HINTS TO UMPIRES.
The umpire should invariably render his decision in accordance with the first impressions of the point of play made on his mind. If he hesitates at all, the influence of any particular bias he may have will affect his judgment, and very likely make his decision a partial one. Be prompt, therefore, to decide according to the very first impression made. Promptness in deciding is strong testimony in favour of impartial judgment, and is always satisfactory to contestants. He should also see that the foul ball posts are in position, and especially that the rule requiring chalk lines from home to first base, and home to third, be complied with. He should keep silent when a fair ball is struck, but if asked if it be a fair ball, he can of course say so; but he is not required to call fair balls.
The umpire, before calling “play,” should see that the captains of the contesting sides are mutually agreed upon what the rules of the ground are for the match. Thus, for instance, that a ball going over a fence shall give but one base, or that a ball taken on the fly from a tree, or the roof of a house, or the side of a fence, shall be regarded as a bound catch, and only legitimate in the case of a foul ball; or that a ball passing the catcher, and being stopped by a fence too close to the home base, shall give one base, &c.
One of his most difficult duties is that of calling balls for unfair delivery in pitching, and also in calling strikes on the batsmen for not hitting at fair balls.
The umpire should first instruct himself in regard to the definition of unfair balls, and the following rules will give him the required information:—
Firstly. A ball that strikes the ground in front of the home base is not a fair ball; as, in the first place, by striking the ground before reaching the baseman, it becomes a “bowled” ball, and secondly, because it is not pitched “over the home base,” and “fairly for the striker;” for unless it goes over the home base before touching the ground, it is not “pitched,” but “bowled” over, and unless so pitched, it cannot be “fairly for the striker.”
Secondly. A ball that is pitched on the side opposite to that the batsman habitually strikes from is not a fair ball, because not pitched “for the striker.”
Thirdly. A ball that is pitched so as to hit the striker—provided he is standing in his legitimate position, viz. astride the line of the home base, and one foot to the left of the base—is not a fair one, for the same reason. The striker should, however, stand far enough from the base to admit of the ball being pitched over it without its striking him.
Fourthly. Balls, too, which are pitched beyond the legitimate reach of the batsman, either in front of him or over his head, are, for the same reason, not fair balls.
All of the above balls are “unfair” balls, and must be called when it is legitimate to call a ball at all, that is, first, after two unfair balls have been pitched, and secondly, after the pitcher has then been warned of the penalty—this warning being given in the form of the words, “ball to the bat,” or some exclamation of similar purport.