Member Video: Fittske24 10/1/12

[AZump78]

I watched this video twice more today, really appreciate it being there. On the 2 third strikes? I was taught to stand, swing the hammer for the third strike, then make the punch out move of your choice. Do many of you just choose to do the punch out without signaling the strike first?

Standing and making a strike mechanic prior is not necessary. Just the punch out mechanic will suffice.

[Fittske24]

I watched this video twice more today, really appreciate it being there. On the 2 third strikes? I was taught to stand, swing the hammer for the third strike, then make the punch out move of your choice. Do many of you just choose to do the punch out without signaling the strike first?

Strike 3 mechanics are like beer choices.... There are so many out there you have to do what taste good to you :-)

[Birdieseeker]

Fittske that was a joy to watch. Some great stuff that a 2nd year guy like me can pick up from the video. I've also been given the same advice to over compensate on the lefties. It seems to have worked for me but its not muscle memory for me yet, just another thing for me to keep working on. Thanks for the explanation on dropping your head height when squeezed. I've been taught up and back but I feel uncomfortable and the batter's hands can make a pitch explode on me at times too. I'm going put further in the slot and lower head to work in the spring. Thanks again, that was great

[Fittske24]

Fittske that was a joy to watch. Some great stuff that a 2nd year guy like me can pick up from the video. I've also been given the same advice to over compensate on the lefties. It seems to have worked for me but its not muscle memory for me yet, just another thing for me to keep working on. Thanks for the explanation on dropping your head height when squeezed. I've been taught up and back but I feel uncomfortable and the batter's hands can make a pitch explode on me at times too. I'm going put further in the slot and lower head to work in the spring. Thanks again, that was great

No problem! As you can see it doesn't matter how many years experience or the level....we all have something we can get better at. Keep working hard!

[BRUMP]

Fittske that was a joy to watch. Some great stuff that a 2nd year guy like me can pick up from the video. I've also been given the same advice to over compensate on the lefties. It seems to have worked for me but its not muscle memory for me yet, just another thing for me to keep working on. Thanks for the explanation on dropping your head height when squeezed. I've been taught up and back but I feel uncomfortable and the batter's hands can make a pitch explode on me at times too. I'm going put further in the slot and lower head to work in the spring. Thanks again, that was great

No problem! As you can see it doesn't matter how many years experience or the level....we all have something we can get better at. Keep working hard!

I'll quote Mike on this because its so true "if you're not getting better you're getting worse."

[JHSump]

Head height to low?

I know we're taught chin at top of F2 head, but I've been studying plate work of pros and most seem to set up low. I personally set my eyes at the top of the zone, regardless of F2s height. I feel like I can see the low K better. Sometimes I'm textbook, but sometimmes my chin is middle of F2s cranium. No problem with the outside K and I seldom get blocked by bouncy catcher.

"I feel like I can see the low K better." I've thought about this quite a bit. I tend to agree with Jocko here. If the catcher did not exist (and so could not block your view), I think you can best judge the height of the ball crossing the plate compared to the height of the batter's knees when you are *very low*. Think about: If you were asked, under any other circumstances, to accurately judge the relative height of two objects low to the ground, you would not stand over them and look down on them. Instead, you would get low to see which was higher.

If you take that as true, and if correctly calling the low strike is a priority for you, then the only question is, how low can you get and still see the entire plate and the catcher's mitt catch the ball?

Perhaps you can get quite low, and still see all the outside strike, by moving closer, as Fittske does when he gets blocked out by the batter.

If you don't like being so low, or being so close to the catcher, just move back while keeping the viewing angle the same. Imagine starting out in this lower-than-traditional position, very near the catcher, and then moving back from the catcher, as much as you like, while keeping the angle of view to the batter's knees the same. As you move back you will have to rise up to keep the angle the same. If you go back quite a bit, you will eventually find yourself in the Gerry Davis position, or something similar. Again, as long as you can still see the entire plate, and see the catcher catch the ball, you will be ok. The GD practitioners say you can see those things, since you will be taller than in the traditional heel-toe. They even say to move back further if you have trouble with the low pitch (Childress advises exactly this, to "level the playing field," a reference to the viewing angle, I'm sure).

