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Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA
ASA has changed the mechanic for the timing of when plate umpires are to drop to the set position on a pitch.
It was stay up until the pitch is determined to not be illegal, drop to the set position while following the ball, make the call.
Now, the umpire is to drop to the set position upon the first movement of the pitcher after the required stop to begin the pitch. Reasoning: Don't want the umpire moving while the ball is in flight and this is the way it is done in all other games.
My concern: Consistency is drilled into us as umpires from day one. The two most difficult tasks for a SP plate umpire is to determine 12' on the arc of a pitch and make a timely illegal call on a low pitch.
In an upright position, the umpire can use whatever tool, visual reference or just pure judgment to determine what is 12' on that day as long as it is consistent. If an umpire drops to the proper set position (top of the strike zone), every time s/he needs to look up and determine 12', it will be from a different point of origin as not all batters are the same height. I don't believe there is any way an umpire can be consistent and will, in turn, either stop calling IPs or be the target of some serious trash. IOW, I think this change makes the umpire's duty more difficult and provides no positive to offset what could be a negative factor in umpiring a game.
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And, if you have to look up at the 12 foot level, or even 10 feet; your head will be moving while the ball is in flight. I don't even think any drop is needed in SP, standing erect as we have is fine.