Plate Work Video

[grayhawk]

http://youtu.be/-RZywjqgc8A

 

This is from a 13U Pony game on Saturday - working solo. It's a combination of 8 short videos. Not the best selection of videos, but I didn't give my daughter very specific instructions on what to capture. Couple of things:

 

Audio is pretty weak - I do give verbal "ball" calls but they can't be heard.

At 3:11 is the play I posted in my thread in the Situations forum earlier today.

 

Any comments/feedback/critique is welcome.

[Magic]

Steve I understand it is a 13U game, but you do seem a little laid back, or non nonchalant? I am sure you probably take a different approach to a High School game? As you move up in level some coaches would take that as you are bored or really don't want to be out there. And for obvious reasons you don't ever want to have a coach view you like that.

 

Btw I hate that place. The longest backstop in the history of Pony Baseball.

 

 

Ok I went back and watched the video a couple of more times. And for the most part you were nonchalant. There were a couple of instances where it appeared you were and that clouded my judgement.

[spiritump]

the only thing I see is that you are not locking in--you plasce your hands behind your thigh--as the game goes on you will drift--try to lock your arms with your hands on knees  so that every pitch you are in the same position.

[UMP45]

At the 2:03 mark, with a left handed batter, please tell me you aren't working over the catchers outside shoulder.

[grayhawk]

At the 2:03 mark, with a left handed batter, please tell me you aren't working over the catchers outside shoulder.

 

Nope.  Video angle is deceiving.

[grayhawk]

Steve I understand it is a 13U game, but you do seem a little laid back, or non nonchalant? I am sure you probably take a different approach to a High School game? As you move up in level some coaches would take that as you are bored or really don't want to be out there. And for obvious reasons you don't ever want to have a coach view you like that.

 

Btw I hate that place. The longest backstop in the history of Pony Baseball.

 

 

Ok I went back and watched the video a couple of more times. And for the most part you were nonchalant. There were a couple of instances where it appeared you were and that clouded my judgement.

 

I can see why you would get that impression from watching this video.  It's not feedback I have ever gotten in an evaluation.

[UMP45]

 

At the 2:03 mark, with a left handed batter, please tell me you aren't working over the catchers outside shoulder.

 

Nope.  Video angle is deceiving.Good.

[johnnyg08]

Head height looks good, you appear locked in w/ your hands behind your thighs.  

 

Also early in the video, you didn't call foul on an obvious foul ball...(I like it when guys don't verbalize or throw the arms up on obvious foul balls)

 

Thanks for sharing.

[sdix00]

at 1:00 I see that you trailed the BR up the 1B line, but you had R3 or R2 that came home on the play.  

 

I couldn't find any one-man mechanics documentation to back this up, but I do not move in to the infield with R2 or R3 so I can keep all plays in front of me.   We don't even move in the infield in two man in this sitch. 

 

Personally, I don't like the way hands behind the thighs looks.   

 

I like how mobile you are.   Uniform looks great.  

 

I know the camera angle skews foot position and slot position.  

 

Overall nothing much to critique.

[grayhawk]

at 1:00 I see that you trailed the BR up the 1B line, but you had R3 or R2 that came home on the play.  

 

I couldn't find any one-man mechanics documentation to back this up, but I do not move in to the infield with R2 or R3 so I can keep all plays in front of me.   We don't even move in the infield in two man in this sitch. 

 

Personally, I don't like the way hands behind the thighs looks.   

 

I like how mobile you are.   Uniform looks great.  

 

I know the camera angle skews foot position and slot position.  

 

Overall nothing much to critique.

 

I was wondering if someone was going to catch that. It was R2 and this was a base hit to RF. I read that they were going to try to get BR at first (you can hear 1B coach telling his runner to "get here"), but F9 bobbled it and then they threw home. I definitely prefer not to be in the infield on possible plays at the plate because I think you give away possible obstruction as you can't see where F2 is before the throw comes in. It's much better to have the entire play happening in front of you. I just didn't want to make the call at first (that didn't materialize) from behind the plate. It's one of those "one man" choices that we sometimes have to make.

