[cpa]

Here another .02 worth --

1. The higher level ball, I absolutely like the NCAA mechanic

2. Low level ball, including 10-16 rec ball -- I won't use it unless I get an inning or two worth of confidence in the pitcher and catcher warming up -- too much of a circus going on, even w/ my superior game management skills (LOL)

3. I have a "rep" of working fast -- it's always 45-55 seconds and we're playing ball -- so I keep games moving. But before we get to that point -- I often use that interval in rec games to train rookie umpires -- OJT in a situation (rec ball) which is almost by definition, an OJT situation

4. It seems that folks who insist novice umpires blindly follow this mechanic are ignoring a greater need for them to have a good measure of "hand holding" from their partners -- and if you do follow that mechanic, then when you deviate to communicate during innings, it's gonna be noticed a lot more than the traditional mentor-mentee getting together on the first base line for 10 seconds of tweaking

Having said all that -- I love the mechanic for NCAA, and I wish Fed would adopt it as well