter is out and R1 must return to 1B.

http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=7357569

In this video example, R1 is stealing. The batter hits the catcher with his backswing and the catcher’s throw does not retire R1. Since the initial throw did not retire R1, he must return to 1B even though R1 is out on subsequent play.

http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=18723263&topic_id=9780550&c_id=mlb

Backswing Interference in High School

Inexplicably, the National Federation of High Schools rule on backswing interference is an immediate dead ball, the batter is out for interference, and all runners must return to TOP bases.

I kicked the call by enforcing the pro rule at a high school game. Of course, no one in the ball park (including my partner) knew I had made the mistake. Heck, I spoke with a state rules interpreter later in the year that didn't know the high school rule off the top of his head (he is also a college official). But that's our job, right? This is one of those plays that occur from time to time, and you need to be aware of the rules differences at the various levels.

Douche of the Day! Daryl Keeton

[I started the "Douche of the Day! award yesterday and now see the error of my ways. . . the award is a full time job! -ed.]

Daryl Keeton, age 55 of Jefferson County, Ala., is facing felony charges after he assaulted a 20 year old umpire following his granddaughter's softball game. According to Yahoo! Sports, Keeton spent the game heckling the umpire, then followed the official to the parking lot outside the ballpark where he punched him in the face and bloodied his nose.

"A bloody nose most of the time will get you a misdemeanor, and that's wrong, but yeah, there's a law on the books that if you assault an official it's a Class C felony. That's a serious crime, and it should be," Chief Deputy Randy Christian of the Jefferson County Sheriff's Dept., told Jonathan Hardison of Fox 6 WBRC.

Keeton, who could face up to 10 years in prison for assaulting an Alabama sports official.

Way to go, Daryl! You are the Midwest Ump Douche of the Day!

 

Brett Lawrie: Douche of the Day!

Congrats to Blue Jays outfielder Brett Lawrie for winning the first Midwest Ump Douche of the Day! award (a.k.a. The Delmon Young Award). Mr. Lawrie distinguished himself with a ninth inning tirade over a strike three call. 

Lawrie, playing in only his 80th MLB game, took exception to the punchout by Bill Miller, who has worked over 1,800 MLB contests, five divisional series, the 2009 American League Championship Series, the 2010 World Series, and the 2007 All-Star Game. The pitch was borderline at best as shown by PitchFX:

The immature twenty-two year old decided that firing his helmet at the feet of Umpire Miller was the appropriate response to the disputed third strike. The helmet hit Miller, a UCLA grad, and Major League Baseball suspended Bonehead Brett for four games. Here is his explanation of the incident:

“The only thing I regret is the helmet hitting him,” Lawrie said. “I never meant to do that and it shows. I threw it off the ground, it took a bad hop and it hit him totally by accident. I never meant to throw it at him. As that’s coming across, it seems like a lot of people are saying that I threw it at him, I never threw it at him. I never had any intentions of hurting anybody. I was just frustrated at the play at the time and that’s baseball for you.”

No, you chucklehead, that's not baseball. It's assault. You were angry, lost control, and someone got hit. Leave the "I didn't mean it" excuses for the wife beaters. Next time be a man, keep your hat on your head, and trot your ass back to the dugout. In the meantime, enjoy your suspension and your Douche of the Day! award. You deserve it!

Proof The Umpire Union is Not Strong

From Popular Science November, 1939:

Air Sweeps Dust off Home Plate

Baseball umpires can throw away their whisk brooms if an automatic home-plate duster recently invented is generally adopted. When the device is placed in operation, a valve built into the plate rises and a blast of compressed air sweeps it clean off dust and dirt, as shown in the photograph below.

Why isn't this device mandatory at every ballpark? As an added bonus it will blow dirt into that uncooperative catcher's eyes - quit pulling that pitch son!

Review of Smitty Apparel Expander Waist Umpire Pants (BBS-376)

Most baseball umpire associations around the country are now choosing charcoal as the pants color of choice. [“Pants?” “Pant?” Well, pants is the 19^th century shortened version of pantaloons. It seems that even then there was disagreement on whether the correct version should be “pant” or “pants:”  The thing named ‘pants’ in certain documents, A word not made for gentlemen, but ‘gents’. –American jurist/poet Oliver Wendell Holmes, Rhymed Lesson, 1846. With all due deference to Justice Holmes, I will stick with "pants" for purposes of this article. – ed.] Actually, this shift may have more to do with shirt color, since many groups now choose polo blue, black and cream colored shirts, which look best with charcoal pants, rather than navy or powder blue shirts. Softball umpires prefer to stay with the heather gray pants because it looks good with powder blue and red shirts.

