Trouble Picking Up Fly Balls, Especially Fouls

[Rock Bottom]

Does anyone else have trouble picking up where a fly ball was hit, especially foul balls? Any advice on how to improve on seeing them? (Funny when I played - although decades ago - I didn't have this problem.)

[Replacematt]

5 minutes ago, Rock Bottom said:

Does anyone else have trouble picking up where a fly ball was hit, especially foul balls? Any advice on how to improve on seeing them? (Funny when I played - although decades ago - I didn't have this problem.)

1. Are you tracking the pitch the entire way in? Often your eyes will get a jump on where the ball is going as they see it go off the bat.

2. Watch the fielders.

[umpstu]

1 hour ago, Matt said:

1. Are you tracking the pitch the entire way in? Often your eyes will get a jump on where the ball is going as they see it go off the bat.

2. Watch the fielders.

This

[Aging_Arbiter]

Pop up at/around the plate, don't watch for the ball.  Watch the catcher.  a) he will take you to the ball and b) if you are looking up at the ball, he will most likely tackle you if you are in the way.

[noumpere]

10 hours ago, Matt said:

1. Are you tracking the pitch the entire way in? Often your eyes will get a jump on where the ball is going as they see it go off the bat.

 

No, he's not.  ;)  This symptom is one of the tell-tale signs.

[JSam21]

Sounds like you are blinking right as the bat is being swung. 

[Richvee]

tracking tracking tracking. When this happens I know I'm not tracking. It's the best tool we have to self evaluate and correct in game. 

[Rock Bottom]

Thanks everyone!  I THOUGHT I was tracking well, but apparently not -- I'll work on this.

[Kevin_K]

5 hours ago, Rock Bottom said:

Thanks everyone!  I THOUGHT I was tracking well, but apparently not -- I'll work on this.

When you think you are and you are not, it is often because you stop tracking somewhere between to edge of the dirt circle and HP. This can also cause trouble with pitches that break late or fastballs that have a late run to them.

[umpstu]

15 hours ago, Aging_Arbiter said:

Pop up at/around the plate, don't watch for the ball.  Watch the catcher.  a) he will take you to the ball and b) if you are looking up at the ball, he will most likely tackle you if you are in the way.

Plus watching the catcher let's you know which direction he is going and you can then get out of the way.

[Aging_Arbiter]

8 hours ago, umpstu said:

Plus watching the catcher let's you know which direction he is going and you can then get out of the way

wish I'd have thought of that.

[Rock Bottom]

Thanks all, I had a game tonight and seemed to pick up fly balls much better! (On a down note I must be turning my head because I caught a foul ball in the jaw, missed the padding. That's a quick wake up call to keep my head still!)

[Kevin_K]

1 hour ago, Rock Bottom said:

Thanks all, I had a game tonight and seemed to pick up fly balls much better! (On a down note I must be turning my head because I caught a foul ball in the jaw, missed the padding. That's a quick wake up call to keep my head still!)

That is a clear indication of not tracking! 

For your own safety, take one of two steps. Either stop turning your head or stop umpiring. Do not continue both!

[kylehutson]

This is going to sound strange, but at least temporarily, find a heavier mask. Its inertia will let you know when you're moving your head. When you've got that problem fixed, you can go back to a lighter mask if you want.

[Rock Bottom]

41 minutes ago, Kevin_K said:

That is a clear indication of not tracking! 

For your own safety, take one of two steps. Either stop turning your head or stop umpiring. Do not continue both!

Got it. I'm working on it, it's only my 4th game. Guess the HSM might have been a better choice, but that would also encourage bad habits.

 

[Rich Ives]

Got it now.  Turning head. Closing eyes.  

You're flinching.

You need to really concentrate on staying facing the pitcher and keeping your eyes open. Getting hit on the mask is better than getting hit on the jaw or head.

Get a tennis ball. Have a friend throw it at your masked face. 473 times. Concentrate on not flinching.  Build the confidence.

 

[Rock Bottom]

The one thing I know (well, I'm confident) I'm not doing is flinching. I caught for 9 years, and have no fear of the ball. I'm sure though that I was tracking with my head and eyes instead of just my eyes. 

[Rich Ives]

9 hours ago, Rock Bottom said:

The one thing I know (well, I'm confident) I'm not doing is flinching. I caught for 9 years, and have no fear of the ball. I'm sure though that I was tracking with my head and eyes instead of just my eyes. 

No?  Turned head. Closed eyes.  Flinch.

No glove to "protect" you so you are not mentally seeing it the same way now.