Tricks for Timing

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by Publius

If that advice is excellent, here's some that's awesome:

No pitch is either a ball or a strike until after it reaches the catcher's mitt.

A bias or predisposition toward a certain outcome might lead to quicker games. It certainly leads to an improper zone if you want to advance in adult baseball (college-aged and older).

Bible's advice might be OK for established umpires, although I find that partners who follow it tend to have strike zones that are unfairly large. Beginners who follow that advice are practically guaranteed that result, and they make enough mistakes in that direction as it is.

I don't know who said it, but I think it's sometimes attributed to Doug Harvey:

"The batter's got a right to make a living, too."

I must have read Jon Bible's column in Referee Magazine too when I first started out, because that has always been my philosophy. It isn't a bias or a predisposition to calling it one way or the other. I would still always track the pitch into the glove, and then make my determination based on the final outcome. I endeavored never to ever judge a pitch early. But I learned that the baseball comes in on a railroad track, and that track is a "strike." If anything derails the ball off the track, it then is considered a "ball." But it is definitely a strike leaving the pitcher's hand. But as we all know, that can change rather quickly. . .

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

I must have read Jon Bible's column in Referee Magazine too when I first started out, because that has always been my philosophy. It isn't a bias or a predisposition to calling it one way or the other. I would still always track the pitch into the glove, and then make my determination based on the final outcome. I endeavored never to ever judge a pitch early. But I learned that the baseball comes in on a railroad track, and that track is a "strike." If anything derails the ball off the track, it then is considered a "ball." But it is definitely a strike leaving the pitcher's hand. But as we all know, that can change rather quickly. . .

With all respect to Jon, I prefer the old adage: the pitch is nothing until I call it. I have no bias towards ball or strike until it hits the golve.

[UmpLarryJohnson]

i work with a umpire whose creedo is, get em to 2 strikes as soon as you can (assuming the batter doesnt hit it first!). he calls a b i g zone to get the batter to 2strikes as fast as he can then he calls a REAL strikezone if you get what im sayin. he says this sppeeds the game and gets batterss swinging.

is this a good idea? im not realy comfertable with it.


(Whew see no big caps this time!)

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by UmpLarryJohnson

i work with a umpire whose creedo is, get em to 2 strikes as soon as you can (assuming the batter doesnt hit it first!). he calls a b i g zone to get the batter to 2strikes as fast as he can then he calls a REAL strikezone if you get what im sayin. he says this sppeeds the game and gets batterss swinging.

is this a good idea? im not realy comfertable with it.


(Whew see no big caps this time!)

So he purposefully changes the strike zone not only during the game, but during the same at bat. And you're asking if this is a good idea?

Wow.

[UmpLarryJohnson]

well i dont do that but its not MY place to tel him hes wrong

[BigTex]

Originally Posted by UmpLarryJohnson

well i dont do that but its not MY place to tel him hes wrong

.....yes it is!

[UmpLarryJohnson]

Originally Posted by BigTex

.....yes it is!

hes a bigdog as you guys say often so nope i let him defend it with the rats. he knows what hes doing and why (even tho its a bad idea imo), so he can face the music

[jicecone]

First of all getting set in a good stationary, yet comfortable position, that enables you to see the zone completely is very important. With some catchers, this may take a while to adjust if they have'nt been taught to let you see the zone.

I personnaly watch the ball into the glove, decide where it is and how it was caught by the catcher, announce the pitch and then stand and signal if a strike or stay set if a ball.

Sometimes a lot of new officials feel as though they need to announce and signal at the same time. This tends to hurry you by wanting to get that signal out. I think it is the old itailian technique of wanting to talk with your hands.

Whenever I found myself calling a pitch to fast, it is because I stand up too soon. Stay set and announce and then signal appropriately.

Also, how the ball is caught is very influential. 90% of the time it will guide you to the proper call.

See the zone.
Watch the pitch.
Watch the catch.
Make the announcement.
Signal as required.

This has worked for me.