Quote:
Originally posted by Jim Porter
Here we see the old-timers who are unwilling to bend in the debate. They demonstrate their survival skills of the past by adamently sticking to their guns and refusing to admit there is any call they cannot see. When faced with logical arguments, just like the BigDogs of one's local association, they insult anyone who disagrees with them by labeling them inadequate or incompetent.
But what the old-timers don't realize is that time has passed them by. A new order of officiating has taken over, and they missed it. Attitudes in officiating have changed, and they're still stuck with their old world thoughts and ideas. Once vibrant young umpires at the cutting edge of officiating, they are now simply out of touch with the game and how it is has changed in today's world.
More and more, participants and spectators alike are demanding that the thick-skulled arrogance of the past be replaced by a less brash style of umpire. Today, in demand is an umpire willing to admit his human shortcomings, and do the best he can to overcome those faults. Today, umpires need to be less hasty, and more willing to bend in key areas.
One thing that the old-timers must be struggling with is the reality that Pro schools, as well as just about any clinic or camp worth its salt, instructs plate umpires to follow the batter-runner up the line in order to be there to help on a possible pulled foot or swipe tag. Why on Earth would they waste their time teaching techniques that shouldn't be used? They don't.
Don't get stuck in the past. Avoid being labeled a hard-headed blue. If you need help to get a call right, and the mechanics are designed to provide that help, by all means take it. There is no shame in knowing your own human limitations. In my opinion, it takes a tremendous amount of courage and integrity for an umpire to admit he needs help to get a call right, and then ask for it. That is the future of baseball officiating, ladies and gentlemen. It's here to stay. Embrace it, or risk being left out in the cold with the old-timers.
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They have always taught the plate umpire to come up the line. There are other concerns besides pulled feet and swipe tags -- there's interference, obstruction, and the like as well. I won't get into running lane issues, since we all know that we'd only make that call on a throw from the box.
The rest is sentimental bullcrap, and gives newer umpires the little blue blanky that there's a plate umpire right there waiting to help out. Maybe the BU thinks then that he can worry less about getting the proper angle at the play at first base.
Starting at B as opposed to C is not relevant. The first move on a ground ball to the infield is to step UP and then turn chest to the ball. Pause. Read. React. Too many umpires forget the pause part and start running towards something, ANYTHING. To third, to second, to first. Any premature move can be fatal.
After the step up, the umpire should be drifting towards the working area from C.
If the play goes to second, make a couple of quick steps and get set. You have the angle.
If the play goes to third, make a couple of quick steps towards the midpoint between third and home. Opens up the angle.
If the play goes to first, FORGET about running directly towards first and instead get as many quick steps towards the midpoint between first and home (start of the running lane) as possible. Best angle for the play at first. Getting close to these plays is not that important.
Now, IF the umpire does everything the right way and still needs to ask for help, great. But instead of being emotional and saying that it's great and accepted that an umpire get help, we should be teaching umpires the best way to NOT NEED HELP. Get angles. Make your own calls.
I don't know if you've read the whole thread Jim, but Tee mentioned that he is ALWAYS ready to give help if needed. I am, too. Now, if we were completely old school, would we do that?
I am for getting the play right, but I refuse to check for the sake of checking. And if I am in what I consider to be a good place to see the call, I'm sticking with the call. Also, I don't know many of my partners and I'm really hesitant to give managers ammunition that maybe BOTH umpires didn't see the play. I'd rather swallow a bad call than to bring that element to play.
BTW, I attended a Jim Evans weekend clinic a few weeks ago and Jim did stress the plate umpire coming up on the ground ball. But when someone asked about getting help on such a play, Jim said that it doesn't happen if the base umpire follows proper mechanics and gets the right angle. They want the plate umpire coming up, but they also teach that you should get your own calls.
And that's where our focus should be.
If asked give your partner help, but after the game show him how to get in position so he doesn't NEED the help anymore.
If you get hit in the rear end with the batted ball, all bets are off (only Jim will understand).
Rich