Quote:
Originally posted by Striker991
Another reason I am not renewing my subscription to the paid part of this site...
The type of mechanics you are talking about may (and I only say "may" because I "may" not agree) be appropriate for the most experienced umpires that have trouble hobbling about the infield and can no longer apply the correct mechanics. However, do not forget that your audience, or at least 95% or better, is not at that level. The only thing you are trying to prove is that you think because you are such a big dog with God's experience on the field, that incorrect mechanics are the right way to do it. I'm calling BS, and that umpires should do it the right way, using the correct mechanics, to be in the best position at the right time.
To teach something so drastically different to this audience is wrong and on the verge of malpractice. No one is talking about the mechanics of positioning at the start of the play. If you are in "C" with a runner on 2nd, you aren't anticipating a play at 3rd. Your statement to anticipate by moving to where you expect the play to be during the play is opening up a whole can of worms, especially for newer umpires. Anticipate the play....next anticipate the outcome. What did you see on the bang bang play? Why, OUT! of course...that is what I anticipated. An even worse outcome is not quite getting out of the way of the 85mph (embellished? maybe..) ball because I was anticipating it going somewhere other than it did.
So, I guess what I am really saying is to do what you are teaching...anticipate who your audience is and teach appropriately.
I appreciate very much the people who have trained me and are training me, because they realize what my level is and understand what I should be working on. In other words, if my career goal were to be a rocket scientist, I need to learn the basics about chemistry first. To show me how to do hands on experiments with rocket fuel when I am in High School is only going to get me hurt.
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I am in good shape for age 53. I don't hobble, use a cane, or need a knee replacement. I am 6 feet tall and weigh 185 lbs so I am not overweight but there are no umpires my age or even with 15 years of my age that I know that can keep up with with 20 year old athletes who have visions of MLB in their heads. It ain't gonna happen, that's reality.
Yet I am suppose to use pro school mechanics developed for 20 something pro school students.
The mechanics are guidelines, starting points if you will. The great umpire adapts them to his abilities, not the other way around. When I was a new umpire, I was not given the option of changing the mechanics; it was one size fits all if you wanted to move up. With experience, comes privileges. Now, when I do a non-standard mechanic, people, even my assingor ask why, rather than condemning it.
In pro school, the goal is to master the mechanics and look good. Getting the calls right is of secondary importance.
At my level, getting the calls right is of primary importance. If I have to modify the mechanics, so be it. There are good reasons to modify the mechanics for umpires of all ages, depending on the situation. The pro mechanics were developed for new umpires who did not want to think or could not think because of their lack of experience.
With regards to the readership, I don't know want the exact experience level is of the paid subscriber. However, I deliberately try to address subjects which no one else is addressing. As GarthB has pointed out, there are a slew of writers addressing the latest rules, Little League, and and a host of the basic subjects. A good magazine presents material for all levels of experience. I am proud that I am taking on subjects that no one else is taking on.
I would hope that the rookie umpire would read my stuff with an idea as to where he can progress. I fully recognize that he might not be able to put it into practice in a new umpire career.
In any event, if you feel that my ideas are dangerous and will lead to lawsuits, you should take it up with management so that they can fire me. It would not be the first, second, or third time that I have been expelled from an internet umpire organization for stirring the pot and preaching heresy.
You deliberately misrepresented my article when you mentioned anticipating the outcome of the play. I never advocate that and there is no connection between anticipating where the play will be and anticipating the outcome.
Situation for wannabe NCAA umpires:
Bases loaded, two outs, pro school mechanics call for the umpire to be in C.
My NCAA evaluator was watching a wannabe umpire in this situation. He was in C as called for. When the count went to 3-2, the wannabe moved. Pro school mechanics require him to stay in C. They make no allowance for the count or number of outs.
The wannabe umpire moved to B. The NCAA evaluator commented that this was an umpire that he wanted to know more about. He was somebody who the evaluator could see understood the game. Yet he had adopted a non-standard mechanic.
If you think about it for a minute, you will understand why B is a superior position in this situation. Too bad that more umpires don't think. I write with the idea of making them think, not with the idea of bowing down and worshipping the gods of pro school.
Peter