need help with lefties

[carolinablue]

This is something I have been working all season and really haven't found the answer, maybe Y'all ( carolina accent ) can help.

When I am calling the plate I have trouble with lefties(batters ). I can see well enough to get the easy ones but the outside corner gives me fits. I have tried playing with height and depth but can't seem to overcome this problem. Do you have any suggestions ? Maybe someone else has had this problem.

[Richard_Siegel]

This is something I have been working all season and really haven't found the answer, maybe Y'all ( carolina accent ) can help.

When I am calling the plate I have trouble with lefties(batters ). I can see well enough to get the easy ones but the outside corner gives me fits. I have tried playing with height and depth but can't seem to overcome this problem. Do you have any suggestions ? Maybe someone else has had this problem.

There is nothing mysterious about the left side. You're just not as comfortable over there. But I assure you that you're seeing the strike zone from the left side just as well as you see from the right side. My suggestion is very simple, and I am not joking. If it looks like it might be a strike call it a strike. Don't over analyze this thing so much.

Harry Wendelstet said in a speach to the NASO convention a few years ago, "If in doubt, call it a strike. If it is close and you're wrong, you want to error on the side of strikes. That way you will be consistent, and get the batters swinging." I will add that if you do make some really bad calls the players and coach's reactions will tell you this (and your partner too). Then you can make an adjustment. I'm not saying that you should always go by the way the palyers react, but an umpire soon learns the difference between reactions that are cry-baby whining, and an honest reaction of surprise to a bad call.

[carolinablue]

I normally try to stay in the same position all the time. I usually put ( since were talking about left handers } my left foot in the center of the cathers rear end and use a wide stance and maintain the same depth. So basically none, but I'm not that experienced so I would love some suggestions.

[BlueGus]

it sounds like you're in a box stance. You should have a toe to heel alignment with your feet. You should be in the slot as opposed to far back. Also chin should be at or slightly above the catcher's head. That should give you an excellent view of the outside corner. A proper slot position with the box stance I have found the easiest to adjust between righties and lefties. Not in the slot and too far back will make those outside calls more difficult. JMHO.

[KJump]

The advice I got a lot of years ago from a AAA umpire when I asked for his help with the same problem was this: (1) setup a little higher than normal and (2) call it a little slower.

I also agree wholheartedly with Richard's reply.

[DelawareBlue]

"I can see well enough to get the easy ones but the outside corner gives me fits."

Your problem could be as much physical as mechanical. Chances are you're right eye dominate. The dominate eye is the eye you rely on for precise position information. The dominant eye looks directly at an object while the non-dominant eye looks at the same object at a slight angle. For a right-hand batter you're using your dominate eye more for the outside corner; however, for a left-hand batter you are relying more on your non-dominate eye.

Everyone here gives good advice. Try what they recommend and see (no pun intended) what works best for you. It may take a while to make whatever adjustment you need to make.

[Brotherhood_of_Blue]

Richards suggestions are right in line in making it easier, but one huge factor that made an immense difference for me on this particular item, and in alot of other facets is TIMING, TIMING, TIMING.

I spent a lot of time slowing down and building a rhythm on each pitch. Having that slower timing gives me the split second to replay the outside corner pitch and make a better call from either side of the plate. I also made sure to develop a specific repetition of how I set up for each pitch, i.e. slot foot in, plant foot widen to proper stance level, ready to come set and lock in, and though the left side "seems" different it really is just a mirror of the other side, just be deliberate with it until you've got it down as a habit. Hope some of that may help.

Tom

[Assign]

I'm glad to see this post.

I thought I was the only one with this problem. Left handed batters offer a challenge for me too.

Question...and I hope this isn't too silly. How many of you guys (struggling with the left handed batters) are RIGHT HANDED?

Left handed umps: Are you more comfortable with lefties or righties?

I often wondered if me being right handed has anything to do with being more comfortable with RH batters.

[Richard_Siegel]

Giving some more thought to this question.... I don't think it has to do with the handed-dominance or eye-dominance of the umpire. It probably has more to do with the way the catcher catches the pitch. Most catchers are right handed. Most batters are right handed. We all see about 90% of the pitches we call thrown to a right handed catcher behind a right handed batter.

Assuming your timing is proper and you are waiting for the catcher to catch the pitch before you decide on your call, you will see things differently from the two sides of the plate. Assuming the umpire is in the slot properly, when we see the catcher catch pitch that touches the outside edge of HP it requires a reaching movement of catchers' arm. We learn to gauge to extent of that reach and use it to help us decide if the pitch is on or off the plate. We learn to associate a reach with a "ball."

However, with the same right handed catcher, seeing an outside pitch to a lefty batter can be a bit deceiving. The outside pitch is coming to the catcher on the same side as the catcher's arm that is holding his mitt. To catch an outside pitch to a lefty batter, the right handed catcher need only make a tiny adjustment of his arm position. There is no reaching. So it might make the umpire, looking from the other side, think the pitch was not out of the strike zone. No reach! If the pitch is inside to a lefty, where the right handed catcher now has to reach for it, being in the slot we can see the ball's position over home plate much better as it is coming right at us, so we unconsciously disregard whatever the catcher does with the ball when he catches it.

