Umpire Positioning for calling Balls and Strike

Josh Locks teaches Welles Park Youth Baseball umpire positioning for call balls and strikes.

[@geteven3107]

Your message is clear and concise. You have helped me clear up the basics in the beginning which has allowed me now pay attention to the the more complex.

[@JohnOhkumaThiel]

I have an audition tomorrow to play an umpire. This is extremely helpful. Thanks!

[@kelseyotto2548]

Great video..... ear to ear and chin to head. Love it, thank you

[@nickdempsey211]

Thanks for those wonderful tips! They were so helpful!

[@sominnesotan]

Wow, expecting something else from this video but it was great. A lot of good small nuggets of advice all around. Nice job.

[@JamieBakerM]

Thanks! We are using this to help reinforce positioning with our umpires!

[@Clothahump1]

Good positioning mechanics!

[@madelinemagg]

"we are getting paid a lot" I want to work there.

[@stevedandy973]

Easy. Position yourself in "the slot" - the space between the batter and catcher.⚾️

[@awms4697]

Great information

[@davidrolfson8441]

New ump this year. Umping 12-18 yo A/B softball lately. Catchers will set up so far inside sometimes that it is almost impossible to slot inside. Will you slot outside in this case? Other times they may set up so far outside that if you are ear to ear between the catcher and the batter, you will be on the outside corner of the plate. That's an easier call, but if the pitch is outside you will usually hear some parent or coach yelling, "Where was that, Blue? She didn't move her glove."

[@jimanderson29]

Yea, the slot position is ideal if the catcher is directly centered behind the plate, but more and more catchers are setting up way inside or outside. I saw catchers in the LLWS that were setting up completely outside of the catchers box and then moved in front of the umpire during the pitch.

[@brodiebutland1211]

I did 13 years baseball up to the high school and American Legion levels. "Slotting outside" is exactly what I did on the occasions where catchers set up really far inside. Setting up opposite the batter is certainly not desirable because it's harder to see the high/low zone (plus you get hit in the mask by foul balls more often), but if the catcher takes away most or all of your view of the plate with an inside stance, you need to figure out another way. Kind of like how we always like to make calls at first from the fair side of the line...but if the second baseman or the right fielder are throwing from shallow right field, we're stuck moving to the foul side of the line.

[@hatfez]

Never set up in the wrong slot, regardless if the batter or the catcher has you blocked out. Take one step back & bring your head up a bit more. You will have a better view & there will be less of a chance of being hit by a foul ball. You will have a good view of the corners, but your up & down location may suffer. If the batter is blocking the slot, reward the pitcher with a close call. If the catcher is blocking, let him know that he may not get the call since he's blocking your view. They are inexperienced & will hopefully listen. If not, let his coach know about the issue.

[@hatfez]

Never listen to parents. Coaches may ask, unless they are making a travesty of the game by undermining your authority. Let him know, nicely, that he cannot continue to question your calls. Perhaps her glove wasn't in the zone!

[@detroitrockcity8]

hatfez great job. He is correct. Never slot outside of the catcher is extreme inside. You can’t track the inner third and most cases that ball will be delivered to that spot and you’re guessing at that point. Make sure the catcher is also in his box.

[@ssranchofrosendalenewyork7114]

Great job

[@doonspades6096]

Hello why dont umps stand directly the plate but behind the catcher to get a clear view if its a strike?

[@gregthegroove]

I want to get into umpiring after really getting involved with a bit of coaching and score keeping for my boys 9 year old little league games. I really dig it for sure. Any tips? Thoughts? If I like it, do you stay on and just umpire little league? Or do you request high school after? Thanks sir

[@cuppajoe2]

Thanks dude! I am always moving my head, I’m gonna try not doing that this time

[@ThekiBoran]

I was told by an umpire that the ump's eyes should be as close as possible to the upper inside corner of the zone as possible.

[@mikecustenborder3991]

For the small kids. Let's go to the balloon protector and work over the top.

[@nateandamber]

Did the kid in the background get hit by a pitch? Haha

[@alexandra_yt4833]

Can the boy start cuz this men won't shut up

[@Jp-ml8dm]

When did umpires start getting paid for Youth/Little League Baseball?

[@prsguitars42]

About the same time the Williamsport board started pulling in a salary: Stephen D Keener PRESIDENT & CEO 45 $492,328

[@Jp-ml8dm]

@@prsguitars42 seriously??? Wow, now that is interesting to know.

[@prsguitars42]

@@Jp-ml8dm Fact.

[@sqballer145]

how bout investing in a microphone.

[@keithrockwood6849]

Never take a knee... Can't get up and away from catcher quick enough on a bunt

[@prsguitars42]

You have strong legs and within BMI...shouldnt be a problem!!!

[@Mark-pe2sh]

@@prsguitars42 yep. You get used to getting low when you stay in athletic position.