Slot Adjustment

[kwiggie]

In short, worked a game last weekend and just got the h@ll kicked out of me as pu. I work the slot, heel to toe, etc. HT f1 was working the inside of the plate all day long. f2 was setting up on the middle of the plate regardless of the pitch call, no complaints about f2, he did a fine job. 99% of my hits came from jam shots. My big concern was that I took (I think) 5 or 6 shots to the grill, that is more then I took all last year.

So my question is, to you guys who use it, do you make an adjustment at some point during this game to maybe lessen the shots you are taking in the slot?

[BrianC14]

In short, worked a game last weekend and just got the h@ll kicked out of me as pu. I work the slot, heel to toe, etc. HT f1 was working the inside of the plate all day long. f2 was setting up on the middle of the plate regardless of the pitch call, no complaints about f2, he did a fine job. 99% of my hits came from jam shots. My big concern was that I took (I think) 5 or 6 shots to the grill, that is more then I took all last year.

So my question is, to you guys who use it, do you make an adjustment at some point during this game to maybe lessen the shots you are taking in the slot?

What's a "jam shot" ?

If there are no complaints about the work F2 did, then how are you getting hit so much?

(I use the same setup you describe).

[Paperipper17]

Sometimes, you're just going to wear 'em. The first high school fall game I ever worked was like that. We all have those games. To be honest, I'm very careful to not change my positioning if I've taken several shots, for fear that I'll either develop bad habits or lose my perception of the zone. I think the first thing you have to look at is make sure you aren't unconsciously doing something different. If you aren't, Just chalk it up to a bad day. However, if this keeps up, you may need to make an adjustment. Unfortunately, I don't think that's really something any of us can give you any concrete opinions on...That's something you'll probably have to feel out yourself.

[kwiggie]

What's a "jam shot" ?.

You know, in on the hands of the batters...

If there are no complaints about the work F2 did, then how are you getting hit so much? .

The catcher did a good job, it is just that I was being peppered with foul balls all day from inside pitches. Like I said he set up down the middle of the plate all game. Now with that said, would you suggest to f2 that if his pitcher is going to live on the inside corner of the plate that he needs to consider setting up on the inside as well?

[BrianC14]

You know, in on the hands of the batters...

The catcher did a good job, it is just that I was being peppered with foul balls all day from inside pitches. Like I said he set up down the middle of the plate all game. Now with that said, would you suggest to f2 that if his pitcher is going to live on the inside corner of the plate that he needs to consider setting up on the inside as well?

Oh, OK. I had never heard the term 'jam shot' before... but that happened on a couple during a game I worked yesterday.

And in answer to your question, 'Should I suggest to F2...'... the answer is an unequivocal

NO. DON'T EVER.

Just don't. Think about it - you're actually asking a catcher to squeeze your slot view?

And remember - catcher's talk. Can you imagine the irate coach coming out and asking you who the HELL you think you are, telling his catcher what to do? ('cause trust me, that's how it's going to be relayed to the head coach, and now you're in a world of hurt).

Hopefully after a while, batters will begin to realize what's happening and either open up sooner or move off the plate a touch. When they start making solid contact, that should put F1's plan to rest.

Now - all that said - I wish I had games where pitchers had this kind of consistent control...

Edited April 22, 2010 by BrianC14

[kwiggie]

And remember - catcher's talk. Can you imagine the irate coach coming out and asking you who the HELL you think you are, telling his catcher what to do? ('cause trust me, that's how it's going to be relayed to the head coach, and now you're in a world of hurt). ..

That is exactly what I was telling myself everytime I thought that I would say somthing to f2 about setting up on the inside, glad I didn't for that very reason! Oh, and the whole squeeze thing too (which to be honest I wasn't thinking about after about the 7th braining, but good point in retrospect).

I forced myself to maintain my same repititionroutine between and during deliveries for the exact reasons you mention Paperipper for the sake of rep. & routine, "this is NOT the time is not the time to adjust".

YES! this sophomore pitcher was that good. The best part was he was all of 5'7" 115lb and about as awkward a kid that you have ever seen... but damn could he hurl.

[BrianC14]

Yesterday's game (again) in the top of the first... 0-2 count... F2 pulls a 'Jorge Posada' and stands up about three-quarters of the way to receive the pitch. Who teaches this crap, anyway?

The pitch might well have been a strike, who the heck knows?

"Ball."

F1's giving me the "You're kidding?" look.

I then gently mention to F2 that it's a whole lot easier for me to see the ball when he doesn't stand up.

Now - note that I didn't tell him what to do, or what not to do... I just gently let him know that I can't call 'em if I can't see 'em. He got the message. No more Posada BS.

[mstaylor]

About the only thing you can is move slightly back and up and take it in the chest instead of the grill. Just make sure you can see the outside corner. Once the batter gets a bat on the ball all bets are off for the catcher.

[mazzamouth]

Yesterday's game (again) in the top of the first... 0-2 count... F2 pulls a 'Jorge Posada' and stands up about three-quarters of the way to receive the pitch. Who teaches this crap, anyway?

The pitch might well have been a strike, who the heck knows?

"Ball."

F1's giving me the "You're kidding?" look.

I then gently mention to F2 that it's a whole lot easier for me to see the ball when he doesn't stand up.

Now - note that I didn't tell him what to do, or what not to do... I just gently let him know that I can't call 'em if I can't see 'em. He got the message. No more Posada BS.

This happen to me in a DII game yesterday..HT catcher starts to stand up on a pitch, and it was there..." ball".... F2 was pissed that his pitcher didnt throw what he called for...LOL

[mstaylor]

I had an adult catcher that would stand up if the pitcher didn't throw the right pitch or really missed location. I told him I might be able to get some of those for strikes if he stays down. His response was piss on him, if he doesn't what I ask for he isn't getting the strike. Got to love logic like that.

Any other time his was great to work behind. He worked close, stayed low, stuck pitches and had a cannon to second.

[POLOGREEN]

http://umpattire.blogspot.com/2010/04/get-in-slot-for-safest-umpire-plate.html