Umpire Certification Umpire Communication and Signals 3

Question 1

What is the proper mechanic when ejecting a player or manager from a game?

Accepted Answer

Point emphatically at the individual and call 'You're out of here!' or equivalent

Answer

Quietly inform the individual they are removed to avoid escalating the situation

Answer

Issue a written warning card that must be acknowledged before the ejection is official

Answer

Consult with the crew chief before completing any ejection

Question 2

When a manager appeals a checked swing, what is the proper umpire mechanic?

Accepted Answer

The plate umpire asks the appropriate base umpire, who then makes the final ruling

Answer

The plate umpire makes the final ruling on all checked swing appeals

Answer

The crew chief automatically handles all checked swing appeals

Answer

The plate umpire polls the entire crew before making a checked swing ruling

Question 3

What is the proper mechanic for signaling a ground rule double?

Accepted Answer

Call 'Time,' hold up two fingers, and point to second base

Answer

Signal 'Safe' and then point both arms toward the outfield to indicate two bases

Answer

Signal 'Time' only — coaches will communicate the base award to their runners

Answer

Signal 'Out,' reverse the call, and then verbally award two bases

Question 4

What should an umpire signal when a pitch hits the dirt and the catcher fails to catch it?

Accepted Answer

Signal 'No catch' to alert runners that the ball is live and they may advance

Answer

No signal is needed — simply call 'Ball' and allow play to continue

Answer

Call 'Time' to stop play until the ball is retrieved by the catcher

Answer

Call 'Passed ball' to alert all players that the pitch is live

Question 5

What should umpires cover during their pre-game crew meeting?

Accepted Answer

Coverage responsibilities, signal confirmations, and facility-specific ground rules

Answer

Personal opinions about each team's tendencies and which players may argue calls

Answer

Statistics and recent performance records of players on both rosters

Answer

Predictions about which manager is most likely to argue during the game

Question 6

How should an umpire communicate that a runner is out for passing another runner on the basepaths?

Accepted Answer

Point at the offending runner and call them out for the passing violation

Answer

Call 'Out!' and point toward home plate

Answer

Signal 'Safe' to the lead runner and 'Out' simultaneously to the runner who passed

Answer

Stop play immediately and return both runners to their last legally occupied base

Question 7

What is the appropriate umpire response when a player disputes a judgment call?

Accepted Answer

Listen briefly, calmly explain the ruling once, and warn that continued argument risks ejection

Answer

Immediately eject any player who verbally disputes any judgment call

Answer

Reverse the call if the player or manager presents a persuasive argument

Answer

Ignore the player completely and continue with the game without any acknowledgment