2009 advanced FP camp

[ronald]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

Ronald,

So, how did you like the camp? Was it what you expected? Do you think you gained anything from it?

Overall, I enjoyed the camp, instructors and fellow umps. For me, the best part was the attitude and availability of the instructors. They made it a point to tell us they were there for us and to ask questions and gain as much info and wisdom from them. They surpassed that standard IMO and I took advantage to talk with them about mechanics or softball. Malcolm Boyles is passionate about softball and umpiring and enjoys discussing it and you often saw him talking about some topic related to softball with a small group of umpires. The staff realized that changes need to be made to parts of the first 2 days. A pertinent example concerns the DVD. Most umps had already seen it and so that could have been skipped.

We received a schedule of the events for the 2 days of instruction so we knew what to expect. So those expectations were met but there was a couple of little things I had not heard before. For example, no need for a strong sell hammer on every strike. The verbal is the sell. Do a hammer like Keith Kerney and you nailed it. On the third stike, Julie likes you to look at the area where the ball was caught, and after the punch out or bow out, make sure you square up again. Kevin and Julie thoroughly covered plate mechanics, stance/timing/tracking/set up, etc. I had hoped for a deeper discussion and guidance concerning interference/obstruction and things to look for to assist in calling this.

I gained a better appreciation and understanding for the staff who dedicate their time to improving umpires. I had been to the National School earlier and given the number of students, the staff was overwhelmed with everything they were trying to accomplish. It was much easier to see and sense how the staff enjoys teaching and assisting umps in a smaller group.
They are more relaxed and energized. 75-100 students is way too many, unless you get 10 or so NUS there.

The fields at the complex are set down from the stands. This allows those who want to study umpiring a perfect view to see plays develop and how umps move. There were some who thought it was impossible to go in on a hit to right field. I saw a couple of instances where an ump did it and a couple where they did not. It is possible. I can put that in my experience and be assured that I can get in when the play happens. I used to do it automatically and will have to retrain myself on that one.

That's enough writing

Ron

[wadeintothem]

Well this weekend both of the attendees from are area were at the same tourney as me and I worked several games with one of them. He gave me several pointers. Tweeking things such as one step to get set, knee is one fist back from the catch etc. It was good to work with them with this clinic so fresh in their mind. I was able to fine tune myself a little I think. Some other things -

Had two elite FP umps there as well and both were suprised at the strictness of no calling form the out side on a ball hit to FP - both were Merle FP advanced camps and had different takes but definately listened to them so they learned what NUS is wanting taught so we can all pass this info on to the other umpires..

[ronald]

Originally Posted by wadeintothem

Well this weekend both of the attendees from are area were at the same tourney as me and I worked several games with one of them. He gave me several pointers. Tweeking things such as one step to get set, knee is one fist back from the catch etc. It was good to work with them with this clinic so fresh in their mind. I was able to fine tune myself a little I think. Some other things -

Had two elite FP umps there as well and both were suprised at the strictness of no calling form the out side on a ball hit to FP - both were Merle FP advanced camps and had different takes but definately listened to them so they learned what NUS is wanting taught so we can all pass this info on to the other umpires..

Wade,

Did they tell you about how to set up based on the arch of the catcher's foot?

[wadeintothem]

Originally Posted by ronald

Wade,

Did they tell you about how to set up based on the arch of the catcher's foot?

Yes, because it was the assoc championship and 1 game on 1 game off, we set up a little mini clinic and they ran through the entire set up it between a few of the games. Good stuff.

Not that I agree with everything, but when it comes down to performance, I do the mechanics to the best of my ability and want to do it right. .. then I come here and whine.

They also took a little heat when ever anything happened on the field.. like "they teach you that at advanced camp.. "

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by wadeintothem

Well this weekend both of the attendees from are area were at the same tourney as me and I worked several games with one of them. He gave me several pointers. Tweeking things such as one step to get set, knee is one fist back from the catch etc. It was good to work with them with this clinic so fresh in their mind. I was able to fine tune myself a little I think. Some other things -

Had two elite FP umps there as well and both were suprised at the strictness of no calling form the out side on a ball hit to FP - both were Merle FP advanced camps and had different takes but definately listened to them so they learned what NUS is wanting taught so we can all pass this info on to the other umpires..

