Umpire Inattention

[anonlooker]

This seems the appropriate thread for this story:

DD's last year of rec, she'd been taking pitching lessons for a few months and had a little pace on her pitches.

Regular ump doesn't show up, so the park sends out a staffer to call the game. He shows up with no equipment, not even a mask. "Just a bunch of 11 and 12 year olds", says he.

So DD takes the circle, he flinches when he sees the pitches, and adopts the "look and duck" method of calling balls and strikes - takes position behind the C, watches the initial trajectory of the pitch, then ducks his head down behind the C... when he hears the ball hit the glove, he comes up and calls the pitch.

Sure enough, count goes to 3-2, DD pitches, ump ducks, balls hits glove, he comes up and calls "Ball four", sends the girl to first.

Well the two coaches looked at each other, then laughed and went over to the guy and explained that the girl had swung and missed, so it was really strike three. The guy insisted he was right, but eventually the coaches won out and the girl went back to the dugout.

Fortunately, he then took the coaches suggestion and called the rest of the game from behind the circle.

[wadeintothem]

Thou shalt not criticize an umpire under any circumstances.
--Lord Wade Almighty

There are many errors in that pic other than just not watching the play and much to criticize. The umpire did not do a single thing correctly, from position to watching the ball, to watching the runner touch the bag.

That doesnt make me incredulous that an umpire could get back door'd by the RF blooper. Hell I'd go so far as to say this umpire was not even thinking about the play - figured easy single and was moving to B for the next pitch.. but I'll leave the umpire heckling to fans like you skarp.

[Bretman]

Wade calling something "rough and patronizing"? Now that's out of left field, coming from the master of the sarcastic reply!

You call that rough? It seemed pretty mild to me. It's not like I skewered the guy. I just pointed out that, on this play, there's really only one place the umpire is supposed to be looking and he ain't looking at it!

Getting "backdoored" by an unexpected throw from RF is one thing, but even if you were surprised by the throw you should still be watching the B/R touch the bag as you pivot in. The only reason to not be pivoting in is if you recognize a throw is coming and need to stay out of the way. But if you recognized that, then you would be watching the rest of play, wouldn't you?

I suppose there are a dozen reasons why an umpire might be walking toward second base from the "A" position, with his back turned to the play, totally oblivious to what's going on behind him- none of them good.

Like I said, I wonder what he was thinking? If this was my partner, I wouldn't have to wonder very long- only about the amount of time it takes for the game to end and for the two of us to reach the parking lot.

[wadeintothem]

Wade calling something "rough and patronizing"? Now that's out of left field, coming from the master of the sarcastic reply!

No way! Its the new and improved me. I cant be that way or I'll get a spanking. Eyes are watching me very closely...

About talking to him in the parking lot...


Hell I wouldnt wait that long, we'd be talking between innings. I'm not waiting a whole game to find out whats up. Maybe he's having a seizure and needs medical attention.

[GIMNEPIWO]

In the world of umpires, is it considered a sign of weakness to admit you missed the play

Yeah, RIGHT ! ... Like that could happen ... Next thing you'll tell us the one about a Coach that bunts when he shouldn't or a player that drops a can of corn !

[GIMNEPIWO]

I cant be that way or I'll get a spanking.

ER ...uh ... wrong thread Wade ...

[Skarp]

...but I'll leave the umpire heckling to fans like you skarp.

Hey, I have to have fun too, right?

[wadeintothem]

...but I'll leave the umpire heckling to fans like you skarp.

Hey, I have to have fun too, right?

Make em earn some keep...

[Skarp]

...but I'll leave the umpire heckling to fans like you skarp.

Hey, I have to have fun too, right?

Make em earn some keep...

Exactly! I don't mind forking over the dough, but I want to see 'em sweat a little for it.

[MTR]

Just wondering if umpires have a requirement to watch the plays they are calling? Is there actually a rule that covers this?

Rules???

Situation #1: Plate Umpire is looking at a girl yelling at the top of her lungs in the dugout (1st base side) as BR comes in from 3rd and slides into home. Tag is made on the BR's helmet but foot is already over the center of the plate. PU turns his body, and now looks at the play then calls her out.

Pretty vague. Being "over" the plate doesn't mean squat. Did the runner "touch" the plate prior to being tagged?

Situations #2: Batter hits a hard grounder to third and takes off running. 3rd baseman bobbles the ball and makes the throw. Umpire is looking directly at the coaches in the dugout (3rd base side) and calls the runner out. The ball hits the first baseman's glove and pops up 3 feet into the air. The runner tags the base and actually gets back before the first baseman gets possession of the ball. Umpire standing 3 feet from the play never looks but continues to stare at the coaches and insists the runner is out.

Sounds like an F.Y.C. What did the coaches do to earn that?

Situation #3: Umpire makes calls, 3 to 6 seconds before the play even happens, then turns his head. Most of the times the calls turn out to be correct. But from time to time a throw is bad or catch is not made.

Well, even the Amazing Kreskin didn't get them all right.

Now I am not giving these situations to point out poor umpiring. I am not even saying these calls have happened to my team. Having been on the other side of the fence a few times, I know it can be difficult to be an umpire. I have always been very supportive of umpires and have never yelled at or even publicly disagreed with an umpire.

What's more public than a discussion board?

My question is, when it is so obvious that the umpire did not see the play and his partner refuses to question the call (tighter than cops),

The partner is not permitted to question a partner's call. It is specifically mentioned in many umpire manuals.

is there any method of disputing it. Especially if a judgment call situation. How can it be a judgment call if the umpire did not see the play and refuses to admit it?

In the world of umpires, is it considered a sign of weakness to admit you missed the play and differ to the other umpire that may have actually witness it?

Not among good umpires.

I can think of no other explanation as to why this may be happening.

I have seen these situations in both tournaments and friendlies. Some with my team involved (against us) some (for us). Others while just watching other teams play. It seems to becoming more and more prevalent. A few weeks ago a call was made while the umpire had his back completely turned to the play. It was so obvious the coach from the benefiting team came out and argued with the umpire.

Must be a conspiracy to see how long you will pay these bad umpires.