The PUZZLING Origins of Umpire Signals | Baseball History

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  • Опубліковано 4 лип 2024
  • TWITTER - @BaseballHSTRN
    _____________________________
    Have you ever wondered where baseball umpires' hand signals originated? No, you haven't. But I'm going to tell you anyway, because the story is actually pretty interesting.
    _____________________________
    SOURCES
    MLBUA
    Baseball Hall of Fame
    startasl.com
    hearingandbalancelab.com
    _____________________________
    TIMESTAMPS
    0:00​ - 1:39​ Intro
    1:40​ - 5:27​ Bill, Silk, & Dummy
    5:28​ - 7:10​ The Real Answer
    _____________________________
    MUSIC
    "Come With Us" - Nat Keefe & Hot Buttered Rum
    "Cuckoo's Nest" - Nat Keefe & Hot Buttered Rum
    "The Slow Rabbit" - Nat Keefe & Hot Buttered Rum
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КОМЕНТАРІ • 176

  • @C.CurrySims
    @C.CurrySims 3 роки тому +82

    "Yup, when a batter hits a homerun the natural thing to do is twirl your finger in the air like you're giving an invisible giant a prostate exam" LMFAO

  • @willl9338
    @willl9338 3 роки тому +127

    Imagine becoming deaf as a child and known by everyone as “dummy”

    • @chrisw.p5665
      @chrisw.p5665 3 роки тому +13

      At least you couldn't hear the haters.. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

    • @benn454
      @benn454 3 роки тому +25

      The original meaning of the word "dumb" was mute/speechless/silent. They weren't calling him stupid. That meaning didn't come until later.

    • @conedx
      @conedx 3 роки тому +11

      @@benn454 yep. there's still some of that kind of thing in language. like "dumbstruck" doesn't mean "you've been struck stupid" it means "you've been struck speechless". pretty much the only reason i ever knew "dumb" meant "mute" was from the stand by stephen king.

    • @Ned-Ryerson
      @Ned-Ryerson 3 роки тому +1

      @@conedx Interestingly, German also has the collquial term "doof", which means "stupid", these days, but if you look closely, you can see that it used to mean "deaf".

    • @reallifeengineer7214
      @reallifeengineer7214 2 роки тому

      @@benn454
      Words had different meaning back then compared to today.
      Seen the 1990’s movie “Blast From the Past”?
      “Gay” literally just used to mean “happy”.

  • @thetwoseamer6676
    @thetwoseamer6676 3 роки тому +48

    Not going to lie, seeing those military-esque umpire boot camps has me DEAD

  • @joetrujillo9371
    @joetrujillo9371 3 роки тому +64

    All this great history, and then there was Angel Hernandez and Joe West.

  • @austinhubbard96
    @austinhubbard96 3 роки тому +15

    that dazed and confused clip got me😂

  • @SportStorm23
    @SportStorm23 3 роки тому +40

    Wow definitely a very unique subject

  • @briancarey9689
    @briancarey9689 3 роки тому +37

    How could you ignore the contributions of enrico palazzo on the umpiring profession?

    • @skiprockjr.6881
      @skiprockjr.6881 3 роки тому

      Dang it. I posted the same thing 2 months later. Well done, sir.

  • @johncassani6780
    @johncassani6780 Рік тому +4

    Klem may have originated the modern ump’s positioning behind the catcher’s right shoulder, but it’s also relevant that he was an NL ump, as the NL umps used the interior chest protector. I’m not sure when that started, but I know that the AL did not start the transition away from the “balloon” chest protector until the ‘70s, and there were still AL umps using the balloon into the mid- ‘80s. The balloon necessitated the umps standing up straight, and led to the higher strike zone that the AL was known for.

  • @clarknelson7393
    @clarknelson7393 3 роки тому +11

    I learned this story in high school while taking American sign language. It is one of my favorite "weird" baseball stories.

  • @JollyOlive
    @JollyOlive 3 роки тому +8

    You're hitting your stride man, another banger. Great subject

  • @benbrown3973
    @benbrown3973 3 роки тому +4

    That prostate exam joke was great. Thank you for blessing my day. Praise Shrek

  • @MIKEL843
    @MIKEL843 3 роки тому +3

    How do you not have more subscribers ?
    Your channel is awesome !
    My new favorite baseball channel

  • @RetroBaseball
    @RetroBaseball 3 роки тому +14

    0:50 it’s always good to do that thing where you tell everyone that only 10% of people are subscribed it’s a part of modern culture!

    • @25rasc
      @25rasc 3 роки тому

      U everywhere lol

    • @RetroBaseball
      @RetroBaseball 3 роки тому +4

      @@25rasc I do watch a lot of UA-cam videos...

