Quote:
Originally Posted by gordon30307
The only time I watch an official work is if I'm going to support a friend working a State Tourney game etc. Watching a game on TV or in person I'm watching the GAME. I don't care who's working what playoff series etc. At the major league level game management is different, coverage is different, there's no FPSR, fly ball coverage is different. They're working with four man crews. If you want to learn umpiring attend clinics, join an association, get a mentor and do lots and lots of games.
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There was no FPSR in the many OBR games I worked either, and I've certainly learned a lot over the years by watching MLB umpires. Just because the pros don't play by the sissy HS rules doesn't mean you shouldn't watch them at work.
I worked plenty of 3 man and some 4 man games as well, and the rotations and coverages were exactly the same as MLB. If I were to work 6 man, I'm sure we would be using MLB rotations and coverages. I worked over 3,000 games over 21 years, and still find things to learn from watching the umpires on TV or at the games. There are lots of things to study, most importantly how to carry yourself on the field. They are generally the best umpires in the business (with a few notable exceptions), so there is always something to be learned by emulating them.