Gentlemen,
My thanks to each of you for your feedback (public and private).
I'll just comment on a couple of points that were raised.
Many of you commented on the "quickness" of my timing on ball/strike calls. This was actually the second game I had evaluated and
both evaluators commented that my timing was fine on "ball" calls but too quick on "strike" calls. I honestly didn't know what they were referring to until I saw the video. Then it was clear to even me that I was much too quick on the strike calls. I believe my timing is better now, but I'd kind of like to see another video to be sure. I don't believe this is a result of working solo (my first evaluated game was 2-man & the evaluator had the same comment), but just a part of my learning process.
As to Pete Booth's question regarding why I am working solo, as SD Steve suggests, the norm around here is for most "lower level" games to be covered by a single umpire. As a "new guy", I was mostly working lower level games this past season. About 1/3 of the games I worked I had a partner and about 2/3s I worked solo. I certainly prefer working with a partner, but I also prefer working solo to not umpiring at all.
A couple of things I've changed since the video was taken....
I no longer "shop around" the count - I just give it straight ahead to the pitcher.
I still "point" strikes, but I do it pretty close to horizontal & keep it lower than my shoulder. (I swear that Dick Nelson taught me the "high point" at the Desert Classic last year on the last day when we were allowed to personalize our strike mechanic. So many people told me that it didn't look good that I changed it.)
On strike three I don't point and then punch anymore. Just punch out on a called K3, hammer on a swinging K3.
Finally, a number of you commented on no visible "lock-in" mechanism. I try to use my "slot arm" resting on my thigh as my lock-in. The clip below shows a couple of pitches to a LH batter where you can see this.
Click here to watch UmpJM2
Thanks again for the feedback. I appreciate it.
JM