Tips to improve timing

[cbiesecker]

Thanks for the explanation. Now that I have a clear understanding of the theory, I can put it to practice in my training.

I recently noticed an umpire who was calling "ball" before the ball even reached the plate. I'll do my best to not emulate his example.

[ukce1861]

Thanks for the explanation. Now that I have a clear understanding of the theory, I can put it to practice in my training.

I recently noticed an umpire who was calling "ball" before the ball even reached the plate. I'll do my best to not emulate his example.

Make sure you have someone watching you. When your timing's early, you often won't notice it, but to someone watching you'll look as bad as that guy. It doesn't even have to be another umpire (although an experienced umpire is always good); I've had my wife watch me for certain things if she's at the game. I just tell her what I should or shouldn't be doing and she can see what I'm actually doing - not what I think I'm doing...

[cbiesecker]

I've managed to get in touch with the high school umpiring association in my area. They use the bullpen sessions of a local high school to prep for the upcoming season. They are allowing me to join them for their cage sessions. I figure that would be the best way to learn how to do it right instead of just starting out on a youth field and learning via the trial by fire method. If they show me anything that doesn't seem quite right compared to what I've learned through U-E, I'll be sure to bring it up here.

[johnnyg08]

If possible find a way to videotape yourself. You will learn a ton by doing that!

[Umpkc7]

Right I get you have to watch it come in with your eyes I'm just saying once u hear the pop. And I'm not saying to just say a brand I'm saying think about all the things while the word goes in your head. It dose help a lot on the timing of a pitch if you look at the whole picture.

[UmpTTS43]

Once you get all of the relevant information with your eyes, instead of running arbitrary names through your head, make your mental decision with "ball" or "strike" in your head. Or you could do what I do, mentally say "pajama pajama pajama". ;)

[johnnyg08]

Or you could do what I do, mentally say "pajama pajama pajama".

That's what I've been missing all along. The final piece!!

[mstaylor]

You can track all the way to the glove and still be fast. If you make the call at contact, you still are too quick. That is where the word or phrase slows you down. Once that added time is natural, take it out.

Thanks for the explanation. Now that I have a clear understanding of the theory, I can put it to practice in my training.

I recently noticed an umpire who was calling "ball" before the ball even reached the plate. I'll do my best to not emulate his example.

I had a youth umpire try moving up to HS ball. I was observing him at a JV game and he was very quick. I thought to myself that I had to talk to him between innings. He calls a strike and the batter hit it to right. When you call a pitch and it gets hit, a sure sign you are not tracking. :)

[Umpire in Chief]

Here's another trick I was told to help with timing. It's probably the least hokey of the tricks I've been told.

Before the game, between innings or if you get the opportunity in a practice session get behind the catcher. As the pitcher begins his delivery, close your eyes.

Keep your eyes closed until you hear the ball smack the mitt. Then look at where the ball is presented then think of what you would call it based on that. The delay it takes you to catch up and process the information is a good indicator of what good timing is going to be, because you are not able to anticipate your call.

This thread and a MP I got today have inspired me to write my first article in quite some time. Look for it soon.

[yawetag]

Keep your eyes closed until you hear the ball smack the mitt. Then look at where the ball is presented then think of what you would call it based on that.

I do this for every pitch. :D

[cigarmon]

Let me start by saying the timing has long been my personal demon. Seems like every year my goal is to improve on timing, and I have, but still think that the normal inclination is to "pop" a call. This starts when we begin officiating. There is a perception that when a call is to be made, the entire game is looking at that umpire. When youre young, you can "feel" the eyes on you,, so we give people what we think they want, an immediate decision. Its from there that many develop this bad habit. Just as no umpire has ever been dressed down for a bigger strike zone (within reason), an umpire wont be berated for making a properly timed call (within reason). There is an umpire on our board that I enjoy watching for this reason. Slow. Calculated. Precise. My $.02

[Umpire in Chief]

Just to let you all know I have just posted an article explaining my theory on good timing.

http://umpire-empire.com/index.php/page/index.html/_/self-improvement/what-is-good-timing-r35