Home Plate Umpire - You Are In Charge - Look and Act the Part!

Before the game, Talk to your partner and go over your signals and assignments. Walk onto, and leave, the field together (if possible). Look sharp.

Pre-game, Find out who is home team and their scorekeeper, let them know you may be asking them questions during the game. Talk to or meet with the head coaches (meeting is not mandatory in Rec ball) - get baseballs. While watching the pitcher warmup and counting the pitches, after the sixth pitch, tell the catcher, "Two More" (Do Not yell, "Coming Down" or "Coming Down"). After the eigth pich and the ball goes down, step in and brush off the plate. Step back out and make sure your indicator is clear, put your mask on, and then turn to your partner and ask him if he ready by pointing to him with your left arm and open hand. Step in behind the catcher (it is ok to talk to the catcher and/or batter). You may need to say batter up, you may need to give a come motion with your right hand to the pitcher............when every one is ready to go, then point to the pitcher with your right hand (this puts time in) and say "Play" (some say Play Ball). If it is a time limit game, pick the place you want to announce "We're on the Clock!" (Tell the scorekeeper/coaches the start time). The best time for this is just after the catcher throws the ball down to second or after you brush the plate off.

Balls and Strikes, You do not need to give the balls and strike count every pitch, but it is real smart to give it every pitch after there is a two count, either balls or strikes. This will also help you to not accidently ring up someone on the second strike. And if you practice it, it will help you keep track of the number of balls (not giving a walk on three balls). Always remember to advance your indicator (say click in your head - if after a ball that gets away and there is fast and furious action at the plate, make sure you clicked; you may even want to ask your partner the count). To give the count, simply hold up the count (balls on left hand and strikes on right) and say it however you like (only loud enough for the batter and catcher to hear), but balls first. You do not have to show the count to each side, and the number two is not a hook'em sign. Once the pitches start coming, always hold your position (don't flinch/dodge) and ALWAYS delay your calls. The ball comes in and pops the mitt, you come up and step back and then bark out your strike call or a ball call (only if it is not an obvious ball). The strike call should be a little louder than the ball call. The strike call should only be given on a "Looking" or "Called" strike - do not call out Strike on a swing, simply give the strike sign. The strike call and sign can be given together or separate (call first, then sign). Give the sign with your right hand. It may help some of you to give the first strike signal with one finger and the second with two fingers (help keep track).

Ball Four, If you have ball four, unless it is very obvious, say Ball, and give the "Take your base" sign - left arm and hand to first.

Strike Call, Make sure that you have a "Looking" or "Called" strike before you yell "Strike". Give only the strike sign or the out sign on a swinging strike - do not yell "Strike". On a potential dropped 3rd strike, only give the strike sign, and if you don't know what happened, look out at your partner (he should have his right fist clinched for a good catch, then you give the out sign, or his right index finger pointing down to the ground for a dropped 3rd strike, then you do nothing and wait for the play. If the batter walks away, you do nothing until he steps into the dugout, then you give the out sign (he can take a direct line to first at any time prior to that, even from the third base side of the field).

Lose the Count, If you lose count or you have a question, look at your partner and point at your indicator, or pat the top of your head, or give the rotation sign with your two index fingers (what ever you two settle on before the game). Don't wait for the batter to hit the ball and save you. If necessary, call time and talk to your partner or ask the scorekeeper what they have (tell them before the game that you may ask them).

Check Swing - On a half/check swing or bunt call it like you see it. If he went, point at him with your right hand and say "Yeah, He Went" and give the strike sign and/or out sign. If you do not think he went, say "Ball". If you don't know or if requested, appeal the call to your partner, by stepping out from behind the plate and pointing your left arm and open palm to your partner, and ask, "Did he go?. He should make the call with the appropriate out signal for a strike and say, "Yes He Went" or the safe signal for a ball and say, "No He Didn't Go". Your partner can usually only tell if he went from the "A" position". If you ask while he is in the "B" or "C" position, he should mirror your call, unless it is extremely obvious (ie., the catcher may have stood up and blocked your view - and if this happens, you should ask anyway).

