plate mechanic

[DG]

A tip I got years ago, I still use. On an obvious ball you really don't have to call it. When it's close but still considerably out say ball loud enough for catcher, batter and anyone close to hear. When it is real close say BALL as in "I'm sure of it". I don't explain where they were, but you can tell by the loudness of the call how close it was. And as I mentioned earlier, I will explain them to the catcher if he asks, but not to the bench.

[pdxblue]

I call ball, even if the pitcher throws it over the back stop. But, I agree that on a "close" pitch, you need to make it more emphatic. I suppose that is why I don't get a lot of questioning on my ball calls. I hear groaning sometimes though!

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by pdxblue

I call ball, even if the pitcher throws it over the back stop. But, I agree that on a "close" pitch, you need to make it more emphatic. I suppose that is why I don't get a lot of questioning on my ball calls. I hear groaning sometimes though!

Isn't it funny that the same pitches that they groan at when you call them balls, are the same pitches they would boo you if you called them strikes when their team was batting?

[pdxblue]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

Isn't it funny that the same pitches that they groan at when you call them balls, are the same pitches they would boo you if you called them strikes when their team was batting?

Goes without saying!

[Dave Hensley]

Originally Posted by pdxblue

I call ball, even if the pitcher throws it over the back stop. But, I agree that on a "close" pitch, you need to make it more emphatic. I suppose that is why I don't get a lot of questioning on my ball calls. I hear groaning sometimes though!

I disagree with the concept of calling "close" balls more emphatically. To me and many of the rats I've observed, It conveys exactly the opposite message to "he's confident in that call." It's more of a "wow that was close; it was so close I better call it loud and emphatically; damn that was close; hmmm, I wonder why the pitcher's looking at me like that; maybe I should have called it a strike...."

[pdxblue]

Originally Posted by Dave Hensley

I disagree with the concept of calling "close" balls more emphatically. To me and many of the rats I've observed, It conveys exactly the opposite message to "he's confident in that call." It's more of a "wow that was close; it was so close I better call it loud and emphatically; damn that was close; hmmm, I wonder why the pitcher's looking at me like that; maybe I should have called it a strike...."

You are welcomed to think that way. But that kind of thinking goes against just about every umpiring mechanics training I have received.

In my personal experience, I have found that it sells the call a LOT better, and people have told me that it actually shows MORE confidence in the call. It is akin to calling close plays on the bases more emphatically.

Anyway, if your local evaluators don't see any value in adjusting how much emphasis you use on calls that are obvious or close, then go ahead and call everything the same. But I am about 99.9% sure that your local evaluators would be more impressed with your calling close "ball" calls more emphatically.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by pdxblue

You are welcomed to think that way. But that kind of thinking goes against just about every umpiring mechanics training I have received.

In my personal experience, I have found that it sells the call a LOT better, and people have told me that it actually shows MORE confidence in the call. It is akin to calling close plays on the bases more emphatically.

Anyway, if your local evaluators don't see any value in adjusting how much emphasis you use on calls that are obvious or close, then go ahead and call everything the same. But I am about 99.9% sure that your local evaluators would be more impressed with your calling close "ball" calls more emphatically.

What's a local evaluator? I'm so glad I don't have to put up with someone consistently second-guessing my officiating.

[pdxblue]

Originally Posted by Rich Fronheiser

What's a local evaluator? I'm so glad I don't have to put up with someone consistently second-guessing my officiating.

Hmmmmmmmmmmm... I am not sure how to take that statement. Evaluators don't "second guess" MY officiating. I suppose somebody that is not secure in the job they are doing could feel that way by some of their comments though.