Mechanics clinic

[KJUmp]

Has anyone ever had the occasion to participate in (as an attendee or a clinician) a mechanics clinic/training session that was, for lack of a better phrase, non-organizational specific?

In other words, it wasn't a clinic/training session that was specifically dealing with NFHS, ASA, NSA, USSSA, NCAA, etc. mechanics. Rather the content presented dealt more with the importance/value, reasoning, logic, philosophy of mechanics. Umpiring X's and O's if you will, that no matter what codes you work under, or your experience level, you got something of value from attending.

I'd appreciate any thoughts and feedback (positive or negative) if you've have been part of such a training session, or if you haven't, your thoughts on the concept.....especially from any members who have experience as clinicians and/or trainers.

[AtlUmpSteve]

NO. Never been part of a universal clinic, and I doubt anyone else has, either.

My version of reality has every clinic serving a purpose for a specific organization; or, at least, any clinician espousing the philosophy of the primary organization of affiliation or recognition.

I could see quite a few very capable of a multi-organization rules or mechanics clinic (EA in Arizona comes to mind immediately, followed by WS in Texas, JF in Ohio); but the reality is that the major organizations (speaking ASA/NCAA/NFHS/PGF) have very differing missions, and thus philosophies. I think it would be almost impossible to create a single generic and universally accepted core.

JMO.

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by AtlUmpSteve

...I think it would be almost impossible to create a single generic and universally accepted core...

Universally accepted? Agree. But, if you limit it to youth fastpitch, I would think the core would be quite large, indeed. Base it on NFHS/ASA, and everybody else just kind of goes along for the ride. Who else even DOES umpire schools that cover on-field mechanics? (No one around here.)

[AtlUmpSteve]

Originally Posted by Dakota

Universally accepted? Agree. But, if you limit it to youth fastpitch, I would think the core would be quite large, indeed. Base it on NFHS/ASA, and everybody else just kind of goes along for the ride. Who else even DOES umpire schools that cover on-field mechanics? (No one around here.)

Well, while not specifically consider youth, the NCAA seems to have the biggest impact on variations of mechanics trickling down to ASA and NFHS. Even basics, like, how close/far to be to a play, approved/nonapproved signals, what angle and direction to hammer, working outside or buttonhooking, chasing or not chasing fly balls, and on and on and on.

The issue is that the higher level umpires that work collegiately are almost universally trainers, or assisting the trainers for ASA and NFHS. The "I do it this way in college" mentality is better than the "NCAA is a higher level game, so the mechanics are what everyone should be changing to", but that erodes at any consistency.

[Dakota]

But, if you try to do a universal mechanics school that includes NCAA, NCAA has several mechanics that would not apply to or are not recommended by ASA/NFHS for lower levels, such as "rimming" (as previously discussed here), whereas ASA & NFHS mechanics are, for all practical purposes, already identical.

Sure, many ASA/NFHS clinicians are also NCAA umpires, but they (of all people) should take seriously their responsibility when conducting an ASA or NFHS school and not make it their personal hobby horse for their favorite NCAA differences.

[DaveASA/FED]

Originally Posted by Dakota

Sure, many ASA/NFHS clinicians are also NCAA umpires, but they (of all people) should take seriously their responsibility when conducting an ASA or NFHS school and not make it their personal hobby horse for their favorite NCAA differences.

I couldn't agree with you more.....but I know for a fact that a LOT of clinicians do cross over and bring the NCAA mechanics into ASA and NFHS clinics, or at least that has been my experience in my area. The old when in Rome thing I guess wasn't announced to them. This is a huge pet peeve of mine, it leads to inconsistency and honestly I feel bad for the students that leave saying "Well this is what I learned at the ASA school I attended". Then they get to a tournament and have a UIC crawl up their backside for using the wrong mechanics!!!