Video Evaluation - mjr2013

[mjr_2013]

Well, it's three months after my goal to have a video up for evaluation, but I did it!

 

A few things to know:
 

1) They're all annoying videos that take up only 1/3 of the screen because it was taken on my iPhone.

2) My mom recorded this. She's not a professional so the five videos are sporatic in length and quality. Most are from the same angle. Some are pretty blurry. I may have her record a video of me from next to a dugout next week and teach her how to better focus the video... Below the link I put the time of some interesting things so you don't have to watch the whole video if you don't want to.

3) I'm going to be teaching some of the players in this video how to umpire in a couple months. It would obviously help immensely if I was as good as possible when teaching them. Feel free to judge me on everything - from volume to zone to stance to judgement calls (you'll notice you won't be the only ones LOL)... With that said, try to keep it constructive please.

4) This was the forth game of five I did today. My uniform wasn't looking the same way it was before game one. Particularly the shoes and bottom of pants, because the field conditions were horrible in game one.

5) I do vocalize 90% of balls. You can hear some but not all.

 

Looking at these myself I can tell I need to work on timing. Any tips for how to improve it?

 

This game was a 16u game I did solo. It was played at Jaycee Park in Pontiac, MI

 

Enjoy!

 

Part #1 

 

Mostly basics are in this. Not much is interesting. It was part of a painstaking 13 run top of the first.

 

Part #2 

 

At 1:20, there is a play at the plate... Did I miss it? It seemed pretty obvious in person, and I didn't hear any chirping, but on second glance, I may have booted that one.

 

A small pickle play between third and home occurs at 3:00

 

Player K's swinging at 6:15

 

Fans disagree with strike call at 13:55

 

Another questionable play at the plate at 14:40

 

Part #3 

 

Nothing too special on this one.

 

Part #4 

 

Check swing strike three at 5:00 (good thing the fan was there to tell me he swung LOL)

 

At 5:10 I make a kid tuck his shirt in. I'm so evil! He told me "It's never been a problem before!" while he tucked it in.

 

Part #5 

 

Catcher takes a pitch straight to the shin (guards?) at 0:40

 

Bang bang play at first at 2:00. Fans went bananas. Thoughts? You can kind of see the player jumping up and down in RF. I was watching while walking to make sure he didn't throw anything.

 

Called 3rd strike at 3:35

 

I get hit in the shin guard at 4:40

[umpstu]

Too far in back of the catcher. Don't set up too early. Step into the slot first, then adjust with other foot. You seem to be directly behind the catcher at times looking over the top of his head. From three feet behind him. No was possible to have a good strike zone. Get closer and get in the slot. Try to have your chin at the top of the catcher's head when you are in the slot.This allows you to track the ball all the way into the glove. Timing seems good in first clip. Good strike call, use the voice as you are pointing.

 

Part 2 you are looking directly over the catchers head. When a coach asks for time I make it a point to verbalize it the same way as I do for any time I give the count. I do the same thing when anybody on the field asks me the count. No need to turn to them. Very good timing for the play at the plate. On the rundown, tell the coach he needs to get out of your way. By you having to go around him there is a possibility that you will then be too close to the play. I know you are doing one man, but at 4:15 did the runners touch the plate? Don't say you were shifting your eyes either. Physically turn your head and tip the bill of your hat to let all know you saw the touch. Never punch a guy out on a swinging strike three. Never. That is showing him up.

 

Part 3 First pitch is to the backstop. If there is nobody on base don't allow the catcher to chase the ball, unless it is a passed strike three or a ball four. Have the on deck batter do it instead. Snap that strike call point. SHARP. You look lazy at times when you do it. Start calling balls, even if they bounce in the dirt. Just loud enough for the infield to hear. And if it is close enough to the edge of the plate that you feel the need to be loud when you call a ball, call it a strike. A really good thing you do that I stress, you face the pitcher on all of your calls. Good job.

 

You have some potential. Look like you belong. Look sharp in your calls. Look and act like you are the man in charge, but don't be the focal point of the game. Look like you want to be there.

 

And brother, have fun out there.

