Umpiring Advanced Techniques Video

Plate Umpire:  To ask for help on a checked swing, point to the Base Umpire with your left hand / finger and shout “Did he go?!”

-  From behind home plate, it can be difficult to determine whether to call a ball or strike on a checked swing.  If the Base Umpire is on the first (for a right handed batter) or third base (a left handed batter) line, you should ask him to make the call.  At these positions, he’ll have a better view to judge whether the batter halted his swing sufficiently.  If the Base Umpire is in the middle of the field (B or C slots), you’ll have to decide whether to call a ball or strike on a checked swing.

-  The defense, typically the catcher or Manager, can also ask (appeal to) the Plate Umpire for help on a checked swing.  Appeals on a checked swing must be made before the next pitch.

-  An appeal on a checked swing can only be made after a pitch that was called a ball.   A strike call by the Plate Umpire cannot be appealed or changed.

-  To ask for help on a checked swing, point to the Base Umpire with your left hand / finger and shout “Did he go?!”

Base Umpire:  Adopt your own visual cues for deciding between a strike or ball.  Then make your call using the strike and ball arm/hand signals and verbally.

-  Deciding whether a ball or strike after a checked swing is not straight forward because there’s no definitive rule for how far the swing has to travel.  It is a judgement call.  Did the batter "strike at" the pitch?  Or did he interrupt his swing in time?

-  Each umpire will adopt his own visual cues.  Traditionally, it is thought to be the halfway point of a swing.   If the barrel of the bat passed over the back of home plate, you likely have a strike.

-  Make your call using the strike and safe arm/hand signals and verbally.  For a strike – “He went!”  For a ball – “no, he didn’t go!”

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