Need some advice

[Ty]

Worked an Local AmLg tourny this past weekend. One of my partners, (for those of you who have been here awhile, this person is also the JrBR league pres), to put it bluntly his field mechanics were poor. Example: Nobody on, outs didn't matter, routine groundball to F6, throw across diamond to F3, and he (BU) is standing in foul territory making the call. Not just a step foul, but actually in the coaches box area, in line with the throw. There were even a couple of times the ball got thru F3, luckily the ball did not get far, or "Smitty" would have been chasing the runner to second.

Where was I? constantly out in front of the plate moving toward position C ( communicating all the time) in case things got really weird.

How does one correct his partners crappy mechanics? Has anyone ever had to deal with a "Mr. Baseball" personality, the one who thinks he knows everything and doesn't need to change?

Thanks in advance.

[SJC_Blue]

If you could get the opportunity to watch another crew together you might get the chance to point out the right way to do some things, in a delicate manner. Other than that, send him the CCA Manual as anonymous gift :)

[Ty]

i had actually talked to the tournament director/manager of the host team and suggested he send this guy a mechanics manual and tell him to read it. : ) He responded by, just be patient with him......

I did get the opportunity to work with this guy's son (age 19/20, and he has pretty decent mechanics, much better than his dad's at least.)

[BrianC14]

If you could get the opportunity to watch another crew together you might get the chance to point out the right way to do some things, in a delicate manner. Other than that, send him the CCA Manual as anonymous gift :)

I was thinking the same thing!

Let's take up a collection... no - better yet - let's start a foundation that will provide training manuals to guys like this.

[SocalBlue1]

If you could get the opportunity to watch another crew together you might get the chance to point out the right way to do some things, in a delicate manner. Other than that, send him the CCA Manual as anonymous gift :)

I was thinking the same thing!

Let's take up a collection... no - better yet - let's start a foundation that will provide training manuals to guys like this.

Not to laugh - Jim Evans has done so!

http://www.oneumpire.com/

[Dano]

Ya know.... there are FREE manuals you can get online.

[Wharf_Rat]

...and to go one step further to Dano's point, there is a new search engine called "GOOGLE"! :roll: All I did was type in " umpire mechanics" and...woohoo!

[BrianC14]

You guys are expecting a 'Charlie' to use google in order to get help with their mechanics?

Come on, guys - we're talkin' about CHARLIES (AKA Smitty's) here - they don't NEED the help, remember? :wink:

[PeteBooth]

How does one correct his partners crappy mechanics? Has anyone ever had to deal with a "Mr. Baseball" personality, the one who thinks he knows everything and doesn't need to change?

Thanks in advance.

Forget about sending manuals, google search engine etc. You will NOT correct your partners crappy mechanics.

Unfortunately the only thing that MIGHT make him change is if he gets Burned meaning it's inevitable that one day he will be in "no-mans land" and you will not be able to help him (ie; R3 and a potential play at the plate) and there will have to be a call at second base where the " sh** will hit the fan".

You can have a post game and express your concerns but if he will NOT change then you simply do not work with him again.

The old adage "You can lead a horse to water but you cannot make him drink" comes into play.

Pete Booth

[Dano]

Ty

There is one thing that MIGHT work.

Go to this guy, (probably should wait until after the season) and state rather non-confrontational:

"I think it would be really good for us to have some type of clinic next year before the season starts. Maybe go over mechanics and positioning. I think it would really do our league some good getting everybody on the same page."

[Majordave]

I know it is impossible to cover everything in that short time but I INSIST on following a checklist pre-game with a partner I am working with for the first time and that fixes some of the things you list. Plus, it sets a precedent so that if you work with him again you can refer to this prior experience and discuss. If that does not work, ask not to work with him again. I have two guys in my high school association I do not wish to work with anymore-they are both older than me. Both do not care to do it the "new way" as they call it and are both argumentative with everyone. I learn something from these guys like I learn from every one else I work with. In their case, it is how not to do it.

Good luck.

[Ty]

the whole tone of this game was really whacked. I was scheduled for three games, in a row (my choice, as my son and i were leaving later for Rockies/Mets series) so i told the tourny UIC give me Plate - base - plate. So we get to the third game and Normy shows up with his plate gear on (shin guards outside of pants, hat backwards etc...) and we quickly have a discussion about who is doing plate on this game. (I did) Needless to say Normy wandered off and we never got to have a legitmate pregame. Well now i am off to Hawaii with my honey, celebrating 25 yrs of marriage. Be back in a 10 days - you guys have fun out there.

[umpjmb]

Well now i am off to Hawaii with my honey, celebrating 25 yrs of marriage. Be back in a 10 days - you guys have fun out there.

Be sure and "TY" one on for all of us.... :lol:

[waltjp]

Unfortunately the only thing that MIGHT make him change is if he gets Burned meaning it's inevitable that one day he will be in "no-mans land" and you will not be able to help him (ie; R3 and a potential play at the plate) and there will have to be a call at second base where the " sh** will hit the fan".

Pete, you just can't teach some folks. I find it hard to believe that this umpire hasn't already been burned by the situation you describe.