Untimely Situations
Getting Back Into Position

by Brent McLaren

"Something else to add to the pregame conference," you may ask. If you are lucky enough to work with the same crew over and over, or if your association insists on a specific pattern for handling these situations, consider yourself fortunate but otherwise you might wish to carefully weigh your options here.

Recently I observed three unfortunately common umpiring situations where the judicious application of "time" or a system of one umpire maintaining control of the field could have avoided a difficult confrontation. These three situations took place on the 90' diamond using professional rules. In each case an experienced two umpire crew was being used.

Situation One: A Play At Third

The lead-off batter smokes a line drive down the first baseline. The base umpire pivots and follows the ball eventually signalling it fair, the plate umpire clears the catcher and comes into the infield. After assuring the ball did not go under the fence, the umpire headed back in foul territory. As the runner broke from second to third, the base umpire of the ball prepared to take a play at the plate. The runner stopped at third. So far everything was by the textbook: communication and hustle excellent. Now it breaks down. The plate umpire turned to return to the plate, the base umpire heads towards his infield position, snap, the pitcher had drilled the ball to third base. Neither umpire saw the play.

Situation Two: A Sweeping Revelation

Two out and a runner on second base. The last pitched bounced in front of the plate, the catcher blocked the ball then came up throwing to third. Safe. The catcher gathers up his mask, the plate umpire bends over to clean the now significant amount of debris from the plate, the runner from third comes in to score.

Situation Three: "Safe?"

The comebacker to the mound was bobbled by the pitcher; clear the catcher, follow the runner up the line, base umpire moving 90 degrees to the anticipated play. The throw to first was close but the runner was safe. The first baseman threw the ball back to the pitcher as the base umpire hustled into the infield. Snap. The pitcher's quick return of the ball to first base went unnoticed by both the base umpire and the plate umpire who was returning to the plate.

Can this be avoided?

In each case the crew, in my opinion. had two correct options and one incorrect :
  1. Correct : carefully move to the next position assuring that one or both umpires always has clear view and control of any impending play
  2. Correct : call "time" and quickly move to the positions needed to continue play
  3. Incorrect : assume all will be well, allow play to continue, return to your spots

Option One: The Shift

The concept of shifting umpires such that one umpire maintains vigilance over the field has been employed by many lead crews. You often see the plate umpire point and hear "you've got the field" as the plate umpire returns to the dish from a third base position. Many times the base umpire points at himself and says "I've got it" indicating that the plate umpire can release his attention from the field and return to the plate without worry. Order is restored to the officiating in a calculated step fashion.

Shifting, staging or releasing umpires requires practice and above all communication. One umpire constantly observes the play while the other moves, finally the watching umpire settles into position for the next play sequence. The old adage, "Never take your eye off the ball," is never as true as when you use this system. The ball remains live and any play is possible and valid including the balk.

Option Two: Time (with a small "t")

The second correct concept, calling time, can be equally effective and in many cases more efficient. It can speed up the game considerably because it permits the entire crew to move unrestricted. It permits the catcher to focus on picking up his equipment while the pitcher regroups, the fielders hustle back to their positions, the next batter enters the box. The process of bringing a temporary suspension to live play can also maintain a civility and balance to amateur baseball, removing some of the hot dog elements from game.

Why would umpires not call time? Umpires are schooled not to interrupt the flow of the game: to "keep things moving." Too often this is interpreted as "do not call time" and the crew puts themselves in peril at many critical points during the game. The results are obvious, being caught totally turned away from a play, walking backwards the length of the base paths trying to get into position without missing something, even longer pauses as umpires shift positions.

The "keep it moving" philosophy has not always been a service to the amateur umpire. It is quicker to signal your base umpire and the pitcher that the ball is dead and return to you position than any other system you can employ on the diamond. It is easier to turn your back on the runner and move back then any combination of backing up, shuffling on umpire into position then releasing the other to return..

If you use this system call "time" whenever ...

  • You could lose sight of the ball or any potential plays.
  • Game situations require both umpires to change their field positions simultaneously.
  • Any member of the crew is significantly out of position.
  • Every time you clean the plate. (Make sure the pitcher knows!)

How do you call small-"t" time?

As the plate umpire you do not need to develop the full "let's shut it down" motion here. A simple, discreet motion to your base umpire and the pitcher before you move from your position is all that is needed. Your hands will barely come to or above your shoulders and the verbalization of the word "time" will be audible only to those on the field. You will know the moment you can call time, it is the exact moment you feel the play has concluded, you know you are a long distance from where you should be, the pitcher has the ball and most importantly, if you don't call time, you have that uneasy feeling that things could go out of control.

The move is clear to everyone. It becomes part of the flow of the game and is anticipated by the players, coaches and umpires. As you return to your positions the next batter is taking their place, the catcher is ready and the pitcher is prepared for you to make the ball live again. Instead to adding to the length of the game your actions have actually contributed to adding a safety element to the proper officiating level of the sport.

And most important ...

Be certain to include a clear when "play" resumes into your plate umpiring. Consider:

After the runner from third scored the plate umpire called "time" to clean the plate. The pitcher stepped behind the mound to use the rosin bag. The umpire was just returning behind the catcher whn a quick throw to first caught the napping runner.

The correct call of "Dead Ball" was not greeted with applause from the gallery. It is important to know that the pitcher is aware that play is dead and that the umpire develop a routine of making eye contact with the pitcher before settling behind the catcher. While it is not necessary, if the pitcher and catcher knows you always indicate that the ball is alive they will rarely attempt this deception.

In your pregame conference

The crew must decide which system they will follow. Select the shift or time system and use it exclusively throughout the game. Living next to an International League ballpark I regularly see the time system in place. I doubt if few in the stands even recognize the motion of the plate umpire as a suspension of play, but the crew, the pitcher, the players and coaches are aware of it and that is what matters.

Baseball is a game of choreographed waiting; of gaps and moments of anticipation. Those gaps can also be some of the most dangerous moments for the officiating crew. Bringing order, safety and accuracy to the pauses should be a paramount concern for any crew.

.... written June 2, 1997, revised on January 2, 20001

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