Umpire to Umpire Signals

[MTR]

CHSUmp97 has it. The OP's umpire buddies are injecting NCAA signals into a HS game. You will not find a "two-out" or "timing" signal in the USA or NFHS umpire manuals.

Cannot see any intelligent reason it should be

 

[CHSUmp97]

Cannot see any intelligent reason it should be

Then why bother having any umpire-to-umpire signals at all? Is it really necessary for the PU to give their partner(s) the Infield Fly signal and then the wipe off when it's no longer in effect? Nine times out of ten they're going to know the situation. But the signal is there for that one time that they may have a brain cramp. That's the real purpose of those signals.

 

[MTR]

Then why bother having any umpire-to-umpire signals at all? Is it really necessary for the PU to give their partner(s) the Infield Fly signal and then the wipe off when it's no longer in effect? Nine times out of ten they're going to know the situation. But the signal is there for that one time that they may have a brain cramp. That's the real purpose of those signals.

Seems to me that little thing in your left hand should provide that reminder

 

[testandor]

Other than the IF indicator and wipe-off, I've never used any special u2u signals. Never considered them necessary.

Neither do I. I've always felt that if one of us lost track of the outs - or the count - we'd ask our partner. Other than that, I found it a waste of time.

 

[testandor]

The Man In Blue

First, as has been pointed out and as you already knew ... HOW THE HECK DO YOU HAVE A TIMING PLAY WITH NOBODY ON?!?!?!?! You can't. That's why I said it didn't make sense.

Second, you are more likely to have a timing play with a runner on second than one on third. (Though third is the most recognized.) Yes, correct about runner on 2B. However, I am baffled why runner on 3rd would be most recognized when it is extraordinarily rare. Think about the circumstances necessary for the batter runner to be out after reaching 1B safely and the runner from 3rd still hadn't scored.

Third, do NOT mimic the signal back if you don’t know what it is. Simply ask your partner the next time you can. Giving the signal back indicates you got it, understood it, and you are on the same page. I never do. I can't remember ever not understanding what my partner's signal is indicating. I'm just asking which is technically correct. Another example is Infield Fly. Instead of just holding right hand over heart, I've worked with umps who feel a need to include how many outs there are at the time. So when there's 1 out, some will use one of two variations - either 1) the right hand over the heart is in a fist, with the index finger extended, or 2) the right hand is over the heart, but the left hand is out to the side with the index finger extended. In all cases, I understand what the are indicating. After asking a D1 umpire, I understand that neither form of indicating one out is necessary.

OK, now to the real question ... official signals ...

So ... my possibly controversial answer ... there are NO sanctioned communication mechanics that I can find in NFHS, USA, or USSSA. I started to answer differently but then went to the books ... no reference to timing plays, plate umpire moving/staying, communicating number of outs, etc. I may be missing something, so please correct me if I am.
Before asking here, I wanted to research it for myself. I looked in the Umpire Manuals for USA and USSSA and couldn't find anything concerning signaling outs to each other.

So why would a sanction not want you tapping your “watch” to communicate a timing play? It sends the wrong message. I never thought about it until it happened to me a few weeks ago.

Timing play and my partner (PU) tapped, so I (BU) tapped back (my habit is not to initiate, but I will reply to let my partner know I got it). The third base coach then asks me “How much time is left?” I thought it was an odd question in the middle of the inning and told him I didn’t have the timer so I didn’t know. “Oh. Do you two need to get out of here?” I was really confused at this point ... “You’re over there tapping your watch, so I thought we were out of time or you had something else you needed to do.” I laughed ... but he had a point. It doesn’t look good.

Try this. The USSSA assigner we work for demands that a timer be attached to the cage in every game we work, so that there will never be a doubt about how much time is left in the game. And the UIC will call you on it if you don't have that timer up on the fence. Totally different than what we are told by our main assigner. They never want us pulling out timers or phones to check the time unless asked by a coach. I just work for the boss, so his rules are what I go by.

 

[testandor]

Thank you, everyone, for your answers and input. It cleared up an issue that's been bugging me for over a month.

 

[CHSUmp97]

Seems to me that little thing in your left hand should provide that reminder

Yeah it should, assuming the umpires are carrying one. And assuming that little thing is never wrong.

And yet those signals exist in virtually every level of both sports, including the one where umpires get paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to work. I’m not worthy enough to suggest those guys are doing something that isn’t intelligent.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[The Man In Blue]

@testandor — I didn’t want to keep quoting things, so I’m just picking out some points ...

Timing on third — Why is that the most recognized? I don‘t have a nice answer for that. As for the rarity of it, not really ... think about a walk with a runner on third. Plenty of other possible situations.

Fingers on IF — I actually do have my thumb up (like a handshake) if there is one out, but it is more a reminder for me when I on the bases than communication for my partner. No fingers pointing anywhere. Nothing with the other hand.

Timer — That is how we do it around here. Digital kitchen timers that hang on the fence where anybody can see it. Convenient for the plate umpire, convenient for coaches as they go in/out to coach bases, etc. Keeps it transparent also. It drives me nuts when guys hide the timer and shave time. Also, when I am PU, I check it after anybody touches it. It’s more of a distrust of the timer (we use cheap ones), but I’ve had coaches accidentally stop or reset them.

 

[testandor]

A walk with a runner on 3rd and 2 out where the BR continues on to 2B doesn't happen all that often since you don't have to worry about the runner at 3rd scoring (assuming you nail that BR with a short, accurate throw). And assuming the defense does nail her, it wouldn't be close at all to worry if the runner at 3rd scored before the tag out. I've beat this dead horse enough, so I'll just continue to think (in MY mind) that there's no real reason to think of a timing play with a runner on 3B and 2 out. I can name other plays, but none that are even remotely common.

Now, as to the timer, I'm in your corner there! It's just that it was new to me this year. I've seen my fair share of umps who try to - and sometimes do - kill games way too early. It makes sense for all the reasons you mentioned.

 

[bmakj]

if

A walk with a runner on 3rd and 2 out where the BR continues on to 2B doesn't happen all that often since you don't have to worry about the runner at 3rd scoring (assuming you nail that BR with a short, accurate throw). And assuming the defense does nail her, it wouldn't be close at all to worry if the runner at 3rd scored before the tag out. I've beat this dead horse enough, so I'll just continue to think (in MY mind) that there's no real reason to think of a timing play with a runner on 3B and 2 out. I can name other plays, but none that are even remotely common.

Now, as to the timer, I'm in your corner there! It's just that it was new to me this year. I've seen my fair share of umps who try to - and sometimes do - kill games way too early. It makes sense for all the reasons you mentioned.

If the BR is really saavy and decently quick, they will get themselves in a rundown deliberately, and make certain to extend it enough to score the run. remember, before a play is made, they have to pick a direction and go, but no rule on how fast, just that they cannot reverse direction. I have seen DD basically walk to 2B trying like mad to draw a throw. P just sat in circle with ball in hand at side (so LBR in effect) looking back and forth between DD strolling to 2B and runner on 3B.