Tricks for Timing

[Bassman]

Originally Posted by fitump56

Two real seconds or two short pauses?

Two short pauses.

[mbyron]

Timing tricks are bogus, and newer umps should learn the proper use of the eyes instead.

[tcarilli]

There are no tricks for timing. Timing is not about time...period. Timing is, as has been written above, about proper use of eyes. If you use your eyes properly you can not have bad timing, it's not possible. The point of timing is to make sure you are making proper calls, counting to two, chewing your gum twice, reading the label on the mitt, holding your pants, pinching your arm, or sticking a stick in your eye will not help you get calls right.

Bottom line -- there are no tricks!

[ozzy6900]

I simply think either strike or ball then make the call. In the process, I visualize the pitch again. It's pretty much like seeing a play on the bases: See it, see it again in your head, call it!

[fitump56]

Originally Posted by mbyron

Timing tricks are bogus, and newer umps should learn the proper use of the eyes instead.

What would those be?