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You are right, it is done WAY too often, and by long time umpires. To properly call a pitch your eyes have to track to ball all the way into the mitt before your mind can decide what the pitch was. Then you verbalize it, after deciding. This is done by keeping your head perfectly still (in the slot) and above the level of the catcher's head. Your shoulders are square and ONLY your eyes move. When properly positioned, you can see the entire plate and several inches outside.
Good luck with your learning. Amateurumpire.com has a whole sequence of instructional articles explaining mechanics at the plate and on the bases. It is good reading for the winter. Your desire to learn correctly will take you far. Also, attend a clinic if you can, especially one that has cage work for the plate umpire.
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