Arizona Umpiring Academy

Properly Taking off the Mask
POINT OF EMPHASIS:	To successfully complete this particular training tip, the umpire must have mastered "Holding the Mask and Indicator" and "Putting on the Mask" training tip. Not handling and/or taking your mask off properly can create numerous problems for an umpire.
Properly placing your fingers on the mask is extremely important. Remember to grasp your mask with your left hand. Clamp down around mask pads front and back. Don't forget that you are still holding your indicator.
First and most important, the umpire must keep the head and eyes up and looking forward to all possible plays and responsibilities. Bring your left hand up to the mask and grab the mask as describe above.
It is important that the umpire do this step-by-step. First, pull mask out from the face. Do not pull the mask up yet, only out. The reason for only pulling the mask out from the face is to clear the bill of your hat.
Once the umpire has pulled the mask out away from the face and is clear of the bill of the hat, lift straight up and slightly out.
The umpire must make sure that the head and eyes stay up and forward. The pictures to the right is an example of what not to do. The game of baseball is extremely fast, and only takes a half of a second to miss a fair or foul or even an obstruction or interference situation.
There is nothing on the ground by your feet to umpire. Notice the umpire, Arizona Umpiring Academy's instructor, Jeff Macias, keeping his head and eyes forward to see all possible plays and responsibilities. Great job Jeff! Check out the catcher and where his eyes and head are. Do you think he sees anything? Sure...the ground.