Bang-bang play videos for training?

[SCRookie]

Hi all,

Was just wondering if there are any good resources for practicing close calls at first? Like, perhaps a string of videos where you make your best call and then rewatch the play in slow-mo to see how accurate you are?

I know videos cannot replicate the on-field angles a BU would have, but I'm just looking for some productive way to practice what I consider to be a weaker point of mine. 

Thanks for any info!

[SH0102]

3 hours ago, SCRookie said:

Hi all,

Was just wondering if there are any good resources for practicing close calls at first? Like, perhaps a string of videos where you make your best call and then rewatch the play in slow-mo to see how accurate you are?

I know videos cannot replicate the on-field angles a BU would have, but I'm just looking for some productive way to practice what I consider to be a weaker point of mine. 

Thanks for any info!

Go to a ballgame, preferably with older/better players that can actually throw the ball in a straight line and not rainbows.

Sit as close to 1B as you are allowed.  
 

Every time there is a ground ball and play at first, close your eyes and listen and make the call based on that.  If you have a friend, kid, sibling, bring them along to film the play so you can go back and watch and check your results.

You will be amazed at how much easier it is when you focus on the sounds as no matter how hard the players may try, they can not change the speed of sound.  The sound of “thud” (foot on bag) and “pop” (ball in glove) are unmistakeable and listen and ask yourself, which did I hear first?  Problem solved!

Since the sounds travel at same speed, whichever you hear first happened first.  Where you may struggle is your eyes see things thousands of times faster than your ears hear, so on a banger, you see something before you hear it and get it wrong bc your eyes tell you one thing and ears tell you another, but you can’t use that bc they travel at vastly different speeds .

Eyes tell you they stayed on bag and maintained possession of the ball.  Ears tell you which beat which (ball v batter)

[Thunderheads]

15 hours ago, SCRookie said:

Hi all,

Was just wondering if there are any good resources for practicing close calls at first? Like, perhaps a string of videos where you make your best call and then rewatch the play in slow-mo to see how accurate you are?

I know videos cannot replicate the on-field angles a BU would have, but I'm just looking for some productive way to practice what I consider to be a weaker point of mine. 

Thanks for any info!

More to @SH0102 response .....  

If close calls at first are an issue, then (respectfully) you may be doing it wrong.  Once you've realized you have a good throw to first base, your eyes go right to first base (and FOCUS there!), and then you listen.  For me, ...I'm listening for a "KA-boom"  (or a high pitched pop, then a low pitched boom) = ball hitting the mitt, then foot hitting the bag.   If I get a 'ka-boom', then that's an out.  Bangers at first are all done with your ears

[conbo61]

All good ideas above.  I used to track the throw all the way, but more recent training videos are emphasizing after the release, focus on the bag and let F3 tell you if it is a true throw and listen for the sounds.

One last suggestion.  Slow down your timing.  Calling it too quick can present its own set of problems.

Make sure you are certain you applying proper use of your eyes as well.  Check firm and secure possession and voluntary release.  As you are doing this, replay it in your head and make your call.

[SCRookie]

Thanks everyone...and @ThunderheadsI am certain you're right, I AM doing it wrong. I did 20 hours of clinics recently and definitely improved a lot with that training, but I just want to keep sharpening that skill and really do my absolute best. Even though this is volunteer work, I take it seriously and want to do all I can to avoid ruining a call (and looking like a mess out there myself).

Slowing down my calls has been one of the best things to help me improve, as well as being firmly set and not making calls on the move which I did early on my in short career.

Will try to get to some games this week and listen as closely as I can. Thank you.

[Kevin_K]

8 hours ago, Thunderheads said:

  Bangers at first are all done with your ears

I'm not sure I agree with that @Thunderheads

I would suggest that once you hear the play you ought to locate the ball to make sure of the call. A popped mitt preceding a foot touching the bag may very well be an out, but if F3 fails to maintain possession of the ball we are going to have a cluster eff on our hands when we punch out BR.

Eyes are critical to two of the three components of a whacker.

[Thunderheads]

14 hours ago, Kevin_K said:

I'm not sure I agree with that @Thunderheads

I would suggest that once you hear the play you ought to locate the ball to make sure of the call. A popped mitt preceding a foot touching the bag may very well be an out, but if F3 fails to maintain possession of the ball we are going to have a cluster eff on our hands when we punch out BR.

Eyes are critical to two of the three components of a whacker.

for the component being discussed in the OP, ... my comment is fine.  Of course, you're correct with the completion of the entire play/call.  

[conbo61]

One last item. 

Infield warm ups in the first inning are an excellent opportunity to work on your footwork and tracking.  While standing in deep infield between F3 and F4, follow the ball as F3 throws it to various infielders and track the ball back to first base. 

You do not have to just stand there waiting for the game to start.  Work on your craft!!!

[noumpere]

14 minutes ago, conbo61 said:

One last item. 

Infield warm ups in the first inning are an excellent opportunity to work on your footwork and tracking.  While standing in deep infield between F3 and F4, follow the ball as F3 throws it to various infielders and track the ball back to first base. read the throw to determine if it's true or not, switch your eyes to the base, listen for the pop of the glove, evaluate your "read decision."

You do not have to just stand there waiting for the game to start.  Work on your craft!!!

FIFY

[conbo61]

22 hours ago, noumpere said:

FIFY

Second edit - absolutely agree with.

First edit, I will move my feet and pivot. Kind of calibration exercise so my eyes find the bag quickly and I am "warmed up" before the first throw that counts.

[BigBlue4u]

"You will be amazed at how much easier it is when you focus on the sounds as no matter how hard the players may try, they can not change the speed of sound.  The sound of “thud” (foot on bag) and “pop” (ball in glove) are unmistakeable and listen and ask yourself, which did I hear first?  Problem solved!"

 

So, there you go.  New mechanic.  Shut your eyes just before the ball arrives at the base.

[SH0102]

4 hours ago, BigBlue4u said:

"You will be amazed at how much easier it is when you focus on the sounds as no matter how hard the players may try, they can not change the speed of sound.  The sound of “thud” (foot on bag) and “pop” (ball in glove) are unmistakeable and listen and ask yourself, which did I hear first?  Problem solved!"

 

So, there you go.  New mechanic.  Shut your eyes just before the ball arrives at the base.

Umm, try reading.  This was based on him watching the game from sideline.  When people miss plays at first it’s bc their eyes play tricks on them.  It’s training to learn how to focus on sounds.

At pro school they blindfolded the umpires and their accuracy on calls increased.