Keep your eye on the ball

[PeteBooth]

Originally posted by kman

In almost every sport, the first thing you learn to do is keep your eye on the ball. This is the most important rule in any sport and especially important for an umpire.
I have only been an umpire for a couple years but i have learned that if you keep your eye on the ball you have much less chance of making mistakes.

In baseball the answer is Yes and No. Most baseball in this country is umpired utilizing the 2 person mechanics.

In a 2 person crew, one umpire watches or takes the ball, while the other umpire watches the runner.

We also have to watch out for interference / obstruction so if we simply watch the ball all of the time, we will miss those types of plays.

Yes watching the ball will take us to the play, but that is the responsibility of 1 umpire while the other umpire watches the runner and the fielders.

Not to get on a different subject, that's why it's important to have a good pre-game with one's partner so that both of you are on the saem page.

Pete Booth


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