PERCEPTUAL FACTORS AFFECTING THE ACCURACY OF BALL AND STRIKE JUDGMENTS FROM THE TRADITIONAL AMERICAN-LEAGUE AND NATIONAL-LEAGUE UMPIRING PERSPECTIVES

This study investigated perceptual factors affecting the accuracy of u mpires' ball-strike judgments by comparing the traditional positions o f American League and National League home plate umpires. Thirty nonum pires called a set of 30 videotaped pitches from each of the two persp ectives. Results indicated that the National League perspective produc ed less accurate judgments of low pitches and inside pitches, whereas the American League perspective yielded less accurate judgments of out side pitches. These findings are inconsistent with traditional basebal l wisdom, but are quite consistent with perceptual research. It is mov e difficult to judge accurately the distance of pitches coming directl y toward the umpire because of the limited distance cues available und er such circumstances. The implications of these results for the train ing and optimal positioning of professional umpires are also discussed .