Retrieve and Replace Balls, Have the on-deck batter ready to retrieve foul balls (on bigger fields). You may wish to tell this to the head coaches before the game. Always be prepared to give the catcher a new ball on out of play fair or foul balls. But be very careful, on balls that simply get away from the catcher, he may turn to you for a new one, as the on-deck retrieves, and you can give one to him, BUT NEVER do this with someone on base or on ball four or a dropped 3rd strike. As soon as you do, it kills the play. Also, it is wise to switch out balls during the game (ball in the dirt, gets away from the catcher), give a new ball to the catcher then when you get the other ball, inspect it before you put it back in your bag or throw it out. Check balls that may be damaged - comes off the fenceposts and concrete hard.

Time In, Get in a habit of putting time back in after every dead ball (time out, foul ball, etc.) by pointing to the pitcher when everyone is ready and he is on the pitching plate. This will keep you from getting caught in having to judge whether or not a play is legal (ie., quick pick off after a foul ball). It will also make you look like YOU are managing the game.

Fair/Foul, You have the fair/foul calls from the plate to the bags (your partner has it past the bags). Do not ever yell "Fair Ball", only give the signal, with the arm pointing into fair territory. Do not yell "Foul Ball" unless the ball is close to being a fair ball. Usually give the Foul Ball signal (not if it is very obvious, like a ball over the fence) - both hands straight up and then point foul. (Both hands straight up kills play).

Watch the Runners, You must watch all the runners touch bases, be ready for appeals. You typically are responsible for tag ups on the corners. Look for obstruction by the defense (clinched left fist down to the ground - let the play finish and then judge if there really was obstruction) or interference by the offense (stop play immediately, both hands up in the air, ball is dead, no base advancing). When a runner touches Home, give a small low key signal - point or one hand safe sign. If the runner does not touch Home, do not give a sign.

Infield Fly, With less than two outs and bases loaded or runners on first and second. The Field Umpire is Always in "C" Position, he determines if the ball should be an infield fly and if so, points with his right arm/hand at the ball. The Home Plate Umpire should have the Call (loud - Infield Fly, Batter's Out!). If by the time the ball has reached it's apex, and has just started down, if the Field Umpire has not heard the call, he should make the call. On a ball near the foul line, the call should be "Infield Fly, if Fair". If the ball is fair, call the batter out, it the ball is foul, call Foul Ball! Before the first pitch the Umpires should have given each other the Infield Fly sign (settled on before the game - maybe, right hand closed to the bill of the hat/mask if no outs or index finger up if one out). Once you are no longer in the Infield Fly situation, give the "Wipe Off" sign - either hand wiping the top of the other forearm.

Run Downs, When ever there is a run down, the Home Plate Umpire comes out running to first or third, yelling, "I've got One/Three". The Field Umpire should remain near second base. The umpires are already basically in position for a rundown between third and Home.

Confirm Your Call, When either Umpire makes a call that is close or the Umpire may have been blocked from seeing the actual play, make the call, then look at your partner for the "Talk to Me" sign (settle on this before the game). It typically is the hand on the belt buckle. If your partner makes that sign to you, call time and go talk to him. If he saw the play different, you can discuss it before the coach can intervene, then you can then reverse your own call and make it look like you took the initiative to check your own call. Any change in the call by the Umpire making the original call, after a conference, will minimize opposition.

Balks, You are also responsible for calling balks, but the primary responsibility falls on your partner. Remember, balks are not automatic dead balls.

Number of Outs, Give each other the "Number of Outs" sign before each batter.

Always wear your hat frontwards and take off your mask and hold it with your left hand, never throw your mask. Indicator should be in the left hand.

Bases Empty - (Field Umpire in "A" Position)

A Walk - Watch the action while your partner is moving to the B position, keep eye on batter-runner touching first, play at first after rounding or coming off bag, interaction with first baseman, etc. Clear your indicator, give "Number of Outs" sign.

