Rookies, Start Here!
At the Back of the Book!

by Richard B. Siegel

In all of the levels of baseball and softball, we too have our rudimentary document. It is the "Official Rules of Baseball." often referred to as the "pro" rules. Regardless of the age of the players, or the of level play, it is recognized that, unless the particular league's own rule book clearly supersedes a pro rule, the spirit and rules of the Official Rules will prevail. All of our baseball ethics and morality flow from evolution of the Official Rules.

It is interesting to note that the very nature of the umpire's behavior and thought processes are shaped from the codified instructions found in the Official Rules, as well. As the game of baseball has developed from a simple recreational game into an sport and business that is in many ways part of the very fabric of society, so has the role of the officials that maintain order and fairness on the field. From the infancy of the game, various qualities of umpires have come and gone. No formal umpire schools existed until about the middle of the twentieth century. Umpiring was job often taken by retired players or players who never "made it." Mechanics, disposition and field conduct were often self-taught or invented on the spot. The bad ones disappeared. The good ones persisted and their successful techniques became examples for the younger umpires entering the sport to emulate. In a baseball adaptation of Darwin's process of natural selection, those umpires having favorable methods and attitudes, survived to pass on their skills. Each new generation of umpires continues to improve upon those skills. It is from those dedicated umpiring pioneers, that our present day pride and integrity has been molded.

There are a multitude of books, periodicals, schools, camps, clinics and websites devoted to umpiring technique, offering articles that explain how to look, act, speak, and think like an umpire. Where do all these authors and teachers get their material? From their life's experience, umpiring training, wisdom and judgment, no doubt. Many of these articles give similar advice and stress the same issues and strategies. Thank goodness for that. For that implies a general consistency in the application of our craft, which is one of the goals we strive for. So if we all seem to say pretty much the same thing, there must be some place, some single source of umpiring wisdom that we can point to and say, "This is where it all begins!"

Yes, that place is the Official Rules of Baseball. But I want to be more specific than that. Umpires need to know every rule in the book. (Except chapter 10.00, The Official Scorer.) Of all the rules in the book, it is ironic that the very last rule in the Official Rules, Rule 9.05c, is the very first rule a rookie ought to read! Rule 9.05c, perhaps added to the rules as an afterthought, is a few lines that plainly and thoughtfully explains the role of the umpire and the approach he needs to employ in his work if he expects to be successful. The rule is a concise, yet powerful, summary of all the ideas and attitudes we want to, and must, exemplify as officials.

When given the opportunity to train a new umpire, my first lesson is to show him the original source of wisdom of our vocation. My advice is to start at the back of the book. Read and absorb the 492 words that define us and guide us. You'll never find an article, lecture or lesson that says it all as compelling as Official Baseball Rule 9.05c (excerpt below):

Umpires, on the field, should not indulge in conversation with players. Keep out of the coaching box and do not talk to the coach on duty. Keep your uniform in good condition. Be active and alert on the field. Be courteous, always, to club officials; avoid visiting in club offices and thoughtless familiarity with officers or employees of contesting clubs. When you enter a ball park your sole duty is to umpire a ball game as the representative of baseball.
Do not allow criticism to keep you from studying out bad situations that may lead to protested games. Carry your rule book. It is better to consult the rules and hold up the game ten minutes to decide a knotty problem than to have a game thrown out on protest and replayed.
Keep the game moving. A ball game is often helped by energetic and earnest work of the umpires.
You are the only official representative of baseball on the ball field. It is often a trying position which requires the exercise of much patience and good judgment, but do not forget that the first essential in working out of a bad situation is to keep your own temper and self control.
You no doubt are going to make mistakes, but never attempt to "even up" after having made one. Make all decisions as you see them and forget which is the home or visiting club.
Keep your eye everlastingly on the ball while it is in play. It is more vital to know just where a fly ball fell, or a thrown ball finished up, than whether or not a runner missed a base. Do not call the plays too quickly, or turn away too fast when a fielder is throwing to complete a double play. Watch out for dropped balls after you have called a man out.
Do not come running with your arm up or down, denoting "out" or "safe." Wait until the play is completed before making any arm motion.
Each umpire team should work out a simple set of signals, so the proper umpire can always right a manifestly wrong decision when convinced he has made an error. If sure you got the play correctly, do not be stampeded by players' appeals to "ask the other man." If not sure, ask one of your associates. Do not carry this to extremes, be alert and get your own plays. But remember! The first requisite is to get decisions correctly. If in doubt don't hesitate to consult your associate. Umpire dignity is important but never as important as "being right."
A most important rule for umpires is always "BE IN POSITION TO SEE EVERY PLAY." Even though your decision may be 100% right, players still question it if they feel you were not in a spot to see the play clearly and definitely. Finally, be courteous, impartial and firm, and so compel respect from all.