Watch the ball, dummy!

[scottk_61]

You forgot a basic tenant of umpire positioning.

Keep the ball and the play in front of you.
Get off the plate, give yourself some room to move if need be.
Not trying to pick nits with you but you had to be waaaaaayyyy too close to the plate in line with the throw for this to happen.
A position that would not have allowed you a good look at a play at the plate had there been one.

Remember, close enough to see and far away to not be a factor in the play.