Missed Call-Umpire Etiquette

[253umpire]

First year umpire here that was immediately thrown into high level tournament and HS ball. I’ve coached for years and still play ball at a high level, so the game and it’s rules flow easily and I’m having as much fun umpiring as I do playing and coaching (why aren’t we recruiting more former players?!) We should be out there at every high level men’s/women’s/or co-ed slow pitch tournament and getting these guys/gals in a uniform!

Anyways, that’s for another post. My question here to experienced umpires…how do you handle the obvious missed ball/strike with players? I haven’t had many through 30 or so games, but last night I called a high strike at a packed varsity HS game that was definitely a gross miss, and I knew it immediately (as did everyone else) since it was truly a pitch I hadn’t called all night. My first instinct was to pull the batter subtly aside between innings and tell her I missed that one, but I didn’t. That one pitch bothered me all night! I’m not talking borderline calls and I won’t ever let a game get ahead of me questioning our calls out there, but for that gross miss what do you guys do? (besides pray the pitcher doesn’t throw the next pitch in the same exact spot lol). You see/hear of more MLB level umpires making that apology, and there’s nothing I hate more as a player AND an umpire than ego anywhere on that field. We’re here for the girls and the game, and I feel like a subtle hey I missed that one at the appropriate time is the right thing to do. Thoughts?

 

[Dabears17]

Interested in hearing what other blues say. The plate umpire is the only one at the game expected to be perfect for 120 to 200 decisions during a game. I've only done two HS games behind the plate this spring and the second game was with two good pitchers with riseballs and curveballs that broke a lot. Did I mess up a few of my ball/strikes calls? Yes, but I was pretty consistent in my strike zone and got fewer calls wrong then the parents on both teams thought.

I am going to try to figure out how to practice calling balls and strikes with WinReality.

When coaching I would cut umpires slack for the first year or so if I knew they were new umpires.

 

[quincy]

If the ball is put in play it gets a lot more complicated.

If the ball was not hit just reverse your call and let the yelling begin.

 

[mmeece]

First year umpire here that was immediately thrown into high level tournament and HS ball. I’ve coached for years and still play ball at a high level, so the game and it’s rules flow easily and I’m having as much fun umpiring as I do playing and coaching (why aren’t we recruiting more former players?!) We should be out there at every high level men’s/women’s/or co-ed slow pitch tournament and getting these guys/gals in a uniform!

Anyways, that’s for another post. My question here to experienced umpires…how do you handle the obvious missed ball/strike with players? I haven’t had many through 30 or so games, but last night I called a high strike at a packed varsity HS game that was definitely a gross miss, and I knew it immediately (as did everyone else) since it was truly a pitch I hadn’t called all night. My first instinct was to pull the batter subtly aside between innings and tell her I missed that one, but I didn’t. That one pitch bothered me all night! I’m not talking borderline calls and I won’t ever let a game get ahead of me questioning our calls out there, but for that gross miss what do you guys do? (besides pray the pitcher doesn’t throw the next pitch in the same exact spot lol). You see/hear of more MLB level umpires making that apology, and there’s nothing I hate more as a player AND an umpire than ego anywhere on that field. We’re here for the girls and the game, and I feel like a subtle hey I missed that one at the appropriate time is the right thing to do. Thoughts?

I can't speak for anyone else, but when I miss one badly in either direction I tell the hitter and/or catcher. I don't say it loudly enough for anyone else to hear, but I just tell them I missed it. If I didn't call a strike that I should have I often look at the defensive coach and tap my chest a couple of times in the somewhat universal "my bad" gesture. I'm not sure if it's necessarily what others will tell you to do, but I see many other umpires who do the same things. It's an awful feeling and they stick with me for days sometimes. I have found that taking just a little more time has decreased the number of these misses though.

 

[The Man In Blue]

First year umpire here that was immediately thrown into high level tournament and HS ball. I’ve coached for years and still play ball at a high level, so the game and it’s rules flow easily and I’m having as much fun umpiring as I do playing and coaching (why aren’t we recruiting more former players?!) We should be out there at every high level men’s/women’s/or co-ed slow pitch tournament and getting these guys/gals in a uniform!

Welcome to the ranks @253umpire ! I like the cut of your jib already!

Anyways, that’s for another post. My question here to experienced umpires…how do you handle the obvious missed ball/strike with players? I haven’t had many through 30 or so games, but last night I called a high strike at a packed varsity HS game that was definitely a gross miss, and I knew it immediately (as did everyone else) since it was truly a pitch I hadn’t called all night. My first instinct was to pull the batter subtly aside between innings and tell her I missed that one, but I didn’t. That one pitch bothered me all night! I’m not talking borderline calls and I won’t ever let a game get ahead of me questioning our calls out there, but for that gross miss what do you guys do? (besides pray the pitcher doesn’t throw the next pitch in the same exact spot lol). You see/hear of more MLB level umpires making that apology, and there’s nothing I hate more as a player AND an umpire than ego anywhere on that field. We’re here for the girls and the game, and I feel like a subtle hey I missed that one at the appropriate time is the right thing to do. Thoughts?

I wouldn't say that I would never do that ... but I would strongly caution you to read the room. Easy going game and things are moving smooth with TWO teams you know, sure, you could if you have a good relationship. Note that I say TWO teams -- do not do this with ONE team you know and one you don't. (It drives me up a wall when umpires go seek out conversations with Coach Joe that they went to school with.)

A competitive game that can turn in a moment with conference rivals ... don't go near it. Stay professional.

If the coach approaches you and is pleasant about it ... again, read the room. If there is no harm in laughing it off, laugh it off. It happens.

I do want to specifically go to the comment you made about "hope she doesn't throw the next pitch there." If she does, call it correctly. Just because you made a mistake doesn't mean you continue to make the mistake. I've had coaches pull the "EXACT same spot" routine when the first one went in their favor and the second one didn't. My favorite response is "Yep, and I didn't miss the second one." It takes all the wind out of their sails because they know they got one. Do you really want to complain that my ONE screw up went in your favor and I didn't continue to screw it up?

 

[Agcy]

My daughters (both catchers) have told me that some umpires will comment/apologize on a missed call; so I know it happens. Also depends on the level and situation. Mature catchers can handle hearing that. Some catchers are so focused on what they are doing, that feedback is more than they can handle.

 

[Agcy]

Anecdotally: There have been a couple (only 2 that I can remember) that, as a fan, I was loud and explicit enough for umpires to hear me.
1. Against the other best team in the conference, their hitter positioned themselves 2" off the plate; part of their foot was definitely over the line before the pitch.
2. The pitcher was not simulating taking a sign

In 1, My daughter, somewhat apologetically, told the umpire that what he was hearing from the stands was her dad, IE me. He told her "I get it. He's not wrong". SMH as he wasn't 'brave' enough to call it.

In 2, after my comment, the umpire turned his head sideways with palms up and said to the stands "Who cares!"

 

[Tango]

I saw an umpire a couple of weeks ago miss a border line call on a third strike and he looked into the dugout and patted his chest. Like my bad. Most probably didn't even notice. IMO, he is the best in our area. I thought that was awesome.

 

[Mike Hurd]

If the ball is put in play it gets a lot more complicated.

If the ball was not hit just reverse your call and let the yelling begin.

No, NO, No

 

[quincy]

Yes, yes, yes?