When the Slot becomes the Bail-Out

Not only is he too far laterally, his feet are the opposite of where they should be and his head is way too high.

There's not really much a coach can do during the game to address this. I don't think an umpire that was doing this would be the type to realize he was wrong on the input of a coach. The best thing I would say to do is having a pic like this sent to his assigning body with the concerns mentioned. 

I have seen a lot of discussion on the slot the past few weeks.  It is the only position I have been using since taught 6-7 years ago.   The last 3-4 games I did I moved to a more center location and I have been told by coaches that know me and have seen me in the slot that my zone has gotten better - more consistent.  The trade off is definitely more bruises.  But those can be avoided to some extent with add'l equipment.  

As the umpire (and officiating in general) shortage gets worse, you'll find more not-quite-ready officials working varsity games -- and this is the result.  Sometimes, the best ability is availability.

The best thing coaches can do -- encourage the players to become officials, and keep the fans off the official's backs -- at all levels.  The umpire who is learning (just like the players) at 12U and gets yelled at, doesn't stick around to get the experience needed to be a serviceable (or better) varsity umpire.

noumpere posted:

As the umpire (and officiating in general) shortage gets worse, you'll find more not-quite-ready officials working varsity games -- and this is the result.  Sometimes, the best ability is availability.

The best thing coaches can do -- encourage the players to become officials, and keep the fans off the official's backs -- at all levels.  The umpire who is learning (just like the players) at 12U and gets yelled at, doesn't stick around to get the experience needed to be a serviceable (or better) varsity umpire.

I agree with this. I am a 2nd year umpire and my first year I did little league in the summer then Junior High in the fall. I played baseball on my HS team in the spring of my first year. I had a couple of instances where the fans got onto my back and at times I was on the edge of deciding whether or not to continue. I stuck in and it got back after I got better with practice.

So, coaches, it does help the number of umpires to stay rising if you can at least help keep the fans off our backs. Or at least try to.

That positioning is just awful....absolutely no way he can be consistent like that...especially on anything middle/outside

probably scared of the ball. Would be ok in a 12U game but in HS I don't think umps who are scared from the ball should be calling behind the plate.

Don't know "squat" about "slot".  But I must comment on the picture - that is the flattest horizon I've ever seen LOL.  I thought Colorado had mountains 

All umpires know the best view of the strike zone is from the parents behind the fence  - talk about being scared of the ball .  The second best view comes from the dugout and coaches box.  The guy in the picture above beyond awful footwork, has one arm behind his back - so yeah, he probably has been hit before. Since both have jackets, it's Colorado, and the grass doesn't appear to have woken up from winter yet I'll assume it's perhaps bit chilly. Getting hit by a ball on a cold day is miserable. 

If you've never been hit by a fastball that the catcher "misses" or a fouled off ball off an oh sh*t check swing at a high inside pitch, then you should feel fortunate.  They leave bruises for weeks. Some umpires even get concussions. One old timer told me of a 90+mph FB that the catcher set up outside to catch but the pitcher delivered inside in hit him square in the chest protector and knocked him back a bit. Needed some 'recovery time' in order to make sure everything was "in order". Even with equipment - it's not "enjoyable". I got one like that a couple weeks ago on an 78-83MPH FB on my left forearm, RH batter (think about it - pitch missed by at least 2'). It's still bruised.

The following is an "interesting" foul ball spray chart for where umpires get hit depending on where they line up in the slot compared to where the catcher lines up. It also defines where you really get the best look at pitches.

That field looks east.  Eastern Colorado looks an awful lot like Kansas and Nebraska!  The field is located just west of I-25, which is the interstate that run from Canada to Mexico and through Denver.  You have to drive another 20-30 miles west before you get into John Denver country.  Otherwise, Colorado is build a lot like Washington and Oregon:  west of the mountains is great and drives the states' reputations and east of the mountains turns into high desert plains.  Ugly.

The entire season was like this for us -- umpires that lived inside the batters boxes.  It's made for some pretty uneven performances for the umps.  I actually feel bad for them, as you can watch it unfold in slow motion.  If you line up there, you're not going to a good job ... then, they start doing a poor job ... then, they start trying to play catch-up with make-up calls ... and the entire game unravels.  Predictable as a Swiss made watch.  Game after game.  Again, this is 4A Varsity (5A is the highest division in Colorado), so a fairly high caliber of baseball.  Disappointing

I think I'll just eat this.  I've not worked with state agencies, but local ones I've worked with are not open to discussion.  A few years ago, I called our local office to discuss the pitcher's ability to feint to 3B from the pitching position.  I was immediately told to F-off (I'm paraphrasing, no profanity was used), the rule was changed, "No more fake to 3rd throw to 1st."  I calmly explained the difference between OBR and NFHS rules.  After a while and with clear citations, I got to the point of agreement, but still a curt "screw off, don't ever call back" treatment.  And, I haven't.

Discussing positioning would likely be interpreted as a disgruntled fan arguing balls and strikes.  I don't expect I'd gain any traction.

Thanks, again.  Hope your seasons are going great.

Realistically you should line up more on the batter than the catcher.  Catcher's move more than a batter.  Line up head facing 2nd base area and just move your eyes to the pitcher and track it to the batter because who cares how the ball comes out of his hand.  Then only time we really care about seeing the ball is when it crosses the plate.

You know what never moves?  The plate.  Rather than using two continually moving targets, why not start with the one constant in this equation.  Find a good stance based on the plate.  Then, fine tune it based on your moving pieces.

I find it much harder to call pitches when I can't see it cleanly out of the pitcher's hand.  If I have to find it somewhere mid-flight, it's harder.  So, we'll have to disagree on most of your points.  Different people, different styles.  Good luck.

or this...