What could he have done better

[MidAmUmp]

Okay, I've given this long enough for responses, so now I'll chime in. I've shown this clip at clinics before as an example of what not to do.

 

1. There appears to just be a runner on 3rd. We never see a runner on 1st on the screen (doesn't mean there isn't one, but I would think we would have seen him from the camera angle unless he got a huge jump - plus the SS would have at least looked at 2nd before throwing to 1st). So, I'm curious how many outs there were? If there were 2 outs, I'm okay with the guy being in B. If there are less than 2 outs he needs to be in C.
2. He assumes the 3B is going to field the ball. Never make that assumption.
3. He turns his back to the ball.

So what should he have done?

1. I don't have a problem with his positioning (1/2 way between the mound and 2nd). Actually, that's pretty much where he needs to be. Again, maybe he should be in C, but we don't know how many outs.
2. STEP UP, TURN AND FACE THE BALL. I can't preach this enough. He should have stepped up with his right foot, pivoted open chest to ball, seeing the SS field it and throw it, and let the ball turn him to 1st base.
3. I would have ended up taking this play at 1st pretty much in a straight line between 1st & 3rd base. That would have been a pretty good angle for a pulled foot (based on the angle of the throw & swipe tag.)

Others are saying he was too close and should have been deeper (assumedly letting the ball pass in front of him, turning him to 1st). In the words of Col. Sherman Potter, "Horse hockey!" or "Mule fritters!" (take your pick). Get up in there where you are supposed to be. 1/2 way between the mound and 2nd base. By being deeper you take yourself out of position for pickoffs only to *get closer* on a steal...which is also "buffalo chips". You don't need to be close, you have less time to adjust and no where to go on an bad throw from the catcher. Getting up in there allows you to let the ball turn you, with more room to move on a bad throw, you can get 1-2 steps and be stopped/set BEFORE the play occurs at 2nd on a steal.

 

Concerning appearance...

1. For God's sake, match your partner.
2. Lose weight or get a proper fitting uniform. Be honest with yourself. Don't try to squeeze your ass into some 46's when 50's would fit better and look better. If you're pleats don't lay flat on your pants, it's time to get a bigger size. Sucking in your gut to make a XXL shirt fit only looks good in the parking lot. You can't suck in your gut for 7 or 9 innings. Plus compression shirts only hold so much. Go up an extra size.

[Thunderheads]

 

Okay, I've given this long enough for responses, so now I'll chime in. I've shown this clip at clinics before as an example of what not to do.

 

1. There appears to just be a runner on 3rd. We never see a runner on 1st on the screen (doesn't mean there isn't one, but I would think we would have seen him from the camera angle unless he got a huge jump - plus the SS would have at least looked at 2nd before throwing to 1st). So, I'm curious how many outs there were? If there were 2 outs, I'm okay with the guy being in B. If there are less than 2 outs he needs to be in C.
2. He assumes the 3B is going to field the ball. Never make that assumption.
3. He turns his back to the ball.

So what should have have done?

1. I don't have a problem with his positioning (1/2 way between the mound and 2nd). Actually, that's pretty much where he needs to be. Again, maybe he should be in C, but we don't know how many outs.
2. STEP UP, TURN AND FACE THE BALL. I can't preach this enough. He should have stepped up with his left foot, pivoted open chest to ball, seeing the SS field it and throw it, and let the ball turn him to 1st base.
3. I would have ended up taking this play at 1st pretty much in a straight line between 1st & 3rd base. That would have been a pretty good angle for a pulled foot (based on the angle of the throw & swipe tag.

Others are saying he was too close and should have been deeper (assumedly letting the ball pass in front of him, turning him to 1st). In the words of Col. Sherman Potter, "Horse hockey!" or "Mule fritters!" (take your pick). Get up in there where you are supposed to be. 1/2 way between the mound and 2nd base. By being deeper you take yourself out of position for pickoffs only to *get closer* on a steal...which is also "buffalo chips". You don't need to be close, you have less time to adjust and no where to go on an bad throw from the catcher. Getting up in there allows you to let the ball turn you, with more room to move on a bad throw, you can get 1-2 steps and be stopped/set BEFORE the play occurs at 2nd on a steal.

 

Concerning appearance...

