Author's Foreword: To attempt to do an "in-depth" article on every aspect of umpiring mechanics and style would be indeed a daunting task. Much has and is being written about every aspect of the officiating role. Books, magazine articles, newspaper reports, educational information, conferences .... and on and on .... (the list is endless) ... deal with every aspect from personal appearance to human psychology. No avenue of the umpire's duties has not been explored, celebrated or dissected.

This article is the first of a series of four designed to become a general guide to the novice umpire, not necessarily just about mechanics as much as about "being there."

You won't find extensive discussion on handling fly ball coverage and tag-ups but you may find information about chapter 9.00 of the Pro Rule Book, the one section many umpires fail to read. Throughout the season I find myself reading and rereading that specific section of the rule book since it is from those few rules that an umpire's authority to work with the first eight chapters flows. The wise words of rules 9.05 and the General Instructions that accompany that section in my rule book (Ingalls, 1994, p.171,172) are the hinge pins which support the umpire on and off the field. This articles approaches "mechanics" in a both a practical and philosophical sense: to paraphrase a popular book, sort of "Zen and the Art of the Calling the Infield Fly."

A bibliography occurs at the end of the final article.

Teamwork - The Basic Mechanic

by Brent McLaren

Read - Pause - React

"He also had that invaluable intangible quality called "presence." He carried himself with an air of assurance born of confidence, not arrogance. Steamboat was good, and he knew it. Good judgment, handling situations and making calls correctly, is an umpire's most important skill. Steamboat was a careful student of human nature, and he could handle people as well as an indicator."
Larry Gerlach writing about Harry "Steamboat" Johnson
(Johnson, 1994, p.xxx)

The early spring brings a fresh group of umpires gathering for training. It also marks the time when seasoned umpires reexamine their understandings of the game and begin to hone themselves into shape for another season. As the National League puts it in their instructions to umpires, "Each umpire should frequently ponder his way and manner of doing his job and diligently strive for improvement." (Ingalls, 1994, p.173)

Umpiring is much more than mechanics, it is much more than common sense or the way an individual carries himself or herself on the field.. Still, the fundamentals of Angle, combined with distance and proximity remain the key elements to success on the field. Timing is one of the most noticeable attributes of an experienced umpire. Combined with the most important element, teamwork and the umpire's tasks become manageable.

Each umpire must know their priorities throughout play. Establishing theses set of understandings is essential for success on the field. In tandem with the game situation the umpire works from both a body and field position designed to maximize his coverage while minimizing the chance for mistakes happening. It is impossible to handle all the game situations here. The most thorough analysis currently available is published in three volumes, The Baseball Umpire Guidebooks by The Referee. Any umpire interested in developing a detailed knowledge of positioning, communication and case study mechanics would be wise to consult these publications.

Teamwork is Mechanics in Motion

It is hard to decide which is more important, sound personal mechanics or a solid team dynamic when working a game. Ideally, it is both. A well practiced umpiring crew minimizes their chances of making an error. Similarly, know and using consistent, high quality mechanics will enhance an umpire's presence at a game, regardless of the level of play. Consistency, Care and Communication are three of the essential ingredients that flow from a good umpire. Teamwork comes when I am certain of every move I will make on each play. Teamwork happens because I know where my partner will move to on each play. Teamwork is mechanics in motion.

Nothing is more impressive to another official than an umpire crew each on the "same page" when it comes to working a play: With no one on, the base umpire goes out to cover a fly ball, the plate umpire moves quickly to the infield. The base umpire returns down the first base line, with an eye towards covering home if an overthrow happens. Similarly, on the third strike the base umpire is assisting the plate umpire signaling that the ball was trapped, no guessing, the plate umpire prepares to clear the catcher and follow the play up the line.

Defining Your Priorities

Prior to each game the umpires meet. In this pregame conference many of the elements essential to a successful game are discussed and the "tone" of the game is established, anywhere from "strictly by the rules" through to "take it very easy."

What are the essential items for a pregame conference? The pregame meeting of the umpires will be adjusted to the game at hand and should at least cover:

Introductions if needed

Fair/foul coverage - Who got what & where

Tagups/Touches - Who takes what & when

Fly balls to the infield and to the outfield

Coverage of third base

Live ball and restart procedures after foul/dead balls

Dropped third strike and trapped third strike

Batted ball hits batter while in the box

Half swing and appeals

Umpire positioning

Signals

If you have worked previous games with these officials then a review of the game may be in order before this game. Remember to review positive aspects as well as areas for improvement. Only by establishing good communication as officials can we go on the field as a team.

