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.

Well I gotta go walk the line and clean the pitcher plate :rolleyes: .. see yall later.

One thing that sucks is I gave my partner bad directions and cant remember his dang last name to get his number off arbiter.. oops... :cool:

In B and C I have an added responsibilty, that of the runner leaving early. Being set at that time makes a lot more sense, as I am having to rely on my peripheral vision.

What the hell are you talking about? Have you even checked to see the proper method and situation in which the mechanic is to be used?

Walking the line is only to be executed in foul ground during the delivery with no runners on base. Therefore, you will never use this mechanic in the B or C position. That means you are not moving while the pitcher is in her "wind up" and you are still deep enough to not move into F3's way.

When runners are on base, the BU has more duties than just watching the pitcher. Also, moving with the delivery could put you in a fielder's line of sight or the path of an infielder's move just prior to or as a reation to a batted ball.

You need to attend next years UIC clinic and come with an open mind. Don't get me wrong. I don't always agree with every rule and mechanic change implemented, but this gives me the opportunity to hear and discuss the issue first hand with those involved with the decision.

BTW, why do players clear a base of dirt after a play? Is it not so everyone can see it including their teammates? Why does the PU clean the plate? Is it not so everyone can see it? Why should the PP be different? Does not cleaning it help you and your partner see it and aid you in performing your duties in a proper and professional manner?

My point is, if walking is so wonderful.. it should be used in B and C.

Since it is obviously not used, it is de facto acknowledged as inferior. Set is the better position for watching.

Wade,
Sometimes your thoughts make sense. This is not one of those times. So here's what you should do - instead of whining - get yourself into one of those positions which set mechanics and standards & all that. Then, we can all sit back and whine about the standards you've set without thinking about the reasoning behind them.

Also, its absurd to argue its not busy work.. its even taught as busy work. To keep the umpire moving when in A etc. The purpose of it is to keep the big fat lazy umpire in the game. I.e. busy work.

Im not that good at kissing but and I really suck at Yes-Man. :cool:

Don't know who is blowin' smoke up you skirt, but I would suggest you start wearing pants if you are susceptible to this type of bull.

OK mike, since this is obviously a very personal issue for you.. its the bestest mechanic ever. The great mechanic known as "walking the line" (very Johnny Casheqse, only adding to its allure) has vast importance in terms of moving to make the call at first, and timed properly and perfectly, you can even watch for other stuff too! Its AWESOME! I stand corrected and humbled before your wisdom, and the compelling arguments you have presented have indeed enlightened me.

No, what I take personally is someone who talks about training umpires is so adament about dismissing the prescribed mechanics based on a misconception.

One of the things that sets ASA umpires apart from many others is the championship level training available. Every time I've seen an umpire get in trouble at a NC it is because they were not trained in the proper mechanics, but it wasn't their fault. They honestly believed what they were doing was proper, but they got bad info that was "localized" or based on personal opinion/preference of the local UIC instead of what is prescribed ASA mechanics.

The problem is that it is the umpire that gets the gig on their rating.

I've walked onto fields without knowing another umpire any longer than five minutes and the crew has performed flawlessly. OTOH, I have also worked games and looked to my left for a partner only to find that I did not have one. When reviewing the game afterwards, his excuse was "that isn't the way we do it at home"!

Well rest easy knowing I teach walk the line, it was even on my power point I created, and make no ill comments about it when teaching it, no matter how stupid the mechanic is.

Common sense and every other mechanic in umpiring tells you set is better ... Its a no brainer..

Just because I personally think its idiotic, I would never teach umpires outside what is proscribed by ASA.

And I agree with you, ASA does the best Amateur level training of umpires, bar none.

When I get to have my own opinion about it, (like here) I express that I think it is lame.

It is lame, and the reasoning is unsound.. and further more I've had national staff themselves (on more than one occasion) say one of the purposes is to keep BU moving and in the game.. thats equally absurd as pretending moving is better than set when watching things develop.

But I do teach it, so be cool.

You aint drinking jersey water are ya?

;)

This is why it is stupid.

Priority 1 - The pitch - observing for IP
Priority 2 - The ball reaching the batter, strike, F2 drop ball?, check swing etc.
Priority 3a - Swing with contact.. ball hits batter in box? Out of box?
NOW you can move
Priority 3b - swing with no contact
Yep, you guessed it, no need to move.


Before that, common sense tell you you need to be set to give full attention to priorities 1-3a. A bunt with a batter charging .. it can be very close on the hitting batter in box/out of box. You need to be watching. A foul ball off the foot is the same way. You cant see that moving.

Now if you have to time some step so you can do your job and still comply, then it needs to be rethought as a mechanic. If you must figure out a way to work around a mechanic, then its no good.

I know the goal is to time a step so you have your weight is on the forward foot so you can decide what way to go.

That does nothing. Its diminished returns. You have more potential for missing something with that mechanic.

Please tell me where I'm wrong. Where is the benefit that it outweighs the harm?

I'll read it and maybe even learn.. but spare me the "cuz ASA says" stuff.. that I know.

NCAA teaches walking the line, and clearly states "not to take more than two steps." A cursory examination of the NFHS book doesn't show any particular mechanic, though it is possible I missed it there.

So...is the every other mechanic you are referring to the small ball mechanic?

Ideally, you dont make any calls nor should you be observing any play while moving. The only exception I can think of is moving back towards 1B on a double play, so you are likely in some form of movement for the 2B call, but should be set for banger @ 1B.. Ideally, you move to position, come set, observe, make the call. That is in any ball. The only way around walking the line is taking steps so they dont interfere with this. What ends up happening is too many umpires are taking steps during the pitch. That is not correct nor best.

You did miss it. 2008 change; NFHS follows ASA with walk-the-line mechanic.

Curious - does ASA teach walking-the-line for both base umpires in a 3-man crew when no runners are on base? I don't remember that, but it is in the NFHS manual.

WMB

Yep ASA has both walk the line with noone one....or with someone on last year at National:eek: needless to say he got some discussion at the half inning, verified by UIC after game.

Man did I create a monster here. My point was just that it seemed wierd to me to have umpires mobile when attempting to call an IP....I agree I try to time the steps (1 1/2 for me so my left foot on 1st base is in the air so I can swing it toward the infield if a hit is made) BUT I still see that as an inconsistance in being set to make calls. That is all I am saying, I also adjust stepping when someone is 'close' to illegal so I get a better look at the pitch, but as mentioned when training 30,000+ umpires not all will get the point to be as stationary as possible when the IP most likely events take place, and possibly this is part of the inconsistancy in IP calls. Some is a guts issue, some might be partially contributed to movement, JMO, and that is what is great here you can give your opinion and debate it againss everyone elses.

I see what you mean now when you say "every other mechanic." I thought that we were still discussing the mechanic for a BU at first with nobody on.

No, I was talking about everything in life where, because we are humans with human eyeballs, it is better to be set than moving when looking at something. :D