Shouldn't umpires know the rules?

default · Jun 30, 2010

I was watching a local rec ball game last night. The umpires did a good job until the end but did not know the league mercy rule and called the game early because the home team coach said it was over. I was sure it was wrong but nobody had a list of rules. I went up to the concession stand where the umpires were enjoying their free drinks and asked if anyone had a set of rules and sure enough the game had been called early. The umpires were informed they had made the wrong call and their response was that they did not care. When asked why they did not know the rules (not their first time doing these games) the responded again so what I don't need to know them. Wouldn't you think umpires would take time to review rules before doing games in different leagues? It appeared to me it was laziness on the umpires part and a desire to get paid for the shortest game possible.

default · Jun 30, 2010

That's like getting hired for a job and then not knowing how to do the job you were hired for. Happens all the time.

default · Jun 30, 2010

No excuse on the umpire's part. It's wrong not knowing the rules or at least attempt to know them... Every rec association has different rules it seems.... but still no excuse. I know in the SOFGA leagues here in SW Ohio there are different rule rules for different age groups. Different time limts, etc...

But as an umpire you have to know that and not just show up to get paid.

Every year I get even more disgusted with umpires personally. But, that comes from the "teacher" too of these guys. That's where it starts. Poor umpire clinics... statewide and locally.

default · Jun 30, 2010

I give a good number of umpire clinics as well as coaches clinic. I am an umpire and have coached for many years.
Here is what I tell coaches: Have a copy of the league rules with you at all times and ask the umpires if they are familar with the rules for your games. Our umpires will work games in a number of different programs, leagues, tournaments, etc. and trying to keep them all straight is crazy.
As far as I am concern, shame on the coaches for not having a copy of the rules.

default · Jun 30, 2010

Fast2Home said:
I give a good number of umpire clinics as well as coaches clinic. I am an umpire and have coached for many years.
Here is what I tell coaches: Have a copy of the league rules with you at all times and ask the umpires if they are familar with the rules for your games. Our umpires will work games in a number of different programs, leagues, tournaments, etc. and trying to keep them all straight is crazy.
As far as I am concern, shame on the coaches for not having a copy of the rules.

Thats was their excuse as well. I agree that the coaches should have had rules with them. However the rules were availible less than 50' away at the concession stand. The umpires were in too much of a hurry to even wait. I think the "I do different leagues" excuse is a crock. Your getting paid so take five minutes to review the rules.

default · Jun 30, 2010

I umpire for my local little league. The thing for umpires to do before the game starts is to ask the coach these questions. We don’t always have that many adults and experienced umpires to get to games. In our league there are several different rules for each division in our league. I do games for softball mostly but I do games for baseball also. It is hard to take just 30 minutes and review the whole baseball book and remember all the differences. Both the coach and the umpires should have a book with them to at least get the correct ruling if the umpire forgets the exact ruling. You need to take plenty of time to review these rules if you want to go to the next level of umpiring. You will be much more successful and not get yelled at by coaches and fans.

default · Jun 30, 2010

Shouldn't it be shame on the umpires for not having a copy of the rules??? There job to know the rules and if they don't they should have a copy to refer too. Sounds like the ump's posting here don't care either. Don't care to learn the rules, don't care to carry a copy of the rules, don't care to go ask about a rule. Must be a mind set amongst them all.

default · Jun 30, 2010

It would be great if coaches provided the umpires they hire a copy of the rules specific to their league. I have umpired plenty of rec league games where neither coach has their copy that was given to them at their league meeting and the younger the players are the more league specific rules they have that supercede high school rules. It makes it even more difficult that some of these rules drastically change from year to year.

If you saw how unorganized the umpire hiring can be for rec ball leagues you would be surprised you have an umpire the majority of the time.

default · Jun 30, 2010

WE will be having classes in February for all of the sideline umpires who want to get certified. It is not as easy as you all make it out to be. Every year we have around 20 canidates and after the first year we are lucky to have 2 or 3 return for the next season. If was easy we would not have a shortage of umpires let alone good ones
Dan Adkins

default · Jun 30, 2010

Bigdan said:
WE will be having classes in February for all of the sideline umpires who want to get certified. It is not as easy as you all make it out to be. Every year we have around 20 canidates and after the first year we are lucky to have 2 or 3 return for the next season. If was easy we would not have a shortage of umpires let alone good ones
Dan Adkins

That's what I've been telling people. Umpires have a tough job.

Had a parent from the other team the other night ump a friendly for us. One of my players came up to me and says "I think he's trying to help the other team beat us". I told her to sit down I didn't even want to hear it. When I walked over to the 3rd base side to coach you should have heard the parents on his side dogging him!

