Calling strikes from a knee

[mattmets]

Originally Posted by mrm21711

What? They cant see you turning your head?

Not if I cock my head like I'm looking past them into the stands, parking lot, etc.

[LMan]

Originally Posted by mattmets

Not if I cock my head like I'm looking past them into the stands, parking lot, etc.

[BBUMP99]

Originally Posted by ctblu40

One tip I would offer is, if you're wearing them and you need to discuss something with a manager, remove them for the conversation.

Tony LaRussa does...every time he comes out, the glasses go off...just for the record...

[briancurtin]

Originally Posted by nickrego

Why ? They don't take them off to talk to us. And I don't see a problem with either person leaving sunglasses on. I do take my helmet off though.

ive always been told to take my sunglasses off when addressing coaches/players, especially at the plate conference.

[LLPA13UmpDan]

I never wear sunglasses. I hate them. Thats what a hat brim and a mask sunshield are for. They obstruct my view.

[briancurtin]

the last two weekends i have worn sunglasses for every game i umpired, on the plate or bases. no obstruction for me.

[briancurtin]

also, mask sunshields are worthless when you are wearing a hat...

[TussAgee11]

Unless its a beanie hat.

[Fritz]

Re: stance - I work anywhere from short 12yr olds up thru high school. Switched to the GD this year and can't believe the difference it makes in my hammies, double dishes are like a walk in the park now for this plate hog! To adjust to smaller players, I just widen my stance which sets me up for the lower strike zone (and smaller catcher), though I end up taking more pitches off my shin guards.

Re: sunglasses - ever since I got contacts, I seem to squint more, so I always wear my shades behind the plate just as I would in the field. But never thought about removing them to talk to a coach (and they NEVER take theirs off). But you got me thinking, since any mgmt and relationship class talks about the importance of eye-to-eye contact. I think I will try to take them off next time a coach comes out to talk - I already do it for pre-game meetings.

Thanks for the tip!