[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by jkumpire

I umpire BB, though last week I worked an ASA FP tournament for an evening.

And I worked your proscribed mechanics for strikes/outs/etc. I'm sorry, I think they look awful. If I thought they had a purpose to them, like slowing down people's calls so they are sure they have them right it's one thing. But, a big showy out call on a routine ground ball with the hammer over your head is showing up the runner, IMO. So is the hammer above the head on a swinging strike.

Before criticizing,........ If it's a hammer, is should be over your head so the other players and fans can see it. After all, the mechanics are for them, not the guy standing next to you. Also, if you check the proper mechanics in the ASA umpire manual, you will see the steps for slowing down the umpire.

An overhand on a routine out is showboating and uncalled for assuming it was a routing out.

I had some SB guys in my local HS association come back to our mixed SB/BB group from a national ASA clinic, and they learned some things about plate stance I thought were no real good either. As another poster put it, the worst thing they cam back with was too wide a plate stance. As wide as they teach, you are always going to be slow to react on plays because you're not balanced and your center of gravity is not centered under your body. Also, because your legs are so spread, you have to bring your feet closer together to move your body, and that split second of time can mean you are late with being able to get into a position to make a call.

Then you fellow umpires did not understand what was being taught or the instructor was trying to challenge people to give it a shot. I have never seen an instructor at a school "force" a position on an umpire that the individual could not handle. Does it take work and practice? Sure, just like anything else. Different people are different sizes, so this isn't a "one-size-fits-all" mechanic and everyone knows that. BTW, when moving to a wider stance, umpires are told to NOT place themselves so wide it is difficult to recover.

I understand that if you want to do big games, ASA and NCAA will enforce its mechanics, period. It is disappointing that they feel they have to control umpires in that way. Most great umpires are not showy, in either BB or SB. They should be able to use any body language (big or small) to sell the banger or tough call, and use as little body language as needed on the easy routine plays. I look at what I see on TV, and the big dog SB umps are being forced to use body language that does not communicate well. It looks, and feels forced, not smooth and natural. Not everyone whoi does BB is an MLB follower, I wish the higher ups in ASA and NCAA SB saw that too.

You know, the only time I've noticed similarity among the umpires working the NCAA's is the routine out. They all have their own overhand or punch, safe, sell safe and their own third strike signal. I have worked the highest level of ASA and a couple of World Cups (SP) and I can tell you from experience that every umpire has their own characteristics, even on the routine calls. Maybe you don't notice is because you are not familiar with it. I am and do.

You can drop the "gotta do it to get the big games" whine because it just isn't so.