A CD-ROM by Epic Software

A Review

The mechanics of covering the bases during a baseball game are an area of much discussion and often great controversy among umpires.  Most internet discussion areas include a bevy of "we do it this way" or "in our association" messages. A regular posting on these same boards is, "Can anyone help me with 3 umpire mechanics?" Similarly many umpires ask "I've got my first game on the big diamond tonight, can you help me with 2 umpire coverage?"

There are literally a dozen or more "philosophies" about how coverage should be provided.  They range from the methodology explained in the "Manual for the Two-Umpire System" to the highly idiosyncratic gyrations of the local umpire maven who purports "Flavor-of-the-Week" modifications.  They vary widely from those who execute a simple series of well defined, documented mechanics to patched up "we-run-cause-last-week ..." Ask a question; beware of the answer.

Perfect preparation is mirrored in perfect mechanics. There is literally no single, ideal media for teaching mechanics.  Quality mechanics requires quality instruction on-field and in the classroom.  No single textbook, internet essay, chat room discussion, even videos will adequately prepare an umpire for life on the diamond.

Quality mechanics cannot be learned in a vacuum, but must be acquired as part of a "crew," after all, being an umpire means that you are part of the third team on the field.  The sheer weight of alternative coverage systems will only serve to strand the umpire many times during a game if their partner(s) are not all on the same page.

Some elements of proper mechanics can only be attained through diligent drills, some through study, some through observation. All aspects of the mechanics of covering the bases requires careful, prolonged study and diligent reinforcement.

As review the Interactive Mechanics CD developed by Epic Software I bear in mind that this can therefore be only a small part of the whole picture.  Even more important is that, the software was developed for one specific coverage pattern, the standard adopted by the NCAA.

As an umpire reviewing this software, I must also point out my personal bias, for I have been groomed in the mechanics outlined in the umpire's little red book, the PBUC "Manual For The Two-Umpire System."  Having focused the development of my coverage systems in the words found between the covers of that book, I find it difficult with coverage systems that wing away from that normal, or learning systems that fail to convey what my training teaches as the essence of coverage systems

The bottom line is, my first impressions were not good. In fact, I was prepared to dismiss this CD altogether, but, the more I played with it, the more I worked through the menus and examples, the more I became intrigued. Epic Software has latched on to a unique and well executed package for the umpire to learn, refine and focus on the movement aspect of mechanics. The real strength of this learning tool may lie not in the quality computer package it is currently, but in the direction this software is pointing for the future.

A Whole Collection of Strengths

Epic Software has all the tools to produce a quality instructional product.  Their Fast-Pitch Mechanics disk, and NCAA Points-of-Emphasis disk proved that this is a growing media, and that Epic Software is positioning itself to potentially produce a totally integrated product in the future. The improvement with the release of each package is obvious. There is no doubt their designers are already looking at how this product can be improved for the future.

With that in mind, considering this offering as an initial release, there are many strengths in the CD. Again, the quality of the graphics and the ease of the interface are superb.  The ability to replay a situation repeatedly and to access a step-by-step discussion of each umpire's movements makes this an excellent tool for the novice umpire, or for the instructor. This CD displays a whole collection of strengths.

The CD includes animations for two and three-umpire system mechanics edited and revised by Dave Yeast, Director of NCAA Baseball Umpires, and represent the preferred umpiring techniques for college play. The addition of 3D graphics, animated trails that allow you to trace the umpires every move, and a "step-by-step" mode that let you analyze the play frame-by-frame. For those umpires who use Apple Macintosh computers, this training CD will play on both PC and Mac platforms. The CD also includes a searchable copy of the 2003 NCAA Baseball Rules Book.

If this were the only tool my association adopted to instruct mechanics, I would worry about the umpires on the field.  Well many laud NCAA for forcing its umpires to follow strict coverage patterns, an equal number question either the practice or the coverage pattern selected.  In professional baseball no two crews cover the diamond in the same fashion.  There are always accommodations.

Suffice to say, there are many times the crews I work with would never consider the coverage being demonstrated.  There are times when our crews simply rejected the method being shown, and for very valid reasons. It would have been wonderful to have a choice between the NCAA system and traditional professional mechanics as outlined in the PBUC books. At a minimum the disk should stress its adherence and reliance on the NCAA coverage system right up front. Other then a small word "College" (which means something very different outside of the United States) there is little to give the umpire a clue about where these mechanics are coming from.

Many of the essential coverage ingredients are glossed over the graphics move around the diamond. It is really difficult to adequately explain what I mean by this. An experienced umpire knows it is not simply moving to the right place that makes an umpire effective. There is much, much more. Once of the most important demonstrations I saw at umpire school was a blind umpiring demonstration. One umpire ran the proper coverage. The other, blind-folded, stood there. Guess what, identical calls. Running to the right spots, and not running at all produced identical results in 95% of the calls.

Other coverage elements are exaggerated, so that they appear to make a bigger impression on the screen. For example, in two-umpire mechanics, with a runner at first base, the base umpire sets up far to close to second base then moves in what a dizzying pattern as a result. In an situation where the umpire could have a possible play at first or second base we see the umpire move a considerable distance, parallel to the baseline then hooks back to take the play into second base. In reality, the base umpire's motion would be much more limited. The umpire (who would set up much closer to the mid-point between the mound and second base, and significantly more towards first base) would have stepped up and faced the ball, perhaps drifted only a step or two into the "working area" then taken the play to the base as required. These are the examples of the "over-hustle" that is so prevalent in amateur umpiring, and so dangerous on the diamond in reality.

