Beginner's Mechanics Clinic #1

Instruction covers field mechanics for the two man system. This clinic is aimed at the beginning umpire, umpires with no formal training, and officials who are returning to the game.

Hi everyone,
The instructors are eager and cannot wait to help you with your umpiring ...
Please wear warm, comfortable, athletic clothing.  Bring both court and turf shoes so we can go on grass or blacktop depending on surface conditions.  No umpire uniforms are necessary,  You may bring your plate hat and mask if you would like to practice using them during your plate work.
Please bring a baseball glove if you have one.  Also, bring note taking materials as there will be too much information available to remember.
You may review the information at the following link both before and after the clinic to increase your learning:
http://sacumpires.com/2010/02/17/beginner-umpire-rules-positioning-study-materials

Additional free training events are available at the following link:
http://sacumpires.com/2009/08/28/2009-2010-proposed-umpire-clinic-instruction-schedule

It looks like the weather forecast has drastically improved for this weekend.  Looks like we will be at ARC as originally planned:
American River College Baseball Stadium4700 College Oak DrSacramento, CA, 95841

If for some reason it is raining or the pavement is too wet to use, we may move to following outdoor, covered facility at:
Twin Rivers Adult Ed Blg 
3222 Winona Way 
North Highlands CA  95660

Here's an overview of our clinic instruction:

P1: (60ft mechanics only) (This session uses a split station format – a & b below)

P1a: Specialty plate mechanics Brush plate (demo)Clearing bat (demo)Fair-foul (demo)Clearing F2

P1b: Pivot basics steps: Basic 3-step pivot line drill practice 3-step, Walk thru, Jog thruBasic Pivot technique: PivotWhen: Ground ball on infield with overthrow 90 degree angleTwo steps fairTwo steps foul

B1: (60ft mechanics only) 
BU starting position A establish Ground ball on infield (no runners on base) Left side of the infield  – 90 degree angleRight side of the infield (normal) – two steps fairPU movements by priority PU movement on ground balls on infield (no one on base) 

C1: Plate Mechanics  
Watch:Pitch tracking 
Watch: Lower half stance basicsH/T/H/T, width, balance over feet, comfort, squat  signal & voice strike 
Watch: Routine/sequence: step into H/T/H/T, squat into set position, pitch track, stand-up with signal & call, Step back relax Watch: Upper half stance basics/alignment:WaistTorso Head

B2: (Application: 60ft mechanics only) 
Starting position B & C (60ft field – behind F4 & F6 near outfield grass)
Pick-off/steal Ground ball – working areaPU positioning on grounders on the infield:Move up 1st base lineMove up 3rd base lineStay home

P2: (60ft mechanics only)
P2b: (Content B3):
PU movement on ground balls on infield (no one on base) Special plays on infield from starting position A:F1 coversF3 covers unassistedRight side “pressure”Pull foot toward RF cornerPull foot toward home plate with “swipe” tagPop-up around starting position AClear F3 on pop-up down RF line

B4 & B6: (60ft mechanics only) 

B4: On base hit – “inside-out” rule – “working area” development Rotation on base hits:R1 to 3rd R3 & R1 with R1 to 3rdR2 & R1 – R2 tags & advances to 3rd (unless in 10% down RF line)
B6: Plays on the Infield:Ground Ball – Developing Working Area Double plays from starting position B or C (Application: 60ft mechanics)Positioning for plays at the plate

Location