In response to this shift, Smitty Apparel has introduced charcoal umpire pants with an expander waist system. These pants are 100% polyester (not a polyester-wool blend) and are machine washable for easy care. They also feature a Smitty Comfort Grip Waistband to keep your shirt tucked in, wide belt loops, a button tab and tuxedo clasp closure, a button loop on the left back pocket, and a heavy duty zipper.

I tested the Smitty Apparel BBS-376 charcoal umpire plate pants. Thanks to Dawn at Smitty Apparel for sending me a pair.

Like all plate pants, the BBS-376 uses saddle stitching to reinforce the seat. The legs are also cut wide to accommodate your leg guards. I reviewed Smitty Apparel pants previously, and found that the cut is slim through the hip area. I did not notice this while wearing the Smitty BBS-376 during my review. I had a full, unrestricted range, even with my healthy posterior. However, my measurements show that these pants are cut slightly slimmer. The rise is 11.5”, measured from the bottom of waistband to center point of crotch between legs, and the hips measurement (around the fullest part of the seat) is 52”. In comparison, the Honig’s poly-wools are cut “fuller” with a 12” rise and 54” around the hips. The Smitty pants are also slightly lighter weight than the Honig's poly-wools.

I had my doubts whether the expander waistband would be effective. I wondered if the expander would create a loose feeling fit while on the dish. Happily this was not the case. I wear two ball bags while working the plate, and I did not experience any “sag” from these pants. The expander waist seemed to work flawlessly - which could be a godsend for those early season games when I’m not yet at my fighting weight!

While the material is not the same as the Honig’s poly-wool pants, the material appearance is surprisingly similar between the two pants, especially from a distance. Unfortunately, there is a color difference that is noticeable.

On the left is a pair of Gerry Davis pants, in the center is the Honig's poly-wools, and on the right is the Smitty Apparel BBS-376. 

The Smitty Apparel Expander Waist Umpire Pants (BBS-376) can be purchased from Purchase Officials for $39.99. They are available in the expander waistband for base, plate or combo in heather or charcoal colors. These pants are also sold at Ump-Attire.com for $44.95.

Fair or Foul?

This call is like a screaming line drive down the right field line with no one on. The first base umpire must be avoid the ball and sometimes make an impossibly close call. First, the positives: (1) the expander waistband is terrific; (2) a polyester fabric means that you are not a slave to dry cleaning; (3) the fit is good; (4) the price is very, very good. 

Now the negatives: (1) the color does not match the two most popular charcoal pant worn by amateur umpires. Naturally, if you and your partner match, I have no reservations calling this product fair. For instance, the Collegiate Baseball Umpires Assigning Organization requires members to wear CBUAO embroidered Smitty charcoal pants. Finally, (2) the polyester material used in the Smitty Apparel Expander Waist Umpire Pants is not quite as good as the Honig's poly-wool blend pants.

So I need to get help from my partner on this call. Do umpires in your area wear Smitty Apparel charcoal pants? Then your call is "Fair." If your area does not wear Smitty Apparel charcoal pants, then the call is "Foul."

Wood and Wood-Like Bats Under NCAA Rules

Since the BBCOR certification standard has been implemented, wood bats are making a comeback in NCAA play. For many umpires, the idea of wood bats sounds simple because we all know wood bats are legal in NCAA play, right? Well, not exactly. Bat manufacturers are now offering "wood" bats that look like solid wood, but may not be legal for NCAA play.

Wood Bats (Rule 1-12(a))

The NCAA baseball rulebook describes a legal wood bat. A wood bat must a “smooth, rounded stick” that is less than 2 ¾ inches in diameter and less than 42 inches long. The wood bat must be straight. A grip may be used, but cannot extend more than 18 inches from the end of the handle, where an identification mark is required. A wood bat can have a cupped end up to one inch in depth. One piece wood bats are not required to be certified by the NCAA.  Below is a picture of a one piece wood bat made of maple wood that does not have the NCAA certifying mark on the barrel. This bat is legal.

Two (or more) piece wood bats are required to have the NCAA certifying mark on the barrel. Wood-like bats come in several varieties, like wood composite bats, hybrid bats, and bamboo (note that bamboo is a grass, not a wood). These bats may look like single piece wood bats. Below is a picture of a composite bat that does not have the NCAA certifying mark (currently the BBCOR certification). This bat is illegal.

Below is a picture of a hybrid bat made of maple wood and bamboo that is stamped with the BBCOR certification on the barrel. This bat is legal.

Penalty For Illegal Bat

The NCAA penalty for using an illegal bat is simple: remove the bat, not the player. If the illegal bat is detected after one pitch has been thrown, the batter is out and no runner may advance. Note that the batter is not called out for using a bat that has a loose knob, no safety grip, excessive pine tar, is dented or bent, etc. In these cases the bat is simply removed from the game and any result stands.

I've Been Framed!

