For your viewing pleasure, redux...

[UmpJM]

Gentlemen,

Thanks to all for your comments. A couple of specifics I wanted to reply to...

Originally Posted by TheSlav

...

I don't know if being that close to the catcher was the cause of the minor bump I saw or if he just turned back on you and caught you by surprise a bit.

...

The Slav,

He completely surprised me by coming out to his left. It was obvious to me that the ball had been fouled out of play to the right, and it seems that catchers usually never initially turn to the side of the batter on these. I was ready for him on the next pitch.

Originally Posted by Chris_Hickman

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Timing is ok..... Might slow it down just a tad. On a swinging strike 3, you dont have to hurry your mechanic.

foul pop up on 3rd base side.... no need for a mechanic on a "can of corn".. that ball looked oviously foul...IMO pointing foul is not needed on this play.

You put the ball back in play after every foul ball with no runners on base.
That is ok..but with nobody on base, not really needed.

Head height was good...maybe a inch higher.

......I dont know your experience, but I have seen MUCH...MUCH WORSE. ... Now do you have any video of handling a pist off coach?? That's what I want to see. ....

Originally Posted by mbyron

JM, I noticed the same things as Chris, with the same reaction. On the foul ball I signal foul but not the catch if it's above the waist, and I don't put the ball back in play unless runners are on base.

The CABA world series is around here this weekend. Wanna work some games?

Chris & Michael,

I noticed the same things about occasionally a little quick on the timing and a tad low with the head height. That's one of the reasons I like to get video of myself because I find it nearly impossible to evaluate myself on these things without seeing it.

With regard to putting the ball back in play, just something that was drilled into me when I started, so I do it whether there are runners or not; agree that it's unnecessary with no runners on.

On the foul, the players in this league WANT a call on a routine catch. Once had a routine catch on a "can of corn" to F8 and didn't make a signal. Got a few "That's a catch, isn't it blue?" comments, so now I just give them a mechanic.

Didn't have any "discussions" during this game but my videographer was under instructions to be sure to get it on tape if I did.

Michael, you should be careful throwing out invitations like that. If I hadn't been working the 18U/16U Northwestern Invitational this weekend, I just might have shown up!

Originally Posted by ozzy6900

You are not as low as you were in the last videos but I still think you should be up in your stance a bit more. You're chin still seems a bit below F2's head.

And I still think you're an old fart!
(one old fart to another!)

Ozzy,

No, now I'm an OLDER fart - I'm certainly not getting any younger. Agreed - head height better, still needs a little work.

Originally Posted by MrUmpire

As Jimmy teaches, there are there components to establishing your the height: Width of stance, crouch and lean. It appears you are depending too much on the crouch.

MrUmpire,

Very helpful observation. I've worked 5 plate games since you posted your comment, and I tried going "wider" with my stance, with less "squat". Felt comfortable and I "believe" I've got my head at a better height doing so. Have to see a pic/video to be sure.

Originally Posted by NJump

... you need a new pair of socks. ...

NJump,

That's amazing. When I was dressing for the game, I popped my right big toe through a worn spot on the toe of the sock. I can't believe you picked that up from the video!

Originally Posted by UMP 64

... Around 5+ min. you called a ball and said "a little high or some description". I do not think you should describe where the pitch was. ...

I'm not sure which pitch you're referring to - I NEVER give location on a ball (other than to the catcher early in the game). There's one pitch in the dirt just past the 5:00 min. mark on one of the videos where I said "no offer" - might be the one you're referring to.

Originally Posted by tjones1

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And my comment from the last video you posted still applies: nice shin guards!!

Tanner,

I regularly receive compliments on my
shinguards!

Again, thanks to all for your comments.

JM