For your viewing enjoyment...

[UmpJM]

Gentlemen,

My thanks to each of you for your feedback (public and private).

I'll just comment on a couple of points that were raised.

Many of you commented on the "quickness" of my timing on ball/strike calls. This was actually the second game I had evaluated and both evaluators commented that my timing was fine on "ball" calls but too quick on "strike" calls. I honestly didn't know what they were referring to until I saw the video. Then it was clear to even me that I was much too quick on the strike calls. I believe my timing is better now, but I'd kind of like to see another video to be sure. I don't believe this is a result of working solo (my first evaluated game was 2-man & the evaluator had the same comment), but just a part of my learning process.

As to Pete Booth's question regarding why I am working solo, as SD Steve suggests, the norm around here is for most "lower level" games to be covered by a single umpire. As a "new guy", I was mostly working lower level games this past season. About 1/3 of the games I worked I had a partner and about 2/3s I worked solo. I certainly prefer working with a partner, but I also prefer working solo to not umpiring at all.

A couple of things I've changed since the video was taken....

I no longer "shop around" the count - I just give it straight ahead to the pitcher.

I still "point" strikes, but I do it pretty close to horizontal & keep it lower than my shoulder. (I swear that Dick Nelson taught me the "high point" at the Desert Classic last year on the last day when we were allowed to personalize our strike mechanic. So many people told me that it didn't look good that I changed it.)

On strike three I don't point and then punch anymore. Just punch out on a called K3, hammer on a swinging K3.

Finally, a number of you commented on no visible "lock-in" mechanism. I try to use my "slot arm" resting on my thigh as my lock-in. The clip below shows a couple of pitches to a LH batter where you can see this.

Click here to watch UmpJM2

Thanks again for the feedback. I appreciate it.

JM

[SanDiegoSteve]

I still "point" strikes, but I do it pretty close to horizontal & keep it lower than my shoulder. (I swear that Dick Nelson taught me the "high point" at the Desert Classic last year on the last day when we were allowed to personalize our strike mechanic. So many people told me that it didn't look good that I changed it.)

I believe that the high point strike call is known as the "John Travolta Disco Point."

[Steven Tyler]

Originally Posted by UmpJM (nee CoachJM)

So many people told me that it didn't look good that I changed it.

Believe me when I say I'd take it over Ed Montaque's strike and punch out mechanic any day. You'd think bees are swarming around him. Thank goodness the World Series didn't go seven games. If I was to compare myself to any MLB ump it would probably be Tim McClelland.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by Steven Tyler

If I was to compare myself to any MLB ump it would probably be Tim McClelland.

McClelland's mechanics are absolutely horrific, so that figures.

[gordon30307]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

McClelland's mechanics are absolutely horrific, so that figures.

Let see. He's in the show. He must be doing something right.

[SanDiegoSteve]

So he's in the show. What does that have to do with mechanics? My mechanics were always better than McClelland's and I wasn't a pro umpire. I was only speaking of his mechanics, not of his overall umpiring abilities or his longetivity in the major leagues.

[Steven Tyler]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

So he's in the show. What does that have to do with mechanics? My mechanics were always better than McClelland's and I wasn't a pro umpire. I was only speaking of his mechanics, not of his overall umpiring abilities or his longevity in the major leagues.

You're just going to have to put some video on here so we can take a look see..........

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by Steven Tyler

You're just going to have to put some video on here so we can take a look see..........

Yeah, just like our buddy up north! Then we can have a sleepover. And make smores.

I sure everyone would get a kick out of watching my fat a$$ run around on a ball field showing my mechanics. What a sight!

[gordon30307]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

So he's in the show. What does that have to do with mechanics? My mechanics were always better than McClelland's and I wasn't a pro umpire. I was only speaking of his mechanics, not of his overall umpiring abilities or his longetivity in the major leagues.

He's certainly not as flamboyant as others in terms of calling safe, outs, balls and strikes. So what's the big deal. That's his style. Tell me you don't like his style. I'm sure you're a fine umpire, a good partner and do an excellent job, however, I don't think your mechanics are better than McClellans. If his mechanics were poor he never would have made it to the show.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by gordon30307

He's certainly not as flamboyant as others in terms of calling safe, outs, balls and strikes. So what's the big deal. That's his style. Tell me you don't like his style. I'm sure you're a fine umpire, a good partner and do an excellent job, however, I don't think your mechanics are better than McClellans. If his mechanics were poor he never would have made it to the show.

Better is in the eye of the beholder. My mechanics were always sharp, crisp, and professional looking. Better than McClelland's? I don't know. My evaluators usually praised them pretty well, but I never got to show them off in a side-by-side with McClelland's, so I guess it's a moot point.