FAST PITCH PLATE MECHANICS

FAST PITCH PLATE MECHANICS by ROBERT F. HENNING Sftball Canada - I.S.F. Umpire PREPARATION Feel cmfrtable by being dressed prfessinally, fully prtected by wearing all f the prper equipment and by meeting yur wn standards as well as thse that are required by SOFTBALL CANADA. Set high standards fr yur wn physical fitness levels. Mentally prepare yurself by eliminating all f the daily distractins that cme ur way and allw yur mind enugh time t think abut yur upcming assignment and game plan. Apprach yur plate assignment armed with all the knwledge and experience yu have attained frm studying the CERTIFICATION MANUALS, reviewing the RULEBOOK, examining the UMPIRE CASEBOOK and frm all thse ball games that yu have fficiated. Ttal preparatin will allw yur PLATE MECHANICS t kick int aut-pilt. Leave yur mind clear t fficiate and ready t "expect the unexpected". Stay relaxed and fcused n being the "best that yu can be" by remembering that it's just a game. All that really matters is that yu give all yu have t ffer each and every time yu put n the BLUES. Enjy and have fun! BEING READY FOR THE FIRST PITCH a. While waiting fr the pre-game cnference t begin, take time t watch bth pitchers during their warm-ups. This will allw yu time t evaluate each pitcher's rhythm and mtin. b. After the pre-game cnference, yu may want t bserve a few warm-up pitches in the first inning. Nw is the time t adjust yur ftwrk, balance, and bdy psitin. This valuable time als allws yu t wrk n yur wn timing and rhythm, seeing the mvement f the ball, speed f delivery, and making sure yu can see the entire strike zne with BOTH EYES. KNOWLEDGE OF PLAYERS' HABITS

Smetimes being a student f the game can assist yur PLATE MECHANICS in ther ways. Fr instance, knwing a pitcher's style, being aware f the pwer hitters, and thse mst likely t bunt r slap may help yu t react a bit mre quickly and be able t anticipate hw yu might get int the ptimum psitin t see a particular situatin. The sftball generally breaks eight t ten feet frm the catcher. Remembering that we see hundreds f different players ver the years, it is t ur advantage t try and remember sme f these variatins fr later use. STEPPING INTO THE STANCE Frm yur relaxed psitin, pivt n yur inside ft. If it is mre cmfrtable fr yu, then use a few small steps t psitin yurself in the slt by using an ffset square stance, where yur utside ft (clsest t batter) is a bit mre frward than yur inside ft (behind the catcher). Yu must always feel balanced with mst f yur weight n the balls f yur feet. Keeping yur feet spread at least as much as the width f yur shulders will put yu in perfect psitin. Having yur feet t clse tgether can cause mre mvement f the upper bdy. Dig in and get cmfrtable. WORKING IN THE SLOT This is knwn as being in the driver's seat. It gives yu an unbstructed view f the entire pitch and allws yu the pprtunity t see the ball clearly with BOTH EYES. The catcher shuld rarely blck yur view. If the catchers d mve, yu can adjust as necessary, but never let the catchers wrk yu. Wrk with them t attain the best lk yu can. If the catchers take away the inside crner, let them knw. If batters take away the inside crner, make a small adjustment t yur stance. If yu can't see the crner, any pitch that is inside must have crssed the plate. Mre strikes lead t mre cperatin. Thse fficials wh still hide-ut behind the catcher in the perimeter f the strike zne cannt see the ball with BOTH EYES and will lse check swings, duble batted balls, batters hit by a pitch, ful tips, balls in the dirt, and I culd g n and n. Evaluatrs refer t these umpires as PEEKERS and smetimes describe them as impssible t see frm center field. Because f their psitin they WILL get hit mre ften since the majrity f ful balls g straight back. Because PEEKERS cannt see the plate at all times, the plate will tend t flat and cause an extremely incnsistent zne. WAITING FOR PAUSE AND FIRST MOVEMENT OF A PITCH Yur next thughts are t bserve the pitching mtin and wind-up prir t the pause. The next mvement yu see will be the beginning f the pitch and yu must set up fr it immediately. Dn't set up t early r yur legs and bdy mvement will cause yu t becme tired in the late innings. If yu set up t late yu will lse perspective f the strike zne because yu will still be mving after the ball has been released frm the pitcher's hip area. Supervisrs lk at this irregularity as a majr cause f strike zne incnsistency. GETTING SET IN THE DOWN POSITION

