Quote:
Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA
This is probably one of the best pieces of advice in this entire string of threads.
IMO, the "let the ball take you to the play" theory is taken too literally by some umpires, particularly rookies.
It is one of those things that has been said for years, but meant to keep you eye on the ball until it is release. See the throw and move your head/eyes ahead of the ball. I don't think so much about my head being still than I do to just get my eyes focused.
This is one case where it is probably easier to do from a distance, but that is not where we are normally stationed.
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And yet, I've had a number of clinicians express that the umpire should do exactly that: follow the ball like it's some sort of doctor's vision test.
I think what they're trying to get umpires to do is to watch the ball just a little longer like you said, then be at the play, body stopped and head still. Newer umpires have the tendency to assume the play is going one place or another. Often, they're right. Unfortunately, it's when they're wrong that things go to hell.