I was helping out at an umpire clinic and they have another clinic at another field for pitchers and catchers. The catching coach I thought had a good line. He asked his group “who’s your best friend when you’re out on the field?” Some kids said pitcher, some said coach, some said no body. The coach shook his head and said no “the umpire is. You can make his and your day better by talking to them. And do it respectfully. Ask him where he had that pitch learn where he calls. Does he not give the high strike does he like pitches inside as opposed to outside. He can be your best friend out there when calling a game.” I thought that was very good for a coach to realize that umps and catchers need a good report.
Good advice. The plate umpire looks to be dropping his head without tunneling the pitch all the way to the mitt? Some can get away with it at lower levels, but will bite you if you have a pitcher with multiple pitches, and late breaking balls. Lock in, head up, eyes focused, and see the pitch from the pitcher's hand to the catcher's mitt.
This was an awesome video! The umpire/catcher relationship is key and since I umpire youth ball, not all the catchers are aware of this. When they are, it's a real treat to call balls/strikes behind them.
@@critter2 As a softball umpire, yes it is just as important. While some of them aren't as talkative, I still always introduce myself and try to build a bit of a rapport with them. One of my partners, if the catcher was friendly, would say, "just keep me safe back here, they wouldn't give me a glove!" That usually started on a good foot.
I had a catcher frame the 2nd pitch of the game. I called ball he turned and looked at me. I let him know if he looked at me again like that he would see the rest of the game from the parking lot. From then on we were cool and I'm pretty sure the batter went back to the dugout and told his catcher this ump don't play. You want to question what I saw no biggie but to turn and glare at me. Nope. Lol
Many years ago when I was catching city league, I got rung up on knee-high pitch on the inside black. I locked up and couldn't get the bat off my shoulder. PU called it and all I said was "Geez". The dude rips off his mask, gets in my face, and asks me if I've got a problem. I said, "Yes-the guy threw a perfect strike and I couldn't hit it. _That's_ my only problem". I always tried to have a good report with the umpire behind the plate, and I hadn't shown BBL or "froze" on a pitch that he balled, but the guy just assumed that everything that was said was about him. In fairness, it wasn't just me-every other catcher I'd talked to said the same thing
@@almostfm when I did that to that player the batter and him were the only ones that heard me. I rarely yelled on the diamond unless a coached deserved it. And usually all that was me saying really loud exactly what I saw and were he needed to go. Either back to his gravel or dugout. Or they could watch from the parking lot. They had options. 🤣
Talk about unprofessionalism! In a JV game this season, PU tried to recruit my starting pitcher to his summer league team, impugning my coaching skills and making an awkward situation out of the game.
You're dead wrong about pointing when giving a warning. It is something you can go back to on video and show that you verbally gave them a warning and gave a visual mechanic to go with it. If you have to give an official warning you have to be confrontational and it is still equally confrontational whether you point or not because you are confronting an illegal behavior or act.
Isn't the pitcher coming set twice with each delivery? It looks like he pauses when his hands come together in front of his chest, then he comes set again lower.
There is a clause that allows “normal” motion. So if he does that every time it’s not a balk. But if he does it once or twice it can be called as a balk. There’s a lot of pitchers mlb who rock and come to set like 5 times
I always have had communications with both catchers all through the game and at the start I always dial them in to my strike zone like maybe that ball was a little outside bring him in 2 inches it will be a strike all day that way he knows and can can tell the pitcher and get him dialed in. I personally Luv strikes I Luv them all day every day because 2 things get the game over and me going home, strikes and outs if either way they are close enough to get one I'M GOING TO GET IT!!!
I think this should be implemented in the MLB. I really like how this rule is written and it's clear about what is considered an official warning and what is not.
By the way the guy working the play has a lot more umpiring experience at higher levels than you do. He has well over 10 years of college baseball experience with conference tournaments under his belt. He also has some pro ball experience. His approach to handling situations and umpiring is working well for him. I get you are trying to do a teachable moment here but you're at least partially wrong.
Tmac has been around umpiring since 14 years old He began his college career in 1998 and his professional journey in 2002 when he umpired in the Northern League. Tmac has spent time on the full-time staffs of the Northern League, Atlantic League, American Association, and the Can-Am League. In nearly 20 years of professional baseball, McCaffrey has mentored numerous future MILB umpires. Tmac umpires collegiately in several D1 Conferences. but he more experience?
I was helping out at an umpire clinic and they have another clinic at another field for pitchers and catchers. The catching coach I thought had a good line. He asked his group “who’s your best friend when you’re out on the field?” Some kids said pitcher, some said coach, some said no body. The coach shook his head and said no “the umpire is. You can make his and your day better by talking to them. And do it respectfully. Ask him where he had that pitch learn where he calls. Does he not give the high strike does he like pitches inside as opposed to outside. He can be your best friend out there when calling a game.” I thought that was very good for a coach to realize that umps and catchers need a good report.
