Interesting Q&A with author of "As They See 'Em", behind-the-scenes look at umpiring.

Link takes you to the Tribune's Eric Zorn's blog (Change of Subject) where he has posted a very interesting Q&A exchange with NY Times reporter Bruce Weber, who has written a behind-the-scenes look at umpiring. Weber actually went through umpiring school and spent considerable time with umpires at all levels.

Fascinating stuff. My favorite part was reading about the "professional method" for arguing with Earl Weaver and Billy Martin. Something to watch for next time Mt. Lou erupts...

almost 3 years ago ballhawk 11 comments 0 recs |

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Good reading

thanks for this link.

I was a Little League ump over 20 years ago and"calling" or being a base ump in a game is so different from umpiring from the stands or watching it on TV. You have to make a correct call in milliseconds, and also worry about your positioning. I have always respected the job. The old cliche still fits, if the ump was invisible, he called a good game.

“Tie to the runner” was brought up and the author basically said that there is no tie to the runner. Rule 7.01:“A runner acquires the right to an unoccupied base when he touches it before he is out.” Technically, the words "Tie to the runner" are not part of the Official Baseball Rues but by inference, we basically say the same thing by one of the definitions of what an “out” is.

“7.08 Any runner is out when- …(e) He fails to reach the next base before a fielder tags him or the base…”

So, if a runner does not reach the next base before a fielder tags him or the base, he is out, and any other result has to be considered as “safe” which would include the runner reaching the next base before or at the same time as a fielder’s tag or touching the base. My two cents worth…

"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse

by BigJohnAZ on Mar 11, 2009 2:50 AM CDT reply actions

I was an umpire as well in my younger days

Little League, Babe Ruth (Pony), and Legion ball. I enjoyed being a part of the game without being a part of the game, if you know what I mean. Best feeling was walking off the field at the end of game with no fanfare, no commotion. Nobody yelling, bitching or moaning. Every once in awhile, maybe hear a “good game, blue”. That was nice, but in my head I already knew if I had called a good game or not.

That was probably my biggest challenge – how to deal with a blown call. More specifically, how to not let it affect the rest of your game. It’s a sickening feeling the instant you realize you screwed up, but you just had to put it behind you and focus on getting the rest of the game right.

Oh, and it goes without saying – dealing with parents in the stands was the biggest headache of all. Players and coaches were nothing compared to Dad (and sometimes Mom) in the stands who absolutely positively knew their Junior could do no wrong… ;-)

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Mar 11, 2009 9:32 AM CDT up reply actions

only thing I ask of an official in any sport

is to call it the same both ways.

no one is perfect, and if an Ump in baseball misses, say 10 calls, he is still not having a bad game, considering the average game has about 250-300 plays (pitcher, pick off attempts).

"I like coconuts, you can break them open and they smell like ladies lying in the sun" Widespread Panic

by Cubbie-Tim on Mar 11, 2009 7:42 AM CDT reply actions

I was impressed that the author had the wherewithal to actually attend (and graduate) umpiring school

Somehow I don’t envision the umpiring profession being the type to allow celebrity and/or sham attendees, so it appears the author “earned” the research he used for the book. That gives much credence to his story in my eyes.

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Mar 11, 2009 9:21 AM CDT reply actions

Very interesting and informative

Thanks for posting that!

by Mike Vails Evil Twin on Mar 11, 2009 10:03 AM CDT reply actions

Dangit, now I want to read the book.

That interview only reinforces my perception of umpires as a sinister, shadowy secret society of mad scientists who dress in black and seek nothing short of total word domination. Seriously, I think it takes a very unusual personality type – equal parts sadistic and masochistic – to become a major league umpire. It really is a thankless job and, as much as well like to rip on those guys, baseball couldn’t exist without them.

Oh, and I agree with Bruce Weber that no one – and I mean no one – uses the word “rhubarb” anymore. People don’t even eat rhubarb anymore. I mean, seriously, who says that?

"That little kid at second base - he is after a job, isn't he?" ~ Lou Piniella, 3/9/09

by daver on Mar 11, 2009 11:50 AM CDT reply actions