PonyUmpire

So EVERY F2 on EVERY team you see sets up at the same height? Of course not. Chin/top-of-helmet is a guideline I tried to use when developing my stance. With a short catcher, my head might be slightly higher relative to his head, and with a tall catcher the opposite might be true. My stance and head height stay constant throughout the game.

Well, since each batter is of a different size and has a different strike zone, I'm not sure why some people get so worked up over this. The strike zone changes with each and ever batter during a game, so your head positioning should change accordingly. I am constantly amazed when I see guys on TV that set really high. I have no idea how they are calling the top accurately, but many of them do. Whenever I try to set that high, literally everything high looks like a strike. I am a firm proponent of the "eyes at the top of zone" theory. But if your head is in a different spot, you're not just seeing the high pitch differently, you're seeing every pitch differently. As a case in point, I was tweaking my stance during a JV game last week. About mid-way through the game, I made an adjustment that brought my head down about 6 inches from where it had been (according to my partner). My partner told me, and I agreed, that this caused the bottom of my zone to move up by a slight, but appreciable amount. This makes sense, as I was viewing the zone from 2 slightly different angles. You can re-set your zone without having to change your head position, just move your eyes. I was making an adjustment to my stance to get a better look in the slot, and my head happened to move down as a result. I wasn't trying to adjust my zone. My point was that changes in head position can change the way you call the strike zone.

Well, since each batter is of a different size and has a different strike zone, I'm not sure why some people get so worked up over this. The strike zone changes with each and ever batter during a game, so your head positioning should change accordingly. I am constantly amazed when I see guys on TV that set really high. I have no idea how they are calling the top accurately, but many of them do. Whenever I try to set that high, literally everything high looks like a strike. I am a firm proponent of the "eyes at the top of zone" theory. But if your head is in a different spot, you're not just seeing the high pitch differently, you're seeing every pitch differently. As a case in point, I was tweaking my stance during a JV game last week. About mid-way through the game, I made an adjustment that brought my head down about 6 inches from where it had been (according to my partner). My partner told me, and I agreed, that this caused the bottom of my zone to move up by a slight, but appreciable amount. This makes sense, as I was viewing the zone from 2 slightly different angles.

I don't agree with making your eyes level to the top of the zone, as this will cause your head to be in a different spot for each batter. What I do is, after dropping down into my locked in position (chin level with top of catcher's head), take a quick glance at where the top of the zone is for that particular batter. Then I just track the crap out of the ball, and will generally know if the pitch is up without having to use the catcher as a reference point.

Fixed it for ya ! That's where you're wrong. I take pride in being brutal behind the dish. As such, I'm always satisfied with my strike zone.

As people have said, calling balls and strikes is the hardest with younger kids. It's very rare that I walk away from one of those games satisfied with my zone.

When working 1 man, just call time as soon as you turn your back to the infield to return to the plate area. Nothing can happen until you put the ball back in play

Also, with lower levels, instead of messing with your corner, try expanding up/down. It's hard for smaller kids to reach that outside pitch anyway.

If you have trouble with the outside corner, it might be a tracking, head hight, or slot positioning issue. Have an evaluator look at where you are setting up. Also have him look at your eyes to make sure you are tracking the ball all the way to the mitt (it's surprising how many umpires think they are tracking, when in fact they are releasing the ball a few feet in front of the plate).

Possible edit?: "My partner called him safe."

Most new umpires are afraid to eject. It sounds like afaber is a new umpire who is ejecting when he needs to, and he certainly shouldn't be criticized for it.

It wasn't my UIC. It was the UIC of a league that my youth ball association assigns for.

Why would you respond with such hostility and suspicion? Who knows if he came armed with his insult, you might have provoked it. I wasn't there, so I don't presume to know the context of the parent's question. But I do know that good seldom results from our escalating the situation. I have a canned response for this question: "I'd officiate the game for free, but they have to pay me to listen to the parents!" With the way he said it to me, and his use of the past tense, there was no doubt as to what he meant. It was the same gentleman who, on the THIRD PITCH of the game (in the dirt), after I had called two no-doubters for strikes, snidely asked me if I was sure that pitch wasn't a strike as well. I'm no stranger to chirping, but it was just bizarre. In this same game, the chief umpire of the league (acting as an assistant coach), after I called obstruction IN FAVOR of his team, felt the need to inform me that my obstruction mechanic was WRONG. My "incorrect mechanic": When the obstruction occurred - "that's obstruction!" (while pointing) After the play was over - "Time! Time! I had obstruction right here! He scores!" You guys might not know this, and thank god the chief umpire brought it to my attention, but the mechanic for type B obstruction is actually an extended left fist and no verbal. I guess we've all been doing it wrong this whole time.

I heard this from a lovely gentleman in the parking lot following a MUSTANG GAME (9-10yo). I asked him if he was insinuating that I took a bribe from the other team. He said, "no, I guess you're too stupid for that". His kid was standing right there. Sometimes I don't know why I even do youth ball.

Game management; projecting authority and decisiveness. Game awareness. Maintaining hustle, crispness, presence, and focus even when the game becomes boring or tiring. Find a low zone that I'm happy with.

I'm happy to declare that I didn't suck!

In my HS assoc, Frosh is 1 man. JV and Varsity are 2 man. My youth ball assoc is pretty much all 1 man, except for travel tournaments.

Solo. All of the intersquad scrimmages I've worked (all JV and Varsity) have been 2 man, so it will definitely be an adjustment.

Will be working my first regular season HS game (frosh) this coming Saturday! I'll let you guys know how it goes.

I've been thinking about it all day, and I still can't adequately put my feelings into words. We'll miss you Mike!

Another thing that I've found makes a HUGE difference is breathing. Try slowly breathing out right before the pitcher releases the ball. Track the pitch all the way to glove, make your decision, then breathe in and make your call. Doing this will put you in a very relaxed state as the pitch comes in, which will help eliminate flinching and blinking. It will also make tracking easier, and help keep your timing consistently slow.

I just realized I've worked a scrimmage with this guy. Didn't know I was in the presence of a celebrity!

Maybe switch to a stance that allows you to lock in better. I work a GD hybrid stance now, and I don't think I could move if I wanted to.

The ball is really good down here though.