Good advice. The plate umpire looks to be dropping his head without tunneling the pitch all the way to the mitt?
Some can get away with it at lower levels, but will bite you if you have a pitcher with multiple pitches, and late breaking balls. Lock in, head up, eyes focused, and see the pitch from the pitcher's hand to the catcher's mitt.
The reality based world is a lonely place
This was an awesome video! The umpire/catcher relationship is key and since I umpire youth ball, not all the catchers are aware of this. When they are, it's a real treat to call balls/strikes behind them.
Does that work as well with softball. I'm wondering
It should work in softball. Creating a dialogue/relationship with catchers to prevent problems of this sort would seem to apply to both sports.
@@critter2 As a softball umpire, yes it is just as important. While some of them aren't as talkative, I still always introduce myself and try to build a bit of a rapport with them. One of my partners, if the catcher was friendly, would say, "just keep me safe back here, they wouldn't give me a glove!" That usually started on a good foot.
You remember when you said the announcer will throw you under the bus, so will the catchers..
I had a catcher frame the 2nd pitch of the game. I called ball he turned and looked at me. I let him know if he looked at me again like that he would see the rest of the game from the parking lot. From then on we were cool and I'm pretty sure the batter went back to the dugout and told his catcher this ump don't play. You want to question what I saw no biggie but to turn and glare at me. Nope. Lol
Many years ago when I was catching city league, I got rung up on knee-high pitch on the inside black. I locked up and couldn't get the bat off my shoulder. PU called it and all I said was "Geez". The dude rips off his mask, gets in my face, and asks me if I've got a problem. I said, "Yes-the guy threw a perfect strike and I couldn't hit it. _That's_ my only problem".
I always tried to have a good report with the umpire behind the plate, and I hadn't shown BBL or "froze" on a pitch that he balled, but the guy just assumed that everything that was said was about him. In fairness, it wasn't just me-every other catcher I'd talked to said the same thing
@@almostfm when I did that to that player the batter and him were the only ones that heard me. I rarely yelled on the diamond unless a coached deserved it. And usually all that was me saying really loud exactly what I saw and were he needed to go. Either back to his gravel or dugout. Or they could watch from the parking lot. They had options. 🤣
I absolutely love your teachable moments
Talk about unprofessionalism! In a JV game this season, PU tried to recruit my starting pitcher to his summer league team, impugning my coaching skills and making an awkward situation out of the game.
You're dead wrong about pointing when giving a warning. It is something you can go back to on video and show that you verbally gave them a warning and gave a visual mechanic to go with it. If you have to give an official warning you have to be confrontational and it is still equally confrontational whether you point or not because you are confronting an illegal behavior or act.
Catchers got a four run lead, and sits there begging...psh
Isn't the pitcher coming set twice with each delivery? It looks like he pauses when his hands come together in front of his chest, then he comes set again lower.
There is a clause that allows “normal” motion. So if he does that every time it’s not a balk. But if he does it once or twice it can be called as a balk. There’s a lot of pitchers mlb who rock and come to set like 5 times
I always have had communications with both catchers all through the game and at the start I always dial them in to my strike zone like maybe that ball was a little outside bring him in 2 inches it will be a strike all day that way he knows and can can tell the pitcher and get him dialed in. I personally Luv strikes I Luv them all day every day because 2 things get the game over and me going home, strikes and outs if either way they are close enough to get one I'M GOING TO GET IT!!!
Why do baseball umpires seem more sensitive to "chirping" than basketball referees?
They're the same. Basketball refs are below average here so they get a good amount of lip. Baseball are alright so...
Now the umpires are ganging up on the announcers? Think of the announcers!
do these umpires know that their vids are used for tutorial reasons
Good question. I just asked Andy so we'll see.
I think this should be implemented in the MLB. I really like how this rule is written and it's clear about what is considered an official warning and what is not.
I have always hated umpires - since high school anyway. After watching this stupid video... things are basically the same.
I hate all people named James. After reading your comment... things are basically the same.
Do you share DNA with Forrest Gump?
By the way the guy working the play has a lot more umpiring experience at higher levels than you do. He has well over 10 years of college baseball experience with conference tournaments under his belt. He also has some pro ball experience. His approach to handling situations and umpiring is working well for him. I get you are trying to do a teachable moment here but you're at least partially wrong.
Tmac has been around umpiring since 14 years old He began his college career in 1998 and his professional journey in 2002 when he umpired in the Northern League. Tmac has spent time on the full-time staffs of the Northern League, Atlantic League, American Association, and the Can-Am League. In nearly 20 years of professional baseball, McCaffrey has mentored numerous future MILB umpires. Tmac umpires collegiately in several D1 Conferences.
but he more experience?