I missed a dozen strikes tonight

[conbo61]

One of the things that they tell us to do in the field is not make the out call on a force out until the fielder is taking it out of his glove

 

I have found myself silently repeating the phrase "Finish it, finish it" in my head to help me slow down on transfers and catches at first.

[noumpere]

 I count 1.. 2..... 3 then I call it, I have to realize its ok to wait to make my call instead of calling it the instant I see it,

 

Waiting to call it will not help much on its own.  Instead, wait to see it and then call it.

[Jeff C.]

Just recently I had a game like that myself th3.  I figured out I wasn't tracking the ball all the way in.  I was terrible.  I started telling myself one at a time, one at a time.

[Thunderheads]

Just recently I had a game like that myself th3.  I figured out I wasn't tracking the ball all the way in.  I was terrible.  I started telling myself one at a time, one at a time.

Jeff, ...that's what it is 99.9% of the time!!!  SLOW AND STEADY, ALL THE WAY IN THE MITT ....  

[maven]

Another focusing trick: be sure to take a deep breath and exhale just before the pitch. Doing so relaxes you and permits greater concentration when tracking the pitch. Relaxing is also key to proper timing and renewing focus after a missed call/pitch.

[JaxRolo]

@Jocko I was balling strikes.  Calling too quickly

 

@soapbox I was better today! Must have been my partner!

That will do it. Slooow Down

[BaltimoreUmpire]

I count 1.. 2..... 3 then I call it, I have to realize its ok to wait to make my call instead of calling it the instant I see it,

Waiting to call it will not help much on its own. Instead, wait to see it and then call it.I wait to give myself time to be sure of my call and process the play/pitch so i can get it right

[MikeSafari]

Sometimes you just have those games. I had one on Tuesday.

 

Totally wasn't in the right frame of mind and the game was just... terrible. Poor ball all round, pitchers unable to hit spots, fielders not making routine plays. To top it all off, we had a rain delay in the 2nd inning (after the game started late because of earlier rain), which meant we hit the time limit. I felt bad enforcing it 'cause the home team was rallying in the bottom of what would be the last inning, but it's not fair to the VT to not enforce the time limit I established at the plate meeting. Also didn't help that parents were F*#King mental and chirping me the whole game on my strike zone (the catchers knew what was up, though, so they were on my side).

 

I actually walked back to my car thinking to myself, "Sometimes I wonder why I started umpiring again."