Calling the Plate, where do you set up?

[Kaliix]

Why is it that most articles I read on where to position yourself when calling the plate seem to favor the slot? Can an umpire be effective calling the plate by setting up behind the catcher either on the inside corner or outside corner depending on where the catcher goes?

I see Major League Umpires use all different sort of techniques, some, which to my untrained eye, look like they are setting up behind the catcher and making calls from there.

It seems to me that if the catcher is set up outside that being set up on the outside corner would make sense.

I notice that trying to work from the slot that I see that I obviously see the inside corner fine but I am kinda guessing on the outside corner. I realize that over time, one would learn where the outside corner is, but why not just set up over the outside corner if that is where they are trying to pitch?

Where do you guys set up? Always in the slot? Behind where ever the catcher sets up (basically inside corner or outside corner)? Ove the middle of the plate?

I am really looking for some guidance and opinion here?

[dishboss]

If you work the slot properly you will get a full view of the plate. I would suggest changing you head height to see if you can get the outside corner more. If you are still having problems move into the slot a little more. For example, if a right-handed batter, move to your left and come up a little. You should be able to get all of the plate.

[DG]

I set up with my nose on the inside corner of the plate with full view of the outside corner of the plate. My head would be above the catcher's head so I can see the outside corner. If the catcher is back I can be back, if he is crowding the plate, I will have to move up with him to see the outside corner. There are times when I can't see the corner, and I do the best I can. This would be when the catcher and batter are crowding the plate and the catcher is setting up inside. In an extreme situation of batter and catcher crowding and catcher setting up inside I might shift to the catcher's opposite shoulder, especially if he moves to his left at TOP. Catcher's moving around after TOP can take strikes away from their pitcher, because if I am set and he moves he may block my view.

[jicecone]

This is like asking three Baptist a religios question. You are going to get 12 answers.

You want to set up in a position that gets you the BEST view possible of the pitch. I have set up in the slot, directly behind the catcher and even on the outside corner when the batter is crowding the plate and the catcher is calling for an inside pitch.

IMO, whatever it takes to get right calls and a consistant zone, is the best position for you.

It took me several years to establish a comfortable position. This happened after I went to the (Hulk Hogan) position, (wrestlers) and just above the catchers head. Elbows on my thighs for stability slightly in the slot. Utilizing the catcher for protection as much as possible.

It is just not always a straight forward, this is what Im going to do when officiating baseball. The catcher movement, height and ability will determine the fine adjustments you have to make. Batter an/or bat movement is sometimes a distraction also.

One important thing though, once you get into a stance or position good for you, keep you head up and your body square to the pitcher. Learn to rely on your equipment and make your equipment as exposable as possible to protect you, when necessary.

[Rich]

Originally posted by DG
I set up with my nose on the inside corner of the plate with full view of the outside corner of the plate. My head would be above the catcher's head so I can see the outside corner. If the catcher is back I can be back, if he is crowding the plate, I will have to move up with him to see the outside corner. There are times when I can't see the corner, and I do the best I can. This would be when the catcher and batter are crowding the plate and the catcher is setting up inside. In an extreme situation of batter and catcher crowding and catcher setting up inside I might shift to the catcher's opposite shoulder, especially if he moves to his left at TOP. Catcher's moving around after TOP can take strikes away from their pitcher, because if I am set and he moves he may block my view.

This is a BS excuse. You are punishing a catcher because he moved to catch a pitch? While I have heard this many times, I don't buy it.

Frankly, I don't need to see the ball into the glove to judge where it is -- I've seen the release point, I know if it's a fastball or breaking ball, and I have a pretty good idea where it is crossing the plate and ending up. If I get blocked I use my best judgment to call the pitch -- if that judgment tells me the pitch is a strike, I call it a strike.

This season I've set my initial position and not varied it -- if the catcher moves, I don't, unless my view of the release point is blocked. Then I adjust higher until I can see the release point. Feet stay still. Once in a great while I'll step up if the catcher adjusts up a LOT. Cleaning up the happy feet means that all I have to do is lock in and focus on the timing of that. Not that I'm always perfect there, but it helps me be more consistent.

