Quote:
Originally posted by kman
In almost every sport, the first thing you learn to do is keep your eye on the ball. This is the most important rule in any sport and especially important for an umpire.
I have only been an umpire for a couple years but i have learned that if you keep your eye on the ball you have much less chance of making mistakes.
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In basketball, both (or all) officials rarely watch the ball. One watches the ball (and the player with it and the player guarding that player) and the other(s) watch the other players.
A similar arrangement exists in football.
In baseball, if an umpire always watch the ball, s/he'll miss obstruction, interference and won't be sure if the runners touched the bases. The umpire needs to learn to switch between watching the ball, then watching the players, then picking up the ball again. Learninghow and when to do this will result in a "much less chance of making mistakes."