WOW! What you’re discussing about entering and leaving the field around the 24 minute mark is exactly how I feel. I don’t speak unless spoken to and I keep it short. I’ve always done that since my first game. And I never, NEVER get in the line after the game to shake the players hands. The only thing that’s different is that I usually flip the ball in my pocket to the coaches. I never thought about just dropping it at home plate.
John, I’ve really appreciated your videos, as I try and be a better umpire, I’m setting up really well in the slot, but then I’ll have a catcher that creeps on me. Either forward, or closing down the slot and ultimately obstructing my vision to certain areas of the plate that I could see before the creep. how would you handle that? I typically tell the catcher that they are blocking my view and missing out on strikes, but is there a better setup for me in those situations?
Karen Slaten Just like with any call, the umpire has to see it. There is a video that another umpire made about plate conferences, and in that video he makes a statement saying “what if the coach asks about calling balks?” He says, “If I see a balk, then I’ll call it.” Not necessarily if there is a balk because a balk could happen and the umpire not see it. Now if he starts taking the coaches word as truth without having seen it, and he calls a balk, then the other coach could throw a fit and everything could turn to mud real quick. In one of Johns clinic videos he talks about keeping your head up and forward to make sure you see what’s going on, regardless of your position on the field. If you are attentive, then you’ll catch those errors and call them accordingly.
If you reference ball/strike with the catcher, how do you adjust to a really small batter. For example, Catcher is 6ft, batter is 4'10"? I thought strike zone is base on batter stature. I thought strike/ball is base on how the ball crossed the batter "strike zone" , not where the ball is caught.
By the rule book it is defined by the batter. The catchers reference points are used as a tip for umpires in many situations to prevent them from calling pitches egregiously outside of the strike zone..Obviously if we have Shaquille Oneal at the plate, we will have to adjust those reference points.
Thanks. One more question John, How do I approach the ump and ask him/her about the strike zone for a smaller batter. For example, my son is 4'11 and the catcher was about 5'8. Catcher caught the ball about face height. It was a ball for sure because it crossed my son's face. However, the ump called it a strike. In this scenario, how do I politely question him about his strike zone for smaller batter? TIA
@@philvu2622 To be honest, you don't. Especially if you're not the head coach, you have absolutely no business talking to the umpire. If it's egregious and not an issue that you can just "gee wiz, hope our umpires are better next game", go talk to who ever is in charge of the umpires.
Well...listening to you “make it easier using catcher’s reference points” is ludicrous. What do you do when catchers setup inside and outside. By your rationale the strike zone “reference points” have moved because the shoulders are half in half out/off the plate. You must be able do your job and judge balls and strikes by batter/plate/ball position correctly without using the variable reference points you suggest. It’s a lazy crutch system you decided to come up with.
If the catcher sets up inside or outside, we don't use it. It is not a crutch. It is a preventative measure to make sure we don't miss anything egregiously. Thanks for watching
One thing I've learned is to never base anything on the catcher, even the positioning. They move, contort themselves in weird ways, or just move in unexlected ways. Also, as someone who was a catcher, I moved in ways that were designed to deceive the homeplate umpires, and I will say I did a pretty decent job at stealing strikes. Slight of hand regardless of location of pitches (within reason), shifting hips (instead of shifting the torso only), and starting lower with hands and hips are just the beginning. When it comes to breaking balls, definitely don't go by catchers. That's where I stole more strikes. Also I've been drilled in the head regardless of location, sport or level of play and it still hurts like hell. Being in the slot just opens myself up to being drilled when catchers move outside. Plus, many batters crowd the plate these days, making inside pitches difficult to see.
love this podcast gentlemen. I have been umpiring for 3 years and these videos are so helpful. thank you
WOW! What you’re discussing about entering and leaving the field around the 24 minute mark is exactly how I feel. I don’t speak unless spoken to and I keep it short. I’ve always done that since my first game. And I never, NEVER get in the line after the game to shake the players hands. The only thing that’s different is that I usually flip the ball in my pocket to the coaches. I never thought about just dropping it at home plate.
Love your work John! As a catcher it’s good to know umpires have a source for great training!
I wanna see John officiate a game!
come on out to New Jersey!
John, I’ve really appreciated your videos, as I try and be a better umpire, I’m setting up really well in the slot, but then I’ll have a catcher that creeps on me. Either forward, or closing down the slot and ultimately obstructing my vision to certain areas of the plate that I could see before the creep. how would you handle that? I typically tell the catcher that they are blocking my view and missing out on strikes, but is there a better setup for me in those situations?
What if the pitcher balks umpire doesn’t call it. But then the coach at third says something. Then finally the umpire calls the balk?
Karen Slaten Just like with any call, the umpire has to see it. There is a video that another umpire made about plate conferences, and in that video he makes a statement saying “what if the coach asks about calling balks?” He says, “If I see a balk, then I’ll call it.” Not necessarily if there is a balk because a balk could happen and the umpire not see it. Now if he starts taking the coaches word as truth without having seen it, and he calls a balk, then the other coach could throw a fit and everything could turn to mud real quick.
In one of Johns clinic videos he talks about keeping your head up and forward to make sure you see what’s going on, regardless of your position on the field. If you are attentive, then you’ll catch those errors and call them accordingly.
If you reference ball/strike with the catcher, how do you adjust to a really small batter. For example, Catcher is 6ft, batter is 4'10"? I thought strike zone is base on batter stature. I thought strike/ball is base on how the ball crossed the batter "strike zone" , not where the ball is caught.
By the rule book it is defined by the batter. The catchers reference points are used as a tip for umpires in many situations to prevent them from calling pitches egregiously outside of the strike zone..Obviously if we have Shaquille Oneal at the plate, we will have to adjust those reference points.
Thanks. One more question John, How do I approach the ump and ask him/her about the strike zone for a smaller batter. For example, my son is 4'11 and the catcher was about 5'8. Catcher caught the ball about face height. It was a ball for sure because it crossed my son's face. However, the ump called it a strike. In this scenario, how do I politely question him about his strike zone for smaller batter? TIA
@@philvu2622 To be honest, you don't. Especially if you're not the head coach, you have absolutely no business talking to the umpire.
If it's egregious and not an issue that you can just "gee wiz, hope our umpires are better next game", go talk to who ever is in charge of the umpires.
04:45. That’s not a foul tip. That’s a foul ball. I really hope you know that
🤣
Well...listening to you “make it easier using catcher’s reference points” is ludicrous. What do you do when catchers setup inside and outside. By your rationale the strike zone “reference points” have moved because the shoulders are half in half out/off the plate. You must be able do your job and judge balls and strikes by batter/plate/ball position correctly without using the variable reference points you suggest. It’s a lazy crutch system you decided to come up with.
If the catcher sets up inside or outside, we don't use it. It is not a crutch. It is a preventative measure to make sure we don't miss anything egregiously. Thanks for watching
One thing I've learned is to never base anything on the catcher, even the positioning. They move, contort themselves in weird ways, or just move in unexlected ways. Also, as someone who was a catcher, I moved in ways that were designed to deceive the homeplate umpires, and I will say I did a pretty decent job at stealing strikes. Slight of hand regardless of location of pitches (within reason), shifting hips (instead of shifting the torso only), and starting lower with hands and hips are just the beginning. When it comes to breaking balls, definitely don't go by catchers. That's where I stole more strikes.
Also I've been drilled in the head regardless of location, sport or level of play and it still hurts like hell. Being in the slot just opens myself up to being drilled when catchers move outside. Plus, many batters crowd the plate these days, making inside pitches difficult to see.
@@perrytilton5221 Please say you're not an umpire!