The "Automatic" Travesty

A Pitch is a Pitch …

Why do some umpires automatically call "Strike" on a pitch made at a count of three balls and no strikes? The batter squares to bunt and the pitch is a "Strike?????" even though it sails well over the glove of the leaping catcher before clanging off the backstop.

Why do some umpires automatically call "Ball" on a pitch made at a count of no balls and two strikes? The fastball comes right down the heart of the plate, just below the belt, smoothly into the catcher's unmoving glove for a perfectly framed "Ball?????"

Does the pitcher suddenly get worse, or better? The plate wider or narrower? The batter momentarily taller or shorter? Is the umpire awake or even alive back there?

Don't do it! - Don't do it! - Don't do it!

As a plate umpire, this is one way to have your integrity questioned by the players and the fans. At that moment your actions are visible, clear and transparent to everyone. Call the pitch: exactly where it was placed, exactly as you would in every situation, without regard to the count or game situation. Do not bring yourself into disrepute.

If you are really worried about the 3-0 pitch, maybe you should have worried about the pitch at 2-0 that got you there? Maybe the 1-0 pitch since that set up the 2-0.

How about 0-2? If the pitcher catches the outside corner, give it to him. You just rang it on the previous pitch. It was good enough for the batter to swing at on the first pitch. Why is it suddenly a ball?

Worry about every pitch.

Umpires who play this game are easy to spot. They are already on their way up as the pitch approaches the plate. You can hear the indicator click as the pitcher comes set; you hear them call the pitch simultaneously, even slightly before, the ball hits the glove.

Worry about getting the call right every time. The number one requirement for a plate umpire is a consistent strike zone from the first pitch to the last.

No! He Didn't Go.

There is one other automatic that permeates umpiring: the automatic rejection of the check swing appeal.

If you, as the base umpire, are asked for your opinion then give it. Why should you intentionally look bad and get the call wrong? A recent study showed that fans and umpires agreed almost unanimously on whether the batter attempted to hit the pitch or not.

If the plate umpire does not want your opinion, or worse, wants his opinion, let him deal with it by not asking. Let him take the heat by refusing to go to you for help (another travesty some umpires regularly foist around the diamond.) If he asks you, give him your honest opinion! Why should you be the one who looks like your are not paying attention?

If, in the pregame conference, your partner tells you outright that he wants you to agree with him, have the fortitude to tell him, "If that's what you want then don't ask because I will give you my honest opinion!"

Umpires who approach the game with preconceived scenarios and agendas are not doing justice to the game or the players in front of them.

... in my personal opinion only

The opinions expressed above are solely those of the author and do not reflect the policy, practice, teaching or instruction of any individual, organization, association or group.