Strike Zone...

[Tim C]

. . . "timing" a lot but that means wait, say strike or ball to yourself before calling the pitch.

Not the best of advice here.

This is "false" timing.

If you simply follow the philosophy of Jim Evans ("Timing is the proper use of eyes") the truth will set you free.

If you follow the ball all the way to the catcher's mitt BEFORE you start any part of a strike mechanic your timing will be perfect.

You don't need to say: "One Mississippi, or chew your gum twice, or silently think 'Strike.'"

Just follow school procedure and all will work out.

Regards,

[canadaump6]

Originally Posted by Tim C

Not the best of advice here.

This is "false" timing.

If you simply follow the philosophy of Jim Evans ("Timing is the proper use of eyes") the truth will set you free.

If you follow the ball all the way to the catcher's mitt BEFORE you start any part of a strike mechanic your timing will be perfect.

You don't need to say: "One Mississippi, or chew your gum twice, or silently think 'Strike.'"

Just follow school procedure and all will work out.

Regards,

Could you elaborate on "timing is the proper use of the eyes"?

Should there not be a consistent amount of time that passes between ball into mitt and call, or can it vary so long as you're not starting to call it before it hits the mitt?

[UmpJM]

Originally Posted by canadaump6

Could you elaborate on "timing is the proper use of the eyes"?

Should there not be a consistent amount of time that passes between ball into mitt and call, or can it vary so long as you're not starting to call it before it hits the mitt?

canadaump6,

I think Jim Evans is wrong - well, his "point" isn't wrong, but how he says it is. Timing is not the "proper use of the eyes" - it's really the "proper use of the brain".

Making a call is a "decision" - which is a thought process. The eyes don't process thoughts, the brain does. The senses, primarily sight and sound, provide the information that the brain needs to process in order to make the decision required for a ruling in a baseball game.

Jim's "point" - which is absolutely correct, is that you have to allow the senses to give the brain ALL the available information it needs to render the decision, BEFORE starting the decision process.

In the case of deciding whether to call a pitch a ball or strike, the most important thing is to allow your eyes to track the pitch from the pitcher's hand all the way to his mitt. Once you have done that, then you start to decide whether the pitch was a ball or strike. Once you've decided, you let everybody else know what your decision was. That's what Jim Evans means when he says "timing is the proper use of the eyes" - or, perhaps I misunderstood him.

This "proper use of the eyes" is probably the single most important skill in being an umpire. It is deceptively simple in concept, and surprisingly difficult to master in practice - at least for me.

I believe that it is important for timing to be "consistent" - especially when calling balls and strikes. The "proper use of the eyes" also tends to result in "consistent" timing from one pitch to the next.

Inserting "artificial" pauses only distracts you from the task at hand - and really has nothing to do with timing.

JM

[MrUmpire]

Originally Posted by UmpJM (nee CoachJM)

canadaump6,

I think Jim Evans is wrong - well, his "point" isn't wrong, but how he says it is. Timing is not the "proper use of the eyes" - it's really the "proper use of the brain".

JM

Jim isn't wrong here. What he is discussing are physical mechanics....proper ones v. those that provide no assistance to getting calls correct. It begins with the eyes. He elaborates on what the eyes should be doing, where they move to, where they stay fixed, what they need to focus on, whether one is discussing plate or base calls.

The brain portion, while you may feel improperly so, is, I believe, is properly not discussed.

Would you include it in every discussion in which it plays a part...that is, then EVERY discussion? Of course not. Use the eyes properly, and for those smart enough to tie their plate shoes, the brain will follow.

Don't over think this. As Jim says, this isn't rocket science. Train your eyes to work properly and you will see what you need to see in the amount of time you need to see it.

[UmpJM]

Originally Posted by canadaump6

Will it not take one's brain longer to decide if a borderline pitch is a strike? ...

canadaump6,

BTFOOM.

But, even if it does, it really doesn't matter. Because it would be milliseconds at the most, and would not be perceivable to anyone.

Oddly, when you track the pitch correctly with your eyes, the "borderline" pitches are almost as easy to call as a pitch that's in the dirt before it reaches the plate.

When you don't track it properly, those "borderline" pitches can be very difficult to call, and you might have a "moment of indecision" - which could produce a noticeable "delay" in your call.

I find the concept very simple to understand, and it makes perfect sense to me. I am also very frustrated with my inability to do it on every pitch in every game I work. I think I'm getting better, but I'm not as far along as I'd like to be. It's harder to do than it sounds.

JM

[MrUmpire]

Originally Posted by canadaump6

Will it not take one's brain longer to decide if a borderline pitch is a strike?

With the proper use of the eyes, you will find that there are fewer borderline pitches.