Working The Slot with lefty batters

[ump570]

I'm not sure why, but I don't feel comfortable in the slot with lefty batters. I just feel like I can't get as good a look at the outside corner. I realize this shouldn't matter, since the mechanic is the same, but there are times that I simply set up as if a right handed batter is up, and work from that side. I don't know if it's an eyesight issue or it's simply a case of most lineups being majority right-handed so I just don't get as much work from that side and need to see more pitches to get comfortable. I'm in my 2nd year of serious umpiring, meaning working 100+ games, so it may just be a case of needing more experience, but I was curious to know if any of you guys deal with this problem. THanks. I love this website and I recommend it to all my partners.

[LMSANS]

Well, it is sort of an eyesight issue.  I don't remember the exact science of it, but we all have one dominant eye.  This affects your view when calling on a RH batter vs a LH batter.  If you search the forum ( I think mechanics, but it might be another), you'l find a more precise answer.

[maven]

It's more likely simply to be a comfort-level issue: if you see mostly RH batters, then that's what you're comfortable with. Being on the other side makes your whole body backwards (for many plate stances anyway): feet backwards, arms backwards, etc. The stance can make you uncomfortable, and the discomfort can impair your concentration when focusing on the pitch.

 

If you set up for LH batters as if they were RH batters, you're going to get a lot of nose-burners, and more as you move up. That's where good batters foul off tough pitches. You'll stay healthier being in the slot.

 

When you move over for LH batters, get yourself set early, take a deep breath, and remind yourself to focus on the pitch (not where you are or how uncomfortable you are). Slow your call just a bit to give your brain an extra moment to process all the info on the pitch, and call it.

 

The deep breath is crucial: deep breathing triggers your body to relax and lowers cortisol levels (the "stress hormone"). Lowering your stress level will allow your brain to focus and concentrate better, and you'll enhance your ability to call from the other side of the plate.

 

Better umpiring through neuroscience.

[Mike Prince]

My first few years I always felt different with a LHB.  For some reason, all of a sudden I really didn't feel any different no matter what side the batter was on.  So I would think that there is some experience factor at play here.  Just keep working the slot, take your time so that you see the pitch correctly and things will come.  You could also do some cage work from the left side (if you have this available to you) to speed the process up.

 

Also second Maven's advice no matter which side of the plate you are working!

[VAUmp]

I feel the exact same way.  I feel as if I give a wider corner to the pitcher with a LHB  than I do with a RHB.

[noumpere]

You could also have someone look to see if you are really set the same way on both sides.  Even an inch different in where you are or a slightly different angle could make all the difference.

[Forest Ump]

I'm not sure why, but I don't feel comfortable in the slot with lefty batters. I just feel like I can't get as good a look at the outside corner. I realize this shouldn't matter, since the mechanic is the same, but there are times that I simply set up as if a right handed batter is up, and work from that side. I don't know if it's an eyesight issue or it's simply a case of most lineups being majority right-handed so I just don't get as much work from that side and need to see more pitches to get comfortable. I'm in my 2nd year of serious umpiring, meaning working 100+ games, so it may just be a case of needing more experience, but I was curious to know if any of you guys deal with this problem. THanks. I love this website and I recommend it to all my partners.

 

It can't be stressed enough how dangerous it is to work outside of the slot. You subject yourself to getting hit by foul balls that are traveling at a higher velocity. Simple physics, the bat is shorter in the slot; short lever equals less force coming off the bat. The bat is longer on the opposite side of the slot. Longer leaver equals more force. You will get a concussion if you work the opposite side of the slot. Don't do it.

 

 

Set up on lefties as deep into the slot as you can get. You may have to turn your body a bit more but you will get a much better look at the outside pitch.

[kristoffae]

Someone once explained to me that it is because left handed throwing catchers are rare. When working a with a righty batter and with a right handed throwing catcher (glove on his left hand), with a pitch that is off of the outside corner, typically the catcher has to reach across his body to catch the pitch. However, with a lefty batter, he is typically receiving the pitch that is off of the outside corner with little to no glove movement which will probably make your zone a little wider to lefty batters. If you had more left handed throwing catchers, the opposite would be the case. With a lefty batter, a left hand throwing catcher would typically have to reach across his body to catch the pitch that is off of the outside corner but with righty batters receive the same pitch with little to no glove movement. 

[MidAmUmp]

1. Make sure your feet are not inverted.  That is almost always the problem.  Get your right foot up in the slot and then step back and to the left with your left foot.

2. As already stated - most catchers are right handed.  It takes a while to get used to looking across the catcher's body to see the glove.

 

I don't think it's a dominant eye sort of thing.  Put a left handed catcher back there with me and I'll be horse sh!t...well...I'm horse sh!t anyway, but you get the idea.