Infield Play - While your partner is positioning himself, run down the foul side of the first base line, about 1/3 of the way. Watch the first baseman's foot (on the bag or not), and all overthrows. If you saw what your partner called, turn and walk back to your position. If you saw something different and you want him to call time, stand there and look at him until he sees you (you may also have a sign or that - like hand on the belt buckle). You have the ball in the dugout (dead ball - both hands raised in the air) and the base coach interference calls
If the ball is just out in front of the plate or short to the pitcher or first baseman, step up to the line and start moving up the line, you have the batter-runner and first base line interference call (do not get in the catcher's way). Clear your indicator, give "Number of Outs" sign..

Outfield Play - ground ball, As your partner is coming in and pivoting to watch the batter-runner round first, you move up quickly toward second so that you are just on the third base side of the mound. Watch to see if your partner gets hung up - cover second if needed, but usually be prepared to take the runner into third. If so, yell out loudly three times, "I've got 3......", then set up on the inside of the bag (fair or foul, depending on the angle needed), out of the line of throw. Your partner should have taken a quick look at you and indicated he saw you by pointing to you and then he should rotate to home after his runner has gone through second, on his way to third. Clear your indicator, give "Number of Outs" sign.

On a fly ball, You have from the left field line to the right fielder. Your partner has the right fielder over to the line or any trouble balls in that general area. Run out from behind the plate and get out as far as possible to see the catch. If it is a catch, yell loudly, "I've Got a "Catch/Out" with hand signal for out, or, give the safe signal if dropped or close but not caught, and yell "It's Down" or "No, No, No"............ So your partner will know what is going on. If the ball is in your partner's territory, you must get out quickly while watching the action at first (did he touch the bag, was there obstruction?) and be prepared to take the runner into second, third - your partner should get back into the infield in time to cover the plate. Clear your indicator, give "Number of Outs" sign.

Runner on First - (Field Umpire in "B" Position)

Before the first pitch, you should give the "Number of Outs" sign and the "Rotation" sign (index finger of right hand rotating in a circle, usually done in conjunction with the number of out sign) to your partner. This tells him to make the calls at second or the batter-runner at first (positioning himself to stay out of the throwing lane), and you will move up quickly and cover any trailing plays at third base, with your partner rotating home, if necessary. (Based on the play, you may need to be in foul or fair territory - get the angle).

Walk - Same. Clear your indicator.

Infield Play - After giving the appropriate sign above and the correct "Number of Outs" sign, move to the position indicated. You must move up toward the third side of the mound, being prepared to take the runner to third, while still watching him touch second and the play at first, foot on the bag and overthrows, even while moving toward third. Based on errors or throw aways, you must also be prepared to float back to home. Watch for any interference/obstruction. Remember to position yourself to stay out of the throwing lanes. Clear your indicator.

Outfield Play - ground ball, After giving the appropriate sign above and the correct "Number of Outs" sign, move to the position indicated, move up the third base line, prepared to take the runner into third (watch him touch second). Your partner should take any plays at second and first, but if the play is to third, your partner should be prepared to cover home. If your partner covered home, you still have any trailing action on the bases. You must check your partner to see if he rotated to home and be prepared to shift back to home, if he gets hung up in the filed, and be prepared for a play at the plate (Do not get caught in fair territory). (Stay out of the throwing lanes). Watch for any interference/obstruction. Clear your indicator.

On a fly ball - After giving the appropriate sign above and the correct "Number of Outs" sign, move to the position indicated. Your partner has the call on a fly ball from the left fielder to the right fielder (the "V"). He should move out and make the Catch/Out or No call, loud. You move out to watch the runners and move to where the play will be. You have the tag up call at first base. On fly balls down either line to the V, you have the Catch/Out or No calls - try to line up the runner at first with the ball down the line in right field. Your partner will have to watch the tag at first if the ball is down the line in left field. Based on the plays, you may need to cover third and your partner rotate home. (Do not get caught in fair territory). (Stay out of the throwing lanes). Watch for any interference/obstruction. Clear your indicator.