[Haid D' Salaami]

.. step in with your trail foot.. which would be in the catcher's rear end....

 

calling strikes ...mechanic and verbal should be done together..

[MidAmUmp]

I watched your first play at the plate on your 2nd clip and from the camera angle and I can't tell if you got the call right or not, but you need to be more emphatic with your out call.

 

This is not intended to blow you up, but if I were actually evaluating you, I'd say you guessed at the call.  There's a difference between having good timing and hesitation/guessing and you hesitated.  Also, you're focusing on the plate, not the catcher with the ball.  Let him take you to the play.  With you focusing mainly on the plate, it exploded on you.

 

At a higher level on a whacker play like that, with hesitation in your call, and a poor mechanic, you're going to have an argument.  Coaches are creatures of habit.  They see the play, and watch you for the call, when they see you hesitate it takes them out of their comfort zone; then when you don't have a very emphatic out mechanic on a play that deserves it, that really takes them out of their comfort zone and all of that will lead to an argument.

 

Finally, on your plate stance...If you aren't going to walk into your stance, go down hands on knees pre-pitch, then drop into your stance.  Don't stand with your feet set and then drop.

 

Hopefully this helps you a little bit.  Feel free to PM me if you need me to expand on this.

[blue23ll]

Couple of things from me. Your calls in general need to be bigger, more emphasis. Get that right hand up when you call a strike, point or hammer, but be strong!!  Everyone looks sluggish in this game, probably because its the end of a long day. I really believe that umpires set the pace of a game, be quick, be energetic, don't let the catcher chase a foul ball, nobody should be standing around.

 

You are working solo, so unless there is a play at the plate, you should be out in the infield, not hanging around home plate. If you are on the third baseline and a play goes to second, what are you going to do? Pick offs at first you have to at least move out from behind the catcher if you have time. Solo is tough, your first job is the lead runner, but you have to really move around or you look lazy.

 

You looked good, most of these things are nit picky. It's hard to evaluate when its the last game of a 5 game day and you are working solo. Keep up the good work, and you will get better.

[grayhawk]

Without looking at what others have written, my comments are on video one only:

 

- Video starts with a defensive conference.  Don't "wander" up there while looking at the ground to break it up.  Once you decide it's time to head out there, walk with a purpose, with your head up.  You just didn't look confident.

 

- Play at the plate.  I am assuming that you went to your left because you were solo and needed to get a possible angle on a play at first.  Otherwise, you would definitely want to be POP or 3BLX for this play.  As it was, I think you were forced to be where you were.  Good job being set for the play there.

 

- I am seeing a significant amount of head movement on many pitches - track with your eyes

 

- Strike call - you are verballing, and then pointing.  That is a softball mechanic.  Verbal and point should be at the same time.  Also, the point is too casual.  Snap off that point - crisp, clean, and higher up.

 

- Stance - Slot looks good, but did you know that you move your trail foot back when you squat down?  No need to do that - stay square.  Also, I think your head is too high.  Chin should be even with the top of F2's head.

 

Will watch other videos and comment as I am able.  Hope this helps and kudos to putting yourself out there!

[Specks]

At a higher level on a whacker play like that, with hesitation in your call, and a poor mechanic, you're going to have an argument.  Coaches are creatures of habit.  They see the play, and watch you for the call, when they see you hesitate it takes them out of their comfort zone; then when you don't have a very emphatic out mechanic on a play that deserves it, that really takes them out of their comfort zone and all of that will lead to an argument.

@MidAmUmp

Great advice for many!

[grayhawk]

Just want to point out that you are looking good overall, especially for game four of long day working solo.  Video 2:

 

- Passed ball early on - you never looked at the ball!  Watch the ball and glance at the runner - keep your head on a swivel.

 

- Play at the plate - not sure if he was safe or out, but your call didn;t look confident on that one.

 

- By this angle, your trail foot looks too far back, and then you move it further back when you squat

 

- No need for the chainsaw on swinging strike 3s - just looks goofy.  A simple hammer is all you need.