With a smth and brisk mtin drp int yur set psitin. This will include ding a multitude f things all at nce. Keep yur head square t the plate. Bend frm yur knees t yur waist. Yur back shuld feel a bit straight and stiff, althugh it never really is. Yur eyes shuld never be in the zne, but they will be set at the tp and inside crner f it. Yur shulders will be a bit ffset, due t yur ftwrk but culd even be square if yu prefer. This may give yu the feeling that yu are just abut t sit in a chair, but it is much mre effective than bending yur back and trying t lk up. Always prtect yur hands and arms as much as pssible. Mst fficials keep them in frnt, but a few thers prefer ne r tw hands behind their knees. As crazy as it may sund, it seems that the mre expsed yu are in the slt the less yu will get hit. The bttm line is t d what is best fr yu. Keep yur entire bdy STILL while preparing t judge the pitch, even if the catcher mves in frnt f yu after yu are set. Leave enugh rm between the catcher and yu. There shuld never be cntact, ther than a light tuch with the fingertips f yur inside hand. This will allw yu t react t any sudden reverse mvement. ANNOUNCING THE PITCH WITHOUT YOUR VOICE Never use any hand mvements t annunce the lcatin f a pitch. The use f a strng verbal call will help t sell it and accmplish the same thing allwing the umpire t lk and sund mre prfessinal. Often times ur bdy language can tip ff what we were thinking f calling rather than what we actually call. My pint here is a subtle reminder nt t hurry yur decisin making prcess. See the pitch, DELAY, and then deliver the call with cnfidence. TRACKING THE BALL a. Begin t pick up the ball frm the pitcher's hip. b. As the ball leaves the pitcher's hand, try t pick up the rtatin f the ball, much the same way as a quality hitter wuld. Next yu shuld lck in the batter's nrmal zne. c. Fllw the ball thrugh the zne and watch the ball all the way int the catcher's glve, using the pp f the glve as a timing tl. A slight tip f yur head will help yu see the ball hit the glve. This technique is a great way t duble check the lcatin f the ball, create a natural delay in yur timing, and ensure that yu have seen the ball with BOTH EYES int the glve. Never blink yur eyes as yu culd miss a number f imprtant actins taking place arund the plate. TIMING AND RHYTHM It is very imprtant that an umpire develp prper timing and rhythm in making decisins. That timing and rhythm shuld never vary. Only the emphasis f varius calls will differ. It is said

that the plate umpires set the temp and cntrl the game, but t d this the umpires must first be in cntrl f themselves. Umpires wh makes calls quickly n every pitch will appear t be guessing. DELAY! DELAY! DELAY! Timing must be slw, deliberate, repetitive and cnsistent. CONCENTRATE! Everyne appreciates the umpire wh has develped prper timing in administering decisins as a plate umpire. This sets the temp f the game mre than any ther facet f umpiring. THE COUNT Hw ften the cunt is given depends n a number f different situatins. If the field is equipped with a screbard, it is nly necessary t give the cunt peridically, r when requested by a participant r t crrect the screbard. If there is n screbard then the cunt shuld be given: 1. when requested 2. after a delay in the nrmal flw f the game 3. after all dead ball situatins and 4. whenever the next pitch may be a base n balls r a strikeut. Generally, a higher caliber f play requires that the cunt be given less ften. Help keep the crew in the game by sending and/r acknwledging the number f uts whenever anther ut is added. If yu are struggling t keep the cunt right during the game simply say it