The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.

What's Baseball without the "Ump"

by Dessa Rodeffer,
Publisher/Editor

15 September 1999

All right all you sports fans. Do you really want to do without the human umpire in baseball? Would you rather it all be electronics?

I saw a field "ump" make a judgment call during a Jr. High baseball game against Southern and Colchester that resulted in the batter and the runner both being called out. In his judgment, the runner to second interfered with a double play which in the rules demands both runners out. There was protest on that call.

At another game between LaHarpe and Southern, a coach was evicted from the game on another judgment call. The coach was yelling at one of his players, the "ump" thought he was yelling at him and there might have been other issues present, but there was disagreement in the crowd on the call.

National coverage was made of an error during a San Diego Padres game when three umpires almost gave an extra out, and they weren't baseball's newly hired "umps". Reggie Sanders struck out for the third out but the umpires didn't notice and the Expos didn't leave the field. So Phil Nevin went to the plate and ran the count to 2-1 before someone in the dugout called over plate umpire and told him the problem. The batter, the rookie pitcher Ted Lilly, or the umpire didn't realize the inning was over. Errors happen.

But to me, the personality and calls of the umpire is part of the excitement of the game.

Can you imagine what it would be like without him. And as far as I know, all hardball umpires are guys, at least in the big league and around our area.

I can't understand why anyone would want to stand behind a catcher with balls flying at you at various speeds up to 80 some miles an hour, and while squatting in an unpleasant position as they do.

Maybe that's why it is guys doing it. I guess standing with incorrect posture never seems to bother them.

I guess the umpire just has to love the game more than anyone in the ballpark, or he just couldn't do it.

I know they would complain of back pain if we had them squat and wash the basement windows.

Talk about excitement, the "umps" are always right in the middle of things. Whether it is first, second, or third base, a slide at home, a balk, a strike, the "ump" is there.

You have to be gutsy, intent, and deliberate, but tolerant of the comments you will hear. And, of course, it helps if you can count, if you can see well, or if you need glasses that you wear them. And it wouldn't hurt if you were lightening quick on your feet.

I almost think it would be better if you couldn't hear, or if you needed a hearing aide, you don't wear it. Perhaps cotton balls might help block out the yells from the stands.

Some good advice for fans is: Arguing with an "ump" is never going to get you any place but thrown out. He makes the call in his best judgment, so you might as well save your comments and tell him after the game or write him a letter when you get home if you need to get it off your chest.

But the game would become a little dull without them, since the umpire is part of the excitement and the tension. The yell of "strike 3, you're out" is as much of a baseball game as the sound of a bat when it hits the ball. And the yell of "He's safe" is as sweet a sound as the cheers from the fans. His face pushed in the face of the coach or the batter keeps the fans tuned into the game as much as a home run.

You may not always agree with the calls, but the umpire has a closer view than any of the rest of us.

You have to agree that the "ump" doesn't have an easy job. If you think he does, try it for yourself.

You say an electronic device could work better.

Maybe so, but just remember, the next time you are thoroughly disgusted with the umpire, baseball just wouldn't be the same without him, and our favorite song might change

":For it's 1, 2, 3 strikes you're out at the old ball game."