e have discussed how knowledge of innings and score affects the umpires' game management. Umpires need to be aware of when a bench-clearing brawl or act of retaliation may occur. Running up the score by aggressive play when a team is ahead by many runs is a sure way to produce retaliation by the losing team. But that is not the only reason an umpire must be aware of the score and the inning.

Mechanics

Let's move onto mechanics. As in Part VII, I am assuming NCAA nine-inning baseball. I am assuming the use of pro school two-man mechanics since those are the mechanics most of the readership is familiar with. They are 95+% identical to NCAA mechanics anyway.

Imagine the following play. Multiple runners on base, outs not important, and it's the 8th or 9th inning of a low scoring tie game. Let's say 1-1. You are the BU in B or C.

A gapper is hit to deep right center field, and it is uncertain if the fielder will get to the ball. Proper pro-school mechanics do not allow the base umpire to go out from inside the diamond. Pro-school mechanics are cookie cutter mechanics. They don't recognize score and innings as factors to consider.

Continued...