 

- There was a ground ball in the infield - get out there!  Even with runners if you read the play to first.  Then glance back as needed for the touches at third or home.  Position yourself for the most likely play when solo.

 

- There was a pickoff attempt at 1B and you didn't move an inch - take a step or two, whatever the play allows.

 

- I thought you got quick on a few strike calls in this video.  Again - you should verbal and point at the same time, not separately.

[mjr_2013]

Thanks to all!! I'm going to reply to anything I have a question or comment on... If I don't reply, it's just because I don't have a question, I still appreciate it!

 

 

Too far in back of the catcher. Don't set up too early. Step into the slot first, then adjust with other foot. You seem to be directly behind the catcher at times looking over the top of his head. From three feet behind him. No was possible to have a good strike zone. Get closer and get in the slot. Try to have your chin at the top of the catcher's head when you are in the slot.This allows you to track the ball all the way into the glove. Timing seems good in first clip. Good strike call, use the voice as you are pointing.

 

Part 2 you are looking directly over the catchers head. (1) When a coach asks for time I make it a point to verbalize it the same way as I do for any time I give the count.  I do the same thing when anybody on the field asks me the count. No need to turn to them. Very good timing for the play at the plate. (2) On the rundown, tell the coach he needs to get out of your way. By you having to go around him there is a possibility that you will then be too close to the play. (3) I know you are doing one man, but at 4:15 did the runners touch the plate? Don't say you were shifting your eyes either. Physically turn your head and tip the bill of your hat to let all know you saw the touch. (4) Never punch a guy out on a swinging strike three. Never. That is showing him up.

 

Part 3 First pitch is to the backstop. If there is nobody on base don't allow the catcher to chase the ball, unless it is a passed strike three or a ball four. Have the on deck batter do it instead. (5) Snap that strike call point. SHARP. You look lazy at times when you do it. Start calling balls, even if they bounce in the dirt. Just loud enough for the infield to hear. And if it is close enough to the edge of the plate that you feel the need to be loud when you call a ball, call it a strike. (6) A really good thing you do that I stress, you face the pitcher on all of your calls. Good job.

 

You have some potential. Look like you belong. Look sharp in your calls. Look and act like you are the man in charge, but don't be the focal point of the game. Look like you want to be there.

 

And brother, have fun out there.

 

Thank you!

 

For (1) are you referring to when he asks for the count? I think I turned only because I was already out at 1BLX because of the passed ball. I'll make normal count calls from behind the plate from now on.

(2) That was a fielder, not a coach... I was telling him "You gotta move, gotta move" as I ran up the line but I don't think he heard me. Is there anything more I could do?

(3) At 4:15 you caught me. I missed it because the catcher jumping in front of me distracted me. I'll take a step back and tip my bill from now on.

(4) I've always done a relaxed chainsaw for K3 swinging and an emphatic one for K3 looking. I'll change this up.

(5) This was something emphasized to me at a clinic I went to that I have become sloppy at as the year progressed. I know I need to improve the crispness.

(6) This is another thing I've been working on. I'm glad to hear it looks good.

 

 

.. step in with your trail foot.. which would be in the catcher's rear end....

 

calling strikes ...mechanic and verbal should be done together..

 

Thank you! I had never been instructed how to step into the slot before, just what it was. Knowing this will help with locking in.

 

I watched your first play at the plate on your 2nd clip and from the camera angle and I can't tell if you got the call right or not, but (1) you need to be more emphatic with your out call.

 

This is not intended to blow you up, but if I were actually evaluating you, I'd say you guessed at the call.  (2) There's a difference between having good timing and hesitation/guessing and you hesitated.  Also, you're focusing on the plate, not the catcher with the ball.  (3) Let him take you to the play.  With you focusing mainly on the plate, it exploded on you.

 

At a higher level on a whacker play like that, with hesitation in your call, and a poor mechanic, you're going to have an argument.  Coaches are creatures of habit.  They see the play, and watch you for the call, when they see you hesitate it takes them out of their comfort zone; then when you don't have a very emphatic out mechanic on a play that deserves it, that really takes them out of their comfort zone and all of that will lead to an argument.