verbally mre ften t yurself. Briefly glance at yur cunter, trying nt t hld it up t high. Cleverly lking dwn at it is less nticeable and much mre prfessinal Give the cunt visually and display it slwly and deliberately. Sme umpires prefer t send the cunt twards center field ONLY by simply rtating their fingers methdically. When base umpires have a runner n base that is attempting t advance, ften times they will nt have seen the pitch. A super mechanic is t ALWAYS send the cunt t yur partners anytime there is actin r mvement by base runners that wuld cause yur partners t lk away frm yur call. Often a player will ask the base umpire fr the cunt after the actin stps. This mechanic will get the cunt t yur partner befre they are asked. DECISION TIME If yu have a called strike, verbalize it. Either start in the dwn psitin and finish as yu stand up r verbalize it as yu are standing up r verbalize it after yu stand up. The level ne manual suggests the latter. Strike, strike tw, r strike three. Finish these calls with a sharp, crisp hammer alng with yur sell signal when needed. Always face the diamnd when yu are selling strike three. If yu have a ball, stay dwn and verbalize it. Ball, ball tw, ball three, r ball fur. D nt pint twards first. If yu have a swinging strike three, just use the hammer. In all the abve verbalizatins, let the clseness f the pitch and its relevant imprtance dictate the required vlume. Ful tips - give the hammer fllwed by the fingertip t fingertip brush away signal.

Balls tuched in ful territry - ful ball signal with the verbal. Grund balls that are hit ful - if past a base r hitting anything - ful ball signal with the verbal. Grund balls hit fair beynd a base - signal by pinting repeatedly twards fair territry - NO VERBAL. Fly balls that are hit clse t a ful line If fair and caught - pint fair and give the hammer. If fair and drpped - just pint fair and repeat. If ful and caught - pint ful and give the hammer. If ful and drpped - signal and verbalize ful ball. Pp-ups t the catcher near the line - get a prper lk. Pp-ups t the catcher when yu must vacate - d nt watch the ball - watch the catcher's eyes and shulders and get ut f their way. On all hit balls remve yur mask with yur left hand. Ful balls that are hit clse t the screen r twards a dugut - HUSTLE - get in psitin and lk at yur partner t see wh gt the best lk. If yu have the best lk, delay and make a call. Make sure yu get t the screen quickly. On all fly balls hustle ut t get a gd lk fr pssible traps r wh knws what. Cme t a stp, delay, and then make yur call with a crisp hammer when ut. If there are any runners n base r if the ut is nt bvius, add a lud verbal t yur hammer. If yu have n catch and have a trap situatin, give the 'n catch signal' and always add a strng verbal t it. CHECK SWINGS Umpires shuld use the mechanics f hitting t assist them in judging check swings. Did the batter d any f the fllwing? a. pass their bat thrugh the zne b. rll their wrists r turn their hips, c. was the bat in frnt f their bdy, and did they cnvince yu that they made an attempt t swing? If yu can answer YES t any f these questins then yu usually have a strike. Nt sure? Then ask yur partner. Dn't frget t remve yur mask, take a few steps tward yur partner, pint and say "did he/she swing?" If the catcher asks yu t check, g ahead and check. Sme umpires are reluctant t ask because they are psitive they saw it right. Maybe s, but there have been ccasins when umpires have missed nt nly a check swing, but a full blwn swing. Once yu have started checking and the respnse is cnstantly NO, then yu have n chice but t limit yur requests. This methd is by n means the nly way t perate, but it is definitely a gd part f preventative fficiating. One gd pint t remember is that if yu cncentrate t hard n a check swing, yu may frget abut the pitch itself and end up calling n swing - "ball" n a pitch that was in the strike zne. Yur timing and rhythm g haywire, and yu're left in a jam. The answer is t take the check swing scenari 'IN' by watching the big picture, and nt cncentrating n just the bat. Sme Natinal Teams (Asian) never ask the plate umpire t

