Frustration with critique

[Tim C]

Been sitting back and trying not to enter this discussion. As always I have my own opinion:

Evaluations have become a system to 'disqualify' umpires rather than teach.

A great evaluator will help an umpire grow, correct and learn. Current evaluations are basically used to establish a pecking order for umpire rankings.

I find it a huge comedy from those who actually think a PU should place his indicator in a ball bag or pocket between pitches. Is this what training has become?

These are the same people that have never worked more than a varsity high school game giving the advice for "hiding the 'clicker'". I find that tremendously funny.

When did this even become an issue? Why does ANYONE think there is an value in dropping the 'indiclickercounter' in your ball bag?

Let's get back to teaching basics such as:

1) Timing can be defined by the comment: "Timing is nothing more than proper use of the eyes."

2) If we trust "angle over distance" then any two man crew can cover any baseball gamed played by shaving aged players.

3) An umpire needs to understand baseball as a game to really be a top notch arbitor -- knowing the game allows an umpire to know and properly utilize the "unwritten rules" we all have referenced.

4) Strikes & Outs are what define the top umpires. The higher the quality of game, the more important the tilt means that umpires who can still call pitches strikes and runners out will always prevail over those that find safety in the opposite.

5) A well trained umpire can still call the checked/unchecked swing when requested even if he is in "B" or "C" position.

Regards,

[BlueLawyer]

Originally Posted by kylejt

I hold my indicator with my ring and middle finger, and grasp my mask with my thumb, forefinger and pinky. No marks on any of my masks. Hmmmmm.

You have more dexterity than me. If I had any athletic gifts, I'd be using them. I usually wear out a mask every three years anyway (they get beat to hell, bent, vinyl cracked, etc.).

I also realize that to ump that game, I have to do what they tell me. Their field- their rules. A poster up a ways from this post said something to the effect of you have to do what they do to make it in the college game. I'm not sure I agree. On the MLB level, you see all kinds of dreadful mechanics/plate stances/etc. I think the more accurate statement is that to make it in the college game you have to do what they TELL you.

Strikes and outs!

[BlueLawyer]

Originally Posted by Tim C

When did this even become an issue? Why does ANYONE think there is an value in dropping the 'indiclickercounter' in your ball bag?

Tim: I find it useful, I think, because it's what I'm used to. There is enormous value in umpiring, I think, in finding what you're comfortable with. At the plate, especially, the more that's habit for me, the more I can concentrate on what's important- did that pitch cross the strike zone. That's why, for me at least, it's very, very hard to put "major" training into action on the field, especially behind the plate. After 15 years in the scissors, I changed this year to the box (after being cliniced that it's really better and I won't move up in the scissors). It was easily my third game before I stopped catching myself kicking my right leg out behind me. I hate change, basically, but I know that to get better and to move up, I have to be coachable. By the way, now that I'm in the box, I wouldn't go back. Wow- what a difference for my legs, my back, and most important, my view of the outside corner.

2) If we trust "angle over distance" then any two man crew can cover any baseball gamed played by shaving aged players.

Truer words were never posted on this site. Having worked 2,3 and 4 man crews, with 95% in 2 man, I can tell you it's AMAZING what you see with more umpires- or, more to the point, what you don't see with two. Having said that, I think "angle over distance" is a governing philosophy that applies inversely to the number of umpires on the field- it's a tool for getting as good a view as you can while facing the realities of having only two umpires.

3) An umpire needs to understand baseball as a game to really be a top notch arbitor -- knowing the game allows an umpire to know and properly utilize the "unwritten rules" we all have referenced.

Right on the money, again.

4) Strikes & Outs are what define the top umpires. The higher the quality of game, the more important the tilt means that umpires who can still call pitches strikes and runners out will always prevail over those that find safety in the opposite.

Wow. And I say that at the end of my posts just because strikes and outs tend to get me to my favorite post-game beverage quicker.

5) A well trained umpire can still call the checked/unchecked swing when requested even if he is in "B" or "C" position.

I'm learning that, too. Thanks, Tim.

Strikes and outs!

[His High Holiness]

Originally Posted by Tim C

Evaluations have become a system to 'disqualify' umpires rather than teach.

A great evaluator will help an umpire grow, correct and learn. Current evaluations are basically used to establish a pecking order for umpire rankings.

I could have written this. As a matter of fact, I did say something similar in a recent article on the paid part of the site. My articles rarely raise an eyebrow in my association. My article on evaluations created a firestorm within my group.

Peter

[DG]

Originally Posted by chuckfan1

First, this kind of stuff is too minor to hammer someone about. Indicator or no, in the ball bal or not, whats the big deal? As long as your not sticking it up into your grill all the time, use it as you wish. Does this bother some of you guys that much?
Couple years ago I worked with a guy who put the indicator in his ball bag. Was very smooth with it. I decided to try it.
I keep it in the small pocket in my left ball bag. Leaves my hand free, especially using the GD stance, keeps my hands free.
Ive done it long enough now that I do it very seamless, and you cant tell that I do it. It doesnt look fidgety, whatever that means.
I just reach in and "click". I rarely take it out to "look" at it. If I do, I do the ole 'adjust-my-mask-with-indicator-in-palm-and-take-a-quick-peek trick'.
But agreed, if you cant do it without a lot of gyrations, maybe not for you.

I guarantee I would instantly notice an umpire reaching into his ball bag after every pitch. I recommend you learn to hold the indicator in left hand so that no one knows you have it, ie look at it only occassionally.