But am I expecting too much from this CD? The more I use the CD, the more I play with it, and refer to it, the more I must conclude I am expecting too much at this time. No doubt, as Epic expands and exploits this media, they will expand their instruction into the more diverse elements that, as an experienced umpire, I am looking for. Until then, it is one of those points that I will add to the instructional sessions that I use this disk as part of.

The most essential ingredient, the communication between the umpires simply does not exist.  Plays are run in a void, something that will never happen on the diamond. In the opinion of the reviewer, this is a serious fault in the presentation. One of the hallmarks of quality umpiring is the communications between partners. A diamond on which the umpires remain silent is a diamond that is inviting a coverage problem.

Again, I refer to the "Manual For The Two-Umpire System" which is far more then a "what-to-do-when" set of instructions: it is a glossary of "why-do-you-do-this."  The Interactive CD is long on "what" and short on "why."  It is an area I fault many of the clinics I have attended.  Simply moving to the proper spot will not always give you an accurate call: a "good" position is not necessarily the "right" position and may be far from the "best" position.

An Excellent Vehicle For The Future

If I had could give only one recommendation to the Epic Software design team, it would be to exploit the media to its fullest. What do I mean by this? 

The 2003 NCAA Baseball Rules Clinic disk started the establishment of new standards for Epic Software.  When they carry the interactive video aspect into their instructional CD's they will have a serious must-have instructional tool.

Consider: with a runner on first, looking at a pick-off play, a professional umpire appears explaining to you the elements of the step-up and turn used to obtain angle to the play.

Consider: what are the mechanics of a pivot?  The computer presents a perfect opportunity for an umpire to explain the processes of the pivot and to document several examples.

Consider: the benefit for many umpires who work long distances from professional training centers being able to see a professional double play mechanic in explanation and in full-motion and then slo-motion or stop-action.

A significant part of working as a crew involves communicating as a crew.  The software should incorporate the essential coverage phrases as it progresses through the coverage patterns.  "I've got third if he comes!", "I'm going out!" or "I'm on the line!" are fundamental to the coverage process.  We should be able to hear the umpire's voices as the play is executing on the screen in front of us.

There should be the opportunity to run option plays, for example: a trouble ball hit down the first baseline in three scenarios: the runner stopping at first, continuing to second or third, even attempting home.

The concept of the "working area" is one area that advanced umpires are familiar with.  As a play develops, it would be nice to see a small outline or shading of the working area drawn behind the mound so that the umpire's movements can be interpreted within that framework.

Another area which I would like to see in a future version is an ability to elect a professional coverage pattern rather then limiting the presentation to the NCAA coverage system. Perhaps more umpires work in the standard professional coverage systems as taught at the professional schools then will ever work on an NCAA diamond.

For many umpires, the coverage elected by the NCAA is not the system they have been taught or instructed in.  An umpire who suddenly elects to run to the outfield to cover a trouble ball as illustrated on the CD will leave his partners stranded unless they are on the same page.

Finally, I would welcome a simple multiple choice question bank based on essential coverage patterns.  A bank questions that presents a randomly chosen test of 10 would focus the attention of the user, and reinforce the concepts being taught.

..... and please, please get the sound of a wooden bat!

My Thoughts ...

This software is an effective tool for any umpire who instructs or teaches at any level.  The instructor is able to select the game situation, lead the class through the coverage pattern, and add a commentary that includes many of the elements I hope to see in a future offering from Epic Software. The weaknesses I find in the umpire's movement is easily demonstrated in a more controlled manner as part of a clinic or training session (and I can turn the ping of the bat off!)

Epic Software has made an impressive beginning into a media that is growing and changing daily.  The Fast Pitch and Baseball Mechanics CD's, and in particular their NCAA Interpretations CD are revealing how rich this media could be for every amateur umpire.

Tools such as this should be in the hands of every association instructor. Utilizing this CD ROM in a classroom situation could save hours of often confusing diagrams, squiggles and arrows.  An instructor is also suited to weed out the areas of the disk that are not used within their specific association.

It brings me full circle.  Having been handed, during the past season, an internet chat-forum printout as justification for a base umpire rimming the outfield grass on a fly ball, then returning to the infield ...  it is an area I find the greatest complaint in myself.  As this web site goes beyond its 10th anniversary, even my early understandings and writings are often a personal cause for concern.   In my area, running several of the coverage patterns demonstrated on the CD, and approved by the NCAA, could result in officiating chaos on the diamond, but, if those coverage patterns were the standardized ops-method for every member of my crew or association, it would be a different matter.

I must applaud the efforts of Epic Software.  No doubt as their software continues to grow and develop they will expand beyond what this reviewer sees as the potential for problems. In the hands of an umpire required to use this specific coverage system this is a 4 plate piece of software.  (The reviewer has to leave a little room at the top for the next release!) 

In the hands of an instructor teaching or discussing mechanics, this is a 4 1/2 out of 5 tool.  It will literally save hours of preparation and facilitates almost any instructional use or setting.

Umpires can order it directly from Epic for $29.95 & 4.95 for S&H (Texas residents must also add 6.25% for sales tax).

In terms of dollar ($) value?  Each of the offerings from Epic has proven to be an inexpensive way to refresh and remain up-to-date.  The NCAA Umpire Mechanics disk proves how invaluable this electronic media could become to any organization in the future.  The current offerings are indeed a significant tool for the umpire, at a great cost … this is a must have on my computer shelves.

- over the wall to a four plate rating and waiting for the "grand slam" to come! (4/5)

Contact Information

Vic Cherubini
President
Epic Software Group, Inc.
701 Sawdust Road
The Woodlands, TX  77380

(281) 363-3742 (phone)
(281) 292-9700 (fax)

epic@epicsoftware.com (email)

http://www.epicsoftware.com (web)

..... reviewed on June 20, 2003