How to Handle Brutal Umpires

Probably the toughest job on the baseball field, is that of the umpire. I don’t think I’m going out on a limb when I say that nobody comes to a ballgame to see an umpire, yet they are the first to get “noticed” when things get out of whack.

Think about it: Umpires show up to a game knowing that at least one person (player, coach or fan) that will have a problem with him, and won’t be afraid to let him – and everyone else in attendance – know how much he’s stinking up the joint. Whether it’s his “interpretation” of the strike zone, the rule book, or the proverbial “tie goes to the runner” call, the umpire is usually wrong in someone’s eyes, and there’s nothing he can do to stop the “hate” from happening.

And we can’t forget about how TV makes a point to show up the umpires’ calls with seventeen different slo-mo replays every chance they get!  (NOTE: This is NOT a plea for or against instant replays!)

Umpires get no love, that’s pretty clear. They can go unnoticed (which some would say is the mark of a great umpire) or have a target on their back for making one (or more than one) “bad call,” with the players, coaches, and fans all taking dead aim.

Except for the umpire who just shows up to get his money and get out of there as quickly as possible, I firmly believe that umpires:

1. Truly do love the game.  (Why else would they put up with the aggravation?)
2. Set out to give their best effort.  (There is such a thing as a perfectly umpired game.)

Some of these umpires are very good at what they do, and deserve to be complimented for their efforts.  It doesn’t take much.  A simple, “Great game,” or “Nice job behind the plate,” goes an awful long way… especially if you’ll be seeing that umpire again.  Besides, I know from personal experience that some umpires will compliment you when you do something well on the field.  It’s not that hard to either return the favor, or start compliment-giving conversations yourself.  Key point: you’re not kissing up!  You’re just (to steal a line from an umpire) calling it like you see it.

Some umpires are good, but just like the rest of us, makes mistakes.  If you’ve ever missed a sign, a cut-off man, swung at a pitch way out of the strike zone, forgot how many outs there were, etc., you have no right to blow up at an umpire that misses a call once in a while.  Sure, it’s natural to temporarily lose it  on “pivotal plays,” but don’t let yourself get caught up in the emotion of the call/moment.  You are free to call time out and politely request an explanation.  The better option: waiting until the inning is over and speak to the umpire one-on-one without an audience.  The fact that you opted for a “scene-free” discussion looks very good in the umpire’s eyes, compared to the even the quickest, and even curse-free “blow up.”

Some umpires, try as the may, are consistent, but consistently bad.  They don’t try to blow so many calls, and you need to know that before you decide to voice your displeasure, make faces, or throw equipment.  These umpires will let you know what they are capable of very early in the game, so you need to be mentally prepared for a call to go against you at some point.  I know that in the heat of the moment it doesn’t mean much, but in reality, you won’t be the only one to get hosed that game.  Also, how you react to your bad call could very well affect the next bad call, if you know what I mean.

Some umpires are just brutal.  These are the only umpires I truly can’t stand!  It’s got nothing to do with their ability to umpire a ballgame either.  It’s the fact that they want to be a bigger part of the game than what they should be.

You know what I mean…

These umpires:

• Look to make the controversial call, or create one out of thin air.
• Try to find points in the game where they can show off their knowledge of the most obscure rule, and flaunt it.
• Have “rabbit ears” and make a point of listening in on conversations they have no business being a part of, for the sake of starting an argument.
• Have something to say, and by that I mean a sarcastic comment, in order to start an argument.
• Look to eject players, coaches, or anyone else in order to get attention.

I could go on, but I’m pretty sure you’ve already visualized an umpire or two that fits at least two or three of these characteristics!

The only way to deal with these umpires is to not deal with them at all.  Don’t give them a reason to do anything but make the mundane call and move on.  Don’t give into their tricks to provoke you or someone on your team.  (They’ll try this when they see you’re trying to pay attention to the game and not them.)  Try not to get yourself in 0-2 counts, but if you do, don’t say anything when  you get punched out on a so-called strike three.  If you’re a pitcher, don’t make a face when you don’t get the obvious strike three call, or any strike call everyone in the ball park knows should have gone your way.

Like I said, these umpires are brutal, but you are stuck with them for at least the entirety of the game.  As bad as things get, you need to stay as much in ‘your game’ as you can, get through a situation nobody wants to be involved with, and move on.  It’s not fun.  It takes away from the game.  It makes for a rotten few hours.  But it’s nothing a well-played game can’t endure.

When it’s all said and done, these umpires will be weeded out one way or another, and you’ll have a new “crew” to love or hate.

Coach Bones

P.S. – I don’t know if I’ll ever right about umpires again, so I’m including a link to a page that players, managers and even umpires share their two cents on the subject of umpires.  Click Here for the link.