For over a hundred and fifty years players have searched for baseball's version of the Holy Grail: the secret to making umpires call strikes on borderline pitches. There are several theories on how to gain this advantage. Recently Baseball Prospectus, The Economist, and SB Nation renewed the public discussion by examining MLB catchers and their receiving skills. Several of these articles discuss "fooling" the umpire on close pitches: in other words, getting a strike call when a ball call is appropriate.

I'm here to tell you the secret code, the bit of wisdom that can mean the difference between as many as a half-dozen strike calls per game. Here it is. . . get ready. . .

How the catcher receives the ball matters.

Below is a short essay I wrote last year in a fit of frustration. I never thought it would be published, but I thought it appropriate in light of the prevailing ignorance of non-umpires writing these articles. So here it is, the secret book of:

How to Get More Strike Calls

A short essay by a frustrated umpire to aspiring catchers

I'm going to espouse a little. Some of what you will read is the result of frustration. Some of it is a desire to educate. Some of it may even be hogwash. Therefore, "caveat lector!"

Before diving into how to get more strike calls, let’s identify a strike. Most casual baseball fans (and a few "experts," including managers and coaches) believe that a strike is whenever any part of the baseball passes over any part of the plate between the knees and the letters. If you believe this definition of a strike, strap yourself in 'cause it’s about to get bumpy!

Defining the Strike Zone

First, the strike zone differs from rulebook to rulebook. For instance, the major league rulebook describes the strike zone as the area over home plate and judged by the batter as he is prepared to swing at the ball, between the midpoint between the top of the uniform pants and the top of the shoulders, to the hollow beneath the kneecap. The NCAA rulebook describes basically the same area, but uses "bottom of the knee cap" instead of the "hollow beneath the kneecap" as its lower end of the strike zone. High school describes the strike zone as halfway between the shoulders and the waistline to the knees. The high school strike zone is also judged when the hitter assumes his natural batting stance.

Defining a Strike

While there are subtle variations of the strike zone from rulebook to rulebook, defining a strike is much more difficult. The major league rulebook says that a strike should be called when the ball "passes through" any part of the strike zone. Most umpires add "substantially" to the phrase "passes through" when interpreting a strike. Otherwise a splitter that just clips the front end of the plate at the knees, but bounces in the dirt is a strike. Most players and coaches would agree that is not a strike because it did not "pass through" the strike zone, although this is sure to get some objections from pitchers. Likewise a big breaking roundhouse curveball that passes at head level at the front of the plate, but falls to the midpoint level at the back of the plate has not "passed through" the strike zone.

You may not agree with the above definition of a strike, but many umpires have been trained using this definition. It is as good a starting point as any for identifying a strike.

A Strike Call is a Cooperative Effort

Now that we have a basic understanding of what a strike is, let’s discuss how a strike gets called. A strike call is actually a cooperative effort. A strike call is the result of three individuals successfully performing their individual jobs to attain a commonly desired objective. The pitcher wants to throw a strike. The catcher wants a catch a strike. The umpire wants to call a strike. When all of these individuals adequately perform their duties, a strike call often results.

While there are individual responsibilities involved in the strike call, the three individuals also must work as a team to attain a strike. Keep this in mind while you read the description below of the individual jobs.

The Job of the Pitcher

First, let’s look at the job of the pitcher. The pitcher's job is not simply to pitch the ball within the strike zone. Anyone who has ever played high school baseball knows that a pitcher may occasionally get a called strike for a pitch outside the strike zone. No, the pitcher's job is to pitch to the catcher. A strike must look like a strike. Take the following example: the catcher sets up on the low inside corner, but the pitch is at top of the strike zone over the outside of the plate. The pitch has “substantially passed through” the strike zone, but the catcher had to reach across his body to catch the ball. His reach may have even turned the catcher's shoulders. It just looks ugly! No experienced umpire will call this pitch a strike. It doesn't look like a strike to the benches or to any other observer at the park. The pitcher has failed to “hit his spot,” or, in other words, the pitcher has failed to pitch to the catcher.

Umpires are fond of reference points when calling strikes. Pitching to the catcher is usually a matter of delivering the baseball within those reference points. For instance, many umpires use the catcher's shin guards as a point of reference. Many umpires will not call a pitch a strike if it is caught outside of the shin guards. Additionally, some umpires will not call a pitch a strike if it is above the batter’s belt (or a ball or two above the belt - depending on the level). Others may not call a strike that is above the catcher’s face mask. The pitcher and the catcher must work together to discover the umpire’s reference points and work within them.

The Job of the Catcher

The catcher has a tremendous amount of influence over the strike call. A bad catcher may cost his pitcher a half dozen close strikes a game. A good catcher may “buy” many close pitches each game. How? Let me explain.

