Ok. Ok.
Okay, so I like the idea of the video, but these mechanics are all over the place.
1. Nearly a minute devoted to watching umpires brush clean bases. They must get a supplemental check for doubling as a grounds crew.
2. Plate umpires moving into fair territory and almost trailing a BR with a R2 on 2nd base.
3. Plate umpires needlessly pointing on the most obvious of swings.
4. Plate umpires pointing to the 1st & 3rd base umpires to start each inning. Umpires are paid to make judgements. If an umpire can't judge that another umpire who is standing upright, facing home plate and has his eyes open is ready to start the inning, why is he on the field? Can we say "over officious?"
5. Plate umpires constantly making calls with their mask on.
6. 3BU calling a runner out in a "pickle" when the plate umpire has been signaling foul ball repeatedly.
7. Plate umpires not turning to watch the runner touch home plate.
8. Plate umpires making calls at the plate from 10 feet up the 3rd base line.
9. Plate umpires aggressively calling foul balls that are whacked against the backstop.
10. Plate umpires who look like they are Mimes who are performing when giving the count.
EsqUmp,
Thanks for the feedback. I don't want to debate anything as this is fast pitch and whilst some of it is common to both disciplines I don't do fast pitch.
1: That's what they are taught to do. Note that the people doing the video are generally not players, nor are they umpires so they filmed a lot of dross as b roll and compiled it as a collection of activity from the umpires. Not necessarily relevant. In this tournament there were 13 games a day over 5 days. Lots of bags and plates get brushed. The field crew clean their bags and the pitchers plate between innings and the plate umpire does the plate after the warm up pitches are finished.
2: They are taught to trail the batter runner to first except when a runner is likely to score so it's judgement whether they go in or not. These are three person crews so third is covered by another umpire.
3: I also think they point a bit too much in fast pitch over here.
4: That's what we are taught to do. Every time.
5: Couldn't comment.
6: Someone hasn't got their ears on
7: I noticed that too.
8: That's their holding position. Not always ideal and not the rule on close plays generally.
9: No idea why either.
10: Nothing wrong with nice, clear signals.
11: I am surprised no one has commented on the fact that one of the umpires has ripped the arse out of their pants (6:40 in)
