Umpires

Umpires are a critical aspect of any baseball league, and unfortunately in many programs, are overlooked. Lake Alfred Baseball has chosen to bring in the umpires from the surrounding area that have both experience and professionalism.

They are appointed by the league to be responsible for the conduct of the game in accordance with the official rules, and for maintaining discipline and order on (and sometimes off) the playing field. They also have authority to rule on any points not specifically covered in the official rules. All people involved in the game, including fans, must understand that the league will respect and back up the umpire’s properly made decisions on the field.

You might have heard the phrase “in the umpire’s opinion…”. One of the enduring aspects of baseball is that it is a game of “gray areas”, where decisions are based on the opinion, or judgment, of the person in charge. The nature of the game requires that umpires be given the authority to make judgment calls based on their observations on the field. Therefore their judgment calls on such things as balls and strikes, fair or foul, safe or out, are final and cannot be overturned. Issues not involving a judgment call, such as a rule interpretation, can be reviewed by means of a protest, and the league has a mechanism for that. Thankfully, the vast majority of cases those are resolved on the field making a protest unnecessary.

So, the umpires are in charge on the field. Please remember:

• To show them the respect they are due.
• That they are the interpreters of the rules on the field.
• Thank them for their service to the league.