What Is the Ruling if an Umpire Is Not in Position & a Pitch Is Thrown?

On rare occasions an umpire may be out of position when a pitch is thrown. The difference in the ruling depends on the context around why the umpire was out of position.

  1. Position is Critical

    • First, it is critical to a fairly played game that the umpire be in the best position possible. If an umpire is working a game solo, he omay decide to call balls and strikes from behind the pitcher, making it easier to be in better position for plays at the bases. An umpire behind the plate needs to follow the pitch with his eyes all the way to the catcher's glove to make sure to make an accurate call. One other guideline to remember is that generally there are no do-overs in baseball.

    Not in Play

    • If an umpire is out of position because he had not yet returned to his proper place after a play, any pitch thrown by a pitcher will not count. The ruling is that time was out.

    Bad Positioning

    • If an umpire is not in a good position when a pitch is thrown and the play is live, whatever the umpire calls will stand. It may be hard to tell when a home plate umpire is out of position.

    Suddenly Out of Position

    • Umpires are allowed to ask their partners on the field for help. So if, for example, the home plate umpire falls during a pitch, he may ask another umpire for help in making the call.