What are the top couple of things you need to fix this year?

[Mike Prince]

A few posts on here lately have talked about changing bad habits.  Obviously we all have things we work on every game, but what thing(s) are you going into the season determined to fix?

 

For me it is a really silly one.  I was at a clinic a few weeks ago and in our cage session our instructor (a WUS instructor and AAA umpire) was talking about taking off and putting your mask on.  @UMP45 was also an instructor at this clinic.  When we all were supposed to put our mask back on in the drill, I heard a soft voice next to me (UMP45) say "left hand Mike".  I had never realized it, but I had gotten into the habit of switching hands between take-off and put-on and was grabbing the mask with my right hand when I put it back on.

 

So that's mine for this season (I am sure there will be more).  I've worked only two scrimmages since that clinic, but am focusing on putting my mask on with the correct hand now.  Surprisingly, this habit is harder to break than I thought it would be.  Went to a HS game this past Saturday as a spectator and the first thing I noticed was that the PU put his mask on right-handed...so at least it is in my head now.

 

Last year it was working the bases without an indicator (where we were not required to have an indicator on the bases).  I found not using one to increase my focus on situations and I actually lost the count/outs less often sans indicator.

 

What's yours?

[ALStripes17]

Staying within the working area as the field umpire. I really like to cut distance after I get my angle. After the play, I ask myself "Now what would you have done if that F3 on 1B threw back behind the runner at 3B?"

Answer: Haul tail!!! Haha

[noumpere]

For me it is a really silly one.  I was at a clinic a few weeks ago and in our cage session our instructor (a WUS instructor and AAA umpire) was talking about taking off and putting your mask on.  @UMP45 was also an instructor at this clinic.  When we all were supposed to put our mask back on in the drill, I heard a soft voice next to me (UMP45) say "left hand Mike".  I had never realized it, but I had gotten into the habit of switching hands between take-off and put-on and was grabbing the mask with my right hand when I put it back on.

 

 

Ther's a reason to take it off with the left hand.  theres no good reason why it matters what hand you use to put it back on.

 

For me, Im working on two things:  Plate work and Base work.

[Umpire in Chief]

This wasn't on my original list to improve upon this year, but last Saturday the situation happened to me.

 

D-II game first few innings went smoothly, I was feeling confident and comfortable.

 

Sometime in the 5th or 6th inning I got hit by a pitch right in the fleshy part of my forearm. 

 

In the past I've always been pretty good at shaking things off and not having them effect me. 

 

Not that day. I became jumpy behind the plate. My zone went from pretty solid to inconsistent and I could just feel (other than the pain) my umpiring was off. It was a bad feeling because the more I thought about it the further off my game I got. 

 

The game finished w/o incident. 

 

So now one of the things I am going to work on is getting refocused after an incident like an injury or even an argument and not letting it throw me off my game. 

[Kevin_K]

I will be improving on making proper adjustments on plays that go from routine to whacky. For example, when a throw pulls 1B off  the bag or a middle infielder attempts to tag a passing runner on a routine ground ball rather than throwing to the bag.

 

I am also going to work on not sucking. That's probably not going to happen though.

[Richvee]

1. Better consistency in the upper part of the strike zone.

2. a better view of the outside corner every pitch.

 

At a cage  session a few weeks ago, the instructor suggested the GD stance to keep from swaying and locking in easier. Hopefully the switch will help with accomplishing 1 and 2 above. 

[elares]

Slow down behind the plate.  The focus on getting the timing right will help my inconsistency at the top of the zone.

[BuckeyeMike]

I'll be focusing on using my eyes to SEE the catcher receive the ball.   This will help my timing and slow me down as well.

[Shavano]

I am also going to work on not sucking. That's probably not going to happen though.

^^^^^^^^^THIS. Also my main fix this year. Nice to see that I'm not the only one...

[johnnyg08]

Consistency at the top and bottom of my zone on the plate.

 

Double play mechanics on the bases. 

[Thunderheads]

It's been said before, but ........

 

Focus on the working area while in the field, and not trying to / chasing the ball to each potential play.  (Funny story here about my camp on February and James Hoye, but not for this thread)

 

Anyhow, .... be very diligent on tracking the ball all the way to the glove  >>>> EVERY TIME, ALL THE TIME!  And, be more aware of my surroundings after pitches, ...i.e.; snap throw down to third after a pitch, looking for INT, etc, etc .....

[BT_Blue]

I need to work on my mid game concentration and not being as talkative as I have been in the past.

[PonyUmpire]

Game management; projecting authority and decisiveness.  Game awareness.  Maintaining hustle, crispness, presence, and focus even when the game becomes boring or tiring.  Find a low zone that I'm happy with.

[th3]

Tracking with my eyes and, as rich said, getting a better view if the whole zone. And being more confident and decisive on balks. And not sucking so much Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Dash Riprock]

 

Last year it was working the bases without an indicator (where we were not required to have an indicator on the bases).  I found not using one to increase my focus on situations and I actually lost the count/outs less often sans indicator.

 

 

The count is the PU's job.  If a coach asks me (as BU) for the count, I will either direct him to the PU or get it from the PU myself.  What if the BU has it wrong?  Imagine the fun if the BU told the 3rd base coach the count was full (when it was really 2-2) with the bases loaded and two outs, and the pitcher threw ball three!

[maninblack69]

Timing, timing, timing. Did I mention timing? Need to slow myself down. See the play/pitch in its entirety, then make the call. Also, not sucking would be a good idea as well!

[UMP45]

noumpere you take the mask off with your left hand. Then you switch it to your right hand to put it on. Makes sense to me!

[Mike Prince]

Last year it was working the bases without an indicator (where we were not required to have an indicator on the bases). I found not using one to increase my focus on situations and I actually lost the count/outs less often sans indicator.

The count is the PU's job. If a coach asks me (as BU) for the count, I will either direct him to the PU or get it from the PU myself. What if the BU has it wrong? Imagine the fun if the BU told the 3rd base coach the count was full (when it was really 2-2) with the bases loaded and two outs, and the pitcher threw ball three!

I never said it was my job as BU to keep the count. I do it for myself. But thanks for sharing what you're going to work on this season. Sent using Tapatalk

[JDavis225]

TIMING and "staying down on my balls" ...I tend to decide whether pitches are strikes or balls too fast and sometimes I change my mind mid way and come on up on my balls! I had a rough first 3 innings in my second D1 plate job of the year and it was all due to quick timing and nervousness. As time goes by, I'm sure I'll be able to work out those kinks. It'll just take more focus.

[JaxRolo]

TIMING and "staying down on my balls" .

 

We do not want to know what you do in your personal life.

[grayhawk]

TIMING and "staying down on my balls" ...I tend to decide whether pitches are strikes or balls too fast and sometimes I change my mind mid way and come on up on my balls! I had a rough first 3 innings in my second D1 plate job of the year and it was all due to quick timing and nervousness. As time goes by, I'm sure I'll be able to work out those kinks. It'll just take more focus.

 

Ahh, the old stee-ball!

[Dash Riprock]

 

TIMING and "staying down on my balls" ...I tend to decide whether pitches are strikes or balls too fast and sometimes I change my mind mid way and come on up on my balls! I had a rough first 3 innings in my second D1 plate job of the year and it was all due to quick timing and nervousness. As time goes by, I'm sure I'll be able to work out those kinks. It'll just take more focus.

 

Ahh, the old stee-ball!

 

Humping it.  It's a good thing I've never done that.