    • @buttfartstew4789
      @buttfartstew4789 3 роки тому

      @@RetroBaseball well it worked for me, I thought I was subbed but checked and I wasnt so I subbed

    • @LancasterResponding
      @LancasterResponding 3 роки тому

      What really sucks is when all your views for new videos are from your subscribers but only 10% of your subscribers watch the video.

  • @skyden24195
    @skyden24195 Рік тому

    Okay, I just very recently came across your channel, (this is probably my 2nd or 3rd video of yours that I've watched,) and, despite the fact I was already inclined to do so, the "Dazed & Confused" meme added to the subscribe request was brilliant. so.... sub guaranteed. 👍

  • @MaxBaseball
    @MaxBaseball 3 роки тому +2

    Been here since 100 subs and the videos have just gotten better! Keep up the good work!

  • @futurechampions92
    @futurechampions92 3 роки тому +4

    This is a future big time channel you got here lad.

  • @johnpoleway4872
    @johnpoleway4872 3 роки тому +1

    Thank you so, so much for your videos. I just subscribed and am loving the content keep it up my friend!! :)

  • @riderbackoriginals5265
    @riderbackoriginals5265 3 роки тому

    Bro thank you for your channel. Love videos like this !

  • @curryboyftw
    @curryboyftw 3 роки тому +2

    I was already subbed but the dazed and confused made me so happy

  • @BaseballQuotes1
    @BaseballQuotes1 3 роки тому +2

    another awesome video. Had never thought of where the origins of the hand signals came from, just assumed they were around forever

  • @evannugent6373
    @evannugent6373 3 роки тому

    You earned my subscription if for no other reason, than for using that dazed and confused clip. Amazing videos man

  • @MrCmoore0318
    @MrCmoore0318 3 роки тому

    Hey just wanted to say I really enjoy your work, thanks for the content :)

  • @MrSpeed-lt8gr
    @MrSpeed-lt8gr 3 роки тому +4

    Eric Gregg had the best punch out hand signal in my book.

  • @GeminiS...
    @GeminiS... 2 роки тому

    First video, but the DaC reference can totally get you a sub. Solid video my guy.

  • @philliphrobles325
    @philliphrobles325 2 роки тому +1

    National League umpire Dutch Rennert was my favorite. Everyone heard him when he called strikes. I think the fans loved him for that.

  • @jonathancote9372
    @jonathancote9372 3 роки тому

    I don't always subscribe to a channel when i'm asked to in the video, but when i do it's because the content is pretty much kicking ass!

  • @patrickolaughlin6027
    @patrickolaughlin6027 3 роки тому +2

    Good video man , I'm really enjoying your content. I've always wondered about home plate umps when they point to their right on strike calls. I'm assuming it was to point to an official scorer in the old days? Also I maybe a distant relative of Silk O'Loughlin. My ancestors also settled in upstate NY around the time his family did and spelled our name the same way back then.

  • @nikkobarato9180
    @nikkobarato9180 Рік тому

    Thanks for making this I was recently wondering where the hand signals originated and this helped a bit.

  • @hanwentian8096
    @hanwentian8096 3 роки тому

    Great content! Keep up the good work!

  • @JusNoBS420
    @JusNoBS420 3 роки тому +2

    Your channel is picking up traction. I subbed 2 days ago when you had 2k. Feel like I got in on the ground floor of a cool new baseball channel

  • @WaffleLover-my1hi
    @WaffleLover-my1hi 3 роки тому

    great video and some nice insight at the end!

  • @thedominatior39
    @thedominatior39 3 роки тому +6

    Wasn’t expecting to see myself in the video at 0:33 pleasant surprise

    • @JusNoBS420
      @JusNoBS420 3 роки тому

      Wasn’t expecting to see myself in the video at 1:00 alright alright alright

    • @BaseballHistorian
      @BaseballHistorian  3 роки тому

      Whoa, that’s a really cool coincidence!

  • @nickinportland
    @nickinportland 2 роки тому

    I’ve always wondered this so great video

  • @LakeManship
    @LakeManship 3 роки тому +2

    best solicitation for a sub i’ve ever seen. had to do it

  • @jamesknapp64
    @jamesknapp64 4 дні тому

    As an High School Umpire I'm guessing you are right that is combinations of many people coming up with one or two signals and more people adapting them over time. I'm guessing the idea or Right Hand Strike and Left hand Ball did come from Dummy and his coaches, and some umpires thought it was a good idea and integrated that over time.

