safe and out mechanics
 

i have the FED, CCA and PBUC mechanics books - they are great for postioning but don't go into detail about safe and out mechanics. does anyone have any good info? i'd love to hear from someone who has been taught at a pro school or good clinic with mlb instructors. are there any books or articles anyone can recommend?
thanks.

Turn on a TV
 

The NLCS is on. Follow along.

This is the way we signal safe, we signal safe, we signal safe, ....

This is the way we signal out, we signal out, we signal out, ....

gee thanks.

Well, what else would I say
 

Beltran homered and Glavine is having one of his better games.
Besides, whatever I write, TWO will come along and offer "better" advice.
I'm sure they're watching the game, so be patient. Hope your TV is on.
Now sit back and wait for the others.

is there something about them that confuses you, or what exactly in each of these mechanics are you looking to know more about? i dont think there are many books written about giving a safe and out sign...

of course i'm watching. i always watch for the mechanics of the mlb umps, but many of them are not textbook in their approach so i'm hesitant to use them as models - it is also difficult when you only catch a quick glance of a call. obviously, the cameras focus on the play and not the ump - unfortunately.
i was recently accepted into a couple of ncaa groups so i want to refine my skills.
i'll be patient...
thanks.

there aren't any textbooks on out and safe mechanics because there is no set in stone absolute way to do it. mechanics vary person to person and play a big part in developing your unique style out on the field. as far as your desire to hear from someone who was trained by the pro schools goes, that probably isn't your best bet in looking to "refine" your skills. the schools break down everyone's mechanics so that everyone is doing the same thing. that is the easiest way they can evaluate people; try to make everyone look the same and then pick out the ones that stick out like a sore thumb.

yes, the mechanics taught at the pro schools are an excellent way to form a base for your out and safe calls, however, using those mechnics on the field will make you look robotic. if you are simply looking for some advice, then i offer you the following:

for routine outs use a hammer-like motion with a clenched fist out in front of your body somewhere. not too high, and not below your man-boob line. keep your elbow bent somewhere in the vicinity of 90 degrees. if you get bored with that, try adding in your other fist. keep the same basic mechanic for your right arm and find somewhere that you think looks good to put your left arm. get in front of a mirror and try some things out. tell your partner before the game you are trying some new mechanics and then ask him during (if the game type permits, of course) or after the game what he thinks.

for whacker outs you're just going to find something you're comfortable with. for starters, think of it like you are punching out some guy in a bar fight. knock the guy out. punch through him, don't stop and recoil. that is where watching the big leaguers may give you some ideas (the mechanics part, not the bar fight part). again, don't fear the mirror. (i need more cow bell)

as far as safe mechanics go, i think there is less style involved than in an out call. while each different guy will have his pet peeves, you can't go wrong with a simple palms down arms extended mechanic. keep your extended arms even with the ground. going too high will look like you are flying away or calling a touchdown or something. the "up-extend-retract-down" safe call of the pro schools is too robotic to use on the field, but offers a good base for not flying away and keeping everything crisp.

try this in a mirror and see how it looks...with your palms facing down put your hands flat along the top of your man-boob line, almost touching your middle fingers together at the tips. snap your safe mechanic out keeping your palms facing down and then retract your arns back in, but not all the way back in or you may hurt yourself and leave conspicuous bruises on your chest that you will have to explain to your girlfriend. i would suggest not using closed fists for safe calls, but that is a personal preference. some guys think it looks cool, i think it looks lathargic. whatever.

in summation, experiment with different things in the mirror, find a couple you think look good, and take them out onto the field. get some feedback on them and either keep working on them til you like them, or change to something else. keep everything crisp and snap things off at the end. have a nice day.

Let me get this straight: "Newump" has been "accepted into a couple of NCAA groups" and is asking how to make safe and out calls. Have I got that right?

Well, while we wait
 

There was an awsome illustration in tonights ballgame. Situation:
Pitcher Tom Glavine bunted the ball in front of home plate.
The Cardinals' catcher quickly retrieved the baseball and threw to 2B for the force out.
The Cardinals' SS caught the ball and then dropped it during the transfer from glove to hand.
There was exclusive video footage of the 2BU demo of the MLB mechanic.
I hope you caught that because it was quite an impressive way to sell the OUT call.

garth,
you are correct.

i have my own style which has served me well so far, but i'm just looking for any additional info that i can possibly incorporate into my mechanics. as far as "newump" - i just finished my 3rd year. just looking to get better as i move to a higher level of ball.
thx

He didn't say what kind of NCAA groups: they might be soccer officials, or perhaps the organization that supervises "spirit" competitions. Garth, you're pretty quick on the trigger... and I admire you for wading through that, uh, long post.

Third year of what level?

I read that as he's been accepted into a couple of NCAA Internet forums.

While I agree that open palms look better on "Safe" calls, I do think that on "No, he didn't go" checked swing calls, the closed fist, casual safe sign does look really sharp.

you guys are tough