Going for Help

[Umpire in Chief]

Well if this is turning into an age/experience discussion, I will plea the 5th.

[MCLEOD36]

You guys are not right... me a tender 44. Umpped in college, then coached two boys for 8 years then turned them over to experts (ha ha), then 2 years ago was thrown into a game and said, heck, time to get some equipment. OH, and as for that silly LL baseball you play in CA, I promise to defer to BD, cause my rule book is dated. Now HS/FED rules look out....

And that more taste league stuff, try a Stella Artois BD, but you are still buying...

[Bigdog]

And that more taste league stuff, try a Stella Artois BD, but you are still buying...

Hey all,

Remember, I'm too young to buy!!:shakehead:

Bigdog:cool:

[MCLEOD36]

All I can say guys is Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and I get the first round. For me, these forumns are great, I read them to hone my skills and they do provide great and very prompt feedback......

CHEERS and my season now over till Jan....

[MCLEOD36]

I think that it comes down to the pivot or the over the shoulder glance. I had always been happy pivoting, but you do loose the ball vs. the over the shoulder glance at the runner touching first from the A position. The over the shoulder glance is now looked at as easier on the knees and also another method of seeing the BR hit first. I think the peek is not at the partner, but at the baserunner and keeping eye on ball. If you peek too much at your partner, a savy coach will have your lunch...

[mstaylor]

Why would you peek at your partner at all. I teach the pivot to new guys but the over the shoulder look is fine too, especially if you are less fit or injured. Now unless I am horribly wrong, with a BR only and a non-trouble ball, the U1's primary responsibility is the runner. The mechanic is to pivot in and time your pivot to watch the BR touch first and check for obstruction. Glance at the ball and then either move to second for a play there or float back for a possible play at first. 90% of the play involves you watching the runner and glancing at the ball, not the other way around.

There are times when a ball is on the ground and you have no idea why. This why the PU will announce to his partner the catch or it's on the ground. Neither is loud if routine, just loud enough the BU knows what is going on.

I'm not getting that this is what some have been taught, so I'm interested in what the consencess is.

Edited January 3, 2009 by mstaylor

[LMSANS]

I was taught the pivot exclusively. Over the shoulder was a no-no.

I learned through experience with better umpires to call the catch/on-the-ground as PU. In my association, it is rare and not taught that I know of.

[jjb]

I teach the pivot to new umpires, if for no other reason than to impress upon them to watch the tag at 1st: it's too easy to "break loose" early on an over-the shoulder look for new guys, who are anticipating the turn to 2nd. But I won't gig the older guys if they look over their shoulders, as long as I'm sure they're watching.

I'll also, as PU, let my partner know where the ball is, (catch/it's down), just to give him a heads-up and make it a little easier for him out there.

Also, last season I started letting my partner know where I'm picking up the tag-up on a fly ball with multiple runners: ("I've got the 3 tag, Dave"). This serves 2 purposes: Dave now knows for sure where I'm picking up the tag, and the runner is also reminded that I'm watching him: I didn't have one problem with a premature release by the runner last season.

[Umpire in Chief]

There is nothing wrong with more communication. I really hate having to look to my partner wondering what he's doing. I like just listening, and keeping my eyes on the ball.

Another good place to communicate is when you have R2 and a hit to the left side of the infield and R2 may/may not break on a delay. The plate guy should be telling him whats going on on the back side.

[fwump]

So much about umpiring is timing. This is how I was taught: Position A hand on knees set. Ball hit on the fly to outfield, drop step and put both feet on the line and pause and read the fight of the ball. If it is hooking into right field corner, or sinking to the charging F9, or F9 and F8 are converging, then bust down the line or into RF to make the fair/foul or catch/no catch. Any other outfield fly belongs to PU, I pivot and watch for tag of the base and OBS/INT. Dont ask me for help on the catch...I didnt see it! I cant look over my shoulder and see the BR touch 1B.

Rgds,

Mike C.