check as they feel that the umpire may take it as an insult. The bttm line is, f curse, t get the call crrect. An additinal pint-f-emphasis is t visually lk at yur partner n the batter's pen side whenever a batter has swung at strike three and the ball was dwn where it may have skipped int the catcher's glve via the dirt, ff smething ther than the catcher's glve r hand, r was caught. A strng partner will be ready t assist yu with a fist r an pen hand n their thigh t advise yu f the crrect result. This wuld als be a benefit n ful-tip calls made by the plate umpire. LEAVING THE PLATE AREA Develp the habit f leaving the plate area frm the left side f the catcher. This fits int ne f the umpire's pririties that shuld include aviding a cllisin with the catchers and allwing the catchers their freedm t ram. With n runners n base r a runner n first base nly, leave the plate area n the left side and trail the batter-runner tward first base in fair grund. Ideally yu shuld g abut twenty t thirty feet, stp clse t the line and bserve the play at first. Yu culd lk fr: d. Cllisins between the catcher and batter-runner. e. Tags made by the catcher r infielders n the batter-runner f. Assisting with pssible swipe tags r pulled ft scenaris. g. Spiking cmmitted by the batter-runner. h. Overthrws r blcked balls. i. Vilatins f the three ft running lane. j. If the base umpire turns t g t the utfield, yu are in perfect psitin t make calls r watch fr the tuch f first by the batter-runner if necessary. After mving tward first base with a runner n first base nly, be aware f a pssible play at third base with the lead runner, since that wuld be the respnsibility f the plate umpire in the three umpire system. If the umpire has a runner starting at secnd r third base, the umpire must view the actins up the first base line frm a psitin that will nt impede any base runners. If yu must, watch hme plate fr the tuch, glance up the first base line fr actin and then prceed t the next ptential call. In a three umpire system, the plate umpire must bserve a variety f things that wuld include missed bases, bstructin, interference, tag-ups and pure n-fault unintentinal cllisins that ccasinally ccur. WRECKS!!! CONFERENCES It is the respnsibility f plate umpires t enfrce rules gverning ffensive and defensive cnferences. The plate umpire shall infrm the ffensive r defensive team that a cnference has been charged. While a defensive cach is visiting the pitcher during a charged cnference, a super MECHANIC is t mve dwn the ful line, stpping where the cach must pass n their way t the dugut. Infrm him/her f the charged cnference and be n yur way back t the plate area. A cnference will nt be charged t the

ffense during a charged defensive cnference. An ffensive cnference is ne in which the ffense (invlving a player) delays the game t cmmunicate. D nt allw mre than ne ffensive cnference per inning. If the ffense insists, allw it and remve the ffending cach. Remember it is nt a charged cnference if the defense takes advantage f the time during a charged ffensive cnference, as lng as there is n cmmunicatin between the pitcher r any ther team member that is nt in the game. Anther gd MECHANIC is if a pitcher appears injured, walk arund near the pitcher t make sure that the nly cmmunicatin taking place is the discussin invlving the pitcher's injury. Infrm the ppsing caches f the situatin and tell them that the visit t the pitcher was nt charged. Hwever, nce the umpire instructs the team that is charged with the cnference t "play ball", the ther team must immediately 'play ball' r be in jepardy f having a cnference charged against them. NOT TO PITCH SIGNALS There are a few pints f emphasis gverning these signals. The first signal f 'nt t pitch' is cnveyed t the pitcher nly if he/she is ON the pitching rubber and abut t quick pitch the batter. D nt ver-use this signal. A quality mechanic is t use it nly when necessary. The signal is an pen hand aimed at the pitcher's face with the fingers spread wide. Yu