More detail, please:
"one step to get set, knee is one fist back from the catch "
"no calling form the out side on a ball hit to FP"

[PtotheB]

Please, I'm curious as well. BTW you'd think that ASA would consider selling a packet with a DVD of highlights as well as presentations of the weekend. I'd buy it.

[bkbjones]

Was able to debrief some over the past weekend and got it in two languages, American and Canadian.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by PtotheB

Please, I'm curious as well. BTW you'd think that ASA would consider selling a packet with a DVD of highlights as well as presentations of the weekend. I'd buy it.

Unfortunately, this would probably damage the camp.

As with things like the mechanics DVD, this board and a few other resources, too many umpires would sit back and figure they have it covered instead of attending the appropriate clinics, schools and camps.

[PtotheB]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

Unfortunately, this would probably damage the camp.

As with things like the mechanics DVD, this board and a few other resources, too many umpires would sit back and figure they have it covered instead of attending the appropriate clinics, schools and camps.

I don't buy it (No pun intended) . The umpires that want the knowledge and instruction will still get it. If ASA's intentions are altruistic then they would want to get this knowledge out to as many umpires as possible.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by PtotheB

I don't buy it (No pun intended) . The umpires that want the knowledge and instruction will still get it. If ASA's intentions are altruistic then they would want to get this knowledge out to as many umpires as possible.

That is why there are clinics and schools. The information is already there, you just need to go get it.

[bkbjones]

Originally Posted by PtotheB

I don't buy it (No pun intended) . The umpires that want the knowledge and instruction will still get it. If ASA's intentions are altruistic then they would want to get this knowledge out to as many umpires as possible.

There you go again with the four syllable words. Didn't you get the memo????

[ronald]

Originally Posted by CecilOne

More detail, please:
"one step to get set, knee is one fist back from the catch "
"no calling form the out side on a ball hit to FP"

Cecil,

The one step as I recall refers to getting set with the heel toe stance. On rh batter you put your right foot behind the catcher and then your left foot naturally swings around to where your toes should line up with the arch of the catcher's feet. It is important that the catcher is in the his/her final position. Once you do this, you should not reset your feet. GPA should be there and correct distance from catcher. That is what I think the poster means by one step. It is the initial get set.

Now once you have done this, go set. Your knee should be a fist or fist with the thumb out from the catcher's back. Also if your back is straight in a natural way, they do not mean straight up and down, then your shoulders should align vertically with your knees. If your head is where it is suppose to be, you will have an unobstructed view of the outside corner. Actually you have a really open view of every thing and if you track from release point to catcher's mitt, man what a view! If head is at right height, you will get the outside pitch at the knee right every time or 99% of the time.

Preaching to the choir, but, track the ball with your nose. Make it your eyes. The eyes follow the nose. You will see the ball cross the plate and go into the catcher's mitt. And on pitches that the catcher catches right at the ground, your head will move like Tracey's did in the WCWS. As a side note and may be a repeat, she got a call from someone asking whether she still wanted to do the big tourneys or just college ball cause she used the NCAA strike mechanic in her first game. She responded to the effect of I will fix it.


Side bar before next point.

Julie recommends the following for batters that crowd the plate and make it difficult if not block ump from seeing the pitch leave pitcher's hand. Stay where you are as if not blocked. You will be able to see where the catcher catches the ball up or down on the inside pitch. Call it a strike and by her reasoning the batter will back off. That is what she does on those insidious plate huggers.

No calling on outside. I think that is a typo. Think writer meant, could be wrong, 1b. Don't go foul territory unless absolutely, or 1 in a million situation where you have to. This is the best way, especially for 39,000 umpires, speaking ASA.

Hope that helps.

