See Me Umpire

[RPatrino]

Here's my 2 cents
1) Should I say "one ball, one strike" when giving the count or "one and one"? Is either okay? I say one ball, one strike. Most of the guys I work with do the same thing.
2) Should I be quieter on my "ball" calls? No, the volumn on the 'ball' call should be loud enough for the catcher, batter and pitcher to hear. Your strike call has to be louder and more emphatic then the 'ball' call
3) Was I working far enough from the catcher? Looked to me like you worked as far back at the book case would allow. Given that you set up very low, being back further would have hindered your view of the zone.
4) How was the timing? To me, it looked like you were rushing a bit, but these training situations are always a bit artificial. You can be sure, though, that if you rush in a cage drill with no pressure, you will really rush when the heat is on.
5) How was my use of the eyes? Couldn't tell from the video.

One other upgrade I would offer is, don't put your hands behind your back. It looks very unprofessional and it could effect your balance. My personal preference is the Gerry Davis system, which provides a very stable platform from which to call strikes.

[BigUmp56]

Why not just post the link rather than deal with all the PM's? I'd like to see it, as I'm sure others will who don't really want to go the PM route......


Tim.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by BigUmp56

Why not just post the link rather than deal with all the PM's? I'd like to see it, as I'm sure others will who don't really want to go the PM route......


Tim.

He posted the link in post # 5.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Bob,

1) Should I say "one ball, one strike" when giving the count or "one and one"? Is either okay? Either is okay. I mix it up, depending on the situation.
2) Should I be quieter on my "ball" calls? No, you were just fine. Don't scream "ball," as others have said, loud enough for the pitcher is fine.
3) Was I working far enough from the catcher? You were fine.
4) How was the timing?It did not seem contrived, so it appeared you tracked the ball properly to the glove. Too bad the catcher couldn't catch some of those strikes .
5) How was my use of the eyes? I couldn't see, but the timing seemed genuine, so it was probably good.

I echo what Mr. Umpire said. You don't want to hide the arm behind the catcher and leave the slot arm exposed. Looks dumb. Tucking both arms or just the slot arm looks better, and I have seen many MLB umpires doing it, so there's no shame in it. Just don't ever put the arm behind your back, or you will look like the proverbial speed skater.

It would have been nicer to see you on a field and add one more guy to play the batter, but other than that one thing, it looked pretty good. Of course it is no substitute for the real thing, where we can take into account your other game management skills, but as far as cage work, not bad at all.

[ozzy6900]

Height above the catcher is not bad. Be careful not to get much lower. I'd rather see you raise up a couple of inches. You are tall so let that work for you. Other than the first pitch, very little movement once you are set (that's good). Feet are spread a bit far but you are tall so, as long as you are comfortable, it's okay.

Relax your arms when you are in the set. Your cup will stop the ball better than your hand - it looks like your are using your hand as the first defense. If you keep your arms relaxed, it won't hurt so bad if you get drilled. I usually suggest to keep the elbows resting on the thighs for tall guys like you.

I suggest that you lower you arm a bit when pointing the strike. You are bent at the elbow almost 45 degrees. It looks too amateurish Just point straight out to the side. It looks better to others and you'll find it easier to deal with if you run into extra innings (that arm gets heavy after 9 innings).

I cannot see your eyes so I cannot help you in that department. As far as vocalization, you're okay. Always make the strike call louder than the ball call. I agree with "2 balls, 2 strikes" or Two & Two" - never twenty two. I teach "down on the ball, up on the strike" and you are fine there. I also agree with Steve in that a field video may be even better.

All in all, not bad, not bad at all.

How's that for a video evaluation from a prick?

[tiger49]

Should I say "one ball, one strike" when giving the count....Yes (Canadian Standard) Also make sure you show them at the same time as well...It appears that a couple of times you show balls then the strikes.

Should I be quieter on my "ball" calls? No. Also learn to call balls and strikes by the number. Ball One, Ball Two...Strike One, Strike Two etc. Once again Canadian Standard, as well what is taught at Jim's.

Was I working far enough from the catcher? Distance wise I didn't see much of a problem however your head height was a little low and on the left side you seemed to be less in the slot than you were on the right side. Hands would also be vice versa from the left side, you kept your hands the same on either the right or left sides.

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by tiger49

Also learn to call balls and strikes by the number. Ball One, Ball Two...Strike One, Strike Two etc. Once again Canadian Standard, as well what is taught at Jim's.

If this is a Canadian thing, so be it, but it is one of many things used at Jim's for drill purposes. It is dropped by most as soon as clinic/school/classic is over, just like the mechanic of calling time at the end of the plate drill.

[canadaump6]

Thank you for the comments guys. I was told by another umpire that the pro schools teach putting the batter-side forearm in front of the waist, and putting the hand that is behind the catcher to the side of the knee, with the thumb tucking underneath the shin guard. Would this be a better alternative to putting the hand behind the back?

I also like hearing that I made the calls a bit too quick, because I am often told that I take too long to make my call.

I will likely have some videos of live-game action up by May, which should make things a bit easier to observe.

[tiger49]

Originally Posted by GarthB

If this is a Canadian thing, so be it, but it is one of many things used at Jim's for drill purposes. It is dropped by most as soon as clinic/school/classic is over, just like the mechanic of calling time at the end of the plate drill.

I agree they tend to allow us to drop calling balls by the number however they still would like to see strikes by the number.

[mlbnascarfan]

1) Should I say "one ball, one strike" when giving the count or "one and one"? Is either okay?

In the minor leagues of professional baseball youa re taught to say one ball and one strike (or whatever the correct number of balls/strikes is). Also, there is no such thing as a "full count", that is actually a media term. Finally, when you have either two balls or two strikes it is always indicated with the index and ring finger and never the index and pinky fingers.

2) Should I be quieter on my "ball" calls?

Jim Evans teaches that on pitches that are balls, the call should be lound enough for the dugouts to hear. On strikes the call should be loud enough to be heard in the stands and should get progressively louder from strike one to strike three.

3) Was I working far enough from the catcher?

Its difficult to evaluate your stance from the video, however you should be set up in the slot such that the toes of your front foot are on the same line as the heels of the catcher and the and the toes of your foot are in the same line as the heel of your front foot. In addition, your trail foot should be turned slightly outward. This will help you to avoid having the catcher make contact with you should he need to pop up to throw.

Your head height should be that your chin should be no lower then the top of the catchers head.

4) How was the timing?

See number 5
5) How was my use of the eyes?

This is also difficult to see on the video. You should be tracking the ball all the way into the catchers mitt. the call is made mentally, the signal is dne physically. The sequence should be somthing like....your eyes track the ball into the mitt, you decide in your mind the pitch is a strike, then you come up and signal strike.

The mechanics for strike and out are the same. You extend your right hand like you are ging to shake someoens hand, then make a fist and band on someones door.

I hope this helps.

Here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vztdbMGo8CQ[/QUOTE]

[Interested Ump]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

He posted the link in post # 5, BigUmp56

Tim is sure having a rough decade.