[EsqUmp]

Mechanics manuals are a set of compromises agreed upon by those who write and edit the manuals. Not all people seated around the table will agree upon each mechanic. As long as those who are evaluating stick with the manual and the philosophies behind the mechanics, umpires should be in good shape. A problem arises when UICs/evaluators/clinicians start to put their own unapproved twist on things based on their own preferences. I have spoken with countless umpires who return from clinics (primarily ASA or NCAA) with mechanics or techniques that not only aren't in the manual, but often contradict those that are.

As we have seen in NCAA over the last ten years or so, mechanics can become less rigid once a higher percentage of umpires are on the same page. In years past, manuals had a tendency to turn umpires into "spot umpires." Umpires would jump to a position like well-trained robots without giving thought as to why they would go there. The idea of pausing, reading the play and then reacting to the play was virtually non-existent. Though things have improved, there is certainly a long way to go. Still today, umpires will see a ball hit toward the outfield and start coming inside the diamond rather than reading the play and letting the ball take them to the play.

An example of an unnecessary button-hook (leaving alone rimming with no runners on base) is on fly balls to the outfield. Umpires drop their head, run inside and prepare to take the runner to the next base if the runner tags up. Here's the question I ask the umpires when I think they came inside needlessly: "What are the elements you are looking for on a tag-up situation?" The answer is always, "The runner." When I ask them, "What else?" they almost always say, "The base." Rarely does the umpire say, "The ball." Now, the umpire was always able to see the runner. The umpire was always able to see the base. The umpire could have seen the ball by opening up. What these overly-button-hooking umpires don't often see is the ball. How can you rule on a tag-up appeal if you don't see the ball? If you can't button-hook inside the diamond in time to see the ball as it arrives near the outfield, don't come inside. Just open up, face the ball and glance at the runners.