A Team Is A Team From Moment One

I have been fortunate to live not far from a AAA park. It means I get to see some high caliber baseball and some top notch umpire crews. When everyone else is cat-calling I might prefer to be yelling "Great Positioning!" Once you witness good umpiring in full motion the effect can become contagious. They dress well, move well, and you can feel the discipline that makes them minimize any chance of error. Their attentiveness for the pitch-out to first base, the step in, every aspect is controlled, practiced, perfected. These crews slip effortless through the different type of coverage needed to properly handle the game.

We could go into the dynamics of dress, the effect of a fitted hat or appropriate pants. It is easy to note how something as simple as a shoe shine or lack of jewelry on the umpires makes a positive effect on how the game is played out. The best crews even pivot alike. They know where and when the other umpires will be. They know when to expect support from the plate umpire in a rundown situation and when to move to cover home. It is part of working together.

There is one other hallmark of a quality umpire crew: five minutes before the first pitch they enter (and eventually exit) the field as a team and progress immediately to home plate. If there was a need to check the pinning of the bases or inspect the field perimeter this was done well before the teams commenced their infield drills.. A last minute inspection can be accomplished when you move out to the field. The team is in control of every aspect of the game's regulations.

Team work, working together, is one hallmarks of a top notch umpiring crew.

Preparation : the personal priority

The essential ingredient in a solid crew still comes down to the individual umpire and his/her capacity to officiate. Nothing can replace preparation. Nothing can replace training and ongoing development in every facet of the game. Many an umpire has neglected studying the balk rule because "it doesn't apply in our league" only to one day be called into a game level/situation where suddenly the rule must be applied. How many umpires correctly know the application of Pro rule 7.07, a rule that does not exist in many youth league rule books. An umpire cannot spend too much time studying the rule book, case studies and interpretations.

Here are only a few of the things you can do to stay personally prepared for your games:

In the off season: - attend an umpire clinic regardless of the "level"
- stay in contact with other league or association umpires
- subscribe to an official's magazine or newsletter
- watch reruns of games paying attention to the umpires
- read, read, read, read
- scan the internet for rules pages and tests that you can take
- check your equipment and replace worn or damaged items
During the season: - keep a rule book beside you bed. Look up anything you ruled on today, even if it was the correct ruling, know how to explain you were right.
- attend association meeting or in service training sessions
- talk to other umpires after the games, work to correct your mechanics
- work with a senior official who can help you evaluate your game objectively
- regularly study books on field mechanics, this is particularly important if you are going from a two to a three or four man system.
- never enter a field unless you are physically well and "in control." Call for a replacement early if anything would prevent you from being at your best.
- know where every field is before you get in the car to drive to it!

Most important, understand the game and your relation to it. Practice positive umpiring. Make small changes in your game preparation, strategy and mechanics that have a positive effect on how you worked the game. Reward yourself for your successes, reward others for their success. Access your failures and make plans to correct the faults that occurred. Do not dwell on your shortcomings or let them become your focus. The greatest game in the world is your focus.

His personality and demeanor made him a very popular umpire, but what made him a proficient umpire was his ability to run a game, his courage, and his integrity." ... "He understood the competitive passions of players and managers and thus set his pressure-gauge on low."

Larry Gerlach writing about Harry "Steamboat" Johnson
(Johnson, 1994, p.xxix & xxx)

"The Ten Commandments of Umpiring"

by Ford Frick, NL President

1	Keep your eye on the ball.
2	Keep all personalities out of your work. Forget and forgive.
3	Avoid sarcasm. Don't insist on the last word.
4	Never charge a player and above all no pointing your finger and yelling.
5	Hear only the things you should hear - be deaf to others.
6	Keep your temper. A decision made in anger is never sound.
7	Watch your language.
8	Take pride in your work at all times. Remember, respect for an umpire is created off the field as well as on.
9	Review your work. You will find, if you are honest, that 90% of the trouble is traceable to loafing.
10	No matter what your opinion of another umpire never make an adverse comment regarding him. To do so is despicable and ungentlemanly.

.... written on May 6, 1996
.... last modified January 9, 1997

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