Love Them or Hate Them, Umpires Have It Tough

In the game of baseball, those individuals who regulate what goes on during a game are known as umpires. Although one may perceive such a job to be a summer-long vacation, much like any other as type of employment, the job of an umpire ultimately presents an individual with many job-related stressors.

The first job-related stressor an umpire must endure is the regulation of two separate bases. First there is a home plate umpire who serves as the lead or head umpire. The home plate umpire is referred to as the lead umpire because no matter who makes the call he has the option to overturn it if he deems so necessary. The primary responsibility of a home plate umpire is to call balls and strikes after a pitcher has delivered the ball to the catcher. After each pitch the home plate umpire must keep a constant record of the ball-strike count and constantly update the players as to what it may be. Given his continual interaction with each play of the game, it can be said that a home plate umpire has more responsibility than any other umpire working a game.

Aside from regulating the strike zone, the home plate umpire is also responsible for regulating calls when a situation calls for it at third base. When in the event a base runner becomes involved in a tag play, or when a fielder must touch third base to make a force out, the home plate umpire must determine the outcome. Ultimately the home plate umpire takes responsibility in regulating these calls at third base because moreover than the field umpire, he will maintain a better visual perspective of the base. The final responsibility a home plate umpire occurs when a base runner attempts to score at home plate. Thus, whenever a player tries to score by means of avoiding a catcher’s tag, a home plate umpire becomes responsible in determining whether or not a base runner shall be called safe or out.

The second type of umpires is a field umpire. Just as a home plate umpire must keep track of pitch count and outs, a field umpire must continually do the same. A field umpires primary responsibility is to make calls regarding those plays, which take place at first base; thus, in the event that a play occurs at first base, a field umpire must make the proper call. Often times making calls at first base can present a difficult task because many plays that take place in the field are simultaneous in so far as there is often only a split-second for a decision made.

Another responsibility a field umpire must oversee is regulating the legality of a pitcher’s pick off moves. If in the event a pitcher tries to throw out a runner who is leading off at fist base, a field umpire must determine whether or not the pitcher has done so in accordance with the rules in so far as the pitcher has not illegally attempted to deceive a runner. The field umpire is also responsible for regulating calls that occur at second base. For example when a base runner attempts to steal second base, that umpire must determine whether or not the runner has beat the catcher’s throw, and/or whether or the fielder has applied the tag or not.

Perhaps even more stressful than any of the aforementioned responsibilities is the fact that an umpire must deal with constant ungrounded criticism from coaches and fans. This is especially the case for umpires in the Major Leagues. Each game Major League umpires must deal with unruly manager and/or several thousand fans many that are usually intoxicated. A manager causes umpires a great deal of stress given the fact that the financial well being of managers to a certain degree depends on the calls that an umpire makes during the course of a game.

In so far as dealing with the fans is concerned, they present umpires with constant criticism regardless of whether his performance has been efficient or not. Such is the case with fans because often – if not all – times they have no clue as to whether a call was correct, but rather base their criticism based on wherein their allegiance lies. Given this, the next time you consider berating an umpire, put yourself in the shoes and ask yourself whether or not you could optimally perform your job with thousands of people watching and criticizing your job performance.

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