thanks to some of you for your input.

just finished my 3rd year of umping any level. last year i did hs varsity, legion, semi-pro

Semi-pro?
 

Does semi-pro mean college player's wood bat summer league or adult (18+) amateur metal bat leagues? Thanks.

Well, I worked varsity only from the middle of my second year on, so it's not unheard of, although usually rare. Usually it takes at least 3 to 4 years to even get looked at for varsity here. But college ball after 3 years? Not out in these parts, unless you've been to pro school.

But what puzzles me is that you still seem to need to learn proper safe and out signals. If you had attended a pro school, you wouldn't be asking this question, so I can't imagine how you got invited to work college ball (unless it is an extremely small town where you live, and there is an umpire shortage).

If they let you work these high-level games, don't they make sure your mechanics are correct first? It would seem like you should already have all your mechanics down pat.

There is nothing wrong with most of the mechanics the MLB guys use, so if you do it like they do, you will do just fine.

But loveable.:D

the "semi-pro" leagues that i work are summer wood bat leagues with current college, recent college grads and a few ex-pros scattered throughout. some of the players used to be paid a few bucks back in the heyday of the leagues - therefore the "semi-pro" moniker is not really accurate any longer.

i don't work in a remote area.
i haven't been to pro school, but I've been mentored by several guys who have been and I have absorbed as much as I can from the mechanics manuals.

this past year I have worked with several college guys who recommended me for the tryouts.

lastly, I think I have good safe and out mechanics - but I'm still new enough to realize that I can refine them. i was just hoping to benefit from the wisdom of the board.
satisfied? thanks.

This is not facetious - the Little League organization publishes an "Umpire Clinic Manual" thta has a few pages with illustrations of basic calls. If you know somebody in Little League, maybe a local league UIC, that section of the manual may be just what you're looking for.

If you don't know anyone you could get a copy of the LL manual from, send me a private message and I can probably hook you up.

Well, while we wait #2
 

There was an another awsome illustration in tonights NLCS ballgame.
Situation: Batter E Chavez bunted the ball in front of home plate.
The Cardinals' pitcher quickly retrieved the baseball and threw to 1B.
There was exclusive video footage of the 1BU demo of the MLB mechanic.
It was an impressive 1BU move from deep A into the infield grass to gain angle and distance on the play.
I was very impressed with 1BU's quickness and safe mechanic as runner beat the throw to 1B on a very chitty bang-bang play.