must always use the hand that is FURTHEST away frm the batter (twards the empty batter's bx). If a pitcher cnstantly rushes yu r the batter, advise the catcher t please slw dwn the sign fr the pitcher. If that desn't wrk, step frward and explain t the pitcher that they are rushing the batter. The secnd 'nt t pitch' signal is used if yu are nt ready t wrk r if yu have granted "TIME" t the batter befre the pitcher has brken the pause. Remember, a batter must request 'TIME' and nt be granted it just because they have their hand up in the air. The 'TIME - NO PITCH' signal is given physically (with tw hands) as well as verbally while yu are hustling AWAY frm the batter in the directin f the pen batter's bx. Wait until it is safe t return. HITTING THE BALL A SECOND TIME The prblem that mst umpires have is that this can be extremely tugh t see. It ccurs mst ften n bunts and slaps, but it can als happen when the bat, after it is drpped by the batter and still mving, cntacts the ball a secnd time. Remember that if the ball hits a drpped bat that is statinary, we disregard the cntact. Als remember that when a ball hits a bat that is still rlling, yu disregard the cntact. NOTE: The duble batted ball must ccur in FAIR territry. Signal and verbalize "TIME - BATTER IS OUT" and pint twards the infractin. BATTER HIT BY A PITCH Batters are awarded first base anytime they are hit (unless, f curse, they made NO attempt t avid the pitch) and the award is valid even if the ball nly cntacts their unifrm. D nt let batters wear sweaters r jackets at the plate just fr that reasn, althugh it's up t yu what they wear in the field. At times, the batters' reactin can

assist yur decisin as there is n substitute fr PAIN. A batter can nt be awarded a base when hit by a pitch if the ball is in the strike zne. NOTE: Preventative fficiating dictates that yu must "SELL" this call when necessary. Step ut in frnt f the catcher and pint t first. This is an awarded base. Yu must always be prepared immediately t step in between the batter and the pitcher in case the batter's temperature begins t rise and TAKE CHARGE. Once the situatin has been diffused, walk the batter t first base, psitining yurself between the tw. Mst supervisrs will tell yu that strng game cntrl in situatins like this is ften the difference between 'excellent' and 'elite' fficials. Yur partner may help yu decide if the batter was hit by the pitch. In cnfrntatins, anther imprtant task is t make sure that yu nly have t deal with ne persn at a time. We call this CROWD CONTROL r creating a ne-n-ne situatin. If yu are invlved in the discussin, nly speak t ne persn (preferably the cach r a captain that attended yur pre-game cnference). Yur partner r partners shuld jump right in and create a ne-n-ne situatin fr yu. If yur partner happens t get in a similar situatin, yu must immediately react t it and create the same ne-nne match-up fr them. Never lk at yur partner's cnfrntatin, just cntrl the traffic fr them. They will appreciate yur prfessinalism. BALL OFF THE BAT HITS THE BATTER OR BATTER-RUNNER Make SURE that yu see it. If nt, yur partner can be f great assistance n this call. The ball is usually ff the batter's frnt ft r it will cme ff the grund, cme up, and cntact them. Once again BE CERTAIN that yu see cntact. Dn't guess. Yu can always get help frm yur partner later, unless yu killed the play. A batter's feet must bth be n the grund COMPLETELY utside the lines f the batter's bx if yu are t get an ut here. The ball must als be in FAIR territry. NOTE: This is a tugh call smetimes, but an ut is an even bigger call fr the batter. If yu're nt psitive that they were ut f the bx, then they must have been in it. FOUL BALL! STRIKE ZONE - MIND SET THEORY Our game tends t g slwly at times and I believe that this tpic is the key t getting the game ff and running at a decent temp. Set a brisk pace by calling mre STRIKES. The plate is: 42.5 cm 17.0 inches wide The beveled edges are 5.0 cm 2.0 inches tgether The widths f tw balls are 18.75cm 7.5 inches tgether TOTAL OF ALL THIS 66.25cm 26.5 INCHES!!!