It is the catcher's job to "present" the ball to the umpire. Not frame, not hold, "present." Presenting a pitch is sticking the pitch out in front of the body with no glove or body movement, and giving the umpire a chance to call a strike. A close pitch that is stuck looks like a strike to onlookers. If the catcher does not move, the pitcher appears to have hit his spot. It looks like a no-brainer strike and the umpire has to find some other reason to not call the pitch (like it’s a foot outside).

Upper level catchers are taught to move slightly laterally in order to get in front of the pitch and eliminate reaching. This is an advanced technique that requires training and practice. If you have neither training nor practice in the technique, my advice is to not attempt it until you are trained. Contrary to some advocates, the umpire does notice this adjustment. The effectiveness of this technique depends on the skill of the receiver and how slight and subtle the movement. Movement by the catcher during the pitch is also distracting to the umpire. An unskilled receiver may end up costing his pitcher strike calls.

A pitch that is caught with movement towards the zone does not fool the umpire. In fact, this amateurish behavior has the opposite effect. The glove movement informs the umpire that the pitch was outside the strike zone and must be moved inside the strike zone. All that is accomplished with techniques like dropping the glove or pulling the pitch is it annoys the umpire. It also shows up the umpire because it actually does fool onlookers since the glove ends up in a place that looks like a strike. Consequently, fans and benches start chirping at the umpire over his calls. Some umpires will penalize the catcher for such behavior, defensively and sometimes offensively. Known as a FYC ("*** you call") in umpire parlance, this response is an unprofessional way some umpires deal with catchers and teams employing childish tactics.

A catcher may also cost his pitcher a low strike by flipping his glove over. No upper level umpire will call a strike if the glove is flipped. A flipped glove tells the world that the ball was low. Yes, even the big breaking curveball will not get a strike call if the glove is flipped. Move up and stick the ball if you want that call.

Since presentment is the catcher's chief responsibility, it is important to stay low and give the umpire a good look at the entire strike zone. Most umpires work "the slot," a space between the catcher and batter, just over the catcher's shoulder. A catcher who stays high forces the umpire up and makes low pitches, especially that low outside call your pitcher wants, difficult to see and call.

Catchers can earn points by blocking pitches. The umpire wears substantial protection, but as every good catcher knows, the ball ends up finding you. If the umpire is hit, give him an opportunity to recover. Go talk to your pitcher. If it was a substantial hit, ask if he's ok. Remember, you are trying to win his influence! You want him healthy and happy!

Knowing the Umpire

Want to become a better catcher? Go do some umpiring! It will give you an entirely new perspective of the game of baseball. It will also force you to learn the rules and provide an understanding of the umpire’s job.

Here is a secret about umpires: we want to call strikes! First, we are trained and encouraged to call strikes. A popular saying among umpires goes, "a pitch is a strike unless I am convinced it isn't!" Here are a few ways that a pitch convinces me that it isn't a strike: 

* It is obviously outside the strike zone.

* It hits the dirt.

* The pitcher misses his spot and forces the catcher to reach.

* The catcher botches the presentment (drops the ball, drops his glove, carries the ball outside the strike zone, etc).

Give me a chance to call a strike, because I want to! Strikes are fun! I practice my strike call during the off-season. I like ringing the batter up! Strikes also make the game go faster and more entertaining. Coaches, fans, players, everyone likes strikes! Nobody ever celebrated a 20 walk game, but a 20 strikeout game makes SportsCenter. Da-da-da, da-da-da!

How the home plate umpire sets up at home plate can tell you a lot about where he likes to call. The umpire that sets up high in a box stance is more likely to call a higher strike zone. An umpire that likes to use the scissors stance and set up low may prefer a lower strike zone. Case in point, for many years the National League umpires used balloon protectors while their brothers in the American league used the inside protector. Consequently, umpires in the American League were forced higher and the AL was known as a high strike league, while the National League was known as a low strike league because the umpires with the inside protectors could set up lower.

Sometimes the umpire's strike zone moves as the game goes on. Usually, the zone gets smaller. That’s a common occurrence. Sometimes the umpire will miss a pitch. We all make mistakes. Its life, move on.

Building a solid rapport with a local umpire may also be worth a few strikes a game. Learn the names of your local umpires. Introduce yourself at the beginning of the game and use the umpire's name during the game. It makes it easier to personalize your questions:

"Pete, was that one pretty close?"

"Yeah, Johnny. You might get that one if you stick it next time."

Umpires recognize YOU because we sit behind you all game. We know the complainers, the catchers with poor attitudes, and the catchers with poor mechanics. We also know the good ones. We also talk about you to other umpires and sometimes to college coaches. Remember, just because umpire Pete is calling your local high school game doesn’t mean that he won’t be on a major college field later in the week.

Keep a book on the local umpires and where they like to call. Isn't it good information to know that Pete doesn't like to call the curve over the outside corner, but favors the high strike? Do you think your coach would appreciate that information?