 

Finally, on your plate stance... (4) If you aren't going to walk into your stance, go down hands on knees pre-pitch, then drop into your stance.  Don't stand with your feet set and then drop.

 

Hopefully this helps you a little bit.  Feel free to PM me if you need me to expand on this.

 

Thank you! It helps a lot! I may take PM you later.

 

As far as (1) and (2) go, you busted me there. I'm not making excuses for myself by any means, but I think the hard slide and collision took me by surprise which caused the hesitation. As you said though, it blew up on me as a result and I would have had an argument in more meaningful (not 13-0) baseball... Was my call better in Part 5 at 2:00? It's a call at first.

 

With (3), I honestly didn't know I should let the catcher take me to the play. Thanks!

 

(4) I have a few games coming up that I know are going to be cakewalks because of the teams playing. I'll experiment a little with both and bring back the results

 

Thanks again! MAUC instruction without the tuition price! - though on the topic of MAUC I'm going to try and attend next September!

 

Couple of things from me. Your calls in general need to be bigger, more emphasis. Get that right hand up when you call a strike, point or hammer, but be strong!!  Everyone looks sluggish in this game, probably because its the end of a long day. I really believe that umpires set the pace of a game, be quick, be energetic, don't let the catcher chase a foul ball, nobody should be standing around.

 

You are working solo, so unless there is a play at the plate, you should be out in the infield, not hanging around home plate. If you are on the third baseline and a play goes to second, what are you going to do? Pick offs at first you have to at least move out from behind the catcher if you have time. Solo is tough, your first job is the lead runner, but you have to really move around or you look lazy.

 

You looked good, most of these things are nit picky. It's hard to evaluate when its the last game of a 5 game day and you are working solo. Keep up the good work, and you will get better.

 

I agree, and I've had problems with that in the past because I was too concerned with the lead runner, making me think I need to stay home when the play came nowhere close. I think one of the videos shows me go inside on a leadoff double just fine, and I need to learn to do this more often.

 

Without looking at what others have written, my comments are on video one only:

 

(1) - Video starts with a defensive conference.  Don't "wander" up there while looking at the ground to break it up.  Once you decide it's time to head out there, walk with a purpose, with your head up.  You just didn't look confident.

 

- Play at the plate.  I am assuming that you went to your left because you were solo and needed to get a possible angle on a play at first.  Otherwise, you would definitely want to be POP or 3BLX for this play.  As it was, I think you were forced to be where you were.  Good job being set for the play there.

 

(2) - I am seeing a significant amount of head movement on many pitches - track with your eyes

 

- Strike call - you are verballing, and then pointing.  That is a softball mechanic.  Verbal and point should be at the same time.  Also, the point is too casual.  Snap off that point - crisp, clean, and higher up.

 

- Stance - (3) Slot looks good, but did you know that you move your trail foot back when you squat down?  No need to do that - stay square.  Also, I think your head is too high.  Chin should be even with the top of F2's head.

 

Will watch other videos and comment as I am able.  Hope this helps and kudos to putting yourself out there!

 

Thank you! With (1) you are absolutely correct when I look at it in hindsight... It looks like I'm just wandering towards the mound whistling, picking up daisy's... I need to walk with a purpose.

 

WIth (2), others said it as well, but you hit the nail on the head... I was originally taught plate mechanics at an ASA clinic... I've tried to shed most of the softball out (i.e. no more robot strike call), but some bad habits remain. I'll continue to work hard on being CRISP with my call, like the throw of a dart on the point, and with syncing the call with the verbal.

 

With (3), thanks for the catch! I had no idea I did this! I'll knock it off now though.

 

 

Again, thank you to EVERYONE who has helped and continues to help!! It's really appreciated!!!

[grayhawk]

Physically turn your head and tip the bill of your hat to let all know you saw the touch.

 

 

If you tip the cap showing that you saw the touch, then NOT tipping the cap shows everyone that you either didn't see it, or the runner missed it.  Either way, nothing good can happen from it.  If you are saying to tip your cap whether he touches it or not, then if you really didn't see it, and didn't tip your cap, then you are giving the defense an opportunity to put you in a bad spot by appealing knowing that you didn't see it.

