Calling strikes from a knee

[nickrego]

Originally Posted by ctblu40

As for glasses, I use them when needed. Sunny, clear sky days. 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.

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.

[ctblu40]

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.

IMO, you should remove the glasses for 2 reasons:
1) Let the coach see your eyes so that he know's he has your undivided attention when he's talking to you.
2) Let the coach see your eyes when you're starting to get pi$$ed so that he can read your non-verbal communication.

[LilLeaguer]

Originally Posted by ctblu40

IMO, you should remove the glasses for 2 reasons:
1) Let the coach see your eyes so that he know's he has your undivided attention when he's talking to you.
2) Let the coach see your eyes when you're starting to get pi$$ed so that he can read your non-verbal communication.

I wear prescription glasses and sunglasses. If I removed my sunglasses to talk to a coach, he'd read my non-verbal communication that he's blurry and indistinct. I suppose I should look for the appropriate occasion.

Coach: But the hands are part of the bat.
LL (removing sunglasses): Are you sure of that?

Even though both glasses have the same prescription, changing them gives me a moment of awkward vision (due to the different fit, I think), so I try to stay with the same pair for the whole game. Behind the plate, I tend to wear them less than I do in the field, but we have a couple of local fields were PU faces the setting sun.

[spots101]

Originally Posted by GarthB

the perceptioncan be one of laziness.

What if an ump tells a coach that he's not able to see the whole foot on the dish or out of the box after a bunt?? Does the same perception apply here too??

[GarthB]

(Yawn....)

[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!

[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...