  • @ChigginWhengz
    @ChigginWhengz 3 роки тому

    This is my first vid I've watched of yours & I IMMEDIATELY hit like and subscribe.
    Came for the baseball knowledge.
    Stayed for the OST.

  • @marioguti9887
    @marioguti9887 3 роки тому

    That last umpire was insane lol
    subscribed

  • @sum-tim-Wong
    @sum-tim-Wong 3 роки тому

    Can’t wait to see your video on 10 cent beer night or disco demolition night!

  • @RetroBaseball
    @RetroBaseball 3 роки тому

    This video was so good that I came back to watch it again

  • @willklepko762
    @willklepko762 3 роки тому

    Still one of my favorite channels

  • @iammovingtokorea
    @iammovingtokorea 2 роки тому

    Great video! Thanks for your education.

  • @EnjoySackLunch
    @EnjoySackLunch 3 роки тому

    Subbed. Also the soothing bg music on this vid has brief shades of stp’s “interstate love song”. Thanks for the neat video!
    Also, William Hoy looks like Jesse Plemmons

  • @Gixsir
    @Gixsir 3 роки тому +1

    I’ll subscribe that was hilarious

  • @burekevan
    @burekevan 2 роки тому

    thanks for the bonus at the end thet guy really made it wort it not skipping the last few seconds

  • @BloodoperaBlackvomit
    @BloodoperaBlackvomit 3 роки тому

    Great vid.

  • @CreatureWillis
    @CreatureWillis 2 роки тому

    Fascinating!

  • @ematta
    @ematta 3 роки тому

    You got me, bud. Subbed.

  • @BrayBray-jl8xi
    @BrayBray-jl8xi 3 роки тому

    I subscribed!

  • @davee.9906
    @davee.9906 3 роки тому

    Ok you got me with Wooderson.
    I love Dazed and Confused.

  • @CalebsCards
    @CalebsCards 3 роки тому

    Interesting video, I've never known why they had certain hand signals or where they originated.

  • @DigitalAndInnovation
    @DigitalAndInnovation Рік тому

    00:40 I don't know what prostate exams you are getting... I don't ever remember anyone twirling their finger around like THAT 😳

  • @ommy7672
    @ommy7672 3 роки тому +1

    Holy shit you're already at 3000 subs! Congrats

  • @MrSpeed-lt8gr
    @MrSpeed-lt8gr 3 роки тому

    Wooderson convinced me to subscribe. Thank you!!! 🤣😂

  • @apachebeast164
    @apachebeast164 3 роки тому

    Saw u on NYY recaps and had to sub. I'm an Umpire for fast pitch &slow pitch softball 🥎. And ty it was very enjoyable video

  • @DisRuptMedia
    @DisRuptMedia 2 роки тому

    Liked for umpire at the end having too much fun.

  • @triadmad
    @triadmad 3 роки тому

    My favorite National League umpire was Dutch Rennert. He would have fit in perfectly in the pre-hand signal era with the volume of his strike calls.

  • @mustang6172
    @mustang6172 3 роки тому +1

    Hey! It's Enrico Pallazzo!

  • @sum-tim-Wong
    @sum-tim-Wong 3 роки тому

    Love your channel!! Would love to hear your take on Mickey Mantle and Willie Mays getting banned in 1980 for having appearances at Casinos.

    • @BaseballHistorian
      @BaseballHistorian  3 роки тому

      I’ve never heard that story, but it sounds interesting, I’ll have to look into it!

  • @NVRAMboi
    @NVRAMboi 3 роки тому

    "And it looks like Earl Weaver is leaving the dugout to visit home plate. He may have a problem with the video......"

  • @big8dog887
    @big8dog887 3 роки тому +1

    The only thing missing in this video was Leslie Nielsen's umpiring in "The Naked Gun".

    • @pupfriend
      @pupfriend 3 роки тому

      LOL exactly what I wanted to see

  • @RetroBaseball
    @RetroBaseball 3 роки тому +6

    I clicked so unhumanly fast....

  • @gwaptiva
    @gwaptiva 3 роки тому

    Baseball isn't the only game where umpires use hand signals; cricket umpires use hand signals to communicate their rulings to the people keeping score; the laws of cricket, however, don't describe the actual signals, they just state that the "umpire shall call and signal" (a wide delivery, for example). Of course, cricket umpires are a long way from the edge of the playing field where the scorers are, so hand signals make sense. I could imagine that they may have at least inspired or demonstrated the usefulness of signals in baseball

  • @Ebone93
    @Ebone93 3 роки тому

    The giant-prostate-exam had me sub real quick.

