ASA National Umpire School- Columbus, Ohio

[BretMan]

Yeah, the baseball guys are real funny about that. I've seen one rush over to the ball and begin artificial respiration. I've heard of another that did some sort of mock funeral, complete with taps and pallbearers.

I did remember something that one of the "helpers" (not a member of the National Staff, but a local guy helping run some of the drills) tried to say I was doing wrong, but I'm not entirely convinced he had it right. Every now and again at a clinic I'll have someone give me an off-the-wall piece of advice and instead of debating the (possibly self-appointed) "expert" it's easier to just smile and nod, then follow up later on your own.

During the Buttonhook Drill, it was reinforced that we should "walk the line" prior to the pitch. The umpire manual says to take "one or two steps toward home plate" and push off with your left foot as the ball is batted.

My normal way of doing this has been to start off (before taking any steps) with my left foot slightly ahead of the right foot. With the start of the pitch, I take one step with the right foot, then a second with the left. This is two steps and it puts my weight on the left foot- so I can push off with it- as the pitch is released. I've done it this way since "walking the line" came back a few years ago and have never had it mentioned in any of my evaluations.

The guy at the clinic was adamant that I should be starting with my right foot slightly ahead of the left, then take only one step forward with my left foot.

Is this personal opinion, personal preference, misguided advice or the prefered method of walking the line?