In the zone...and then............

[drh898]

USSSA tournament this weekend. I have been umpiring for about 4 years. At an ASA tournament about a month ago I worked 4 games with a veteran umpire, Randy Gouday(?), NCAA, and while I'm a veteran, 65, I'm relatively new. He critiqued my game during the day for which I am very grateful. I thought I was a pretty good umpire but he showed me how to get better, changed my stance, working with coaches, etc.

Anyway, this weekend, for the first time, I was "in the zone" on Saturday. Saw every pitch, didn't miss a one (in my mind). Come Sunday, all of a sudden I seemed to be off. Worked hard to bring myself back and felt by the end of the game I'd got it back, mainly by reminding myself to concentrate on every pitch.

So, my question to you all. I'm sure you have been "in the zone", much like a batter who sees the ball as a big watermellon at times and a pea at other times. Batters do things to get them out of a slump. What are good tips to get an umpire out of a slump. "In the zone" is intoxicating.