Maybe you should ask these questions even to the Major League umpires.

You wrote a very tough post, Scott. I must admit there are reasonables doubts in it.
But in my rulebook, there's nothing stated about official's duties on the way of calling strikes. So you absolutely lack of any argument.
So I'll tell you: if you, as manager, are going to eat me alive only arguing my style without any broken play happened, I'm tossing you every game of my life.


Sorry, I don't get it.

Oh my!
 

Oh my ........

Carl and I have agreed again.

Hmm are the planets out of line or what?

It isn't often we agree on some things but I do have to bow to Carl for his rule knowledge.

There is probably none better

A bad habit is a weakness. Turning your head is a bad habit. Therefore....

Now, do you believe the umpire who turns his head at the plate after a call gains something from that "mechanics"?

Re: Oh my!
 

Umpire mechanics are taught to the lowest common denominator. I will agree that there are umpires out there, especially the newer umpires, that cannot call a strike out to the side without losing what's going on in from of them. Of course, in umpire school, all umpires are required to use the same hammer mechanic. And once they hit the minor leagues, they are allowed to add some individuality.

With proper timing, though, the ball is almost being returned to the pitcher before the signal is made. Why is it such an issue?

If turning to the side is such an issue, the umpire should be slowing down his timing -- he has far bigger problems than turning to the side.

But my umpiring mechanics shouldn't be dictated by those umpires who can't chew gum and walk at the same time.

And why would a plate umpire worry about banging someone out, Scott? Real baseball is not played with one umpire.

--Rich

I say it is not a weakness or a bad habit. Stick to rules, Carl, where you can rightfully claim to have superior knowledge.

I'm not saying I'm perfect. I've picked up some important things to improve my platework this season, especially from some video I have had taken. But this "issue" is just silly. It's just drivel that evaluators like to use in order to stir up crap.

[Edited by Rich Fronheiser on May 30th, 2004 at 12:14 PM]

Well, I turn my head when I call strikes. I do not do it on all plays. I only do it when there is not play to be made on the bases. It has worked for me well during my 8 year career. I am sure like Rich said, there are those that cannot chew bubble gum and walk at the same time and that is a problem for those that would use this mechanic. But I cannot think of one time I ever missed anything by doing this. Because I use my voice first, then signal second. I would not want to do it any other way. And I have always been considered to be a very good umpire by those that have observed me work the plate.

It is not for everyone and it should be used with consideration of the play that you call. I never do it on swinging strikes, just called ones. I have found a system that works for me and helps my timing and sell the call.

Peace

Rich: I appreciate your admitting my superior knowledge about the rules.

You seem to disparage my knowledge of mechanics.

Here's my resume:

Referee Enterprises published:

<i>Behind the Mask</i> (c) 1987
<i>On the Bases</i> (c) 1987
<i>Take Charge</i> (c) 1990

RightSports published:

<i>51 Ways to Ruin a Baseball Game</i> (c) 2000

Gerry Davis Sports Education published:

<i>Working the Plate/Working the Bases</i> (c) 2002

Due out at the end of the summer:

<i>50 MORE Ways to Ruin a Baseball Game</i> (c) 2004

I don't claim I have mechanics knowledge superior to yours; but three separate publishers, in three separate decades, have thought my work sufficiently "plausible" (shall we say) to stake their money on my ideas.

I repeat:

The umpire gains nothing when he turns his head away from the field.

The umpire <i>may</I> lose when he turns his head.

As yet, I have heard nothing other than "cosmetics" (I like to do it!) to support this bad habit.

I do not want to crap on your experience. But I think that some of us have been officiating (not just baseball for some time now) and have come to some conclusions on our own. There are a lot of things that people do in officiating that is personal and makes them do their jobs the way they choose to. And if the only reason is "cosmetic," well that is good enough for me. I did not go to umpire school. I will more than likely never go to umpire school, so I really do not care what they teach or what they require. If you call it a bad habit, so. Because I do not work in your area and have to be evaluated by you. I have never been told to stop doing it and have never been told it was a bad habit. I do not think we all have to be robots out there when we umpire. Teach whatever you feel is good, I will do what I have been taught and what works for me. I think I can come to my own conclusions, just like those that use the GD system. ;)

Peace

Does this mean you agree that turning his head away from the field gains the umpire nothing?

It is called personal preference.
 

No Carl. I feel it does have a purpose for me and I gain a lot by doing it. But you have come to your own conclusion, just like I have come to my own conclusion.

