r/Umpire

I've been taught that we only point fair, with the hand toward fair territory (not pointing across our body ever), and never say "fair" or "fair ball" - no vocalization on fair balls, just point.

For foul, we say "foul" (not "foul ball") loudly and put both of our hands up, palms open, at shoulder/head height. Repeat "foul" multiple times if the situation warrants to avoid confusion/chaos, especially at younger ages.

In today's Pirates game, U3 (John Tumpane) called a close (maybe a few feet) ball foul using the hands up motion I described, and called "foul" loud enough for the broadcast to pick it up, but then somewhat nonchalantly pointed in foul territory. I was always told this was something you don't do it and it makes you look like a doofus.

Has the mechanic evolved or is it different in 3-man or 4-man crews? I've only ever worked solo or two-man. Thanks!

Runner on second. Ball four called on the batter, who begins to go to first base. Batter collides with catcher who is stepping forward to attempt a back-pick on R2. Is the batter protected from being called out for interference?

USA Softball
OBR
NFHS

Whatever you got. Thanks!

So this play happened in an Adult Sunday League game.

There was a throw down to third base that got away from the third baseman. The third baseman was holding the tag on the runner without the ball without being in the base path of the runner. The coach was yelling for his runner to go home and eventually pushed the third baseman away and picked up and pushed the runner to go home and the runner was called safe at home after the umpires discussed and the field umpire called obstruction and they appeared to just dismiss the fact the coach interfered.

Was this the correct call? Does the order of events affect the call? Or would the Coach’s interference essentially nullify the “obstruction” call?

This post is for research on umpire and baseball equipment!

Hello r/Umpire !

While I have a HUGE invested passion for the sport of baseball and softball... I am not an umpire! I am an electrical engineer who designs and develops consumer electronics products, namely in wireless communication.

My question is for the youth/grassroots/recreational umpire and baseball/softball crowd moreover: What is the current state of communication equipment for the non-pro umpire crew? Are there voice-intercom devices that crews use to talk to each other? Are there any electronic score-keeping or count-keeping devices that umpires use?

My curiosity on this subject stems from an obscure wireless technology that I am using for wireless critical alerting between officials of other sports, namely Soccer and Rugby. So I wanted to investigate if umpires (or the sport moreover) had a need for this sort of critical alerting or live data tracking across the distance of a baseball diamond, wirelessly of course. Would umpires benefit from their crew members being immediately aware of what they've seen (across the distance of the diamond) without saying anything or any visual cues? Are there any gaps in the mechanics of communicating with the scoreboard operator or coaches and spectators?

Another specifier, I realize that MLB and semi-pro umpires likely have everything they'd need to fill any communication gaps. But the ethos of my product development brand has always been AFFORDABLE products for GRASSROOTS sports officials - which is why I've relied so much on this obscure wireless technique; it's perfect for this exact application and cheap to manufacture which allows for shelf prices comparable to a mid-range baseball bat (say $150-$250).

Any insights or thoughts on the matter are welcome, DMs are also welcome!

Thanks!

Wife and I are watching the game. And the umpire has a pen in his front shirt pocket. Soni am curious did anyone ever have a pen get hit and break in their pocket or do you put it in your pouches? I always kept mine in my pouch or the back pocket of my pants.

Trying to figure out the best way. Anyone have an app or software they use to consolidate? I have a couple of different ways I get assigned and a few random things that happen that aren’t “official” but still pay and it makes tracking a bit of a nightmare come tax time.

What’s your answer?

How many assignors do you work under, and how do you currently figure out total what you made for the year/season?

Bonus if you do multiple sports at different levels.

Great play and great rotation. Two outs, R1 only.

• Hit to LF corner.
• U3 goes out, not very far but enough.
• PU to third.
• U1 to home.
• LF gets the ball home and catcher gets it in time.
• R1 jumps over the catcher's glove and lands his rear foot on the plate.
• Catcher scrambles to tag him just in case he missed the plate.
• U1 calls safe.
• Announcers actually notice that it's U1 not PU making the call.
• Great play by the players and the umpires.

Not really another sub to discuss this, so I thought I’d bring it up here.

What other sports do you guys work outside of baseball/softball?

I’m thinking about getting into volleyball this fall, any reviews on that?

Anyone watching this game right now? I have a couple questions.

First on the illegal pitch, what are the LL rules? Should he have given him a warning after the first time he did it or why not call it in the middle of the pitch when the ump stood up and pointed at him?

2, was that obstruction? I get his foot was blocking the base but the runner still has access to the base. Just confused on the rule I guess.

Not a fan of either team just curious on the calls but watching the HI kids question every call is rough but we’ve all been there.

Has anyone heard of these or ever tried them? I'm thinking about upgrading what I currently have and this came across my feed. It looks interesting. If not, what do others use and do you use compression shorts or a jock or just shove it in your underwear?

A few days ago u/DickBottalico posted about an appeal play. At this point there is a bigger appeal I guess will happen after Oklahoma got a judge to reinstate the Tulsa baseball squad through a Temporary Restraining Order remove their disqualification.

For The Record, I am not a lawyer, so I am definitely not your lawyer and none of this should be taken as legal advice, only conjecture, but my understanding is the Texas team went home, umpires went home, but there is supposed to be a game tonight.

My issues are pretty boring compared to what the familes are going through, but here are some questions I would like to better understand from those more involved with Little League.

1. what is going on in Tulsa? This is the second team this year (softball also) to be disqualified for ineligible players. Why can't they get it together up there and what is the LLWS plan for this board and this charter?

2. does anyone know the process from here? I would assume an emergency hearing so that you have a game, but does the absence of an opponent and enough time to field a team impact a potential ruling?

I will say a question is about to be asked of me: what does this have to do with the umpires? The quick answer would be nothing, but when there is all this drama off the field you know eventually if a game is played that there will likely be drama on field also. Thesee are the games where you have to know what was happening the past series, game, whatever so you can be locked in because you know this is going to be a hot one.

Score is 1-0 Oklahoma with Texas-East batting in the top of the fourth. Runners on second and third with 1 out. The batter hits a foul pop up slightly behind first base, but because the infield was in, the first baseman is running backward. He makes the catch. Runners tag properly, and the infielder is running the ball in toward home plate.

The runner on second now wanders about halfway to third base to draw the attention, first baseman panics and makes a throw to second, which allows the runner on third to score. Throw to the plate is late, and the runner on second goes to third.

Normal little league play. However, after the first pitch to the next batter, the umpires decide to call time and review the play. They claimed it was a no-pitch and the challenge occurred before that pitch. Whatever.

They review the play and decide the runner on second left early and tell the coach to appeal at second. Pitcher steps on the rubber, throws to second, runner is called out. They go to commercial with the score 1-0 and then the umpires delay the game again because they didn’t count the run.

Finally they get it right, and the league supervisor or whoever realized the run should count, and ESPN shows the replay: the runner on second never even left early. Brutal display of umpiring all around.

Did any of your guys attend this MLB one-day umpire camp here on 4/26/25? If so, let me know. I have a few questions for you. I'm researching.