--Rich

[PeteBooth]

I see Major League Umpires use all different sort of techniques, some, which to my untrained eye, look like they are setting up behind the catcher and making calls from there.

I am really looking for some guidance and opinion here?

In the Major leagues, there are 4 umpires, meaning they have maximum coverage. Most of the ball we call utilizes the 2 person mechanics, meaning the PU cannot stay stationary behind home plate.

Therefore, in addition to finding a stance for better Strike / Ball consistency we also need a stance that allows us to get out from behind the plate in a relatively easy and quick manner.

The "slot" position is best suited for this, meaning we can see either corner and also can get out from behind the plate rather quickly.

The other stances which are taught but not utilized that much are one of TEE'S (sorry TEE couldn't resist) favorite stances, the scissors and the other stance is getting down on one knee which you see some major league umpires utilize.

My recommendation would be to try all 3 stances to see which one you are most comfortable with, keeping in mind that you are going to have to move. IMO you cannot go wrong using the "Slot" stance because it allows you to call a more consistent game plus allows you to move quickly from behind the plate which is a MUST in a 2 person system.

Pete Booth

[David B]

Originally posted by Rich Fronheiser

This is a BS excuse. You are punishing a catcher because he moved to catch a pitch? While I have heard this many times, I don't buy it.

Frankly, I don't need to see the ball into the glove to judge where it is -- I've seen the release point, I know if it's a fastball or breaking ball, and I have a pretty good idea where it is crossing the plate and ending up. If I get blocked I use my best judgment to call the pitch -- if that judgment tells me the pitch is a strike, I call it a strike.

This season I've set my initial position and not varied it -- if the catcher moves, I don't, unless my view of the release point is blocked. Then I adjust higher until I can see the release point. Feet stay still. Once in a great while I'll step up if the catcher adjusts up a LOT. Cleaning up the happy feet means that all I have to do is lock in and focus on the timing of that. Not that I'm always perfect there, but it helps me be more consistent.

--Rich

I've seen the same thing Rich. I've moved back where I'm a good arms length from F2 and I can see so much more and it doesn't matter now if F2 wants to set up on the inside.

By simply taking a higher stance (look) it easy to tell where the pitch is. You might not be able to see the F2 actually catch the pitch when he's on the inside corner and BR is crowding the plate but you can tell by the things you mentioned above if its a strike.

I've never liked when I see an umpire move outside just because F2 is moving inside. But if you get totally blocked, its a ball. Thats F2's fault, and the coach won't say a word because he knows it.

Playoff game last night so we have teams that we;ve not called all year etc., and F2 asks me, "do I smell that bad?" He had noticed how far back I was and how much room he had. I think the catchers like not having the umpire on their backs.

Thanks
David

[DG]

Originally posted by Rich Fronheiser

This is a BS excuse. You are punishing a catcher because he moved to catch a pitch? While I have heard this many times, I don't buy it.

Frankly, I don't need to see the ball into the glove to judge where it is -- I've seen the release point, I know if it's a fastball or breaking ball, and I have a pretty good idea where it is crossing the plate and ending up. If I get blocked I use my best judgment to call the pitch -- if that judgment tells me the pitch is a strike, I call it a strike.

This season I've set my initial position and not varied it -- if the catcher moves, I don't, unless my view of the release point is blocked. Then I adjust higher until I can see the release point. Feet stay still. Once in a great while I'll step up if the catcher adjusts up a LOT. Cleaning up the happy feet means that all I have to do is lock in and focus on the timing of that. Not that I'm always perfect there, but it helps me be more consistent.

--Rich

The very few times I move to the right it's because the batter is crowding the plate, usually with his hands hanging out over the plate, and the catcher just moved inside on me and I can't see anything. I can't see the pitcher or the plate. Now why is it BS to move where I can see the pitch? If I don't move I will be punishing somebody because I am not calling a strike on a pitch I can't see.

[Rich]

Originally posted by DG

The very few times I move to the right it's because the batter is crowding the plate, usually with his hands hanging out over the plate, and the catcher just moved inside on me and I can't see anything. I can't see the pitcher or the plate. Now why is it BS to move where I can see the pitch? If I don't move I will be punishing somebody because I am not calling a strike on a pitch I can't see.