Give this some thought: you stick a close pitch and hear "ball." What should you do? Learn from it! First, ask yourself whether the umpire called that pitch a strike earlier in the game. If the answer is yes, you may want to ask, "Was that one pretty close?" Maybe the umpire just missed it. If he hasn't called it previously, where is he calling?

Here are a few don’ts that will get you into trouble with an umpire:

* Never, ever turn on an umpire. An umpire will generally answer your question if you do not turn your head.

* Never, ever repeat something an umpire says to a coach

* Never, ever show displeasure over a strike call

Finally, never, ever throw the umpire under the bus to your coach. Case in point, coach to his catcher Johnny:

Coach: Johnny! Where's that pitch?

Johnny: It’s right down the middle!

First, this is arguing balls and strikes and the coach will either get warned or tossed for this behavior. The umpire may also warn or toss you (depending on the age of play). Second, you have thrown the umpire under the bus in front of the teams and the spectators. Remember, you want the umpire on your side. You, your pitcher, and the umpire are working together to get strikes. You can't get a strike call without the umpire! Do you think throwing him under the bus helps him do his job more effectively?

It is a shame that coaches do not teach these basic lessons to their catchers. A skilled catcher is worth several strikes each game, often meaning the difference between winning and losing ball games. Practice these simple techniques and you will get more strike calls.

Indestructible Mask Offers Complete Protection

Japanese sporting goods manufacturer Uoy Deloof has announced the development of a revolutionary umpire mask made of a space age material, Omnium Steel. According to spokesman Mitchell Tanner, Omnium is "a ferroalloy stronger than titanium though weaker than adamantium. Uoy Deloof metallurgists were able to develop a form of omnium which possesses elastic ductility while retaining high durability."

Tanner states that the new Omnium mask will absorb the impact of a baseball by distorting the mask frame. The energy is then reapplied to the baseball and away from the umpire's head. "The baseball reacts like it has hit a brick wall, but the umpire doesn't feel a thing," Tanner says. After impact the mask frame is restored to its original shape. Ouy Deloof is offering a lifetime warranty on this mask.

Unfortunately, a U.S. release date for the Ominum Umpire Mask has not been established. The company is in a class action lawsuit in Japan over injuries sustained when baseballs ricocheted off the Omnium Umpire Mask. Plaintiffs in the lawsuit include six batters, three catchers, one pitcher, and a third base coach. During one recent Central League game, a foul ball rebounded off the Omnium mask and the players mistakenly played it for a sacrifice fly. Japanese baseball officials have called the Omnium Umpire Mask a "menace to Japanese baseball."

Stay tuned for more on this story as it develops.

Baseball Teaches Character

My first high school games this year were on March 19. By that time I already had 26 college games under my belt for the year. It threatened rain all night at this varsity/junior varsity double header. I wondered why I took on this assignment. These were very average Midwest high school teams, not even in the same conference. To make matters worse, my partner wore wrinkled pants that had not seen the light of day in 2012, and had “happy feet” while on the dish.

The rain stayed away from the field, and after my partner struggled through his plate during the varsity game, I suited up for the jv game. I wondered where I was going to be bruised by the poor pitching and worse catching.

As the game progressed I ruined my college strike zone by going bigger and bigger, trying to get every close pitch for a strike. I started thinking of other high school assignments that I had accepted and how I could get out of them.

Then something wonderful happened.

Late in the game, with a large lead and no one on base, a batter hit a one-hopper back to the pitcher. As the pitcher made a lazy throw to first, I ran up the line behind the runner, who was running at about 70 percent. The throw beat the runner by about 30 feet.

However, the catcher sprinted at full speed to back up the throw.

As the catcher and I settled in behind the plate, I told him, “Good hustle on that play.”

He said, “I’m glad someone noticed. I wondered if it mattered.”.

We looked over at his coaches who were gathered in the dugout talking about the varsity game and not paying attention to the routine plays.

“It matters to those people who matter most. Those people always notice.”

I think I will hold onto my high school schedule.

Rich Fetchiet Selected to College Baseball Hall of Fame

The College Baseball Hall of Fame recently announced that this year’s recipient of the National Collegiate Umpire Award is Rich Fetchiet. The award, sponsored by Honig’s Whistle Stop, a provider of umpire gear, honors a lifetime of excellence in umpiring.

Fetchiet is only the second recipient of this award, following the inaugural selection of Dick Runchey in 2011. Fetchiet has umpired baseball for 35 years, and has worked three College World Series, including the plate at the 1999 national championship game. He has worked extensively internationally at the 1991 Pan Am Games in Cuba, 1993 World Cup Qualifier in Nicaragua, 1997 Intercontinental Cup in Spain, 1998 World Championships in Italy, the 1999 Cuban National Team’s game with the Baltimore Orioles in Camden Yards, and the 2000 Olympic Games in Australia.

