What I wasn't going to tell Jimmy

here are so many clinicians who have had a shot at selling their own versions of calling balls and strikes. So many, that creativity becomes a joke. There's more than one way to skin a cat. OK! But the cat doesn't appreciate the process one bit!

Jimmy didn't need to hear quite a few things before he took his place behind the catcher:

• It's easy; just get back there and do it.
• Since you were a catcher, you'll get the hang of it more easily.
• It's like catching the ball with your eyes.
• Don't let the batter or the catcher try to tell you what to call.
• The more you do it, the more people are gonna holler at you; don't listen to them.
• You've got to have a "thick skin."
• "It ain't nuthin' until you call it!`If they don't like the way you call it, show them who's in charge."
• There's a struggle on the baseball field between umpires and coaches, often called "rats"
• Umpires are always right.
• It's your integrity that's on the line.

Continued...