 

I also don't like how hands behind the thighs looks. I do like to protect my hands and have no trouble locking in from this position. It's a personal preference.

[BalkHawk]

Looks pretty good. Iike how you snap to your locked-in position, rather than drifting down. 

I would suggest getting comfortable with several locked-in positions.

Now that I understand it was a 1-man game, I have no problem with you in the infield even with R2.

Solid work.

[Dannytheman]

Looks great to me! 

[JaxRolo]

Good movements. You are not laid-back. You look confident. You are locking in well. No need for hands on knees to be locked in. I start with hands on Knees but as the pitcher delivers I move them to the side. I real job would be hard with a broken hand!

[grayhawk]

Ok I went back and watched the video a couple of more times. And for the most part you were nonchalant. There were a couple of instances where it appeared you were and that clouded my judgement.

 

I think one of those times was during the U3K at 3:11.  I was just kind of standing there after the "no catch" mechanic because I was trying to figure out if the BR should be out because he kicked the ball.  He was then running inside so my tiny little mind had a lot to deal with which prevented my legs from getting me a better angle on the play at first. 

[24sdad]

Looking good back there.  

 

Locked in - from what you posted, you are.  Head height was consistent and I didn't notice any drifting with the pitches.

 

Going inside with R2/R3 - I know you made a split second decision to get into position on the possible play at first, but that play HAS to be taken from 1BLX or thereabouts.  I know you are good enough that being 25-30 feet further away from a "force play" won't make any difference to your ability to call the play correctly.  But you give up too much behind you.  Wondering how R2 ended up on the ground rounding 3rd, wondering why everyone in the park is screaming "appeal 3rd base, appeal 3rd base," etc.  Then, turning back to the plate for the play on R2, your back is now to B/R and any other action occurring on the bases.  Some coaches actually pay attention to this kind of stuff and even though they KNOW the opposing player touched their required bases (or were not obstructed, or not assisted by a base coach, etc), will appeal a missed base KNOWING there is no way you could have seen it, and then make a stink about it.

 

Drop back to the area of 1BLX, glance at R2 as he rounds third and then make the best call you can at first.

[johnnyg08]

I work a lot of 1 man, and with two out, if I'm going to have a banger at 1B, I'm getting up there and going to try and get angle so I give myself the best chance at getting that play right.  

 

I have to assume that the runner (R3) is going to touch home plate.

 

In one man, you have to make several sacrifices.  It is what it is.

[24sdad]

In one man, you have to make several sacrifices.  It is what it is.

Very true.  

 

I would just prefer to sacrifice some "distance" while keeping all of the playing action in front of me.

[mstaylor]

Looking good back there.  

 

Locked in - from what you posted, you are.  Head height was consistent and I didn't notice any drifting with the pitches.

 

Going inside with R2/R3 - I know you made a split second decision to get into position on the possible play at first, but that play HAS to be taken from 1BLX or thereabouts.  I know you are good enough that being 25-30 feet further away from a "force play" won't make any difference to your ability to call the play correctly.  But you give up too much behind you.  Wondering how R2 ended up on the ground rounding 3rd, wondering why everyone in the park is screaming "appeal 3rd base, appeal 3rd base," etc.  Then, turning back to the plate for the play on R2, your back is now to B/R and any other action occurring on the bases.  Some coaches actually pay attention to this kind of stuff and even though they KNOW the opposing player touched their required bases (or were not obstructed, or not assisted by a base coach, etc), will appeal a missed base KNOWING there is no way you could have seen it, and then make a stink about it.

 

Drop back to the area of 1BLX, glance at R2 as he rounds third and then make the best call you can at first.

Like others, one man is a bad deal but it is what we get dealt sometimes. Working one man you do need to keep your head on a swivel but too much yakking about things you can't possibly see is not going to met favorably.  

[johnnyg08]

In one man, you have to make several sacrifices.  It is what it is.

Very true.  