The bottom line is that you are making the viewing angle of low pitches much lower than the standard heel-toe, chin-above-the-catcher's-head position. And that lower angle could improve the calling of the low strike/ball.

I have used the technique Fittske uses when blocked --- move closer and lower --- and found it helped when being blocked. It also helped in calling low strikes/balls. It just seemed a bit crowded in there!

[Dannytheman]

I watched this video twice more today, really appreciate it being there. On the 2 third strikes? I was taught to stand, swing the hammer for the third strike, then make the punch out move of your choice. Do many of you just choose to do the punch out without signaling the strike first?

Strike 3 mechanics are like beer choices.... There are so many out there you have to do what taste good to you :-)

Agreed, believe me I was not questioning yours. I was just polling. I'm the stand straight up, hammer the third, THEN start the chain saw kind of guy. :rollinglaugh:

[Jocko]

I watched this video twice more today, really appreciate it being there. On the 2 third strikes? I was taught to stand, swing the hammer for the third strike, then make the punch out move of your choice. Do many of you just choose to do the punch out without signaling the strike first?

Strike 3 mechanics are like beer choices.... There are so many out there you have to do what taste good to you :-)

Agreed, believe me I was not questioning yours. I was just polling. I'm the stand straight up, hammer the third, THEN start the chain saw kind of guy.

I throw up my left hand while I call "HAAA" then crank the chainsaw on "THREE". For some reason, I raise my left leg on the chainsaw part. :shrug:

[JaxRolo]

I watched this video twice more today, really appreciate it being there. On the 2 third strikes? I was taught to stand, swing the hammer for the third strike, then make the punch out move of your choice. Do many of you just choose to do the punch out without signaling the strike first?

Strike 3 mechanics are like beer choices.... There are so many out there you have to do what taste good to you :-)

Agreed, believe me I was not questioning yours. I was just polling. I'm the stand straight up, hammer the third, THEN start the chain saw kind of guy.

I throw up my left hand while I call "HAAA" then crank the chainsaw on "THREE". For some reason, I raise my left leg on the chainsaw part.

Maybe you have to pee!

[Dannytheman]

I watched this video twice more today, really appreciate it being there. On the 2 third strikes? I was taught to stand, swing the hammer for the third strike, then make the punch out move of your choice. Do many of you just choose to do the punch out without signaling the strike first?

Strike 3 mechanics are like beer choices.... There are so many out there you have to do what taste good to you :-)

Agreed, believe me I was not questioning yours. I was just polling. I'm the stand straight up, hammer the third, THEN start the chain saw kind of guy.

I throw up my left hand while I call "HAAA" then crank the chainsaw on "THREE". For some reason, I raise my left leg on the chainsaw part.

My luck my indicator would go flying into the stands.

[Birdieseeker]

Brump the thing that drives me crazy is that there are games where I feel like I'm getting better and then all of a sudden ill feel like I lose my game. I hate that inconsistent feeling. It usually starts with a pitch that I feel blocked out on and I may have missed. The next few pitches I know my mind is still thinking about the blocked pitch. I've got to learn to not dwell on that

[mstaylor]

Brump the thing that drives me crazy is that there are games where I feel like I'm getting better and then all of a sudden ill feel like I lose my game. I hate that inconsistent feeling. It usually starts with a pitch that I feel blocked out on and I may have missed. The next few pitches I know my mind is still thinking about the blocked pitch. I've got to learn to not dwell on that

You have it exactly, don't dwell on your mistake or perceived mistake. If you worry a slip you will compound it tenfold. Take a deep breath and concentrate on what you know how to do. After to the game talk to your partner and figure out if you did make a mistake and how to fix it. Just remember, YOU WILL make mistakes all through your career, you will get blocked, you will have mental lapses, you will screw up a rule, it will happen. What will make you a better official is to not let it snowball on you and then figure how not to do it again.

