[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by IowaBlue

You make good points, but are also missing the forest for the trees. Yes, virtually all good umpires started with ASA training. This is part of my disillusion. I think that training can be improved and it hurts some umpires that fail to see the larger picture that there is a world outside of the ASA manual, and this can in turn hurt the games and teams that they are working.

I do not believe that to be true and your statements about your UIC seem to show that to a point.

And as far as the "lowest common denominator," that is entirely my point. Many of these NCAA mechanics such as the GD stance and "rimming" are much easier and simpler to utilize than what ASA offers. So why are they excluded entirely from ASA doctrine?

Actually, "working the rim" in a general setting proves to be a lazy man's mechanic in some circles. And the rim doesn't work well with less than three umpires. And again, NCAA is an advanced level of umpiring of which many umpires cannot adapt.

I've been around the block enough to know that this is the deal, thus my reluctance to work ASA anymore do to not wanting to compromise down to their standards.

That's hilarious.

My experience has been just the opposite. The old, ASA style stance just killed my back and knees. Now I use the GD and could go all day long behind the plate.

Okay, good for you.

I don't really understand your point here. With GD, you get EXACTLY the same look on every single pitch. This is what you should be shooting for. Yes, batters change height, and you adjust the zone accordingly. Maintaining the same view throughout the entire game leads to a more consistent zone than from one where you are changing perspective with every single new batter.

Yes, you get the same look at every pitch. But that is only one factor of your process and unfortunately because some umpires don't work the slot in the GD (which would not be right) adds one more factor into your set up and that is the catcher. Working the slot, I get the same strike zone for every batter for every pitch and the catcher rarely is a factor where I set up. Works for you, good. Doesn't mean it is better as the slot has been working well for me for over 40 years.

The only real difference between ASAs mechanic and the lock-box stance is just that, the lock portion. BTW, I learned a long time ago to not put my hands on the knees/legs which a pitch coming. The simple reason is that I prefer to avoid broken bones.

Execution, possibly, but you will find few umpires in better physical condition than me. I am relatively young and still in "fighting shape."

Then unless chronic, I don't know how this would hurt your back. I've got a sciatica issue for years and I'm very comfortable in it.

Apparently the all-knowing ASA pooh bahs agree with me and not you, as they have recently changed their uniform requirements to be more inclusive.

They added tan pads and silver coating, but deal. Of course, they did it for the few instead of the masses, but it's no big deal.

You are not heading to the plate unless and until the BR commits to 2B, drawing the plate umpire up to 3rd. If this does not occur, which is quite common, you are indeed wasting energy and wasting time that you could be concentrating on the 1st base area to witness possible obstruction, BR touching the bag, rounding the bag hard and then diving back to 1st on a close play, etc.

Nothing that I cannot see and from just as good a view if not better, with an extremely clear view from inside the diamond. I've worked outside, for Billy P and I am aware of how it works, even train it sometimes, but there isn't anything you can do in one that is not equally and easily attainable in the other.

I have worked numerous nationals all over the country and have been exposed to a LARGE number of umpires that had little understanding of basic ASA mechanics. You should know as well as I do that in many instances "bodies" are assigned to fill out a tournament. I have heard horror stories from others as well. You really need to get off of your high horse on this topic.

Why, only you are allowed to have an opinion? And I'm on a high horse?

And if they didn't understand the simplistic mechanics, how do you think the LARGE number of umpires would fair with the more difficult ones?

There are literally dozens of reasons behind why I am leaving ASA, and mechanics is only a very small part of it.

But since you asked, I felt I would share some of my concerns.
It appears that there is very little change forthcoming on the horizon, so perhaps I am getting out at the right time.

Hey, to each their own. I just asked you to clarify general statements and in turn offered another view. You don't want to hear it, fine by me, I've nothing to prove to you.

As noted before, good luck.