 

I would just prefer to sacrifice some "distance" while keeping all of the playing action in front of me.

 

I can appreciate that point and I'm not saying I'm right...it has seemed for me that teams in my area appreciate me getting better angle for a potential big play at first base than worrying about an almost certain touch at first base.  YMMV no doubt.

[grayhawk]

In one man, you have to make several sacrifices.  It is what it is.

Very true.  

 

I would just prefer to sacrifice some "distance" while keeping all of the playing action in front of me.

 

In general, I agree with you.  However, in one man mechanics, I believe it is incumbent upon me to position myself for the most likely play.  If I am usually staying home because there is even a remote possibility of a play there, then I won't get out much and will be perceived as lazy.  Experience certainly dictates what choices we make, right or wrong, on every play.  I endeavor to get better every time out, which may not be realistic, but is worth the effort.

[mstaylor]

I watched the video, you suck, just stay home. Sorry that was yesterday wasn't it. Just work the working area in front the mound correctly and you will be good on most any call. The first time I watched it I thought you pulled your mask with your right hand but it was the camera angle. I suggest making taking your mask off so natural that you can get it off for the steal at second without the fear of missing the call. 

[24sdad]

 

In one man, you have to make several sacrifices.  It is what it is.

Very true.  

 

I would just prefer to sacrifice some "distance" while keeping all of the playing action in front of me.

 

I can appreciate that point and I'm not saying I'm right...it has seemed for me that teams in my area appreciate me getting better angle for a potential big play at first base than worrying about an almost certain touch at first base.  YMMV no doubt.

Johnny, not saying my recommendation is correct either.  The position you use works for you and that is all that matters.

[24sdad]

 

In one man, you have to make several sacrifices.  It is what it is.

Very true.  

 

I would just prefer to sacrifice some "distance" while keeping all of the playing action in front of me.

 

In general, I agree with you.  However, in one man mechanics, I believe it is incumbent upon me to position myself for the most likely play.  If I am usually staying home because there is even a remote possibility of a play there, then I won't get out much and will be perceived as lazy.  Experience certainly dictates what choices we make, right or wrong, on every play.  I endeavor to get better every time out, which may not be realistic, but is worth the effort.

No worries.  Like I said, you look good out there.

[Magic]

I never go out into the infield when I have a runner in scoring position. But that doesn't make it right or wrong. I just feel more confident doing it my way. If you feel more confident doing it your way, then do it. You will always sacrifice in one man.

 

Steve my initial read was wrong, as I stated earlier. I think you are right it was about that 3 minute mark that gave me that feeling. When I went back and re watched the video, I thought you looked real good out there. Keep up the work. And I really like your chances of getting an rating upgrade this next year.

[grayhawk]

I never go out into the infield when I have a runner in scoring position. But that doesn't make it right or wrong. I just feel more confident doing it my way. If you feel more confident doing it your way, then do it. You will always sacrifice in one man.

 

Steve my initial read was wrong, as I stated earlier. I think you are right it was about that 3 minute mark that gave me that feeling. When I went back and re watched the video, I thought you looked real good out there. Keep up the work. And I really like your chances of getting an rating upgrade this next year.

 

Thanks Bill.  These videos were pretty random, but they were all I had.  I'm always working hard to get better and the more feedback I get, the more I can improve.  I had a JV game this afternoon and unbeknownst to me, I was being evaluated.  Had a very good game with a CI (ball was hit into play), a bases loaded balk, plays with throws that (1) took F3 off the bag, (2) took F3 into the BR, and (3) F3 just held the bag.  Had a play with F8 sliding to make the catch, but the ball popping out as he slid.  Had an infield fly.  Had 2 plays at the plate.  Not one peep from either coach on any of that, and not one single comment on the strike zone.  Fan of the losing team came up to me after the game and said, "I watched the entire game from behind the backstop.  That was the best umpiring I have seen in a long time."  Nice to hear, I guess.  I'm in no big hurry to get my rating up, as long as I can work more two man next season.  Solo is fine, but I really enjoy working together as a team.