Timing Is Everything

I had lunch last fall with three MLB umpires. I won’t name them only because I didn’t tell them I would be writing about our get-together – this was before I started this blog.

Anyway, they were very forthcoming with information and answers to any and all questions. Their extensive knowledge of the game was obvious and they even quizzed me a bit. Each experienced a different path to the major league level and each official was very impressive.

The stories about different stadiums, players and coaches were superb but the one concept that came up a few times was timing. “If you find that you’ve made a mistake or think you missed a call,” one of them said, “it’s probably because your timing was off. You were probably going too quickly.”

Timing was drilled into us at the Southern Umpires Camp and it’s something I think about during every game – even the ones where I’m a spectator. “Slow down, slow down…where’s the timing?” instructors implored us at the camp, over and over again. Timing helps you call a good game and it also lends a bit of authority to your decisions. I think it tells the players, coaches and fans that, even in that little second or two that you wait, you’ve given the call proper attention and consideration.

So, when I hit the field this season, I’ll remember the stories of the best players, the managers that come with the best arguments, which stadiums these guys like to work and timing. Timing, as they say, is everything.