Category Archives: Mechanics
When does a Questionable Slide become Illegal?
I’ve watched this slide quite a few times before deciding to ask for your opinions. Things I saw: 1. He slid “away” from the fielder 2. He didn’t throw his hands up in the air (they look like they’re in front of his face) 3. It doesn’t look egregious to me… Would you have let [...]
Why Voluntary Release Matters
From the Yankees-Indians game on June 26, 2012, our 3rd Base Umpire comes hustling up the line to see what happens and then…calls the Batter Out! Some questions: 1. Do you see the baseball in Wise’s glove when he stands up? 2. Do you have voluntary release? 3. For those guys who work at levels [...]
Head Stability at The Plate
I get to see a lot of video that is shot from this angle. This particular video was the scouting video for this pitcher. When I saw it I realized how valuable it was as a training tool. I was, honestly, stunned by the head movement of the Umpire. Considering this was in a college [...]
Strikeout Legends
The called 3rd strike is one of the last remaining bastions of independence for Umpires. If you’re like me you admire the guys who have a great one. Unfortunately, I’ve always looked pretty bad with mine. I’ve practiced it in the mirror, tried different things on the field and worked on trying it with one [...]
Helping out as the Home Plate Umpire
I’ll admit, one of my favorite comebacks when I’ve got a coach who’s upset about a call is, “Coach, I’m in the best position possible to make that call in a 2 man system”. It’s an argument that the coach really can’t argue with (usually because, even if I was out of position, they don’t [...]
Working Deep
Most mechanics manuals now give you the choice to work in Deep B or Deep C if you’re in a 3 or 4 man crew. Which position do you prefer? Is either position better for seeing this tag on a runner sliding to the back side of the 2nd base? Which position is better for [...]
To Signal or Not to Signal, That is the Question
I’m as big a fan of girls’ softball as I am of my annual prostate exam but there is a lot to be discussed in this particular play. 1. Why in the world did this umpire signal safe? 2. Is this a situation that even counts as an “appeal”? 3. Doesn’t the runner have to [...]
Confusion at 3rd: Who’s Got the Right?
There’s no question: players don’t know the rules very well. What do you see in this video? What responsibility does the umpire have to “protect” base runners? Should he have called ‘Time’ to keep R3 from walking off the bag? Do you like the mechanic that U3 used in pointing at the runners? Was the [...]