Runners in all other positions - (Field Umpire in "C" Position)

Runners at first and second or bases loaded - Before the first pitch, give the "Number of Outs" sign and:

1. If there are less than two outs:

a) you should give the "Infield Fly" sign (Number of Outs sign to the bill of the cap or up in the air, maybe even at the waist with a fist for no outs and thumb up for one out). You have the call. Your partner should point up at the ball if he thinks it is an Infield Fly, in case you lose it.. You must yell as loud as you can "Infield Fly, Batter's Out"! If the ball is near a foul line, yell "Infield Fly, if Fair"!; And

b) you should also give the "Second Play" sign (bump closed fists, right on top of left, with the right index finger pointing toward third) to your partner. This tells him to take the first infield play, where ever it is and you will get the second play at third - so you will be moving up the third base line quickly to cover a trailing play at third (stay out of the throwing lane), with your partner rotating home, if necessary. (Based on the play, you may need to be in foul or fair territory - get the angle). Remember, if the bases were loaded, you will need to watch the runner from third touch home, while moving up to third.

2. If there are two outs, DO NOT give the Infield Sly sign - Give the "Timing Play" sign (first two fingers of the right hand on your watch) to your partner. This tells him that there is two outs and if he calls a non-force out, to call it out loud when the out is made, so you can judge if the run at home counts. Also, you should give the "I've got the Plate" sign (see below).

Runners at first and third - Before the first pitch, give the "Number of Outs" sign, regardless of the number of outs, you should give the "Rotation" sign to your partner. This tells him that you will watch the runner from third touch the plate as you move up to take the play at third. Your partner will take the trailing play on the bases or rotate home, if necessary. (Based on the play, you may need to be in foul or fair territory - get the angle).

Runner at second only - Before the first pitch, give the "Number of Outs" sign, with less than two outs, you should give the "Second Play" sign (bump closed fists, right on top of left, with the right index finger pointing toward third) to your partner. This tells him to take the first play, where ever it is and you will get the second play at third - so you will be moving up the third base line quickly to cover a trailing play at third (stay out of the throwing lane), with your partner rotating home, if necessary. (Based on the play, you may need to be in foul or fair territory - get the angle). With two outs, give the "I've got the Plate" sign and the Timing Play sign.

Runner at second and third or runner at third only - Before the first pitch, give the "Number of Outs" sign, regardless of the number of outs you should give the "I've got the Plate" sign (pat your chest with your right hand and then point down to the plate) to your partner. This tells him that he has all the calls in the infield - you must watch the runners touch the bases. With two outs, don't forget to give the Timing Play sign.

Walk - Same. Clear your indicator.

Infield Play - After giving the appropriate sign above and the correct "Number of Outs" sign, move to the position indicated, based on where the runners are and the play will be. Watch the runners touch the bases and for any interference/obstruction. Remember to position yourself to stay out of the throwing lanes. Clear your indicator.
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Outfield Play - ground ball, After giving the appropriate sign above and the correct "Number of Outs" sign, move to the position indicated, based on where the runners are and the play will be. Watch the runners touch the bases and for any interference/obstruction. Remember to positioning yourself to stay out of the throwing lanes. Your partner will typically move to the sweet spot and watch the runners touch third and second and the batter-runner touch first, noting any defensive obstruction, and be prepared to make the call at any base. Based on the number of runners and the number of bases advancing, your partner may need to rotate home if you are covering third. Clear your indicator.

On a fly ball - After giving the appropriate sign above and the correct "Number of Outs" sign, Your partner has the call on a fly ball from the left fielder to the right fielder (the "V"). He should line up the catch with the runner on second to watch the tag up, or if there is no runner on second, move to be in best position, and make the Catch/Out or No call, loud. You move out to watch the runners and move to where the play will be. You have the tag up call at first and third base. On fly balls down either line to the V, you have the Catch/Out or No calls, loud - try to line up the runner at first with the ball down the line in right field or the runner at third if the ball is down the third base line, as you have the tag ups (having given the "I Got the Tag at First and/or Third" sign before the pitch, with less than two outs). Your partner will have to watch the tags at the other bases. Based on the plays, you may need to cover third and your partner rotate home. (Do not get caught in fair territory). (Stay out of the throwing lanes). Watch for any interference/obstruction. Clear your indicator.