 

Watch the touches - record in your head what you saw ("right foot, inside corner") - but give NO indication that the runner did, or didn't touch it.

[Mudder]

I watched your first play at the plate on your 2nd clip and from the camera angle and I can't tell if you got the call right or not, but you need to be more emphatic with your out call.

 

This is not intended to blow you up, but if I were actually evaluating you, I'd say you guessed at the call.  There's a difference between having good timing and hesitation/guessing and you hesitated.  Also, you're focusing on the plate, not the catcher with the ball.  Let him take you to the play.  With you focusing mainly on the plate, it exploded on you.

 

At a higher level on a whacker play like that, with hesitation in your call, and a poor mechanic, you're going to have an argument.  Coaches are creatures of habit.  They see the play, and watch you for the call, when they see you hesitate it takes them out of their comfort zone; then when you don't have a very emphatic out mechanic on a play that deserves it, that really takes them out of their comfort zone and all of that will lead to an argument.

 

 

 

MidAmUmp, with all due respect I really don't see too much hesitation on this call....it was a close play, there was a collision, he waited until F2 came up with the ball, then banged him out (Paused, read, and reacted). I agree with the focusing on the plate part, but ya the mechanic could have been a little more dramatic, but wasn't that bad, his vocal sounds poor (but I think this was the poor sound on the video) and there was enough of a pause in the timing (not too much) given the nature of the play.

[umpstu]

 

Physically turn your head and tip the bill of your hat to let all know you saw the touch.

 

 

If you tip the cap showing that you saw the touch, then NOT tipping the cap shows everyone that you either didn't see it, or the runner missed it.  Either way, nothing good can happen from it.  If you are saying to tip your cap whether he touches it or not, then if you really didn't see it, and didn't tip your cap, then you are giving the defense an opportunity to put you in a bad spot by appealing knowing that you didn't see it.

 

Watch the touches - record in your head what you saw ("right foot, inside corner") - but give NO indication that the runner did, or didn't touch it.

 

I appreciate your response, but have to tell you why I say this. It is because the assigner of the Big West conference says to do this. His name is Dale Williams and he is also a HOF umpire. If he says to do it and all of his umpires do it, I will continue to do it and also to teach this to other umpires. He gave me a list of do's and don'ts and I will try to find it and post it. It's really good.

[blue23ll]

 

 

Physically turn your head and tip the bill of your hat to let all know you saw the touch.

 

 

If you tip the cap showing that you saw the touch, then NOT tipping the cap shows everyone that you either didn't see it, or the runner missed it.  Either way, nothing good can happen from it.  If you are saying to tip your cap whether he touches it or not, then if you really didn't see it, and didn't tip your cap, then you are giving the defense an opportunity to put you in a bad spot by appealing knowing that you didn't see it.

 

Watch the touches - record in your head what you saw ("right foot, inside corner") - but give NO indication that the runner did, or didn't touch it.

 

I appreciate your response, but have to tell you why I say this. It is because the assigner of the Big West conference says to do this. His name is Dale Williams and he is also a HOF umpire. If he says to do it and all of his umpires do it, I will continue to do it and also to teach this to other umpires. He gave me a list of do's and don'ts and I will try to find it and post it. It's really good.

 

Stu, if Dale says to do it, I guess you do it. I will say that this is the first time I have heard of doing this, and I have hung around a lot of west coast guys.

[umpstu]

 

 

 

Physically turn your head and tip the bill of your hat to let all know you saw the touch.

 

 

If you tip the cap showing that you saw the touch, then NOT tipping the cap shows everyone that you either didn't see it, or the runner missed it.  Either way, nothing good can happen from it.  If you are saying to tip your cap whether he touches it or not, then if you really didn't see it, and didn't tip your cap, then you are giving the defense an opportunity to put you in a bad spot by appealing knowing that you didn't see it.

 

Watch the touches - record in your head what you saw ("right foot, inside corner") - but give NO indication that the runner did, or didn't touch it.

