First Time on Bases

[kstrunk]

Called the bases for the first time last night in a 'Majors' opener. Whoever says the bases are easy may not completely understand the complexity of the assignment. I've studied and studied and studied, and still felt somewhat unprepared. I believe it's one of those things that requires some practice and experience. By God's grace I got through without making an idiot of myself, mostly anyway. 

[blue23ll]

Working the bases is not a walk in the park.  Plate work requires total focus on calling pitches, and some 'secondary' assignments to support your base partner. Before everyone gets their jocks in a wad, by saying secondary, I don't mean to diminish the importance of the plate umpires other responsibilities in addition to calling balls and strikes. I only mean, that if the plate umpire calls an exceptionally good game, misses very few/if any balls and strikes, he will generally not get any heart burn from anyone. But, if the plate guy is struggling, the whole game can fall off the tracks, quickly. You will find that if trouble is going to find you, it will be when you work the bases.

 

On the bases, you can have 5 - 10 really close, critical calls to make, that are very visible to everyone. You have to work to stay focused, unlike the plate where every pitch requires a decision, you may go several batters on the bases and not have to make a single call. Another challenge with working the bases is that you have to work hard to get angle on every call, even though it may be 20 feet away. You move a lot, but have to always stop to see the plays, and then be ready to move again, to get to any other possible plays. You can study for hours, reading about mechanics and coverages, but doing it is the only way to learn. Knowing where to be is important, but it must become instinctual, almost second nature.  That instinctual, automatic movement only comes from years of repetition, refining your movements so that it looks effortless. 

 

My advice, FWIW, don't be so quick to take the dish all the time. I try to do 3 base jobs for every 1 plate. It's very easy to just take the plate, particularly when the less experienced guys don't like working the dish.  Also, I would study the rule book more than mechanics in the early stages of your career. Learn how to work the bases, by doing the bases, and get evaluated and observed as much as you can. Take the advice and improve.

[kstrunk]

So grateful for the advice. I'll be finding more base assignments, even if as a volunteer. I'd have to admit that I made a solid 50% of my calls last night WITHOUT being completely stationary. Each time I was convicted, but still found it tough to break the habit of not feeling close enough. I'm wondering too if I was trying to do too much... trying to see everything at once, every touch, even with multiple runners, etc... Is that possible? 

[wingman3110]

Takes some practice, skill, instinct, and most importantly...games.

 

Stay with it. You'll be fine.

[Richvee]

So grateful for the advice. I'll be finding more base assignments, even if as a volunteer. I'd have to admit that I made a solid 50% of my calls last night WITHOUT being completely stationary. Each time I was convicted, but still found it tough to break the habit of not feeling close enough. I'm wondering too if I was trying to do too much... trying to see everything at once, every touch, even with multiple runners, etc... Is that possible? 

As far as trying to see everything, every touch...Remember, PU has baserunners touching 3rd and home. You have the touches of 2nd and 1st. Remember always follow the ball, glance at each base for the touches. In time, you will be able to time it right so your glance at the bases will be pretty close to when the runners are approaching them. Follow the ball always. That's priority one. 

[JRobinson]

If you want to be serious about being better, purchase the Two Umpire System red book. Read it, rehearse it on your own time, ask questions. You will continue to improve.