I know firsthand when you put on that gear and step behind the plate you don't have a friend in the world sometimes. There is great demand for good umpires but if we don't cut them some slack here and there who's going to want to do it?

default · Jun 30, 2010

Mad Hornet said:
That's what I've been telling people. Umpires have a tough job.

I know firsthand when you put on that gear and step behind the plate you don't have a friend in the world sometimes. There is great demand for good umpires but if we don't cut them some slack here and there who's going to want to do it?

I have a hard time with that one Tony. The umpires Signed Up to do the job. The weren't forced to do it. They should know the rules inside and out. That is part of the JOB. Pleading ignorance not knowing the rules is bush league. To cost a team a run or game because a rule isn't known is, to me, inexcusable. JMHO.

default · Jun 30, 2010

Not saying this particular case was excusable. Just seeing a LOT of umpire bashing of late and I'm not sure it's helping anything.

If you've ever been through the experience of having teams ready to play but NO Umpire at all (and thus no game) you see some things a little differently and start to wonder what's really going on.

default · Jun 30, 2010

Mad Hornet said:
Not saying this particular case was excusable. Just seeing a LOT of umpire bashing of late and I'm not sure it's helping anything.

I agree that it isn't helping anything except for people to get their anger out of their systems. I have been around a lot of different tourneys this year for many ages and there hasn't been multiple games yet where there hasn't been a complaint. The most consistent umpiring I have seen this year, believe it or not, was an NSA tourney up in Urbana a few weeks ago. There were some lousy umps but all-in-all, they were pretty good.
Talking to an umpire in Dayton last night at my oldest league games and he said, "No one likes the umpire no matter what they do". And I thought he is right. BUT, if they are consistent in what they do and how they call a game, I would think the complaining would be held to a minimum.
I just think a lot of people are tired of the subpar umpiring this year as a whole. They are waiting to get to a tourney where it will hopefully get better and it isn't.
Can't wait to see and talk with you in a few weeks at GAPSS.

default · Jun 30, 2010

I think some responsibility has to be placed on the league organizers to play by a set of sanction rules. It seems as though every league wants to re-invent the wheel, and change rules to suit them. There really is no need to do this when an established set of rules already exists. ASA, NSA, USSSA, pick one and play by it. It will make the umpiring more consistant (I did not say good, I said consistant).

default · Jul 1, 2010

mustohiofastpitch said:
Sounds like the ump's posting here don't care either.

Huh? Ya lost me there, Musty.

Which response in this thread sounds like it came from an umpire that doesn't care?

Run rules are one of those that you will see different variations for different leagues, age groups and tournaments. This year alone, I have worked games at various levels where I have had to deal with, off the top of my head, 8-10 different game ending runs-ahead rules. Yeah, it can be confusing. But that is no excuse to not care or make every effort to get it right.

Personally, if I'm working an unfamiliar league or sanction, I will run through their rule book before the game. If they have some unusual or non-standard rules I'll jot them down and slip them into my pocket or line-up holder.

Rule differences have tripped up many an umpire- myself included. But "not caring" is not an option! Caring about what you're doing is perhaps the number one prequisite for being a good umpire. If you care, then you make the effort to do things the right way.

default · Jul 1, 2010

Strohbro said:
I agree that it isn't helping anything except for people to get their anger out of their systems. I have been around a lot of different tourneys this year for many ages and there hasn't been multiple games yet where there hasn't been a complaint. The most consistent umpiring I have seen this year, believe it or not, was an NSA tourney up in Urbana a few weeks ago. There were some lousy umps but all-in-all, they were pretty good.
Talking to an umpire in Dayton last night at my oldest league games and he said, "No one likes the umpire no matter what they do". And I thought he is right. BUT, if they are consistent in what they do and how they call a game, I would think the complaining would be held to a minimum.
I just think a lot of people are tired of the subpar umpiring this year as a whole. They are waiting to get to a tourney where it will hopefully get better and it isn't.
Can't wait to see and talk with you in a few weeks at GAPSS.

I will say that at Westerville we had Central District ASA umps and they were very professional and called really good games. I would expect the same group at GAPSS. (not sure though)

default · Jul 1, 2010

HORNET as the central district # 22 assigner you will see the C.O.S.U.A. Umpires once again at G.A.P.S.S. along with some college borrow-ins. We are also at the StingRays next week-end.
Dan Adkins

Shouldn't umpires know the rules?

default

Member

default

Member

default

Member

default

Member

default

Member

default

Member

default

Member

default

Member

default

Member

default

Member

default

Member

default

Member

default

Member

default

Member

default

Member

default

Member

default

Member

Similar threads