1st High School Game Reflections

[aiber]

Inter-squad game behind the plate.

1-two plays at home. One was really close and I called the runner safe. It was a wild pitch and the runner from third slid and the catch dove. bang-bang. The coach asked me after the inning if the catcher missed the tag in a polite way. I answered that the runner beat the tag. Later on another wild pitch, the catcher tossed it to the pitcher but the runner was safe because he beat the throw and was under the tag. It was an easy safe call. The coach started saying that's two calls that you blew. I didn't even look over. When he continued a bit more, I just turned my head towards him and he stopped.

2- I was flinching a lot with high fastballs. I really need to work on that. Pretty embarrassing but the pitcher was throwing high 80's.

3- starting pitcher threw a nasty curve that caught me by surprise and was a strike right down the middle but I called it a ball. I told the catcher that I missed it. A couple of fans laughed in the background. It was early in the game so I think I recovered well because I didn't hear those fans anymore during the game.

4-A pitch was about 4 inches inside and the catcher said "c'mon blue that was a strike". I told him, " I'll remember that when you are hitting"... He didn't say much after that.

5- I haven't had my Davis pants tailored yet so I wore some Dalco combo pants and they fit very well with the Davishins. I hope the the Davis Plate pants aren't too baggy.

Feedback?

[VAUmp]

A coach that would give you $h!+ like that in an intersquad game must be a real peach in a regular game.

[KenBAZ]

We can't possibly know if you got the judgment calls right. However, what was your thought process? Where were you positioned and why? BTW at most levels you can get a strike on a ball that is 4" off the plate.

[Jimurray]

We can't possibly know if you got the judgment calls were right. However, what was your thought process? Where were you positioned and why? BTW at most levels you can get a strike on a ball that is 4" off the plate.

Ugh, what? And inside? Maybe I should ask what part of the ball we are talking about.

[KenBAZ]

There are a whole bunch of questions to be answered. Where was the F2 set up? How did F2 receive it? How did the pitch move from F1's hand - did it have some arm side run that may have caught a corner and ended up 4" inside? What had U1 established as his zone earlier in the game? A pitch "4" off the plate" does not really describe what we are asked to judge, but that's less then two balls inside, it's between the batters' box and the plate. Inside it's also a pitch you see very well so you can be confident where it is. If F2 sets up there, F1 throws it there and F2 sticks it, get a strike and keep getting them all game.

[Replacematt]

There are a whole bunch of questions to be answered. Where was the F2 set up? How did F2 receive it? How did the pitch move from F1's hand - did it have some arm side run that may have caught a corner and ended up 4" inside? What had U1 established as his zone earlier in the game? A pitch "4" off the plate" does not really describe what we are asked to judge, but that's less then two balls inside, it's between the batters' box and the plate. Inside it's also a pitch you see very well so you can be confident where it is. If F2 sets up there, F1 throws it there and F2 sticks it, get a strike and keep getting them all game.

Uh, no. Just...no.

[aiber]

There are a whole bunch of questions to be answered. Where was the F2 set up? How did F2 receive it? How did the pitch move from F1's hand - did it have some arm side run that may have caught a corner and ended up 4" inside? What had U1 established as his zone earlier in the game? A pitch "4" off the plate" does not really describe what we are asked to judge, but that's less then two balls inside, it's between the batters' box and the plate. Inside it's also a pitch you see very well so you can be confident where it is. If F2 sets up there, F1 throws it there and F2 sticks it, get a strike and keep getting them all game.

Thanks for your input. I think the catcher knew it was a ball, he complained anyway.

[maven]

On that curve ball you missed: 99% of the time that miss is the result of calling pitches too fast.

Your brain has to process a lot of info to call a good breaking pitch. Give yourself more than enough time to process it all. They'll wait for you.

maven

[Majordave]

What Maven said.  Eff the crybaby complainers.  Timing is key.  Call ALL the strikes you can.  As long as you stay consistent both ways and for the entire game they won't say crap at the end of the game.  Especially if you get it done in 1:45 or less for 7 and 2:00 or less for 9.  That's when they chase you down and shake your hand on the way out.

 

Just sayin'

[Thunderheads]

2 things ...

1) I agree with what's been said, ...TIMING.  Before the pitch, ... take a breath ... exhale....focus!  Crack.   Call it.  Take your time!

 

2) Don't EVER turn away from a coach that's yelling from the dugout and COUNTING 'missed' (or what he thought was missed) calls.   That's an immediate turn in direction w/ a stop sign: Thats enough!

 

YMMV

[JaxRolo]

Not sure if anyone else has mentioned TIMING!

 

TIMING is the key to all calls! Plate or bases!

[Majordave]

Flinching. Have someone throw baseballs at you and hit you a few times. Watch the ball all the way to contact if you can.  This can help you get used to being hit and minimize the flinching.  

[JaxRolo]

Flinching. Have someone throw baseballs at you and hit you a few times. Watch the ball all the way to contact if you can. This can help you get used to being hit and minimize the flinching.

Or tennis balls at first if you're scared.

[Majordave]

Yea, tennis balls, they won't hurt.  If you're a wus.  Hahaha   

[aiber]

Flinching. Have someone throw baseballs at you and hit you a few times. Watch the ball all the way to contact if you can. This can help you get used to being hit and minimize the flinching.

Or tennis balls at first if you're scared.

I would not say that I am scared. It's more of an involuntary reaction......thanks for the advice.

[Pops]

 

 

Flinching. Have someone throw baseballs at you and hit you a few times. Watch the ball all the way to contact if you can. This can help you get used to being hit and minimize the flinching.

Or tennis balls at first if you're scared.

I would not say that I am scared. It's more of an involuntary reaction......thanks for the advice.

 

Just another point of view on flinching... I'm usually rock solid and have seen a lot of action behind the plate, but after I get hit, I flinch once or twice on the inside pitches until I make a mental effort to hold solid once again. It's a mental thing that can be overcome, but it takes a little self-talk to get past the "jumpiness." Give yourself a pat on the back the first time you stand your ground without flinching or closing your eyes. Then make it a habit on every pitch.

[Kevin_K]

I have found that flinching can be caused by not tracking the ball all the way to the glove. When I have found myself flinching its, usually because I lose my focus  - mental - on the ball before it has finished its path to the catchers glove.

[Majordave]

Good points. Those are good to know.

[Tksjewelry]

Flinching. Have someone throw baseballs at you and hit you a few times. Watch the ball all the way to contact if you can. This can help you get used to being hit and minimize the flinching.

That works. I flinched a lot my first game. The UIC called me down to the office, had me gear up, and threw balls at me until I stopped.

[Majordave]

Yep. It sucks ut it works. Sometimes feels like the cure is worse for you than the ailment.