The pint here is t g int yur game LOOKING FOR STRIKES, saying t yurself ver and ver, there's ne, "STRIKE" and there's anther ne, "STRIKE" and yet again, there's ne,"strike". If yu d this enugh times yu will frget abut 'lking fr balls', begin t realize hw wide the plate really is and start 'LOOKING FOR STRIKES'. Mre ften than nt, the batters will begin t swing mre, rather than sit n pitches that are clse. Yu will have mre strikes, fewer walks and the entire Rhythm and Temp f yur game will imprve. It is better fr the game, better fr the spectatrs, and mst f all BETTER FOR US...THE HARD-WORKING BLUES! POINTS OF EMPHASIS TO SPEED UP THE GAME Dn't let the batters wander away frm the plate t get signals frm their cach Get a batter in the bx within ten secnds Hustle players cnstantly during the entire game Dn't let the pitchers eat up the clck by wasting time Speak t a cach if he/she is t slw sending signals (pitches t be called by the catcher) Encurage a team t have anther persn nt in the game receive warm-up pitches until the catcher (wh is nt wasting time) is dressed and ready Cnserve ur precius time IN BETWEEN INNINGS. Shaving ff ne minute each half inning wuld cut dwn every game yu fficiate by thirteen minutes. Smething can and must be dne t pick up the pace. As umpires, lets try t d ur best t make the game mre interesting fr the spectatrs, while we still have them. POINTS OF EMPHASIS ON USING THE NEW PLATE MECHANIC 18. As with anything new, it will take a lt f thught and effrt t implement. Yu wn't be able t rely n yur natural instincts (aut-pilt), but a few small pints will help assist yu in deciding when and where t be, when and where t mve, what t lk fr when yu get there, and what t d with the n-deck batter wh will be caching the incming runners and mst likely be in yur way. 19. We must nw understand fully hw imprtant it is t keep all the 'ELEMENTS' (hme plate r base, ball, ffense, defense) in frnt f yu at all times. Withut all the 'ELEMENTS' we wuld nly have part f the picture. 20. Set up fr this new call near the THIRD BASE LINE EXTENDED and pick up the elements. Yu will have t decide what spt is best fr yu t mve t s that yu will have the best lk pssible, depending n where the catcher fields the thrw, where the runner is in relatin t a pssible hking slide, where the catcher is physically standing, and nce he/she has the ball in their pssessin, exactly what yu think they will d. The ptimum psitin t end up at seems t be at abut a 45 angle frm the plate, backwards frm the diamnd. This psitin is rarely the same. It will vary each

and every time. That very imprtant relatinship with the 'ELEMENTS' will be yur guide. 21. In a tw persn system that requires yu t be in the third base - hme plate hlding zne, yu will mst likely have t use the standard psitin fr calls at hme plate. 22. In all experimental techniques it is imprtant that yu d what wrks fr yu. Althugh yu're expected t try t incrprate these guidelines, remember that with this NEW PLATE MECHANIC there is really n MAGIC SPOT frm which t make this call. Yu have t be able t adjust and imprvise. 23. Imagine the ball getting away frm the catcher and where yu may have t be. The nly crrect answer is ADAPT, ADAPT and then ADAPT. The main key will be the ball and frm where it is cming. By fllwing the 'LITTLE WHITE PILL' (thanks t Gerge Rayment), we will all learn the best way t prepare t make a call using this NEW PLATE MECHANIC. GOOD LUCK! CREDITS: I wuld t thank the fllwing peple and rganizatins fr their time, thughts, innvative ideas and publicatins. Alphabetically: Dr. Gregg Andersn, Bb Bargiacchi, Jimm Barr, Tm Bell, Bruce Bierman, Ed Bitz, Dn Bracey, Jim Bradfrd, Wayne Brwn, Merle Butler, Rn Cke, Rn Clarke, Ken Culpitt, Keith Hazel, Dug Hadley, Gerry Hward, Chris Lee, Brent McLaren, Gene Mc Willy, Jhn Masc, Les Nvac, Max Pye, Bb Reid, Mike Renney, Bill Smith, Ry Stut, Brian Van Os and Tny Walsh. Als, the Amateur Sftball Assciatin f the USA, the Internatinal Sftball Cngress, the Internatinal Sftball Federatin, Metr Umpires Assciatin f Vancuver, Sftball Australia, Sftball British Clumbia, Sftball Canada and Sftball New Zealand.