 

I appreciate your response, but have to tell you why I say this. It is because the assigner of the Big West conference says to do this. His name is Dale Williams and he is also a HOF umpire. If he says to do it and all of his umpires do it, I will continue to do it and also to teach this to other umpires. He gave me a list of do's and don'ts and I will try to find it and post it. It's really good.

 

Stu, if Dale says to do it, I guess you do it. I will say that this is the first time I have heard of doing this, and I have hung around a lot of west coast guys.

 

This just arrived from Dale a couple of minutes ago.

COMMON MECHANIC PROBLEMS/MISTAKES – REVISED 1/19/13 REVISIONS INBOLD

DALE WILLIAMS, COORDINATOR OF BASEBALL UMPIRES BIG WEST CONFERENCE

 

MECHANICS = MOVEMENT WITH A PURPOSE!

U1/U3 – STANDING ON BASE LINES – DON’T BE BENDING FORWARD AS PITCHER IS RELEASING BALL. BE SET PRIOR TO PITCHER STARTING PITCHING MOTION. “HANDS ON KNEES†BEST POSITION.

ALL – POINT BALLS FOUL HIT BETWEEN THE FOUL LINE & COACH’S BOXES

ALL – CAUGHT BALL BY PLAYER, THEN PULLING BALL OUT OF GLOVE & DROPS BALL – DO THIS SIGNAL MOTION VERTICAL & NOT HORIZONTAL.

HP - ALWAYS SIGNAL THE BALL IN PLAY AT THE START OF EVERY INNING.

HP – WHEN ASKING PARTNER FOR HELP OR SIGNALLING A HIT BATTER TO FIRST BASE, ALWAYS SIGNAL WITH THE LEFT HAND.

HP – STRIKE SIGNAL & FOUL TIP SIGNAL – DO THEM ABOVE SHOULDER LEVEL

HP – BATTER REQUESTS “TIME†– AFTER SIGNALLING “TIME,†POINT AT BATTER.

HP – DON’T LET THE SCOREBOARD BE WRONG FOR MORE THAN ONE PITCH.

ALL -GET SET FOR ALL POSSIBLE CALLS. HP – GET SET WHEN WATCHING THROWS TO 1B.

HP – WITH NOBODY ON BASE & A ROUTINE BASE HIT ANYWHERE OR FLY BALL TO CF OR RF, HP SHOULD NOT IMMEDIATELY RUN TO 3B, BUT DRIFT TOWARD FIRST BASE.

HP – BALL HIT IN SEMI-CIRCLE IN FRONT OF PITCHER’S MOUND, GET SET & STRADDLE THE FIRST BASE FOUL LINE TO WATCH B/R RUNNING LAST HALF DISTANCE TO FIRST BASE.

SEMI-CIRCLE IS IMAGINARY LINE HALF WAY UP FOUL LINES THROUGH PITCHER’S PLATE.

HP - BALL BUNTED OR TOPPED NEAR 3^RD BASE LINE, DO NOT GO ANY FURTHER THAN GRASS CUT OUT IN FRONT OF HOME PLATE. IF BALL IS FAIR, THEN GET TO, & STRADDLE 1^ST BASE FOUL LINE,

HP – R3, LESS THAN TWO OUTS, FLY BALL BETWEEN RIGHT CENTERFIELD & RIGHT FIELD FOUL LINE. MOVE TOWARD 3^RD BASE DUGOUT TO GET ANGLE OF R3’S TAG UP.

FLY BALL/TAG UP SITUATION – LINE UP BASE, RUNNER & FIELDER. IF YOU HAVE TO TURN YOUR HEAD-YOU’RE DEAD.

ALL – WATCH ALL FLY BALLS & INFIELD THROWS BEING CAUGHT UNTIL “TIME OF RELEASE†BY THE FIELDER. THIS WILL ALSO HELP YOUR TIMING IN MAKING CALLS (EX. U3 – RUN, READ, REACT).

U1/U3 – DON’T GO OUT ON ROUTINE FLY BALLS OR ROUTINE BASE HITS.

