Umpire
The officials who enforce the rules of the game. The home plate umpire calls balls and strikes; base umpires rule on plays at the bases.
Why "Umpire" Matters
Understanding umpire helps you follow general situations during a baseball game. Pair this with our rules guide, positions overview, and the full baseball glossary.
Related General Terms
- Count
The number of balls and strikes on a batter. Always stated balls first (e.g., a 3-2 count means 3 balls and 2 strikes). - Designated Hitter (DH)
A player who bats in place of the pitcher but does not play a defensive position. Used in both leagues since 2022. - Foul Ball
A batted ball that lands outside the foul lines. Counts as a strike unless the batter already has two strikes (except bu - Full Count
A count of 3 balls and 2 strikes — the maximum of each before a walk or strikeout.