Peace

Great lines, I agree.

Carl, not all the choice we make are directed to "gain" something. If we establish that a good timing can guarantee a "safe" call even turning the head, there's no difference between this mechanic and any other. So, if we feel more confidence with this mechanic, a change could be a bad choice more that we can image.

Re: It is called personal preference.
 

No, I didn't ask if you had a "purpose" in doing it. My question meant: Do you gain something on the call by doing it?

I know you like it.
I know no one has told you to stop.
I know you don't thnk it's a bad habit.
I know you don't believe umpires should be robots.

What I don't know is:

What does turning your head gain?

For example, I track the ball from the pitcher's hand to the catcher's mitt. I gain something from that: I don't fall prey to tunnel vision; I don't lose the ball at the cutout and so judge it too soon.

After I call a strike, I continue looking straight ahead. I gain something from that: I keep the whole field in sight, and I'm ready to halt play if something untoward happens behind the field umpire (dog runs onto the field, a ball is loose, and so forth). I'm also alert to any shennaigans a pitcher or someone else wants to try.

I have been told to keep my eye "everlastingly on the ball." I can't do that if I turn my head when I call a strike.

I repeat:

Turning your head gains nothing.
Turning your head <i>may</i> lose something.

Re: Re: It is called personal preference.
 

I can only speak for myself. But I gain my timing. It helps me slow down and take a second before I call a pitch. Now, this is not just because of the "head turning," but it is because of the way I have to get in position to turn my head.


That all sounds great and wonderful Carl. But the reality is that if it works for you, do it. I only turn my head personally for just a second. I do it when it is clear that nothing else is going to happen. I do it to help my timing and it works for me. I think it is really stupid (from a personal standpoint) to put your hands in a locked position when you are in your stance behind the plate, but I see umpires do it all the time. I know we see the Major League Umpires do this all the time, but they have guys that are making millions to not let balls get by them for any reason. For those that work lower level games, where having a good catcher is a rarity much of the time, I do not see this is as good thing to do. But do you see me telling folks that putting your arms right on your knees when calling the plate is stupid and unncessary? I have been hit in the arms and almost broke my arms on more than one occasion. I am sure umpires gain something in their mind by doing that, but I would like to avoid broken arms and I gain a piece of mind by doing something other than that. But that is a personal choice I have made and can live with.

I guess God has spoken. But since you are not the one that I pray to, I will do what I feel is best when it comes to me. I have also never taught anyone to do it my way. I think umpires always have to find a style that works for them. And I do think their can be something you can lose if you do not do it properly. But that is with those that do not use the mechanic. But this is not different than advocating one stance over another. That is why you have umpires doing what works for them.

Peace

Re: Re: Re: It is called personal preference.
 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by JRutledge

Quote:

I can only speak for myself. But I gain my timing. It helps me slow down and take a second before I call a pitch. Now, this is not just because of the "head turning," but it is because of the way I have to get in position to turn my head. I only turn my head personally for just a second. I do it when it is clear that nothing else is going to happen. I do it to help my timing and it works for me.

Mr. Rutledge: All right, let's say you use the scissors or heel/toe or balanced stance [not the GD: I understand]. How do you hold your head so that turning it <i>after</i> the pitch helps your timing?

Wait, I'm misreading. How does <i>preparing</i> to turn your head after you call the pitch help you "slow down"?

From my point of view, it's hard enough to track the ball. I'd never be able to track my head as well.

Oh, I'd also be interested in knowing how you can determine <I>in advance</i> that "nothing else is going to happen."

I'm not disparaging anything, Carl. Your resume speaks well of your WRITING ability, of which I will not debate either.

Bill O'Reilly, Ann Coulter, Sean Hannity, Michael Moore, and many others have been able to find publishers. People like reading authors with strong opinions and with reputations. Your work at Referee was excellent, however much of your more recent works seem to be written to tilt at windmills rather than to educate and inform. Your "never in position A" writing is a good example of this, Carl.

I don't have the time or inclination to write books or even write articles on umpiring. I'm sure that I could do so if I had the time or the desire. I have neither. But that doesn't mean a darn thing.

I'm more impressed with your umpiring resume than your resume as an author.

Turn your head, don't turn your head. I don't care. Teach new umpires not to turn their heads, I agree. But don't make a blanket statement that all umpires benefit from this. I don't -- the ball is either caught or not caught well before I signal a strike.