U1/U3 – POP UPS IN FOUL TERRITORY – LET THE FIELDER GO TOWARD THE FENCE FIRST. THEN CIRCLE AROUND IN FRONT OF THE FIELDER. IF BALL/FIELDER DRIFT BACK TOWARD THE FOUL LINE, YOU GO DIRECTLY TO, AND STRADDLE FOUL LINE (BEING AWARE OF POSSIBLE B/R).

ALL – WHEN WATCHING RUNNERS TOUCH BASES, DROP THE BILL OF YOUR CAP.

U1 – RUNNER BEING HELD ON BY F3 – POSITION YOURSELF 8-10 FEET FROM FIRST BASE.

U1 – R1 & R2 OR BASES LOADED, POSITION YOURSELF COMFORTABLY OFF THE LEFT HIP OF THE FIRST BASEMAN.

U1 – WATCH B/R TOUCH & CLEAR HIM AROUND FIRST BASE (UNLESS YOU GO OUT).

U1 – R1 & FLY BALL INTO U1/U3 COVERAGE AREA, DO SOMETHING-DON’T STAND STILL.

U1 – WHEN U3 IS IN RUN-READ-REACT MODE, ALWAYS COME INTO THE INFIELD & PIVOT.

U1 – R1, BASE HIT. DO NOT AUTOMATICALLY RUN TO HOME PLATE. IF R1 STOPS AT 2B, YOU STAY AT 1B. IF R1 GOES TO 3B, YOU GO TO HOME PLATE.

U3 – RUN, READ, REACT. ON A FLY BALL HIT INTO U3 COVERAGE AREA, U3 SHOULD IMMEDIATELY MOVE TOWARD 2^ND BASE EXCEPT A FAIR/FOUL FLY BALL OR A FLY BALL TO A FENCE WHEREBY THE FIELDER TURNS HIS BACK TO THE INFIELD & RUNS TOWARD THE FENCE.

ALL UMPIRES – DON’T BE AFRAID TO STEP UP AND/OR GET INVOLVED IN SITUATIONS & RULINGS. IT’S NOT MAKING THE OTHER UMPIRE(S) LOOK BAD – IT’S GETTING THE CALL RIGHT!

YOU LIVE AS A CREW, YOU DIE AS A CREW.

ALL – TEAM MEMBER YELLING AT UMPIRE FROM LONG DISTANCE (I.E. DUGOUT) OR POSSIBLE POSTGAME ARGUMENT – PUT UP THE “STOP SIGN.†LEAVE NO DOUBT THE INDIVIDUAL HAS BEEN WARNED. ALWAYS USE THE WORD “WARNING†PRIOR TO AN EJECTION. ONCE AN EJECTION TAKES PLACE, LOCATE THE GAME MANAGER TO TAKE THE EJECTED PERSON OUT OF SIGHT & SOUND.

[mjr_2013]

Was it necessary for him to send that in all caps? That hurts to read...

[MidAmUmp]

He says "drop the bill of your cap". That's a whole lot different than "tipping your cap". I take tipping your cap to mean at the very least touching your cap. Dropping the bill of your cap, I take it to mean physically look down and see the base touch vs. keep looking straight ahead while watching the touch out of your peripherial. Doing this avoids anyone in the dugout saying you didn't see the touch.

 

You may be saying the same thing, but it's confusing.

[MidAmUmp]

 

I watched your first play at the plate on your 2nd clip and from the camera angle and I can't tell if you got the call right or not, but you need to be more emphatic with your out call.

 

This is not intended to blow you up, but if I were actually evaluating you, I'd say you guessed at the call.  There's a difference between having good timing and hesitation/guessing and you hesitated.  Also, you're focusing on the plate, not the catcher with the ball.  Let him take you to the play.  With you focusing mainly on the plate, it exploded on you.

 

At a higher level on a whacker play like that, with hesitation in your call, and a poor mechanic, you're going to have an argument.  Coaches are creatures of habit.  They see the play, and watch you for the call, when they see you hesitate it takes them out of their comfort zone; then when you don't have a very emphatic out mechanic on a play that deserves it, that really takes them out of their comfort zone and all of that will lead to an argument.

