Umpires are responsible for making sure that the rules of the game are followed, and this includes signaling to the players and coaches when certain plays and situations occur. One of the most common signals given by an umpire is tapping his wrist. This signal usually means that the play is over, and it’s time to move on. But what does it mean when an umpire taps his wrist?
The Meaning of the Wrist Tap
When an umpire taps his wrist, it typically indicates that the play is over. This signal is usually given when the ball has gone out of bounds, the umpire has called a foul, or the play has ended in some other way. This signal should be taken as an indication that the play is over and that the players should move on to the next play.
When it Comes to Penalties
In some cases, the wrist tap can also be a signal for a penalty. In baseball, for example, if a player is caught using an illegal bat, the umpire will tap his wrist to indicate that the player is being penalized and must leave the game. Similarly, in football, if a player is flagged for a penalty, the umpire will tap his wrist as a signal that the penalty has been called.
Signifying the End of an Inning
In addition to signaling that a play is over, the wrist tap can also indicate that an inning is over. In baseball, for example, the umpire will tap his wrist when the third out of the inning has been recorded. This signal lets the players and coaches know that the inning is over and that it’s time to move on to the next inning.
When it Comes to Replays
In some cases, the wrist tap can also be a signal for a replay review. In baseball, for example, if a play is close enough that the umpire believes it should be reviewed, he will tap his wrist to indicate that the play should be reviewed. This signal lets the players and coaches know that the play is being reviewed and they should wait until the review is finished before resuming the game.
Conclusion
The wrist tap is a common signal used by umpires to indicate that the play is over or that a penalty or replay review has been called. This signal lets the players and coaches know that they should move on to the next play or the next inning. It’s important to understand what this signal means so that the game can be played correctly and efficiently.