Feeling like a newbie...

[Umpire in Chief]

For the past few days I've been at the MAC (Mid-Atlantic Collegiate Umpires) 3 man camp in WIlliamsburg VA.<div><br></div><div>Now I fully admit I have limited experience in a 3 man system, so I'm going in at a bit of a disadvantage. Add to that the new 3 man mechanics and the advanced techniques being taught, at times I found myself at a complete loss.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>At times I was getting frustrated with myself at having to think about what I was doing on the field. In 2 man nearly every scenario which presents itself &nbsp;I can instinctively do what I need with nearly zero mental effort. Then because I was thinking I found myself second thinking what I was doing even when my initial thought was correct.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>It was quite the humbling experience. I have one more day to go and have another opportunity to improve in which ever scrimmage I get assigned. But however it goes tomorrow I'm learning a ton and am rededicated to improving my 3 man skills.</div>

[Nazrat]

UIC,

I am a first year high school umpire. Having done LL for a while, I am familiar with 2 man rotation and have been trying my best to perfect the rotations during our scrimmages.

We have had so many umpires at our last 2 scrimmages that we have tried to work 3 man.

It is like speaking Chinese and learning Japanese at the same time.

I find myself locking up when in A as to whether or not I get to the working area or not. So, I know exactly what you are thinking. My mind and body are stopping and starting in mid step as I try to reconcile the conflicting mechanics.

Hopefully, this gets better soon. I also had feeling like an FNG. :blink:

[yawetag]

I am a first year high school umpire. Having done LL for a while, I am familiar with 2 man rotation and have been trying my best to perfect the rotations during our scrimmages.

We have had so many umpires at our last 2 scrimmages that we have tried to work 3 man.

Bad idea. If the idea is to help the new people learn 2-man, trying to teach 3-man is, and I repeat, a bad idea. If there's too many people, grab some and take them to a different field.

[zm1283]

The 3-umpire system just takes repitition. It can be a bit overwhelming at first, but once you get it figured out it is a lot of fun.

[Guest]

It's ok you 3-man shmees, you'll get the hang of it eventually! :nod:

[Umpire in Chief]

This was a bit tougher because of the advanced mechanics involved. I did much better today. Not only the advanced techniques but the new mechanics.

I wish I had more opportunity to work 3 man where I can build my reps.

[yawetag]

This was a bit tougher because of the advanced mechanics involved. I did much better today. Not only the advanced techniques but the new mechanics.

I wish I had more opportunity to work 3 man where I can build my reps.

Warren, I can't speak for your association, but mine will get a 3-man crew set up for you for a higher-level high school game. You have to request it, and you do it for free -- and it takes having two partners that are well-versed in it (which isn't hard for the higher-level games).

[Astrosdawg07]

This was a bit tougher because of the advanced mechanics involved. I did much better today. Not only the advanced techniques but the new mechanics.

I wish I had more opportunity to work 3 man where I can build my reps.

I would love to hear of the new mechanics if you feel like sharing!

[Umpire in Chief]

I don't want to go into too much detail because I haven't mastered it and don't feel confident enough explaining it to people in a way which wouldn't be incorrect or lead to confusing others.

The new mechanics give the umpires, particularrly U1 & U3 more flexibility in terms of position, and in certain situations they want you to take plays from positions, which while they make sense, were almost taboo before.

There is also a new position for U3 in these advanced mechanics.

It was made official what many people have already done that with 2 outs regardless of where the runners are U1 will be in A.

Rotations & reverse rotations are the same. Fly ball responsibilities are the same.

I think with these enhancements once people get up to speed on them, they will let us give a better product on the field, allow us to use more judgement and umpiring instinct as to where to be on a call.