Easier said than done.

[Dannytheman]

Brump the thing that drives me crazy is that there are games where I feel like I'm getting better and then all of a sudden ill feel like I lose my game. I hate that inconsistent feeling. It usually starts with a pitch that I feel blocked out on and I may have missed. The next few pitches I know my mind is still thinking about the blocked pitch. I've got to learn to not dwell on that

Don't sweat the petty things and don't pet the.... well you can figure it out.. :no:

[Jocko]

Brump the thing that drives me crazy is that there are games where I feel like I'm getting better and then all of a sudden ill feel like I lose my game. I hate that inconsistent feeling. It usually starts with a pitch that I feel blocked out on and I may have missed. The next few pitches I know my mind is still thinking about the blocked pitch. I've got to learn to not dwell on that

when this happens, take a second to re-compose yourself. Brush the plate and take a couple of deep breaths. Reset your mask with your game face on and determiine to do your best. Remember, don't guess. Call what you see.

[yawetag]

when this happens, take a second to re-compose yourself. Brush the plate and take a couple of deep breaths. Reset your mask with your game face on and determiine to do your best. Remember, don't guess. Call what you see.

Yes and no. Don't make it obvious to everyone that you realize you just missed the call.

If the catcher blocks me and I miss a strike, I'll often let him know the next inning: "Dave, on that pitch the last inning, you blocked me out from seeing it. I think if you hadn't done so, I might have been able to call the strike." Sometimes catchers can't help it, but sometimes the good ones don't realize they may have done it accidentally.

[MidAmUmp]

when this happens, take a second to re-compose yourself. Brush the plate and take a couple of deep breaths. Reset your mask with your game face on and determiine to do your best. Remember, don't guess. Call what you see.

Yes and no. Don't make it obvious to everyone that you realize you just missed the call.

If the catcher blocks me and I miss a strike, I'll often let him know the next inning: "Dave, on that pitch the last inning, you blocked me out from seeing it. I think if you hadn't done so, I might have been able to call the strike." Sometimes catchers can't help it, but sometimes the good ones don't realize they may have done it accidentally.

Don't wait an inning to tell him...especially if he blocked you out. Get that problem resolved immediately. Good catchers are going to ask where you had it. If he blocked you out, tell him. If you missed it, tell him that, too. Most will appreciate the honesty. Be careful not to coach them when you tell them they blocked you out. Just say "you shifted late and blocked me out (or whatever he did), if you can work with me to get a better look I'll try to get that pitch next time."

If you find yourself saying this more than once...maybe twice...in a game you might want to make an adjustment. My old saying is, "If you've been married 9 times, hell, maybe it's you."

Also, it was asked earlier about feet positioning - point your feet at the SS & 2nd Baseman. It will give you balance.

[JaxRolo]

Also, it was asked earlier about feet positioning - point your feet at the SS & 2nd Baseman. It will give you balance.

I find I have great balance when I point my left foot to F4 and Right foot to Shortstop. :shrug:

[BalkHawk]

I have been taught both methods when it comes to being squeezed. Personally, I feel I can see more and judge both the bottom and top of the zone more efficiently whilst I am underneath the batter's hands and close enough to the catcher to see the outside corner. Like someone else said, when judging the relative height of two objects, the best angle is never a birds-eye view. I have noticed however that almost every MLB umpire I have seen squeezed went higher.

I throw up my left hand while I call "HAAA" then crank the chainsaw on "THREE". For some reason, I raise my left leg on the chainsaw part.

just a squirt, enough to mark your territory

[BalkHawk]

Also, it was asked earlier about feet positioning - point your feet at the SS & 2nd Baseman. It will give you balance.

I find I have great balance when I point my left foot to F4 and Right foot to Shortstop.

I had to read this twice, but then I ever so subtly lol'ed