  • @isaac.azk2
    @isaac.azk2 Рік тому

    1:25 idky this umpire dojo is so funny to me

  • @robberonbrent
    @robberonbrent 3 роки тому

    I like to think there exists a retreat where umpires go to find themselves through intense Umpire yoga and eye exercises and those clips were taken there.

  • @Shinobi33
    @Shinobi33 2 роки тому

    They use to be a lot more animated with their body language. I miss that. Especially the 3 Karate punch 👊 called strike 3

  • @WalkoffGrandslam
    @WalkoffGrandslam 3 роки тому

    As a Giants fan since the 80s when you said homerun signs was likw giving a Giant a prostate exam since my head is always in baseball mode when I watch your vids I for a sec was wondering wtf you were talking about. Imma dum dum.

  • @1-800-WILLIAM
    @1-800-WILLIAM 3 роки тому

    We had a tee ball and coach pitch umpire like the guy in the last shot. So, getting called out wasn’t as depressing as other games. It was quite amusing!

  • @brianarbenz1329
    @brianarbenz1329 3 роки тому

    What about the "out" and "safe" signals? Any info on their history?

  • @TrainScott
    @TrainScott Рік тому

    I notice umpires don’t put much emphasis on a strikeout swinging vs a strikeout looking but it would look silly to do that if it’s obvious to everyone that he’s out. I notice different signals for out where it’s a really close play the umpires use a punching motion because they sell the call. But when it isn’t close the umpire clenches the fist.

  • @scotthitman1
    @scotthitman1 3 роки тому

    2:30=the nastiest curveball I've ever seen...props to ya kid

  • @ELHipnacio
    @ELHipnacio 2 роки тому

    How u sprain ur larynx

  • @goodmaro
    @goodmaro 3 роки тому

    Can you do football? The invention by Beade of flags to mark penalties is relatively recent and well known, but I'd like to know about the history of officials' signals in American, Canadian, Rugby Union, and Rugby League football, and whether some of them had a common origin. Like, was 2 arms up in imitation of the goal posts? Was the old "punch" signal for touchdowns by subordinate officials related to the arm-up try signal? Did Canadian signals for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd down get progressively less ostentatious (arms, then forearms, and finally fingers) because of television? Did Rugby League borrow its fist-up 4th (now 6th) tackle signal from American football?

  • @Shmuel420
    @Shmuel420 3 роки тому

    I have a request, do a vid on my fav ranger of all time Josh Hamilton

  • @mrmoose6619
    @mrmoose6619 3 роки тому

    Remember when umpires actually verbally called strikes that you could hear on TV...

  • @e.s.2635
    @e.s.2635 3 роки тому

    How could you forget Frank Debrin masterfull usage of signals and the introduction of a new one: to end a brawl and/or a discussion with a ".38 Special"

  • @burningphoneix
    @burningphoneix 3 роки тому

    0:20
    Oh so you're like me? My condolences.

  • @kimjongtrump3493
    @kimjongtrump3493 3 роки тому +1

    When it’s strike three they just wanna hit them with that left right jab

  • @jimtownsend7899
    @jimtownsend7899 3 роки тому

    OK, I'll give them all credit. But my question is: When, exactly and why, did the "out" signal go from raising the clenched fist with the thumb extended upward to the "punch" we see nowadays? As a boy, I remember the thumb. Even Joey Gladstone used it in his "Cut. It. Out." routine.
    Remember too that the umpire used to announce to the crowd the batteries for the game, as well as line up changes, pinch hitters, etc. No wonder "Silk" lost his voice!

  • @aslgrognerd2506
    @aslgrognerd2506 3 роки тому

    What roll if any did Luther "Dummy" Taylor play in all this? He was the 3rd Pitcher for the NYG between 1901 and 1910. Over shadowed of course by McGinnity and Matthewson. Incidentally, both he and Hoy were excellent at stealing the opposing teams signals due to the nature of their disability. Hoy who played CF, was the 2nd best base stealer of his era behind only the fleet footed Billy Hamilton. Taylor won 27 games in 1901 for the Giants in his best year. Taylor was also a card. He once went to coach 3rd base in a rain coat with goulashes and an umbrella in a game he felt should have been called for rain. Another time he went to the mound with a lantern when he felt it was to dark to play. Both Taylor and Hoy were legendary for their sign language tirades that they would unleash on umpires who knew they should be angry but didn't know why to the great amusement of the fans.

  • @swpost3
    @swpost3 3 роки тому

    Do you think Hoy was like wth when he read the first newspaper article he was mentioned in and referred to as “Dummy”?

  • @Android-qj2yu
    @Android-qj2yu 3 роки тому

    Fun fact setting up in the slot or off to the side of the catcher also keeps the umpire from getting hit by foul balls.

