by Matt Frost

Created on: May 18, 2008

If an umpire is perfect, his decisions will not directly affect the outcome of the game, however umpires are human and make mistakes. As a former umpire, I have noticed a great deal of little league coaches, players, and fans do not have a solid grasp on dealing with umpires throughout the course of game. I've been on both sides of the isle, and know what it's like to have an bad call made against you. I also know that I have missed calls in games and on occasion that turns out to be the difference in the game.

The part of baseball game that gets criticized the most is the umpire's strike zone and from Little League to Major League Baseball, players and coaches are not supposed to be allowed to question balls and strikes. It happens and most umpires, especially in Little League tend to let it slide. The one thing that is a must for an umpire, regardless of the size of your strike zone is consistency. If you call a strike on a pitch 3-inches off the outside corner, you had better make sure you call that pitch every single time or someone will be on your case.

Coaches should always know better, I've gone as far as walking over to the offending coaches dugout and called balls and strikes from there, based on the fact that he has a much better view than I do. Over time, I've noticed that the amount of ejections and warnings have sky-rocketed. The issue shouldn't be dealing with umpires as much as it should be respecting them. A lot of times they volunteer to come out and call baseball games because they love the game as much as the people who are playing in them.

Treating umpires with respect hasn't always been a time-honored tradition managers like Billy Martin, Lou Pinella, Bobby Cox, and Earl Weaver are famous for their run-ins with the men in blue. If you have a quality umpire, he will always tell you what he expects from you during the game, and most will take the time to listen to you assuming the conversation stays civil. By keeping the conversation civil, you show an umpire that you respect the job he is doing, even though you don't agree with his call. Even in cases where the umpire's strike zone is a mystery to everyone else, walking up to him in between innings and saying "where is he missing?" Is much better than showing up and umpire and risking getting yourself thrown out of a game. This isn't just for managers or coaches, it's for pitchers and players too. If you miss a close pitch on the corner, simply ask the umpire where the pitch missed, no faces, no sarcasm, just information. This will ultimately suit you better in the long run.

Umpires will miss balls and strikes, out and safe calls, it's the nature of baseball and you see it at the highest level. An umpire missing a call, especially in a Little League game is the same mental gaffe as a player swinging at a bad pitch. Umpires will make mistakes, and the perception that they should nail every call is what leads to tense situations between players, coaches, and umpires. I've seen more games decided because the team's best hitter was thrown out of the game, than I have with umpires missing calls. If you have an umpire that is hustling to get in position to make a call, let him know that you appreciate it. It's the way the game is supposed to be played, and remember the umpire's decision is the one that counts and getting on the bad side of an umpire usually creates more trouble than it's worth.

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