Thought process as BU

[Kyle_Stevens]

Hey fellow umpire addicts,

For some strange reason I have been anticipating a play/call in my recent outings. I haven't had a problem with it in the past, but for some reason, just recently, this has bit me in the back side.

For instance, in a HS game, R1, 0 outs, batter hit a fly ball to left-center. F7 catches the ball while R1 is half way. R1 see the ball caught and starts back to first in kind of a walk/jog. I see look back to pick up the ball and see it is coming to first. I think to myself, "He'll get back." To my surprise, the ball beats the runner back in a banger. I SEE the runner out, but call him safe. I knew I blew it and wanted to crawl under second base. Even a guy in his truck in the parking lot yelled, "He blew that one!" I thought it was funny but was embarassed beyond belief.

Like I said, I haven't ever had a problem with this except just the last couple of weeks. I don't know if it is just me getting complacent or something else. Anticipating a play is, in my opinion, an umpires #1 mistake. My next time out I am going to, on each play, say to myself, "Nothing, nothing, nothing..." then call it as I see it.

Anyone have any thoughts or suggestions? I would love to hear if you all have had any trouble with this or have any advice. I am a better umpire than the couple bone-head calls I have made. It eats away at me during the night.

[blue bomber]

It eats away at me during the night.

Yeah, I know what you're saying. I have learned quickly though the mantra of everybody who has been around awhile...You'll live to umpire more games. The players will live to play another game. Once you've learned the lesson that there is to be learned, you gotta let it go.

I don't think anticipation of a certain play is all that bad (everybody would put their money on the runner getting back), but rather prejudging a play and taking your eye off the ball to begin with. Right-center field is your call anyway. You should already be facing the ball to watch it back into the infield. You can't go to collect on your horse winning the race until the race is finished.

[littleleagueump]

Hey fellow umpire addicts,

For some strange reason I have been anticipating a play/call in my recent outings. I haven't had a problem with it in the past, but for some reason, just recently, this has bit me in the back side.

For instance, in a HS game, R1, 0 outs, batter hit a fly ball to left-center. F7 catches the ball while R1 is half way. R1 see the ball caught and starts back to first in kind of a walk/jog. I see look back to pick up the ball and see it is coming to first. I think to myself, "He'll get back." To my surprise, the ball beats the runner back in a banger. I SEE the runner out, but call him safe. I knew I blew it and wanted to crawl under second base. Even a guy in his truck in the parking lot yelled, "He blew that one!" I thought it was funny but was embarassed beyond belief.

Like I said, I haven't ever had a problem with this except just the last couple of weeks. I don't know if it is just me getting complacent or something else. Anticipating a play is, in my opinion, an umpires #1 mistake. My next time out I am going to, on each play, say to myself, "Nothing, nothing, nothing..." then call it as I see it.

Anyone have any thoughts or suggestions? I would love to hear if you all have had any trouble with this or have any advice. I am a better umpire than the couple bone-head calls I have made. It eats away at me during the night.

Been there a time or two. You get a brain fart and forget what you are doing. You start looking at the trees and the butterflies like t-ballers. You will get over it. Tomorrow will be another day for another game. Good luck.

[JohnT]

Just to echo what everybody else said...its fine. You will get over it and the coaches will get over it and so will the players. Tomorrows a new ball game!

When I find myself anticipating, I just force myself not to. Its hard to explain, but I just dont think "he will be safe" just think watch...watch...watch...call it.

[strike3scott]

Guess what? It happens. At least you realize what happened and how to fix it. I have called for quite some time and this past Tuesday I had one blow up on me. R1, 1 out. Ground ball to short, flips to F4 (OUT!) and then over to F3 (OUT!) double play....but wait a minute...he beat the throw by a half second. A very good coach then told me I was better than that (among other things) and he is right. I anticipated the double play and hadn't counted on the batter being quick. I hate to sound cliche but crap does indeed happen. At the end of the game he and I exchanged parting pleasantries and it was over. On to the next one.

[Umpire in Chief]

Anticipating a play is, in my opinion, an umpires #1 mistake.

I wouldn't say anticipating is that bad. After some time things will just feel natural and you will instinctively know where to go. It will be bad baseball which will bite you Like R2 w/ 2 out they try to make the play at third when the smart play would be the force at 1st.

So I would say anticipate but also use your pause, read, react learn to combine the two well and all will be fine.

[Bigdog]

Anticipating a play is, in my opinion, an umpires #1 mistake.

Hey all,

Anticipating a play is GOOD:D, anticipating a RESULT of that play is BAD:mad:

Bigdog:cool:

[Kyle_Stevens]

Hey guys,

Thanks for all the replies, I really appreciate the responses. I like what all had to say. I would say that Bigdog said it best, 'Anticipate the play and not the result', which is exactly what I think I did. Again, thanks to all!

Kyle

[blue bomber]

Hey all,

Anticipating a play is GOOD:D, anticipating a RESULT of that play is BAD:mad:

Bigdog:cool:

Now THAT is good gouge.

[UmpInVA]

To my surprise, the ball beats the runner back in a banger. I SEE the runner out, but call him safe. I knew I blew it and wanted to crawl under second base. Even a guy in his truck in the parking lot yelled, "He blew that one!" I thought it was funny but was embarassed beyond belief.

As former MLB umpire Jim Evans says "What's an umpire's worst enemy? Surprise!"

Now that it's happened, learn from it.

[NovaScotiaBlue]

Hey Kyle.

Just try and remember to,Pause,Read,React.

It's the mantra that keeps me from calling anything too quickly.

I hope this helps

[semperfiguy]

Im with bigdog. anticipation is good. I think it helps me get into position to make teh very best call. However every once in a while players do something foolish and it makes us look even worse, because we thought he would do what is expected. Another day another game. as long as you learned something. besides at least you were honest enough to reallize there even was a problem. i like to listen to the veterans in my association. they have either seen or done just about everything. balls and strikes baby!!!!

[umpire08]

I made some calls that were questioned this year I learned from those and made good on the second chance that I got but I also through the training by a vetran umpire I was the best that I could be and i hope to pursue that new skill that I have aquired how did you guys do with your calls this year thanks umpire08 Deer Park Tx

[catoblue]

Hey all,

Anticipating a play is GOOD:D, anticipating a RESULT of that play is BAD:mad:

Bigdog:cool:

As I was reading through this thread, this is the thought that immediately came to mind, only worded "anticipate the play, not the call", combined with the "pause, read, react" mantra, only I learned it "read, pause, react", where read comes first: read what is happening, pause to evaluate/think about what you just read, then react with the proper call.

Anticipating a play based on the sitch will help you get into a good position to make a call.

One item that has been discussed in clinics and on forums and anywhere umpiring is spoken, is timing. Never rush to make a call. Let your eyes see what happens, replay it quickly in your mind's eye, then based on what you saw, make the call. It all comes back to "Read, pause, react".