Fetchiet currently serves as Umpire Supervisor for the Collegiate Baseball Umpires Alliance (CBUA), and is umpire Coordinator/Supervisor for many college conferences including the Big Ten Conference, Big 12 Conference, Conference-USA, Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, Great Lakes Valley Conference, Horizon League, Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association, Mid-American Conference, Mid-Central Collegiate Conference, Missouri Valley Conference, North Coast Athletic Conference, Summit League and is Co-Supervisor of the Big East Conference.

“Knowing who some of the other nominees were made the notification of selection overwhelming to me,” Fetchiet said. “I remain beyond humbled. Perhaps what makes this recognition so special is knowing that it comes from my friends and colleagues in college baseball umpiring. I am deeply grateful and appreciative of this award and look forward to the celebration in Lubbock.”

“The final ballot included three names, and the entire vote count was separated by a mere three votes,” said Mike Gustafson, executive director of the College Baseball Hall of Fame. “That Rich won such a close vote speaks to his work on and off the baseball diamond.”

The award will be presented as part of the College Baseball Night of Champions on June 30 in Lubbock, Texas.

Basic Lineup Card Management

The other day I received a letter on a basic topic that is often not discussed locally:

I'm a new umpire to the high school level. I have several years of little league where there was little if any lineup management.  Today was my first game behind the plate at the high school level and I had very little clue how to handle the lineup and substitutions. Could you maybe post something on your blog or point me to a good system to try out?  I know many guys use their own system that works for them unfortunately our association meetings never spoke a word about it. I appreciate your time and your blog, 

Jesse

Below is my K.I.S.S. method that has worked well for me. Others use specially printed cards and more extensive methods.

Exchanging the Lineup Cards

Your first contact with the lineup cards is at the plate meeting. There is a dance to the lineup exchange, and it goes like this (I got the moves like Jagger). . .

1. Receive the home team's card in duplicate;

2. Receive the visiting team's card in duplicate;

3. Check the home team's card.

  A. See if there are nine or ten players listed. Check for duplicate names. Be sure the players are listed by name and number.

  B. Count the positions, 1 to 9 and DH. This ensures there are no position errors.

  C. If there is a DH, state out loud, "DH Jones in the three hole, pitcher is Adams."

  D. If high school, ask if all substitutes are listed on the card.

4. Repeat above with visitor's card.

5. Give each manager a copy of the cards.

6. Fold the cards and place them into your card holder or pocket.

Recording Information

After the plate meeting I will make two columns on the back of the folded lineup cards and write the name of the team's manager in each column. Then I will get behind the catcher during warm ups. Here is my usual pattern:

I allow two warm up pitches, then get behind the catcher and introduce myself. While looking at two pitches from each side, I will ask the catcher if the pitcher throws anything unusual. After the sixth warm up pitch I will step out and announce "two more" to the catcher and on deck hitter. I then write the name of the catcher under the name of the manager. Repeat this pattern with the visiting team.

ALWAYS address the manager and catcher by their first name.

Substitutions

When a substitution is made, draw a line through the player's number and write the substitute's number beside it. Then announce the change, for instance, if there is a pinch hitter point to the hitter and tell the opposing manager, "7 for 12." If there is a press box, look at the press box and point at the batter.

You do not care about defensive positions! Only changes to the lineup need to be recorded.

If there is a substitution on defense, record the substitution as above, point to the player's position and tell the opposing team, "7 for 12." If there are multiple substitutions, go to the opposing manager and report them. Make the press box aware of the changes as well.

Re-entry

When a player re-enters, first draw a line through the replaced player's number. Remember that a player that re-enters is locked into his original position in the lineup, so draw a circle around the player's number to show he has re-entered. The substitute player cannot re-enter the game. Announce to the opposing team, "re-enter 12 for 7."

Courtesy Runners

When a courtesy runner runs for a player, I will write the number of the runner in the team's column on the back of my card and designate whether it is a runner for pitcher or catcher. For instance, when number 4 courtesy runs for the catcher, I will write 4c on my card. Then point to the runner and announce, "Courtesy runner." If number 4 runs for the catcher later in the game, there is no need to annotate it again. Always let the opposing team know whether the runner is a courtesy runner.

Defensive Visits / Offensive Visits

When a manager or coach visits the mound, I will write the inning and outs in the team's column. For instance, if the pitching coach visits in the third with one out, I will write "3,1" in that team's column. For visits after the first I will remind the coach of the number of visits, "That's your second visit," etc.

If there is an offensive visit, I record it the same way as the defensive visit ("3,1") and I circle it to show that it was an offensive conference.

Pitching Changes

Pitching changes are handled just like any other substitution. However, be sure to ask the manager whether it is a "straight change." Look to see whether you have any other questions about the lineup and ASK. If the pitcher was the DH, is he staying as the DH? Is there a double switch? There are few things worse than having a lineup screw up, so be sure to ask the questions and avoid a sh**house.