 

 

 

MidAmUmp, with all due respect I really don't see too much hesitation on this call....it was a close play, there was a collision, he waited until F2 came up with the ball, then banged him out (Paused, read, and reacted). I agree with the focusing on the plate part, but ya the mechanic could have been a little more dramatic, but wasn't that bad, his vocal sounds poor (but I think this was the poor sound on the video) and there was enough of a pause in the timing (not too much) given the nature of the play.

 

There's not much hesitation, but there's a pause that causes him to appear unsure.  Some of it is simply body language.  If he had swung around and took the play 3BLX, had been stopped/set for the play, used the same timing, and came up with an emphatic out mechanic, I'd say it was perfect.

[MidAmUmp]

Thank you! It helps a lot! I may take PM you later.

 

As far as (1) and (2) go, you busted me there. I'm not making excuses for myself by any means, but I think the hard slide and collision took me by surprise which caused the hesitation. As you said though, it blew up on me as a result and I would have had an argument in more meaningful (not 13-0) baseball... Was my call better in Part 5 at 2:00? It's a call at first.

 

With (3), I honestly didn't know I should let the catcher take me to the play. Thanks!

 

(4) I have a few games coming up that I know are going to be cakewalks because of the teams playing. I'll experiment a little with both and bring back the results

 

Thanks again! MAUC instruction without the tuition price! - though on the topic of MAUC I'm going to try and attend next September!

This is why I usually don't reply to video posts like this.  But I'm going to hold you to coming next September...either that or I have some good video clips to show

 

I only watched a few minutes of that clip I commented on because you asked if you missed the call.  I just wanted to see what the play looked like.  I didn't watch any of the other clips.  Again, feel free to PM me if you want me to review something privately.

[noumpere]

I disagree with one or two items, and some seem so basic Im surprised it has to be mentioned but overall a very good list.

[umpstu]

He says "drop the bill of your cap". That's a whole lot different than "tipping your cap". I take tipping your cap to mean at the very least touching your cap. Dropping the bill of your cap, I take it to mean physically look down and see the base touch vs. keep looking straight ahead while watching the touch out of your peripherial. Doing this avoids anyone in the dugout saying you didn't see the touch.

 

You may be saying the same thing, but it's confusing.

You got me there. I should have been clearer.

Was it necessary for him to send that in all caps? That hurts to read...

OWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW

[Jocko]

In clip 1 there was a base hit with R3. You moved 1BLX and the throw came home. F2 missed it and R3 scored. You signalled safe just before F2 tossed the ball to F1 covering the plate. Unnecessary. There was no play. And could open a can of worms.

[mjr_2013]

In clip 1 there was a base hit with R3. You moved 1BLX and the throw came home. F2 missed it and R3 scored. You signalled safe just before F2 tossed the ball to F1 covering the plate. Unnecessary. There was no play. And could open a can of worms.

 

I was waiting for someone to bring this one up... My timing was off, and I saw the ball on the ground just as I went up. I didn't want to stop halfway through for that can of worms (coach sees it, think he didn't touch plate or something), so I went through with it... I actually thought as I went back behind the plate that I hoped my mom hadn't gotten that on camera. Lol

[wbeene13]

i didnt watch much of the video but one glaring thing i noticed was the head movement and flinching on swings. you are turning your when the pitch is coming in. if you are not careful you are going to end up taking a ball off the off the skull and that may no feel so well.   Keep you head still and track the ball with you eyes.

 

also if it is the 4th game of 5 and I am calling by myself i would be callin this game from behind the mound if they want someone behind the plate they need to pay the money for a 2nd umpire or pay me triple the game fee!

[FlaUmp22]

 

also if it is the 4th game of 5 and I am calling by myself i would be callin this game from behind the mound 

 

 

I would ask them to find someone else because 4 and 5 games solo would be too much for me before I went behind the mound!

[mstaylor]

Agreed, I won't do five in day, even if it is two man and switching. Five behind the plate is not good for the umpire, game or players. However, if it is a choice of calling from the mound, turn the games in.