It's BS to say you won't call a pitch a strike if you can't see it -- as if BALL is the default call or something.

[DG]

Originally posted by Rich Fronheiser

It's BS to say you won't call a pitch a strike if you can't see it -- as if BALL is the default call or something.

Calling one I can't see a STRIKE is equally undesirable as calling it a ball. It's BS not to setup where you can see some portion of the pitch and make a legitimate call. You admit you adjust, you adjust higher, so why is it BS for me to adjust in a different way?

[LDUB]

Originally posted by PeteBooth
In the Major leagues, there are 4 umpires, meaning they have maximum coverage. Most of the ball we call utilizes the 2 person mechanics, meaning the PU cannot stay stationary behind home plate.

Therefore, in addition to finding a stance for better Strike / Ball consistency we also need a stance that allows us to get out from behind the plate in a relatively easy and quick manner.

The "slot" position is best suited for this, meaning we can see either corner and also can get out from behind the plate rather quickly.

I understand that in a 2 man system, going on one knee is not ideal, it will slow you down. But setting up directly behind the catcher won't slow you down. The plate is 17 inches wide. The difference between setting up with your nose on the inside corner and your nose in the middle of the plat is 8.5 inches away. Now you can't tell me that 8.5 inches will slow you down.

[Rich]

Originally posted by DG

Calling one I can't see a STRIKE is equally undesirable as calling it a ball. It's BS not to setup where you can see some portion of the pitch and make a legitimate call. You admit you adjust, you adjust higher, so why is it BS for me to adjust in a different way?

I must be having a communications problem. What I was saying is that it is BS to say you can't call it a strike if you can't see the pitch. My point is -- you also can't call it a ball if you don't see it.

Adjust however you need to. I would advise against working the outside shoulder, though -- some ML umpires were trying that and one I know of took a shot that ended his career. Most foul balls go over the outside shoulder.

--Rich

[DG]

I turned on the TV and found Atlanta playing Milwaukee in the 6th. Milwaukee is wearing "Braves" uniforms, which is kind of interesting. Must be a throwback night. LH pitcher pitching to a LH batter. After TOP, the catcher moves to his right, and home plate umpire immediately moves to a position over the catcher's left shoulder. Set up in the slot, but if the catcher moves at the last instant, and blocks the view, you got to find a place where you can see the pitch. The view is just as good on the opposite corner, better if there are no players in the way of the view.

[Rich]

Originally posted by DG
I turned on the TV and found Atlanta playing Milwaukee in the 6th. Milwaukee is wearing "Braves" uniforms, which is kind of interesting. Must be a throwback night. LH pitcher pitching to a LH batter. After TOP, the catcher moves to his right, and home plate umpire immediately moves to a position over the catcher's left shoulder. Set up in the slot, but if the catcher moves at the last instant, and blocks the view, you got to find a place where you can see the pitch. The view is just as good on the opposite corner, better if there are no players in the way of the view.

An absolutely great view of something you're not used to seeing.

[David B]

Originally posted by DG
I turned on the TV and found Atlanta playing Milwaukee in the 6th. Milwaukee is wearing "Braves" uniforms, which is kind of interesting. Must be a throwback night. LH pitcher pitching to a LH batter. After TOP, the catcher moves to his right, and home plate umpire immediately moves to a position over the catcher's left shoulder. Set up in the slot, but if the catcher moves at the last instant, and blocks the view, you got to find a place where you can see the pitch. The view is just as good on the opposite corner, better if there are no players in the way of the view.

If the view is just as good, then I would recommend just set up there on every pitch.

But, wait, I don't see that mentioned in any umpire mechanic books or discussed etc.,

There are several reasons why you don't get as good a look on the outside but as Rich mentioned mainly safety.

The best way to see the pitch is to move back.

If the batter moves in, step back. If you still can't see the pitch then your head is too low.

But its your game, and an umpire is free to set up whereever he wants, unless he's in our association and then we tell them where to set up.

Thanks
David