During a new pitcher's warmup pitches....

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by bossman72

Honestly, i feel it serves no purpose to watch the pitcher's warm up throws since they are not at 100% effort and they are pretty much all fastballs.

However, i'll probably start to watch the warm up pitchers this year for the ONLY reason: to talk to the catcher. It was suggested at a clinic that we do this. Get to know the catcher's name and tell him how you want things run.

I generally agree with this comment. I get the catcher's name, ask if I need to know anything about the pitcher, make some inoccuous comment about the weather, try to make some observation about the pitch ("does his fast ball always trail in like that?"), tell him that F1 can take as many pitches as he needs the first inning, but five every inning after that, and walk away.

The first and the last parts are what's important. Since it's been covered, I don't watch relief pitchers.

[lawump]

Before the start of the game, with the home team's pitcher warming up, I watch the first three pitches as if a RHB was batting, the next three as if a LHB was batting, watch the last two about 15 feet up the first base line, and then hop in and brush off the plate and go.

98% of the time I never watch any more warm-up pitches from behind the catcher. My theory is that once I am in a "groove" watching "real" pitches, I don't want to upset it by watching warm-up pitches that might not be the pitcher's best stuff.

The only time I violate that personal rule, is when the top of the first inning is very, very quick (like a 4 or 5 pitch inning, with 3 pitches being put in play), such that I haven't established a "groove", yet.

I never watch any reliever's warm-ups from anywhere other than up one of the baselines.

[LMan]

I do a stands-check for GLMs.


It was an excellent selection last night....I had no idea there were so many in that little town.....

[UMP25]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

I generally agree with this comment. I get the catcher's name, ask if I need to know anything about the pitcher, make some inoccuous comment about the weather, try to make some observation about the pitch ("does his fast ball always trail in like that?"), tell him that F1 can take as many pitches as he needs the first inning, but five every inning after that, and walk away.

The first and the last parts are what's important. Since it's been covered, I don't watch relief pitchers.

I, too, chat with the catcher and establish a rapport. If it's someone I know and who knows me very well already, then doing this isn't that important, as long as talking with the catcher doesn't lead to dinner and a date.

CoachJM, if you were doing a college game in my area, and the evaluator was watching you, you would receive good feedback for doing exactly what you are doing!

I have called at least 2000 games, and still do what you do.

I would modify a couple of things.

1 - Between innings, go 1st of 3rd baseline extended, being opposit of the team coming to bat, but also up the baseline at the edge of the dirt. When the pitcher is down to 2 warm up pitches, walk up to the baseline, hold up two fingers and inform him "Two more". Make sure he sees you.

Believe it or not, they appreciate not having to think about this, and it shows you are engaged in what is happening out there.

2 - Get the catchers name before you start looking. Ask him whatever you need to find out. I sometimes ask if the pitcher has anything nasty I should know about. They are always glad to explain what their pitcher has, and what it may or may not do. The better catchers will even tell you the guy is a basket case and wouldn't know the strike zone from his locker! I usually take those kinds of comments to mean that I won't have any problems with that catcher that day!

[DG]

As I said earlier, I watch about 3 pitches, 5, 6 and 7, and I don't do it to see what kind of stuff the pitcher has, but to just get focused, and have a few words with the catcher.

[UmpJM]

Gentlemen,

I would just like to thank each of you who chose to respond to my question.

Earlier today, I worked the first game I had since initiating this thread. In respect to my question, I did many things the same and some things differently as a result of your collective feedback.

So, thanks for bothering to help me try to become a better umpire.

JM

[LMan]

So, how were the GLMs?

[UmpJM]

LMan,

GLMs were a little "thin" - and I don't mean that in the good way.

JM

[bossman72]

Originally Posted by CoachJM

So, thanks for bothering to help me try to become a better umpire.

JM

Great, now the only thing we need to work on is your screen name

[Welpe]

Aww give him a break, it's not like his name is "A$$h***Rat". Judging by his posts, Coach is a standup fellow. Unless of course he had an exorcism performed when he switched to the darkside.

[UMP25]

Originally Posted by Welpe

Unless of course he had an exorcism performed when he switched to the darkside.

...............................

Indeed.