Evaluating the Plate Umpire

by Brent McLaren

By nature the umpire evaluator brings his/her personal bias into the process therefore it is necessary to design a system which forces the evaluator's attention on the broad fundamentals of being a good umpire and minimizes the chance for "I do it this way therefore you should ...." situations. This is also why the suggested evaluation form does not have direct references to "strike zone judgment."

To even the casual observer it is often apparent that an umpire never calls a strike not just on the outside corner but even if the ball is on the outside half of the plate. Evaluation should not aim primarily to correct the judgment of this gray zone but should aim to correct the factors which are causing this perception. When this is observed as a weakness it is better noted as "Suggestions for Improvement" along with details ideas about how to improve the situation. Poor judgment of the zone is an invitation to gently work with the umpire and provide guidance and a strategy for improvement. "Your zone was terrible" is simply an invitation to shut down all the good work proper evaluation can accomplish.

First Step - Download and Print this Form

The evaluation form is also available here as a GIF image. [ Click Here ] to view the Plate Umpire Evaluation form in this format. You may then save the form to your system or print it from your browser. If you elect to print it set you margins as wide as your printer will accomodate or else it will spill to a second page. The resulting quality is not as good as the spreadsheet versions.

The form was created to assist the evaluator to look at a broad spectrum of umpire performance and to make general observations that will assist the official in improvement. Place your observations in the general comments spaces and suggestions for improvement or other general comments on the back of the sheet. An explanation of the elements involved follows with my personal observations added for your reference.

Evaluating The Plate Umpire

Section One - The Fundamentals

Working Stance

Check off the appropriate response. If the umpire is working in a non-traditional stance make an attempt to describe to stance, for example a "telemark" stance describes an almost scissors stance in which the back leg is pulled up and therefore both knees are bent.

Position of Stance

Check of the appropriate response. It makes little difference whether an umpire, wearing and inside protector, selects to use the slot or work center of the plate. (It is generally held that "balloon" or "raft" users will not be successful if they attempt to work the slot since they must work well back of the catcher and the potential to obstruct the play is great.) The problem arises when an umpire fails to mark a spot and drifts "behind the catcher." Many umpires elect to work always over the catcher's shoulder, setting up according to where the catcher is positioned. As a result their judgment of the zone can vary wildly.

"Locked" into Stance

Is the umpire's stance providing a solid platform from which to work or is it a wobbling base? The best umpires lock in to an unmovable stance, even grabbing body parts to firmly set a foundation.

Timing Into Stance

When does the umpire enter the calling stance. Some umpires are in full lock even as the pitcher is commencing the stretch (too early) while others delay until the ball is on its way to the plate (too late). Generally the umpire should be in lock position as the pitcher commences to deliver the ball to the plate.

Distance from Plate

Youth league umpires work with youth league catchers who just love to get farther and farther and farther back. It is often necessary to hold your ground and make that catcher get in front of you. Working a consistent distance from the plate is an important ingredient in being consistent on strike calls.

Distance from Catcher

In a perfect diamond every catcher works tucked down low, glove arm extended, giving you a complete view of the entire plate. In reality you run into catchers who perch up in the air with the glove tucked into their chest taking away any almost chance you have of making a quality call. The distance an umpire works from the catcher should not crowd any potential play. An umpire who sets up tight to the catcher is often required to literally bail out before the ball arrives at the plate. An umpire who consistently sets too far behind the catcher has an obstructed view of the plate. Catchers also move well forward in the box, at times challenging your clear view of the corners.

Moves Body with the Pitch

Should not happen to even the slightest degree

Moves Head with the Pitch

Again, this is a weakness. It should not happen. The body and head should remain fixed from the first movement all the way to the glove. If there is to be any movement it should be eyes only.

Reaction to Developing Play

Have you ever seen a plate umpire clearing an indicator while the runner stealing from third slides in for a close call? It happens. An umpire must remain vigilant and mobile able to react with the play, not "to the play." For the plate umpire this means a state of control, of anticipation and awareness. Is the umpire in the best position to make the optimal call at all times?

Section Two - Making The Calls

Timing at the Plate

There are many principles at play here. It is generally felt that the umpire should follow the ball all the way to the catcher's glove before even making up their mind on the strike or ball call. Often this is expressed as allowing a gap large enough to make a call in before actually making the call, for example: thud ... thought "strike" ... called "strike." Note the umpire's general timing to the call and also note if you feel this timing remained consistent throughout the game in the comments section.

Use of Voice

Do you actually hear the most important call ... "Play." Are the secondary calls, "strike, ball, safe, out" made with appropriate and distinguishable verbal emphasis.

Use of Gestures

Are the umpire's physical gestures clear, consistent and appropriate to the game? Are they delivered with an emphasis that befits the game situation? An umpire who makes a nonchalant pump of the hand on a critical tag play at the plate is not using a gesture equivalent to the game. Similarly, an umpire who does a complete moon dance while celebrating 1-3 force play is also suspect.

Working of the Strike Zone

This is not to be confused with judgment of the zone. Judgment is often a combination of mechanical and physical factors. Working the strike zone relates to the appearance of control of the zone and the confidence the umpire demonstrates making the strike call. "He's been calling them there all day" is what you hear from the coach when an umpire demonstrates consistent and appropriate strike calls. An umpire who hesitates or shows weakness in making the call is inviting criticism from every corner of the ball park.

Hustle and Mobility

Yes, you can over hustle! Funny to make this observation after years of trying to get umpires to move out from behind the plate at all. Growing roots while standing in the dish is inexcusable, similarly running all the way down to third base on an infield single is equally poor.

Timing in Safe / Out Calls

The same general principles for strike and ball calls apply here.

Section Three - Onfield Communication

Verbal Communication with Partners

Is the crew talking? This can be observed before, during and after the game. A healthy level of discussion is a positive factor in the game. Extensive game delaying discussions, for any reason, are not appropriate.

Use of Signals for Partners

Is there even one signal flashing around the diamond anywhere? Some umpires are stoic in their lack of communication, others are delivering more signs and indications than the third base coach. A quality umpire balances the need to have the entire crew on the same page with discreet meaningful signals.

Time between Innings

While wearing a stopwatch is a picky point with some crews, the time between innings should be closely monitored. The plate umpire is in the optimum position to monitor the game and insure that only routine matters are attended to during the inning changeovers.

Communication with Other Officials

What is the plate umpire's rapport with the other league officials: coaches, scorers, announcers, grounds crew, even the catcher or other players. Is it a clean, professional image or an overly relaxed, social fraternization.

Section Four - Other Considerations

Appearance

Are the expectations of your league being met, not achieved, or even exceeded. Your local guidelines will provide the basis for evaluation here.

General Tone

This is an overall impression of the umpire and the carrying out of the duties assigned. How you elect to evaluate the umpire will depend on the image your league wishes to impart. If your image is one of a strict disclipinarian then an umpire who exhibits these characteristics would rate high while an umpire who fits another league's collegial model would be rate poor. Use the comment section to explain the strengths you see in the individual.

Rules Knowledge and Application

If the game requires the umpire to make a decision based on a rules interpretation it is easy to access the complete spectrum of the umpire's rules, application, communication and presentation skills. Unfortunately the game you are attending may not require the umpire to make any of these fine line judgments.

Section Five - General Comments

Good luck with your evaluations and future games.

... written February 21, 1998