Caught On Video

[KenBAZ]

Guys:

 

A couple of weeks ago I got the chance to work a couple of All Star games for MajorDave's favorite organization.  The games were broadcast on mlb.com live and are posted on that site now.  I thought I'd post the links for you guys to view and provide feedback.  I don't expect anyone to watch all of either of the games but if you have a few minutes take a look and let me know what you think.  I had the plate for one game and the bases for the other.  One thing I'd ask before you provide whatever constructive criticisms you have.  Will you try and find something I did right?  I tend to focus on my mistakes and take for granted the things I've mastered.  It can be something simple like, " You're surprisingly athletic for a fat guy".  

 

 

14U Link

 

http://m.mlb.com/video/v52999083/class-of-2020-amateur-allstar-classic-14u/?c_id=mlb

 

http://m.mlb.com/video/v52999083

 

13U link

 

http://m.mlb.com/video/v52999183/blue-takes-down-white-133-in-the-13u-allstar-game/?c_id=mlb

 

http://m.mlb.com/video/v52999183

[krwill96]

Ken,

Which game did you have the plate for?

[Tksjewelry]

The 14u link didn't work for me.

[KenBAZ]

I had the plate for the 13U game.

Here is another link for the 14u game:

http://m.mlb.com/video/v52999083/

[TheRockawayKid]

It says the video is not yet available. 

 

So, I guess the positive is that I haven't seen you blow any calls. 

[KenBAZ]

Maybe someone else can tell me what I'm doing wrong here. I'm able to pull up both videos on the mlb.com site with the links I have.

[maven]

Just post this link, and it will embed: <h ttp://m.mlb.com/video/v52999083> (I added a space to prevent embedding)

 

http://m.mlb.com/video/v52999083

[krwill96]

Ken,

I watched a few half innings throughout the game of your game on the dish. Overall looked good. Crisp mechanics on your strike call. Head height was consistent, zone looked good, you had a possible rotation to third that didn't end up necessary but you moved right away. You moved out behind the plate quickly when necessary.

A few things I saw that could use work. One was your timing. I thought you were a tad quick especially on the called third strike in the top of the third. On a few ball calls you came up quick and went to the open side of the plate. It didn't look like any play was imminent or any reason to move. A small thing that from being on here I see is taught some places but not others is turning your head towards the ball on a ball to illustrate it's a ball. Another small thing I saw was when there was a dropped third strike with a runner on first less than two outs was no out was signaled (unless it wasn't shown).

Overall you looked good and I wouldn't hesitate working with you from what I've seen. It shows that you take umpiring serious and put forth a great deal of effort.

[catsbackr]

Ken,

 

What are you wearing on your head?  Just curious.

[RingEmUp]

Does USSSA allows for a two piece catchers mask and helmet with no ear protection?  I'm just curious because in FED 1-5-4 states any combo of mask and helmet shall have full ear protection.

[ZebraStripes]

Does USSSA allows for a two piece catchers mask and helmet with no ear protection?  I'm just curious because in FED 1-5-4 states any combo of mask and helmet shall have full ear protection.

7.01.F The catcher shall wear all appropriate protective gear including a catcher’s helmet with facemask and either a built in extended throat guard or a separately attached throat guard, chest protector, shin and / or leg guards, and protective

[RingEmUp]

 

Does USSSA allows for a two piece catchers mask and helmet with no ear protection?  I'm just curious because in FED 1-5-4 states any combo of mask and helmet shall have full ear protection.

7.01.F The catcher shall wear all appropriate protective gear including a catcher’s helmet with facemask and either a built in extended throat guard or a separately attached throat guard, chest protector, shin and / or leg guards, and protective

 

 

Thank you for that.  I saw that 12u and down do have to wear full head protection.

[KenBAZ]

Thanks for the encouraging suggestions. I saw the punch out @krwill96 mentioned and I was surprised how quick it was. I've been focusing on staying down longer on my ball calls to distinguish them from my strike calls. However I may have quickened my timing on strike calls as an unintended side effect. It seemed to me when I did jump up quickly on my ball calls it was on obvious calls and it was like I wanted to get to the next pitch quicker. On the DTK you can't see me employ my mechanic because of the angle. My arm is out at shoulder height with one finger extended.

For daytime plates I have begun wearing a neoprene skull cap. I have Vitiligo so I have to be careful about exposing unprotected skin to the sun. Taking the bucket on and off and sweating removes whatever sun block I wear so I use the cap.

One big mistake I made is not really shown. With two outs a hitter got thrown out at 2nd trying to stretch a hit. R3 was just jogging in from third and I failed to get in a position to see if he scored ahead of the third out. I got caught up watching my partners' call at 2nd. You can't see it on the video but you can hear the late call.

I welcome feedback from anyone else that can help me be more conciously competent.

[ZebraStripes]

From what I looked at yesterday, I was thinking you had some good quick movements to cover the ball.  But slow down on the strikes.  I wonder what I would look like on video doing baseball.  

[TheRockawayKid]

Hi Ken,

 

When I know my timing has been bad, I've actually pretended I was in a cage session. When I started, I had instructors make me watch the pitch. 

 

Then, after the glove action, they'd ask, "what was that?" 

 

Only then could I say "strike" or "ball." Maybe try that? Like you're answering a question. Really helps slow you down. 

[ZebraStripes]

say to yourself "that was a strike" stand up and say "STRIKE"  

 

say to yourself "that was a ball"  "BALL"

[Thunderheads]

Sidebar

When I feel my timing being rushed ...I'll make sure I'm inhaling through my nose during pitchers movement and exhaling while he's about to release the ball

[tjwoelfel13]

Sidebar

When I was just starting I was calling pitches early because I was anxious and called them before I could doubt myself. Now I'm more growing more confident but still working on it. I doubt this is what caused your problem as you have way more experience but I'm just describing what caused my timing issues.