Ron

[wadeintothem]

Originally Posted by ronald

Cecil,

The one step as I recall refers to getting set with the heel toe stance. On rh batter you put your right foot behind the catcher and then your left foot naturally swings around to where your toes should line up with the arch of the catcher's feet. It is important that the catcher is in the his/her final position. Once you do this, you should not reset your feet. GPA should be there and correct distance from catcher. That is what I think the poster means by one step. It is the initial get set.

Now once you have done this, go set. Your knee should be a fist or fist with the thumb out from the catcher's back. Also if your back is straight in a natural way, they do not mean straight up and down, then your shoulders should align vertically with your knees. If your head is where it is suppose to be, you will have an unobstructed view of the outside corner. Actually you have a really open view of every thing and if you track from release point to catcher's mitt, man what a view! If head is at right height, you will get the outside pitch at the knee right every time or 99% of the time.

Preaching to the choir, but, track the ball with your nose. Make it your eyes. The eyes follow the nose. You will see the ball cross the plate and go into the catcher's mitt. And on pitches that the catcher catches right at the ground, your head will move like Tracey's did in the WCWS. As a side note and may be a repeat, she got a call from someone asking whether she still wanted to do the big tourneys or just college ball cause she used the NCAA strike mechanic in her first game. She responded to the effect of I will fix it.


Side bar before next point.

Julie recommends the following for batters that crowd the plate and make it difficult if not block ump from seeing the pitch leave pitcher's hand. Stay where you are as if not blocked. You will be able to see where the catcher catches the ball up or down on the inside pitch. Call it a strike and by her reasoning the batter will back off. That is what she does on those insidious plate huggers.

No calling on outside. I think that is a typo. Think writer meant, could be wrong, 1b. Don't go foul territory unless absolutely, or 1 in a million situation where you have to. This is the best way, especially for 39,000 umpires, speaking ASA.

Hope that helps.

Ron

I missed his post but you said it really well. Thanks! Thats exactly what I was talking about and what was told to me by other attendees about positioning.

Ive been working on that stuff.

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by ronald

Cecil,

The one step as I recall refers to getting set with the heel toe stance. On rh batter you put your right foot behind the catcher and then your left foot naturally swings around to where your toes should line up with the arch of the catcher's feet. It is important that the catcher is in the his/her final position. Once you do this, you should not reset your feet. GPA should be there and correct distance from catcher. That is what I think the poster means by one step. It is the initial get set.

Now once you have done this, go set. Your knee should be a fist or fist with the thumb out from the catcher's back. Also if your back is straight in a natural way, they do not mean straight up and down, then your shoulders should align vertically with your knees. If your head is where it is suppose to be, you will have an unobstructed view of the outside corner. Actually you have a really open view of every thing and if you track from release point to catcher's mitt, man what a view! If head is at right height, you will get the outside pitch at the knee right every time or 99% of the time.

Preaching to the choir, but, track the ball with your nose. Make it your eyes. The eyes follow the nose. You will see the ball cross the plate and go into the catcher's mitt. And on pitches that the catcher catches right at the ground, your head will move like Tracey's did in the WCWS. As a side note and may be a repeat, she got a call from someone asking whether she still wanted to do the big tourneys or just college ball cause she used the NCAA strike mechanic in her first game. She responded to the effect of I will fix it.

Ron

OK, heard all that before, just not the cryptic identifier or the elaborate geometry.

Originally Posted by ronald

Cecil,
No calling on outside. I think that is a typo. Think writer meant, could be wrong, 1b. Don't go foul territory unless absolutely, or 1 in a million situation where you have to. This is the best way, especially for 39,000 umpires, speaking ASA.
Ron

If you mean not coming down the line from A on a ball hit deep close to 1st, I see, but disagree.

Originally Posted by ronald

Cecil,
Hope that helps.

Ron

yes

[ronald]

Originally Posted by CecilOne

If you mean not coming down the line from A on a ball hit deep close to 1st, I see, but disagree.

yes

I was thinking ball hit to F9. I believe you can go foul side on the play you describe above. I heard my UIC say that was permitted by ASA on a play like that.