Honestly, I could write 4 or 5 pages on catchers alone.
Agreed, but we can't give away all of the ingredients that are in the secret recipe.
Honestly, I could write 4 or 5 pages on catchers alone.
I've only been umpiring for 2 years, so I don't know if I'm really good or really bad, but I don't understand all this "framing"....(well I do understand the concept). I just call the pitch were it crosses the plate or not, I never pay attention to where the catcher is receiving it. And you are so right about umpire training on calling strikes. I've taken training on USSSA umpiring and USA (High School Rules in NY) training on all the rules, yet I never was trained with live pitching on calling balls and strikes. First strike I ever called was in a game. And when I'm doing timed tournament games, I don't look to call strikes to "speed up the game", I'm there for the full hour 20 minutes to hour and a half, so I'll call 20 balls if that's what the pitcher is throwing.I never talk about my strike zone. "A strike is a strike" and strikes move the game along so every pitch is a strike until it proves otherwise.
Some things:
- They have been emphasizing low strikes in college umpire rooms (they want more called)
- The outside-low pitch is the hardest to see and call. It is at the worst angle from where you set up in the slot and is the most likely pitch to get a blocked view of. It is also the pitch 90% of pitchers most want to be called.
- Good CATCHERS are extremely rare. Most hurt their pitchers by making the umpire's job even harder. Most are terrible receivers. Many catchers set up in the inside river - (i.e. right where the umpire is). Many cathers also move WAY too much and constantly get in the way for no reason. Worse, some like to move during the pitch and right into your eyesight. Many catch strikes in such a way that it looks to everyone else it is a ball... Not helping. And framing is woeful - most frame extremely badly - If you catch and stick 3 balls off the plate or jerk the ball a foot in any direction what is the point? Fooling bad umpires?
- Batters crowding the plate are tough - especially with a catcher set up slightly inside. It is tough to see the pitch release without a large move. We are required to 'work the slot' - this is tough for most umpires to adjust to.
- Slappers make it hard because somehow I am meant to be seeing where their feet are AND making sure it is a strike. Eyes just don't work like that. Also, slappers remove a reference point normal slappers give you (i.e. knee height and where they are setting up relative to the plate)
- There is VERY little training in general for umpires - and even less on calling strikes. Most clinics are more teaching where to stand and mechanics first.
- I work to be consistent - I am happy to say that when I do get an uneven match-up - e.g. a pitcher who CAN and a pitcher who CAN'T - the pitcher who CAN is going to have a GREAT day.
Honestly, I could write 4 or 5 pages on catchers alone.
Wish I could like this post more than once. I just started umpiring this year, and have already learned so much. As a coach, I didn't think I liked seeing the catchers who don't move in or out until the ball is thrown. As an umpire, I KNOW I don't, especially when they can't stick the catch on the outside corner. Some of these catchers make a strike look 3 balls off the plate because they continue to move outside even as they catch the pitch. Right or wrong, that makes it really tough to call that pitch a strike. High strikes can be even worse. So few catchers know how to catch a high strike and tend to partially raise up, which both ruins my look at the pitch and, again, makes it look really bad. No matter what they say VERY FEW coaches actually want the high strike called as written in the rule book. I know I don't. Belly button? Sure. Armpits? No way. I can't think of how many times I've already had feedback that "that pitch was in her eyes" when I call one at the belly button.I never talk about my strike zone. "A strike is a strike" and strikes move the game along so every pitch is a strike until it proves otherwise.
Some things:
- They have been emphasizing low strikes in college umpire rooms (they want more called)
- The outside-low pitch is the hardest to see and call. It is at the worst angle from where you set up in the slot and is the most likely pitch to get a blocked view of. It is also the pitch 90% of pitchers most want to be called.
- Good CATCHERS are extremely rare. Most hurt their pitchers by making the umpire's job even harder. Most are terrible receivers. Many catchers set up in the inside river - (i.e. right where the umpire is). Many cathers also move WAY too much and constantly get in the way for no reason. Worse, some like to move during the pitch and right into your eyesight. Many catch strikes in such a way that it looks to everyone else it is a ball... Not helping. And framing is woeful - most frame extremely badly - If you catch and stick 3 balls off the plate or jerk the ball a foot in any direction what is the point? Fooling bad umpires?
- Batters crowding the plate are tough - especially with a catcher set up slightly inside. It is tough to see the pitch release without a large move. We are required to 'work the slot' - this is tough for most umpires to adjust to.
- Slappers make it hard because somehow I am meant to be seeing where their feet are AND making sure it is a strike. Eyes just don't work like that. Also, slappers remove a reference point normal slappers give you (i.e. knee height and where they are setting up relative to the plate)
- There is VERY little training in general for umpires - and even less on calling strikes. Most clinics are more teaching where to stand and mechanics first.
- I work to be consistent - I am happy to say that when I do get an uneven match-up - e.g. a pitcher who CAN and a pitcher who CAN'T - the pitcher who CAN is going to have a GREAT day.
Honestly, I could write 4 or 5 pages on catchers alone.
I've taken training on USSSA umpiring and USA (High School Rules in NY) training on all the rules, yet I never was trained with live pitching on calling balls and strikes. First strike I ever called was in a game.
I make it a point, every year, to reach out to the local ADs and HCs about when they are scheduling scrimmages. Even now, when the girls are starting to work indoors, I am calling coaches to see if I can come in and get a look at some live pitching.
Thanks for your perspectives!I never talk about my strike zone. "A strike is a strike" and strikes move the game along so every pitch is a strike until it proves otherwise.
Some things:
- They have been emphasizing low strikes in college umpire rooms (they want more called)
- The outside-low pitch is the hardest to see and call. It is at the worst angle from where you set up in the slot and is the most likely pitch to get a blocked view of. It is also the pitch 90% of pitchers most want to be called.
- Good CATCHERS are extremely rare. Most hurt their pitchers by making the umpire's job even harder. Most are terrible receivers. Many catchers set up in the inside river - (i.e. right where the umpire is). Many cathers also move WAY too much and constantly get in the way for no reason. Worse, some like to move during the pitch and right into your eyesight. Many catch strikes in such a way that it looks to everyone else it is a ball... Not helping. And framing is woeful - most frame extremely badly - If you catch and stick 3 balls off the plate or jerk the ball a foot in any direction what is the point? Fooling bad umpires?
- Batters crowding the plate are tough - especially with a catcher set up slightly inside. It is tough to see the pitch release without a large move. We are required to 'work the slot' - this is tough for most umpires to adjust to.
- Slappers make it hard because somehow I am meant to be seeing where their feet are AND making sure it is a strike. Eyes just don't work like that. Also, slappers remove a reference point normal slappers give you (i.e. knee height and where they are setting up relative to the plate)
- There is VERY little training in general for umpires - and even less on calling strikes. Most clinics are more teaching where to stand and mechanics first.
- I work to be consistent - I am happy to say that when I do get an uneven match-up - e.g. a pitcher who CAN and a pitcher who CAN'T - the pitcher who CAN is going to have a GREAT day.
Honestly, I could write 4 or 5 pages on catchers alone.
Thanks for your perspectives!
For us non-umpires, could you explain the slot with a little more detail?
Wow this certainly gained traction. Keep in mind my OP was never intended to be negative towards umpires, simply asking a question. Their job is tough enough at the parks, they dont need to get beat up here also!! The way I have told DD, was always bottom of the letters to the middle of the knees. It just seems like it has morphed into belt to knees