Miscellaneous

I like to keep my card holder in my ball bag pocket. Professional umpires keep the card in the shirt pocket. Wherever you keep it, make sure you can get to your card holder and pen without delay and fumbling around.

Some umpires like to use a bullet pencil. Others like a pen. Both have their disadvantages. Pens can leak and pencils can break. Two popular choices are the thin Zebra pen and the Space Pen by Fischer. Red ink can also be useful to highlight changes.

If there is a warning or ejection, make your notes immediately on the back of the lineup card. Write yourself reminders about what was said. It will save you time when writing your report.

The lineup card is a great game management tool for the umpire. However you use it, make sure your method is simple, quick, and efficient. Hope this information helps!

Midwest Ump Goes To RussMatt

The RussMatt Tournament is the largest spring collegiate baseball tournament in the country. Each March, over 200 colleges travel to Florida and Arizona to play baseball under the sun while there’s snow on their fields back home. The tournament hosts all college levels, from JUCO to NCAA Division I. The RussMatt Tournament begins in late February and runs through the end of March.

This year I was able to attend the RussMatt Tournament in Florida. The weather was spectacular, and I was impressed with the quality of umpires and tournament organization.

The Teams

The RussMatt Invitational in Florida is actually two separate tournaments: a junior college tournament hosted in the Tampa Bay area, and a tournament in central Florida centered around Winter Haven.  However, teams are scheduled at a variety of facilities. Most teams stay about a week, but some more northern teams may stay longer.

The quality of play is “average early season college,” which means it can vary greatly. Many of the northern teams are playing their first games during the RussMatt Tournament, so every facet of play can get sloppy. This keeps everyone on their toes!

The Umpires

The umpires are recruited from all over the country. Groups of umpires from New York, the New England area, Colorado, and Chicago make this tournament an annual event. The umpires are very experienced and work at the top collegiate levels in their respective areas.

The games are scheduled as two man crews, regardless of level. An extra umpire can volunteer to get in work as a three man crew, but there is no additional pay. Often top level umpires who also serve as umpire evaluators in their regions will observe a crew and give feedback. The atmosphere is very supportive and collegial.

Umpire Pay and Accommodations

RussMatt umpires are paid $70 for a seven inning game and $80 for a nine inning game. Payday is once per week, and then on your last day. Condominiums are available and the cost will depend on the number of occupants (usually around $20 per night). Some umpires rent apartments and houses for the tournament, some bring their wives and work some baseball while vacationing, and at least one umpire stays in his RV.

Progressive Energy Park in St. Pete

The Fields

For me, the best thing about this tournament was visiting the historic spring training ballparks. Some of these parks are on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. The base for the Florida tournament is Winter Haven, and its centerpiece is Chain of the Lakes Park. Built in 1966 it has been the spring training home for the Boston Red Sox and Cleveland Indians.

Since this is a huge tournament, there are several college and high school sites. Lake Myrtle Sports Park in Auburndale is heavily used as is the Walter Fuller Baseball Complex in St. Petersburg. Other notable sites and their major league spring training teams include:

Henley Field Ball Park (Lakeland)  – Cleveland Indians, Detroit Tigers

Progress Energy Park, formerly Al Lang Stadium ( St. Petersburg) – New York Yankees; New York Giants; St. Louis Cardinals; New york Mets; Baltimore Orioles; Tampa Bay Rays

Jack Russell Stadium (Clearwater) – Philadelphia Phillies

Tinker Field (Orlando) - Cincinnati Reds; Brooklyn Dodgers; Washington Senators; Minnesota Twins

Organization

The RussMatt tournament is a business and the teams are the customers. You are not working for an association at this tournament and no one will hold your hand. Umpires are expected to work hard and make the customers happy, which can be a foreign attitude to many. A “this is my field” or “this is my game” approach can get you sent home early. Management will stand by a good ejection, but failure to properly manage a ball game can get you fired. With that said, the coaches and players are usually well behaved.

Because of the large number of games, some travel is involved, especially if you do not have seniority. This can mean an hour or more in the car driving to your game site, fighting traffic on one of Tampa Bay’s bridges, or getting stuck in rush hour or accident traffic. The scheduling (generally) takes distance and traffic into account, but arriving on time is your responsibility.

Miscellaneous

• Umpires are assigned one or two games each day. Some umpires request a day off for golf or family.
• Umpires are responsible to text in the score after each game.
• All but a couple facilities have umpire changing rooms and most have showers.
• The busier complexes provide water for the umpires.

Last Words

The RussMatt Tournament in Florida was a great experience! I worked 18 games in 11 days and got a great jump on my college season. One day was very wet, two days were quite warm (upper 80’s), but most days the weather was perfect. One night at Progressive Energy Park in St. Pete was especially beautiful.