[BrianC14]

You guys that confess to having trouble with LH batters:

In your pre-game routine, do you get behind the catcher and look at a few warm up pitches - from both sides?

It does help.

[Assign]

Good idea Brian

My pregame routine is:

-3 pitches from RH slot
-2 from left side
-2 from right

Next gme - 7 pitches from LH slot

[carolinablue]

Posted: Mon Oct 06, 2008 10:56 am Post subject:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Giving some more thought to this question.... I don't think it has to do with the handed-dominance or eye-dominance of the umpire. It probably has more to do with the way the catcher catches the pitch. Most catchers are right handed. Most batters are right handed. We all see about 90% of the pitches we call thrown to a right handed catcher behind a right handed batter.

__________________________________________________ _____

Richard, I believe there is truth to what you are saying.

I remember back this summer there was a certain left handed pitcher/catcher on a team in which I worked a lot of their games.Every game he would either pitch or catch.

When he was catching I remember I would get a lot of moans and groans on outside pitches to RH batters, and they really weren't that close. It was nothing over the line just a little more than usual. At first I thought they were just wanting every call but after a few games I realized it was only when he was catching.

Then it dawned on me that his glove is on the outside of HP and when he catches the outside pitch the coaches do not see the reach that a RH catcher does and to them the pitch looked like a strike when actually it was well off the plate.

I have noticed that sometimes when I first set up in the slot with a LH batter that I am looking straight at his mitt because now it is on the other side of the plate and the mitt is blocking my view of the corner. I then have to reposition to get the view I need but can't seem to find a comfort zone.

[carolinablue]

Tried something today. On left handed batters I set up basically straight behind the catcher. For the first time I felt comfortable with a left handed batter up. I felt like I was able to see very well from this position. The question I have is this , given the problems I have had, would it be wrong to continue to use this stance ? Should I keep trying to work the slot and see if I can improve ?

[BrianC14]

Tried something today. On left handed batters I set up basically straight behind the catcher. For the first time I felt comfortable with a left handed batter up. I felt like I was able to see very well from this position. The question I have is this , given the problems I have had, would it be wrong to continue to use this stance ? Should I keep trying to work the slot and see if I can improve ?

I think you should keep trying to work the slot.

Just my $0.02.

[Richard_Siegel]

Tried something today. On left handed batters I set up basically straight behind the catcher. For the first time I felt comfortable with a left handed batter up. I felt like I was able to see very well from this position. The question I have is this , given the problems I have had, would it be wrong to continue to use this stance ? Should I keep trying to work the slot and see if I can improve ?

==============================================

You won't feel so comfortable when the foul balls start banging off your mask. One of the reasons we work in the slot is because most of the time a batter tips the ball and fouls off a pitch it goes straignt back over the catcher's head, right where you have put your face. Go back to the slot.

[carolinablue]

Thanks. I thought that is what you would say but it does have me thinking.
I was taught to work the slot but I admit I really don't know exactly why.

That being said I have to ask, and I hope I don't get too much flaming but if I do I can take it.

I have read that the inside protector was what allowed umpires to work the slot so I guess before that they were behind the catcher. Other than getting out of the path of a bunch of foul balls like Richard has mentioned what are the advantages of the slot ?

[Bluefish]

The biggest problem I am currently having with left handed batters it that I have gotten into a routine of using a strike mechanic of signaling the strike with a point to the thrid base side. I know this is not supposed to be done but I have seen umpires do it and tried it and liked it. Now I am trying to switch back and it is pretty tough.

I think it is because when I set up in the box with my right foot a little forward of my left, it leaves my stance already a little open towards the third base side.

Anyone ever dealt with this issue or have ideas about it?

[BrianC14]

The biggest problem I am currently having with left handed batters it that I have gotten into a routine of using a strike mechanic of signaling the strike with a point to the thrid base side. I know this is not supposed to be done but I have seen umpires do it and tried it and liked it. Now I am trying to switch back and it is pretty tough.

I think it is because when I set up in the box with my right foot a little forward of my left, it leaves my stance already a little open towards the third base side.

Anyone ever dealt with this issue or have ideas about it?

If you find yourself opened toward 3B, it may be that you're too far UP in the slot (esp. w/ your right foot).

Two things you can try to correct that stance: move back just a bit. Or, you could move your upper body so that it is square to the pitcher.

[Richard_Siegel]

The biggest problem I am currently having with left handed batters it that I have gotten into a routine of using a strike mechanic of signaling the strike with a point to the thrid base side. I know this is not supposed to be done but I have seen umpires do it and tried it and liked it. Now I am trying to switch back and it is pretty tough.

I think it is because when I set up in the box with my right foot a little forward of my left, it leaves my stance already a little open towards the third base side.

Anyone ever dealt with this issue or have ideas about it?
==============================================
Actually many professional umpires will point in the direction of 3B (with the right hand) to indicate a strike on a lefty batter. This is an accepted practice and it is OK to continue if you feel comfortable doing it.