The CRICKET UMPIRES SIGNALS

Umpires might not be considered equipment ! But because cricket umpiring is very unique to the game, the signals used by umpires are included in this section...we hope you find them helpful. Cricket umpires traditionally wear white jackets, and dark pants, to distinguish them from the rest of the fielders. They are true judges, rather than controllers of the game as in baseball or football. They signal outs only when appealed to, by the cricketer making the play. Umpires do signal illegal pitches without having to be asked, such as no ball if the pitcher strays too far over the line from which he is supposed to deliver his pitch, or wide if the pitch is thrown too far away from the batter to give him a reasonable chance of hitting the ball. A no ball means the batter cannot be struck out or caught out, and a penalty run is awarded to the batting side. When a wide is called, a penalty run is awarded and the pitcher has to make the delivery again...hopefully, closer to the batter.When a line drive crosses the boundary of the field, or reaches the fence, the umpire signals four (meaning, four runs) by waving his right arm. If the hit is skied over the fence, like a home run in baseball, the umpire signals a sixer (meaning, six runs) by raising both hands and waving them from side to side. If you are able to read the umpires signals, it will help you to follow the game.