Been out over 10 years. A position mechanics?

[mbkcoach]

Do you take a step and lean in? Bend over and put hands on knees? Or just stand there? Are their any DVD or instructional videos that are any good out there. I'm a caveman that has been unthawed.

[LRZ]

There are a number of manuals available--a search in the "Books" section will turn up several discussions--and their functionality is, in part, dependent on what levels you'll be working. Having been out much longer than you, I will say that the changes I've noticed are fairly minor and often just matters of jargon. For example, when I first began umpiring, there was no such thing as A, B and C positions--we worked there, but we just didn't identify the positions that way.

 

As for your A position questions, don't overthink the tiny nuts and bolts. What hasn't changed is that you should be in a ready position (A, B or C), balanced, prepared to move.

[mbkcoach]

Ok so leaning in, bent over, or standing there I ok as long as I'm ready to go.

[LRZ]

I would not just stand there. In every sport I know, there is a ready, athletic posture, weight forward, prepared to move. And being ready looks better, makes you look alert and in the game, if you know what I mean. My take, anyway.

[mbkcoach]

Thx. Any advice on what others do would help. Thanks.

[maven]

By the book:

1. Move into the infield from A and set up at approximately 90° from the throw and 18-21 feet from 1B, standing set.
2. Read the throw: if the infielder gets his feet set and makes his normal throwing motion, expect a good throw.
3. If you read a good throw, pick up the base and go to hands on knees set.
4. If you read a bad throw, pick up the fielder and take a read step, usually toward the foul line, and stay up.
5. See the whole play, judge whether ball beat runner. If it's a swipe tag or pulled foot, judge the tag attempt.
6. Look for secure possession of the ball.
7. Call it!

[Jimurray]

By the book:

• Move into the infield from A and set up at approximately 90° from the throw and 18-21 feet from 1B, standing set.
• Read the throw: if the infielder gets his feet set and makes his normal throwing motion, expect a good throw.
• If you read a good throw, pick up the base and go to hands on knees set.
• If you read a bad throw, pick up the fielder and take a read step, usually toward the foul line, and stay up.
• See the whole play, judge whether ball beat runner. If it's a swipe tag or pulled foot, judge the tag attempt.
• Look for secure possession of the ball.
• Call it!

I think he's asking about the starting position posture. A ready step or HOK is your choice. BTW, "bent over" is not really what "hands on knees" is. HOK is more upright and balanced than "bent over".

[JaxRolo]

HOK. Don't be moving around.

[mbkcoach]

Yes starting postition is what im talking about.  I cant see the 1st base ump on tv in the mlb games. I might go see a minor league game here in richmond to watch the umps.

 

 

Yes hands on knees is what I meant by bent over.  So the MLB guys use hands on knees at first in A postition as pitcher is pitching?

[noumpere]

Ready step.  Step with the left foot so you are ready to move into the infield.

[mbkcoach]

Where do my arms and hands go on ready step? On front leg? Or hang to side?

[noumpere]

Fists lightly clenched, about waist high.

[grayhawk]

Going to a minor league game is probably the best thing you can do if you want to emulate mechanics.  Those guys are sharp, and hungry to get to the majors so they probably work at their craft harder than anyone.

[mbkcoach]

Thanks for all yalls help. One more thing. When behind the plate inbetween innings I stand on the side of the team that is going out (just batted)? On the foul line about midway between home and first, or home and third? right? Or do I stand on the side of the team coming in, getting ready to bat.

[JaxRolo]

Thanks for all yalls help. One more thing. When behind the plate inbetween innings I stand on the side of the team that is going out (just batted)? On the foul line about midway between home and first, or home and third? right? Or do I stand on the side of the team coming in, getting ready to bat.

Normally on the side of the team batting.

But in my opinion it doesn't really matter.

[bam]

I tend to avoid the team batting.  I almost got winged once where a kid was wandering around swinging. 

[mbkcoach]

For some reason I remember being told to stand on side of team going out to get them to hustle out. Idk. Where do the minor league guys stand?

[treydawgmt]

I just went to a minor league game and can't remember where he stood...

The clinics I've been to for high school and college level taught by good high school and college umps locally and then the Mid Am Ump Clinic taught by college and pro guys all have taught hands on knee set.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk

[zm1283]

The MiLB guys have always been HOK on the lines until I went to a AA game earlier this spring and they just stepped and leaned in on the pitch. I always do that in 2-man. Working 3-man I usually work HOK, but later in the spring this year I started staying upright. It seems like it saves your back and legs from some fatigue if you've got a long day. I will still use HOK when working first when the first baseman is holding the runner and a pickoff is possible from the pitcher.

 

Personally I say do what's comfortable.

[noumpere]

Thanks for all yalls help. One more thing. When behind the plate inbetween innings I stand on the side of the team that is going out (just batted)? On the foul line about midway between home and first, or home and third? right? Or do I stand on the side of the team coming in, getting ready to bat.

Different umpires will have different opinions -- and some will say to change it if you had "trouble" with one team or the other the previous half inning.

 

And, some will say stay on the dirt circle.  Some will say take a step or two back off the line.   I even heard one well-respected D-1 official tell an umpire to go back almost to the screen.

 

IOW -- do what *you* need to do to manage the game and get ready for the next inning.

[rabbit]

We've been taught to stand on the line, outside the dirt circle ( as that is the 'pitchers domain" ) between innings so you can toss a replacement bad practice pitch to pitcher.

then indicate by fingers and/or verbal '2 more" before to the pitcher/catcher and then 'one more' to the on deck batter, to keep the game going.  On which side to stand?  Probably doesn't matter- but if you were facing the on deck batting side, it is easier to give the 'one more' warning.  

 

In some of our games we have a 45 (or 60 sec) 'speed up rule' so you have to be close and ready to go so standing at the line gives you better control of the game.

[PonyUmpire]

The pros stand about 15 feet up the foul line, opposite the batting team.

[Richvee]

I like standing on the side of the team coming up to hit. Unless there's a reason that team might be a bit upset with me over something. Main reason I like the side of the team coming to bat is to keep the leadoff hitter from wandering too close to the plate while F1 throws his warmups. 

[noumpere]

CCA mechanic is behind the dirt circle, on the side of the batting team. .

Hmm... I might have learned something.  Do you have a page reference?

[PonyUmpire]

CCA mechanic is behind the dirt circle, on the side of the batting team. .

Hmm... I might have learned something. Do you have a page reference?

I might be blowing smoke noumpere. My HS assoc uses the 2014 CCA manual, so I assumed the between-inning positioning we were taught was in the book. Upon further investigation, I can't find anything at all in the CCA manual that addresses this. I will edit my comment.