[umpire_scott]

I feel the exact same way.  I do think it's a dominant eye issue.  Initially I was stubborn and just set up outside for LHB.  Whenever I was questioned on it by my UIC I would explain that I call the outside corner much better like that.  I have since realized that to go against a taught mechanic is no way to gain respect as an umpire.  So I now work the slot at all times.  What I will do to compensate is that I square up to the pitcher more when in the slot for LHB and I will set up right next to the catchers head.  I get as close to having the same stance as the catcher as I can.

[JHSump]

VERY IMPORTANT:  On LHBs, DO NOT set up on the outside part of the plate or in the location of the slot for RHBs --- that is VERY DANGEROUS.  If you do set up there, you will be hit in the mask more often by foul balls coming straight back from the bat.  You only have one brain.  Don't risk it.

 

Always work the slot.  Always.

 

This is not a matter of following a traditional mechanic.  It is a serious health matter.

[ump570]

Thanks for the input guys. I guess I've been lucky and haven't taken too many shots that way, but I do feel very exposed. I have been making it a point to almost always work the slot with lefty batters this year, but there have been times when I've set up the other way. I'll just keep working on it. THanks.

[Kevin_K]

 

I'm not sure why, but I don't feel comfortable in the slot with lefty batters. I just feel like I can't get as good a look at the outside corner. I realize this shouldn't matter, since the mechanic is the same, but there are times that I simply set up as if a right handed batter is up, and work from that side. I don't know if it's an eyesight issue or it's simply a case of most lineups being majority right-handed so I just don't get as much work from that side and need to see more pitches to get comfortable. I'm in my 2nd year of serious umpiring, meaning working 100+ games, so it may just be a case of needing more experience, but I was curious to know if any of you guys deal with this problem. THanks. I love this website and I recommend it to all my partners.

 

It can't be stressed enough how dangerous it is to work outside of the slot. You subject yourself to getting hit by foul balls that are traveling at a higher velocity. Simple physics, the bat is shorter in the slot; short lever equals less force coming off the bat. The bat is longer on the opposite side of the slot. Longer leaver equals more force. You will get a concussion if you work the opposite side of the slot. Don't do it.

 

 

Set up on lefties as deep into the slot as you can get. You may have to turn your body a bit more but you will get a much better look at the outside pitch.

 

 

Amen! Amen! Amen!

 

Stay out of the danger zone!!!!

[Pete Peterson Sr]

 

 

I'm not sure why, but I don't feel comfortable in the slot with lefty batters. I just feel like I can't get as good a look at the outside corner. I realize this shouldn't matter, since the mechanic is the same, but there are times that I simply set up as if a right handed batter is up, and work from that side. I don't know if it's an eyesight issue or it's simply a case of most lineups being majority right-handed so I just don't get as much work from that side and need to see more pitches to get comfortable. I'm in my 2nd year of serious umpiring, meaning working 100+ games, so it may just be a case of needing more experience, but I was curious to know if any of you guys deal with this problem. THanks. I love this website and I recommend it to all my partners.

 

It can't be stressed enough how dangerous it is to work outside of the slot. You subject yourself to getting hit by foul balls that are traveling at a higher velocity. Simple physics, the bat is shorter in the slot; short lever equals less force coming off the bat. The bat is longer on the opposite side of the slot. Longer leaver equals more force. You will get a concussion if you work the opposite side of the slot. Don't do it.

 

 

Set up on lefties as deep into the slot as you can get. You may have to turn your body a bit more but you will get a much better look at the outside pitch.

 

 

Amen! Amen! Amen!

 

Stay out of the danger zone!!!!

 

 

KILL zone.....

[mtnump]

I feel the exact same way.  I do think it's a dominant eye issue.  Initially I was stubborn and just set up outside for LHB.  Whenever I was questioned on it by my UIC I would explain that I call the outside corner much better like that.  I have since realized that to go against a taught mechanic is no way to gain respect as an umpire.  So I now work the slot at all times.  What I will do to compensate is that I square up to the pitcher more when in the slot for LHB and I will set up right next to the catchers head.  I get as close to having the same stance as the catcher as I can.

One thing that might be contributing to your outside pitch issue is your head height.  If you are getting as low as I visualize from your description, there is no way to effectively see and call the outside pitch.  I am passing this on as I was "diagnosed" with the same problem at a cage session last year.  I have worked on this and feel I see the outside pitch much better now - especially low in the zone. You need to have your head high enough to see the glove at the low and outside portion of the zone.

[Mike Prince]

Good guideline is to keep the top of the catcher's helmet at chin height - that is, be a full head taller than the catcher.

[mstaylor]

You are suffering from a very common problem. Others have given excellent advice. This is why I originally went to scissors,I saw here on lefties.

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