10 Commandments of Umpiring by Ford C. Frick : A Legendary List on Baseball Almanac

The 10 Commandments of Umpiring

In 1949 Commissioner of Major League Baseball Ford Frick openly spoke about a list of ten commandments governing umpires during the game of baseball. In June 1949, Baseball Digest published that legendary list and even added that persons other than umpires might accept and put into practice some of Frick's suggestions.

"Watch your language." - Commissioner of Major League Baseball Ford C. Frick in The 10 Commandments of Umpiring (1949, Baseball Digest, Commandment #7)

The 10 Commandments of Umpiring by Ford C. Frick (1949)
#	Commandment
1	Keep your eye on the ball.
2	Keep all your personalities out of your work. Forget and forgive.
3	Avoid sarcasm. Don't insist on the last word.
4	Never charge a player and, above all, no pointing your finger or yelling.
5	Hear only the things you should hear - be deaf to others.
6	Keep your temper. A decision made in anger is never sound.
7	Watch your language.
8	Take pride in your work at all times. Remember, respect for an umpire is created off the field as well as on.
9	Review your work. You will find, if you are honest, that 90% of the trouble is traceable to loafing.
10	No matter what your opinion of another umpire, never make an adverse comment regarding him. To do so is despicable and ungentlemanly.
The 10 Commandments of Umpiring by Ford C. Frick

Do you agree or disagree with these particular "commandments"? Are there more? What are your thoughts about modern umpires? Share your opinion on Baseball Fever.

Did you know that Ford Frick was one of the pivotal forces behind the building of the actual hall of fame in Cooperstown and he was eventually elected into it in 1970?

Ford Frick was always be remembered for his decision to "place an asterisk" in the record book beside Roger Maris sixty-one home run season.

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