Angle/Distance

[DG]

Originally Posted by ctblu40

So, before the first pitch of the game, you're 'setting up' as if to make a call? This sounds a little strange to me. I was always instructed to position myself in short right field.

After the pregame, I jog down to the right field line, do some stretches, then take my position in A as F3 is warming up the infield. I move into position on each throw, focus on the bag and listen for the ball hit the mitt. Different angle for each fielder but about the same distance. About 2 times around the infield and the catcher will throw down and I move to the A and I'm ready. It's a warmup routine I do every game. The first throw I see coming to 1B is never the first play at 1B.

Between innings from then on I am in short right field.

[ctblu40]

Originally Posted by DG

After the pregame, I jog down to the right field line, do some stretches, then take my position in A as F3 is warming up the infield. I move into position on each throw, focus on the bag and listen for the ball hit the mitt. Different angle for each fielder but about the same distance. About 2 times around the infield and the catcher will throw down and I move to the A and I'm ready. It's a warmup routine I do every game. The first throw I see coming to 1B is never the first play at 1B.

Between innings from then on I am in short right field.

This is all news to me. I have never seen or heard of warming up on the field. As for stretching, I do this in the parking lot or dressing room before taking the field.

Has anyone else heard of this or is my association that out of touch?

[Rich]

Originally Posted by ctblu40

This is all news to me. I have never seen or heard of warming up on the field. As for stretching, I do this in the parking lot or dressing room before taking the field.

Has anyone else heard of this or is my association that out of touch?

What does an association have to do with it? If you want to take some throws before the top of the first, DO IT.

[DG]

Originally Posted by ctblu40

This is all news to me. I have never seen or heard of warming up on the field. As for stretching, I do this in the parking lot or dressing room before taking the field.

Has anyone else heard of this or is my association that out of touch?

Damn blu, does your association tell you when you can scratch?

[ctblu40]

Originally Posted by DG

Damn blu, does your association tell you when you can scratch?

You misunderstood. There are about 120 umpires in my HS association and who-knows how many in my college group. I work about 150 games a season, and I have never seen or heard of an umpire practicing positioning during warm up throws.

As for stretching, we are told to do that before taking the field. What would happen if I decided to stretch on the field? I don't know, but I just do it in the lot/dressing room for the same reason I always put my right shoe on first... habit.

I guess I just find it curious.

[DG]

Originally Posted by ctblu40

You misunderstood. There are about 120 umpires in my HS association and who-knows how many in my college group. I work about 150 games a season, and I have never seen or heard of an umpire practicing positioning during warm up throws.

As for stretching, we are told to do that before taking the field. What would happen if I decided to stretch on the field? I don't know, but I just do it in the lot/dressing room for the same reason I always put my right shoe on first... habit.

I guess I just find it curious.

No one in any of the associations I work has ever told me how to warm up or where to stretch so I guess it is a regional thing . I know I am not the only one who stretches on the field or takes throws during warmups. No big deal though, do as you see fit, or are told to do.

What are you told to do as PU? Do you take a few pitches behind the plate before the game starts? I usually take warmup pitches 4-7 from behind the catcher.

[ctblu40]

Originally Posted by DG

What are you told to do as PU? Do you take a few pitches behind the plate before the game starts? I usually take warmup pitches 4-7 from behind the catcher.

This is exactly the thought I had when reading you original post. I do take some warmup pitches from all pitchers in a game (if possible). I usually ask the catcher to let me see a breaking ball as well...

Maybe I'll give the warmups as BU a try... couldn't hurt I guess.

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by DG

What are you told to do as PU? Do you take a few pitches behind the plate before the game starts? I usually take warmup pitches 4-7 from behind the catcher.

I used to watch the pitches, but now I take the opportunity to chat with the catcher, introduce myself, remind him that we both want the outside corner, etc.

Nobody told me to do so.

[SanDiegoSteve]

If there is a pitcher with an unusual delivery, or is a highly touted local pitcher, occasionally I will take a few pitches before the game, usually 2 from each side of the plate.

As far as on the bases prior to the start, I have also occasionally walked in to my angles and practiced watching the throw, and setting up to see the play. Usually though, I just watch the fielders warm up, note their throwing habits, and note the way the first baseman fields the ball.

I have a bad back, so a little stretching down the line before games, and in short right field between innings once in a while is needed to crack my back. I do my leg stretches on the bumper of my car before going to the field.