Tracking

[fwump]

I have been umpiring for 8 yrs now. Every year its gets easier. Like my friend and colleague Roland I am a self taught umpire. I have never attended a clinic or 6 week school although I intend to.
This year at our organization clinic Roland himself pointed out to me during plate drill that I was not tracking the ball all the way into the glove with my eyes. My stance and timing were good, and my head was still. But my eyes wandered at the last second.

Help me! I work hard every game to correct this but I still find myself losing track of the ball after it crosses the plate. How do I correct this? Advice please.

Mike

[Tim C]

One great way to learn to track is to have a team of three:

Have a catcher, an umpire and a pitcher.

The pitcher is only about three feet in front of the catcher on one knee.

The pitcher just soft tosses the ball to the catcher and he watches your eyes until you can follow the ball in all six basic locations.

Then you rotate.

You need to do this over-and-over.

Tracking is a "learned" skill. Most umpires, unlike you, don't have their eyes drift . . . most umpires stare THROUGH the ball and are focused at some point out front of the plate.

Just one way to work on this skill.

[Huskerblue]

You need to train your eyes to follow the ball. Here is what I did when I was starting out. Get a pair of rolled up socks, or a soft ball (not a softball, but a soft ball). Lay on your back and toss the ball into the air. Follow the ball all the way with your eyes from your hand back into your hand. Seems silly, but it worked for me.

[UmpJM]

Tim C.,

"...all six basic locations."

I'm guessing you're referring to the "4 corners" of the strike zone plus "middle in & middle out"???

Is that correct? Just trying to make sure I understand.

Thanks.

JM

[Tim C]

Ed Zackerly! JM, on point, old chap.

[fwump]

Tim,

Your description...

"Tracking is a "learned" skill. Most umpires, unlike you, don't have their eyes drift . . . most umpires stare THROUGH the ball and are focused at some point out front of the plate."

This is likely what I am doing. I see the ball clearly as it leaves F1's hand. But don't see it as it pops into the glove. Roland said: "There is a brand name on the back of the catcher's glove. After this pitch tell me what it is" I could'nt do it.


Mike