There was no FPSR in the many OBR games I worked either, and I've certainly learned a lot over the years by watching MLB umpires. Just because the pros don't play by the sissy HS rules doesn't mean you shouldn't watch them at work.

I worked plenty of 3 man and some 4 man games as well, and the rotations and coverages were exactly the same as MLB. If I were to work 6 man, I'm sure we would be using MLB rotations and coverages. I worked over 3,000 games over 21 years, and still find things to learn from watching the umpires on TV or at the games. There are lots of things to study, most importantly how to carry yourself on the field. They are generally the best umpires in the business (with a few notable exceptions), so there is always something to be learned by emulating them.

That's to bad, if you had been watching the umpires during the playoffs, you would have seen Ted Barrett working the plate. There was a great shot of him demonstrating outstanding proper use of eyes. You could CLEARLY see him track the ball completly into the glove with his eyes without moving his head.

Wow learned something new here. Come to think of it it was the first thing I learned before I ever called a pitch in a game.

Did you watch the game last night? If you did you saw Kemp screaming at the plate guy after he took a called third. Did he get lauched. Of course not. Is this behaviour allowed in High School, college etc. I don't think so. What would a new guy learn watching that? Not much.

The fundamental are used at all levels, timing, dressing the part, knowledge of rules, proper angles etc. All you were alluding to above is a fundamental skill that ALL umpires should use. Best way to learn that is by attending clinics, join an association, get a mentor and do as many games as you can.

A lot of guys were screaming at the plate. The strike zone was, shall we say, unpredictable.

I thought he missed Kent's pitch...the MLB guys don't miss low very often...but IMO he missed though there...yep, I know, they're human too...my only point is that I thought he missed it and I don't remember an MLB guy missing low by that much. other thoughts?

Watching Tim McClelland is like looking in a mirror. He's the man.

That would be the infamous balk year of 1988. It was Bob Davidson's favorite year.

Buddy, really?

http://mlb.mlb.com/pressbox/images/umpires_07/2639.jpg

Tyler, now I really feel sorry for you. And your mirror.

I was at the game. Mike Winters had a tough game. BOTH dugouts were on him from the start.

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It just aint the same without the 'stache....:D

Im just jealous.............of a guy who could work the knee in the pros.....I couldnt work the knee in a LL game.....:p

Well, your right, all umpires shoud use and be taught something as simple as timing, which as we both hopefully know, is the proper use of eyes. Guess what, that isn't always the case. In fact most of what you site as fundamentals used at all levels isn't always taught, known or felt important enough to teach to a young impressionable umpire. Granted, I can only speak for my association, it's not taught here. Something as simple as chest to ball when in the middle isn't taught as well, and not just in my association, this I see in clinics I've attended and confirmed when talking with attendees. Mentioning Barretts use of eyes, in one specific camera shot as an example of something good, was just that something good one can learn from. There are good and bad examples every day from MLB Umpires. Then again, there are good and bad examples every day from us amature umpires as well. They're just on TV and a damn lot better than us. They also use different mechanics than most of us, 4 vs. 2 man mechanics. Again as we both should know, there is a difference in responsibilities and mechanics when in the field. One can see good and bad plate mechanics and hopefully learn from them. By watching the plate umpire you can hopefully pick up the good from the bad, and improve your game. Cleary your beyond that in your game.