1. For God's sake, match your partner.
2. Lose weight or get a proper fitting uniform. Be honest with yourself. Don't try to squeeze your ass into some 46's when 50's would fit better and look better. If you're pleats don't lay flat on your pants, it's time to get a bigger size. Sucking in your gut to make a XXL shirt fit only looks good in the parking lot. You can't suck in your gut for 7 or 9 innings. Plus compression shirts only hold so much. Go up an extra size.

 

step up and turn via his "right foot" ...yes?

[MidAmUmp]

step up and turn via his "right foot" ...yes?

 

 

Yes...I'll correct it.

[Magic]

@Thunderheads already asked. Games worked 10

[Thunderheads]

@Thunderheads already asked. Games worked 10

.... and Jason corrected it ....we're set, thanks

[zm1283]

 

I know some of us won't work a game until April 25th and are bored with nothing else to do, but is it really necessary to be hateful about the guy's weight? I know the shirt thing is goofy too, but isn't really the point of the thread.

I don't think some of you would want video of your games posted here.

Being hateful is not ok. But honestly, if you can't get out of your own way, someone should let you know.

This guy is obviously not presenting himself for evaluation to us, so it would be unfair to hold him up to standards we would ordinarily expect, but I wouldn't want to weigh that much and run around an infield.

 

 

My point is that his weight isn't really the reason he screwed up and got hit in the back of the head. At his size, he could have stepped up and faced the ball and let it turn him, but he didn't because he's either lazy or hasn't been trained the right way. 

 

We could post YouTube clips all day of ill-fitting uniforms, mismatched shirts, and general sloppy appearance. I figure most of us on here already know how to dress on the field so it isn't really something we need to harp on. 

[noumpere]

 

 

1. I would have ended up taking this play at 1st pretty much in a straight line between 1st & 3rd base. That would have been a pretty good angle for a pulled foot (based on the angle of the throw & swipe tag.

 

 

 

Agreed.  Since R3 broke for home, the umpire can move into, through and out of the "working area" to get to a good position for the play at first.

 

Now, if the umpire know he doesn't move well, AND if the thinks F5 is going to field it, moving up might put him right in the line of the throw (because he won't get far enough forward on his movement).  In that instance, the umpire can move toward the 1B-2B line.  That would also get him out of the way of the throw from F6.

 

On the B vs C -- I agree C is better, but some mechanics require B on this play, even with <2 outs.

 

On the shirt -- more than once, I've been called to "get to the field right away -- and umpire didn't show" and it's certainly possible I didn't have every color shirt in my car at the time.(I would likely have the standard colors, though).

[MidAmUmp]

My point is that his weight isn't really the reason he screwed up and got hit in the back of the head. At his size, he could have stepped up and faced the ball and let it turn him, but he didn't because he's either lazy or hasn't been trained the right way. 

Here's the reality...

We've worked together a lot. You weigh noticeably less than I do. If you did exactly what this guy did and got smoked in the back of the head, it would be perceived as an accident. If I had done what I was supposed to and got smoked in the back of the head, I would be perceived as lazy.

 

I have to outwork skinnier/more athletic looking umpires. I have and that's why I'm where I'm at in my career. But now that I'm starting to work more televised games, I have to work on my weight/appearance to "look the part".

[MidAmUmp]

 

 

 

1. I would have ended up taking this play at 1st pretty much in a straight line between 1st & 3rd base. That would have been a pretty good angle for a pulled foot (based on the angle of the throw & swipe tag.

 

 

 

Agreed.  Since R3 broke for home, the umpire can move into, through and out of the "working area" to get to a good position for the play at first.

 

Now, if the umpire know he doesn't move well, AND if the thinks F5 is going to field it, moving up might put him right in the line of the throw (because he won't get far enough forward on his movement).  In that instance, the umpire can move toward the 1B-2B line.  That would also get him out of the way of the throw from F6.

 

On the B vs C -- I agree C is better, but some mechanics require B on this play, even with <2 outs.

 

On the shirt -- more than once, I've been called to "get to the field right away -- and umpire didn't show" and it's certainly possible I didn't have every color shirt in my car at the time.(I would likely have the standard colors, though).

 

On a throw from 3rd, you have to think of the throwing lane. If 3B is playing in, you have to let the ball pass in front of you and do as you said - work towards 1st base line for your angle. If 3B is playing deep, step up, turn and face the ball, let throw turn you.

 

On B vs. C - with 2 outs and a RHB I'd prefer the base umpire to move to B - the play will go to 1st and you have a better look at the check swing. With 2 outs and a LHB I'd prefer the base umpire to stay in C for the same reason.