Moving the head/upper body

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by Rcichon

Have one Umpire in our assoc. that moves his head and or upper body to 'avoid' getting hit by the pitch.

I've tried to talk the guy into understanding that he is more likely to get struck and hurt by moving his head and he knows it's true but is having a hard time stopping.

Any suggestions from you vets out there? Any drills or gimmicks that have worked before? Any ideas at all to help him cure this ill?

Put him in his gear. Throw tennis balls at him. Don't stop until he stops moving.

[Welpe]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

Put him in his gear. Throw tennis balls at him. Don't stop until he stops moving.

I used to do this drill with catcher's gear to practice getting in front of and stopping balls. It worked wonders for my confidence behind the plate and that carried over into umpiring. That would be my suggestion as well. You could also try nailing his shoes to the ground and glue his hands to his knees but that might annoy him slightly.

[etn_ump]

....and suggest to him that this is an unacceptable practice and he should work to correct it or quit.

[Rcichon]

Originally Posted by etn_ump

....and suggest to him that this is an unacceptable practice and he should work to correct it or quit.

Yeah, thanks for the drill.

[TussAgee11]

I got hit pretty hard today in the gut (next year getting rid of my WV for a K1), and the next pitch catcher sets up outside, ball came right down the middle and I flinched. Its only normal. And it sucks too.

Have him try opening his mouth, I've done this and for whatever reason, it works (and I've been told other umpires do this as well). Just open it up a bit underneath the mask. Perhaps it relieves tension or something...