  • @rangerbennett
    @rangerbennett Рік тому

    Angel needs to watch this and learn the proper situations to use them

  • @cashmininger2503
    @cashmininger2503 3 роки тому +1

    I hope one day you can make a video about Zack Greinke 😂

    • @BaseballHistorian
      @BaseballHistorian  3 роки тому +3

      I hope one day I can make a video worthy of Zack Greinke

  • @DonovanDynasty
    @DonovanDynasty 3 роки тому

    If I was the catcher that guy at the end would drive me crazy

  • @Soxruleyanksdrool
    @Soxruleyanksdrool 2 роки тому

    I thought they were going to tell things like how and why spreading your arms out came to mean both "safe" and "no swing". I mean, what does that gesture have to do with being safe or not performing a full swing of the bat?

  • @lambdalambdalambda257
    @lambdalambdalambda257 2 роки тому

    I find it insane there was a time deaf people were called dummies as if they couldn't learn something as simple as hearing lol

    • @riverview9320
      @riverview9320 Рік тому

      I think it referred to deaf and dumb - dumb as in unable to speak. That's all that was referring to.

  • @jaylew8408
    @jaylew8408 3 роки тому

    It makes sense an umpire would try and steal the glory from a deaf guy

  • @LancasterResponding
    @LancasterResponding 3 роки тому

    2:28 Can we please talk about this nasty pitch that kid threw? That’s filthy, absolutely disgusting.

  • @joeyteter9383
    @joeyteter9383 3 роки тому

    I would still rather have that umpire at the end more than Angel.

  • @michaelsmiley15
    @michaelsmiley15 2 роки тому

    The primary problem is when professional baseball umpires got hired as softball umpires and the American softball association is completely different from MLB
    In professional baseball most empires have a side motioned with their index finger pointing to the side that's a strike motion in professional softball or anything under the American softball association you're supposed to take a fist and then raise your right arm real slow and a quick fast motion for a strike call these are 2 different physical actions and when umpires in professional baseball had to be retrained To work softball they brought softball techniques back with them into professional baseball and it doesn't happen a whole lot any more but for many many years that was a problum

  • @pdevine4652
    @pdevine4652 3 роки тому

    "the natural thing to do is to is twirl your finger in the air like you're giving an invisible giant a prostate exam." that's just brilliant writing and yet, so wrong at the same time.

  • @MeatyOchre
    @MeatyOchre 11 місяців тому

    I’ve watched baseball my entire life and have never once wondered where they came from. Am I an npc?

  • @patrickegan8866
    @patrickegan8866 3 роки тому

    Are those umpires off to join the army? Weird seeing hand signals taken so seriously

  • @coachmcguirk6297
    @coachmcguirk6297 3 роки тому +2

    He wasn't mute though. He was deaf. Not deaf and dumb. Why was his nickname dummy??

  • @chankballyesh3952
    @chankballyesh3952 2 роки тому

    There should be a hall of shame for angel Hernandez

  • @foxjeffworthy4368
    @foxjeffworthy4368 3 роки тому

    If I am calling a strike. I think its like aiming a crossbow. Which seems appropriate. For some reason.

  • @RustyB5000
    @RustyB5000 3 роки тому

    are you magic mitch? you sound just like him :)

  • @X_x_MVP_x_X
    @X_x_MVP_x_X 3 роки тому

    My goodness an umpire school....😂😂

  • @chesthoIe
    @chesthoIe 3 роки тому +3

    He was nicknamed Dummy because of a thing about himself that he had no control over, and that he rose above to play baseball professionally, and we are terrible human beings.

    • @BaseballHistorian
      @BaseballHistorian  3 роки тому +7

      I had the same thought when I started reading about him, so I looked into it.
      Apparently, the word “dumb” was used at the time to describe someone who did not speak, and it was only over time that it came to be used as a synonym for stupid. Hoy actually preferred to be called Dummy, and he often corrected people who called him by his given name of William, so at least it seems that he wasn’t offended by it.

    • @jayef53
      @jayef53 3 роки тому +2

      @@BaseballHistorian Hoy's teammates learned Sign Language so they could communicate with him. It seems that his fellow players not only accepted him, but truly made an effort to include him. A deaf player today certainly would not be called Dummy, but in Hoy's day, the nickname was not an insult. It was no different than calling a player Red, Lefty, or Whitey.

    • @BaseballHistorian
      @BaseballHistorian  3 роки тому +1

      @@jayef53 Exactly. My first reaction was to think his teammates were just being mean, but it’s actually a pretty uplifting story