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Originally Posted by Tim C
When did this even become an issue? Why does ANYONE think there is an value in dropping the 'indiclickercounter' in your ball bag?
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Tim: I find it useful, I think, because it's what I'm used to. There is enormous value in umpiring, I think, in finding what you're comfortable with. At the plate, especially, the more that's habit for me, the more I can concentrate on what's important- did that pitch cross the strike zone. That's why, for me at least, it's very, very hard to put "major" training into action on the field, especially behind the plate. After 15 years in the scissors, I changed this year to the box (after being cliniced that it's really better and I won't move up in the scissors). It was easily my third game before I stopped catching myself kicking my right leg out behind me. I hate change, basically, but I know that to get better and to move up, I have to be coachable. By the way, now that I'm in the box, I wouldn't go back. Wow- what a difference for my legs, my back, and most important, my view of the outside corner.
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2) If we trust "angle over distance" then any two man crew can cover any baseball gamed played by shaving aged players.
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Truer words were never posted on this site. Having worked 2,3 and 4 man crews, with 95% in 2 man, I can tell you it's AMAZING what you see with more umpires- or, more to the point, what you don't see with two. Having said that, I think "angle over distance" is a governing philosophy that applies inversely to the number of umpires on the field- it's a tool for getting as good a view as you can while facing the realities of having only two umpires.
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3) An umpire needs to understand baseball as a game to really be a top notch arbitor -- knowing the game allows an umpire to know and properly utilize the "unwritten rules" we all have referenced.
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Right on the money, again.
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4) Strikes & Outs are what define the top umpires. The higher the quality of game, the more important the tilt means that umpires who can still call pitches strikes and runners out will always prevail over those that find safety in the opposite.
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Wow. And I say that at the end of my posts just because strikes and outs tend to get me to my favorite post-game beverage quicker.
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5) A well trained umpire can still call the checked/unchecked swing when requested even if he is in "B" or "C" position.
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I'm learning that, too. Thanks, Tim.
Strikes and outs!