First Plate Game

[derwil]

NFHS Middle School game

Trying to set up in the slot but I had a lot of problems seeing the outside pitch. Any suggestions?

I feel I was inconsistant all night...fans/players did too. The right team won, but it took them longer. Reviewing it in my mind, at first my zone was too small.... no inside or outside corners. Then I tried to adjust and was inconsistant. I know that experience will help with this but any other pointers?

Also...pitching from one of the teams was all over the place. Kinda had a hard time keeping it around the plate and away from the backstop. Does this get anyone else to feel like they were inconsistant?

[wadeintothem]

Hi!

I think it is very important you self analyze - fairly look at your game.

Every single game you work, from the next game to your last game, be working on something. Someone should be able to ask you "What are you working on this game?" and you consciously know what it is you are working on and could answer that question.

Your zone is going to be one you are going to work on for a few years IMO.

OK, so you arent seeing the outside pitch - the answer is simple to explain but difficult for you to get perfect for you. God, Momma, and McDonalds all designed us differently so there is some differences but the basics are the same.

I would guess you are not properly in the slot and you are not tracking the pitch all the way to the glove. I'm sure your timing is goofed up as well, but start by getting the right position and tracking the ball. Then you can work on your timing.

Give me a few minutes and I might be able to provide you with a few graphic aids for proper position and I or some else can provide you with tracking the ball info. It starts with position though.

Give me a few.

[wadeintothem]

I think you are a perfect example of someone who would benefit greatly from the ASA DVD, so find a UIC or someone in your area who has it and watch it or purchase it yourself. Watch it over and over. I took some screen shots of the DVD - PU Stance section and was going to post them but I think I might ruffle some feathers by doing that.

So I just dug around in my pics until I found a decent shot of an umpire (not me) - I'm sure this ump could be critiqued but I think its good and certainly good enough for training



Red Line: Good heel toe - hook the catcher. Your back foot should be back and your forward foot should be set wide enough for you to have your eyes at the top of the zone forward to a direct line should run from the forward foot heel to the reat foot toe. The forward foot on a righty is the left, on a lefty, it is the right foot.

You can lean a little but bend at the knees. Be comfortable.. this is where mom, god and mcdonalds comes in.

Blue Line -- ASA uses different terms but generally, aim your belt buckle at the the right outside corner prior to going set (you will straighten as you set).

Now you should be able to see the entire zone. If you cant, adjust your hook slightly around the catcher but keep the same alightment.

Green line - Track. Forget the old school baseball thing about not moving your head. Slightly move your head, keeping your nose on the ball tracking the ball all the way through the zone watching it into the catchers mitt. See the whole pitch from release to catch. No need for an exaggerated head movement., but a slight tilt so you can track it.

I think if you master those beginning elements you will improve your zone and set a foundation for tweeking it.


Sometimes you find your zone and.. its not received well. It must be believable and if game after game you are getting problems, you may need to reevaluate the pitches you are calling and your zone.

Hope this helps!

[Steve M]

Nice job, Wade. You're right - the pictured ump could be commented on, but that wasn't the purpose of finding a picture you could make your points with. And, in middle school ball, Derwil may just be as concerned with survival as he is with his own positioning.

Derwil, Wade alluded to this - let me shout this. Make watching the catcher catch the ball your first priority. Put this together with what Wade gave you and you will have taken care of postioning and timing - after those two items, we've all pretty much got the same judgement.

[AtlUmpSteve]

Here's what I would add; not subtract, or change. What you have here is a good start.

For optimal consistency, set your eyes at the top of the zone you will call, and with your nose on the inside batter's box line. That sets two of the four parameters in space; anything above your eyes is too high, anything past your nose in inside. That limits your required judgment to the two remaining parameters; outside and low.

Secondarily, move closer to the catcher than the picture; no more than 6" behind the catcher, if you can. The closer you get to the front, the more you can see the ball through (and past) the plate, into the glove. The farther back you set, the more the catcher's body blocks what you want to see; it's basic geometry.

Finally, track the ball, as far as you can see it; with your NOSE!! Forget the eyes, don't worry about head movement, no matter what anyone else says. If you keep your nose pointed to the ball, your eyes will stay focused; and nothing is more important!!