Walking the line mechanics
 

Ok I know the reason, makes us quicker to react to a batted ball. BUT one thing that just bothers me is both FED and ASA want you to come to a complete stop when preparing to make a call (judge safe or out at first) don't have your eyes moving when you are judging a call. Which I agree with, you get a much better view when stationary. Analogy used at NUS take two pictures, one while you are running the other why standing still which will be more clear.

Now my point, as a base umpire we are to be walking the line while the pitcher is delivering, placing us into a moving condition when we are to be judging feet for an illegal pitch. Argueable one of the biggest judgement calls in all of softball (well I think hands down the most, based on the posts on a few forums recently) and now they require us to be moving when we try to call it. With a heavy dragger where there is a 2" hole in front of the pitching plate and the other teams pitcher is a "floater" staying level to the ground, that is not there, so I have to judge if she would have been in contact with the ground if it wasn't dug out in front....I am now making that judgment with a shaky camera. I agree we are moving slowly on the lines so we do have a decent view, just something that has been rolling around in my head that doesn't make sense to me. Thanks for reading I feel better now....

It is a terrible unnecessary mechanic with the lamest reasoning. The ONLY purpose is because they say so.. it serves nothing. its hard to watch IPs, especially slight leaps, when you head is bouncing around walking.. and it most certainly doesnt make you quicker.

JMO, but possibily you are "leaving too early".:p

Or, and I quote, "pffffff."

Whiskers,
When do you suggest we leave? I was informed mulitiple times to leave as the pitcher starts her pitch, which will have me taking my first step as she is starting to push off the pitching plate.

Sorry folks---but I think it is a bunch of horse droppings; especially for these old bones to be expending wasted energy. I'd rather save it so I can move quickly into position for those really difficult plays/calls.

Well I like it. :cool: It helps keep the arthritic joints a bit looser and definitely makes me quicker into the field. I only take one or two steps, so my head isn't bouncing around. If I need to check a borderline illegal pitcher, I'll delay my step a second and take it as I transfer my focus from feet to the plate area.

I only take 1 step, either as the hands come together or as they break depending on the pitcher. When on 1B, I'll step forward with my left foot - that's my pivot foot so I am already to pivot and go where I may need to go. And on 3B, I'll step forward with my right foot as that's my pivot foot there.

Do you understand that you really are not "walking" the line. It's right foot forward on the release, left foot down and pushing off a moment after the bat hits the ball. If you cannot maintain focus just because you slightly move your right foot, you are either doing something wrong or need to see an ophthalmologist.

There is nothing wrong with the mechanic. One of the reasons it was brought back is because many umpires requested it. It is safer for the umpire to be moving as many would lock into a position and not be able to move quick enough to avoid a ball or fielder. The movement also provides the umpire with more time to evaluate the imminent play and find the appropriate position to make the call. There is no need to expend any additional effort and may actually save you a breath or two.

Walking doesn't need to mean you keep walking through the pitch. Personally, I use a "one step set", which, when timed properly, gives you a step from one foot forward to square with home plate when the pitcher starts her motion, you are set when the pitcher begins her step and whatever she does with her pivot foot, and on the balls of your feet ready to move in either direction when the pitch reaches the plate.

This accomplishes every agenda. You are not stagnant and locked at the time you need to be ready to move, you are ready to drive off in either direction if the ball is hit right at you, yet you are still (momentarily) at the decision moment relative to the pitcher's step/slide/leap (whatever), to judge the legal/illegal pitch.

The only thing ASA has us do that is lamer than walking the line is cleaning the pitching plate.

BOTH mechanics are "busy work" for the BU, neither are anything more than that.

But they say we gotta so.. we do these stupid things..

The walking the line mechanic is not just "busy work," as Steve and Mike have already pointed out. Personally, I was one of the umpires who were glad when ASA brought it back.

I disagree.. you see umpires are figuring out ways to take one step, timed perfectly, so they can do all of their jobs and still comply with "walking the line".

Do you wander around in B or C before the pitch?

If its so important to be walking every pitch, then it should apply in B and C as well.. or its nonsense.

It helps, sometimes, to put ourselves, as it were, in the other person's shoes. I've done a little investigating of our friend wade, and I think I see where he is coming from.

wade walking

:D

Phew!
Man you scared me. :cool:

Dont do that.. jeez.