The umpires I worked with were also terrific. Not one was substandard, and several had professional experience. They were all good guys - the bad apples are vetted very quickly by management. Each year umpires are sent home early for a variety of transgressions. This tournament is not for the lazy or untrained. You are expected to work hard, be in position, manage the ball game, and be a good partner. If working with excellent umpires in perfect weather sounds good to you, check out the RussMatt website for application information.

Review of New Balance MU460 Umpire Plate Shoe

I was sad because I had no shoes, until I met a man who had no feet. So I said, "Got any shoes you’re not using?"

― Steven Wright

Some umpires make really silly choices about their safety when working the dish. I have seen guys forgo a chest protector, shin guards, and even a cup (ouch!), but the most common protective item not worn by amateur umpires is without question the plate shoe. When asked, the reasons are that plate shoes are either too expensive or uncomfortable. Well, the former reason is just silly. The best plate shoes on the market typically hover around $100. Find a good deal, and you can get excellent plate shoes for under $60. That is a small price to pay to protect against a broken toe.

As for comfort, the new line of umpire shoes from New Balance and Reebok fit like comfortable athletic shoes! A few years ago I switched to the New Balance MU450 Plate Shoe because of its sneaker-like fit. Later I discovered the Reebok Field Magistrate Plate Shoe, which won the UMPY Award for the Umpire Shoe category in 2009, 2010, and 2011. The New Balance MU460 is even more comfortable than the Reebok Field Magistrate.

So, What’s New Pussycat?

New Balance sent me a pair of MU460 to test and review. The literature states that the MU460 Umpire Plate Shoe has:

• Breathable mesh upper with met guard to protect the foot
• 40% more cushioning to ensure comfort
• 10% lighter than previous models
• Shoe shine compatible

It is the Official on-field umpire shoe of Major League Baseball. The shoe advertises this fact on the tongue and on the heel. Fortunately the tongue logo is concealed by the pant leg and the heel logo is very small.

Appearance and Construction

The MU460 is a pretty good looking plate shoe. Years ago umpire plate shoes looked like they were designed by Herman Munster. The new generation of umpire plate shoes look good and feel great. The large metatarsal plate on the MU460 is angled toward the toe to give a sleek appearance.

The company has placed its ubiquitous logo on the side of the shoe. Honestly, after wearing New Balance MU450s and the Reebok Field Magistrate plate shoes, I'm numb to the shoe company logos. However, New Balance offers the MU460s in an optional muted logo design.

The New Balance MU460 is made from synthetic leather. It doesn't feel like leather, but I guess it looks like leather and keeps a shiny appearance. I have used both water and scrubbing bubbles on it, and so far it has cleaned up nicely. As a side note, the Reebok Field Magistrate is made from a combination of full grain leather and synthetic leather. 

The metatarsal plate is wide and provides excellent coverage. Under the metatarsal plate is a cushion that is covered with mesh fabric. The shoe's tongue and laces area uses a moisture wicking fabric with a mesh covering. The idea here is twofold: first, pull moisture away from the foot and allow it to evaporate; and second, decrease the weight of the shoe.

Fit and Comfort

The MU460 runs true to size. If you wear a size 11 medium width in a New Balance athletic shoe, order a size 11 medium width in the plate shoe. My thick socks fit comfortably in the MU460, as do thinner socks.

I have a pair of New Balance MU450 in D width size 11. The MU460 are 2E width and size 10.5. The weight of the MU450 is 27 ounces. The MU460 is 28 ounces! Let me reiterate that this is not comparing weights of the same shoe dimensions. Also note that the Reebok Field Magistrate Umpire Plate Shoe in size 11 D is 25.5 ounces.

The MU460 is a very comfortable shoe. There is a generous amount of padding in the ankle area. New Balance advertises the use of ABZORB® (a blend of Dupont™ Engage® and Isoprene rubber) in the heel and forefoot for shock absorption.

The toe box has been increased. The tight toe box was an issue in the old MU450s, so the MU460s are made with a wide and comfortable all steel toe box.

Protection

At the time of this article, I have worn the New Balance MU460s for three plate games. I have not been hit in the foot or toe while wearing this shoe. I am impressed with the metatarsal coverage and the use of the all stell toe box.

New Balance has produced two promotional videos to demonstrate the effectiveness of its shoe:

Price
The New Balance MU460 Umpire Plate Shoe can be purchased from the following retailers:

Homerun Monkey - $109.99. An extra 10% discount can be had by using the code spring10

Ump-Attire.com - $114.99

Honig's - $119.95

Fair or Foul?

There are a lot of things to like about the New Balance MU460 Umpire Plate Shoes. They are more comfortable than either the New Balance MU450s or the Reebok Field Magistrate. The MU460 also offers superior metatarsal protection, an all steel toe box, and the price is competitive to the Reebok Field Magistrate. My call is absolutely Fair!