|
Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA
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.
Thought #1, A hammer does not have to be over your head so other players and fans can see it. How many times in a BB game have you seen confusion about whether the umpire calls a person out or safe, esp on plays that are not close?
Thought #2: I am very familiar with the ASA manual, and the p[oints for slowing down umpires has utility for othert sports too.
An overhand on a routine out is showboating and uncalled for assuming it was a routing out.
Thought #3: I am lost as to what an overhand is, I assume it is a big ringup. I'm not saying a ringup is needed on obvious plays, we all know that. I think the hammer is too showy, when a simple out sign will do.
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.
Thought #4, there were other things too I was not crazy with too, and I won't condemn an instructor for what a student misunderstands or gets wrong. All I am saying is that they came home with stuff I am not sure works well.
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.
Thought #5, Okay fine, your point is well-taken, my experince is limited. But I do know from what I hear, see, and read on this and other boards that there is more enforced uniformity on mechanics in SB than BB. If I am wrong, I withdraw the comment. Watching the NCAA SB stuff on ESPN it sure looks to me like they are close to the same mechanically, all of them.
You can drop the "gotta do it to get the big games" whine because it just isn't so.
|