Quote:
Originally posted by bob jenkins
Quote:
Originally posted by MichaelVA2000
Illini_Ref
I would suggest keeping your hands off your thighs. If a ball hits your hands whil,e locked into that position you have a greater chance of suffering broken bones. The picture where your hands are dangling is much safer.
Michael
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That defeats the whole purpose of the GD stance.
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Exactly. The hands on the legs provide the lock point and provide consistency. Without the hands, there's nothing to stop you from moving up and down during the pitch or setting differently for each pitch.
There's a lot of fear of getting hit with a baseball showing up on the boards lately. I'm not sure what's up with that, but it's always been a part of umpiring and is part of the tradeoff for not using a balloon protector and getting a superior view from the slot. Buy good equipment, trust your equipment and realize that you're going to get hit once in a while -- being afraid or flinching isn't going to make you more or less likely to get hit. If you are uncomfortable working a stance (like the GD stance), work the standard heel-to-toe stance or work the scissors. Or go Carl's route and buy forearm protectors, but be aware that Carl can get away with such things, being Carl. A newer umpire may find this to be a career limiting move because of the perception of wearing such things -- you may be viewed in the same way as an umpire that puts his hands behind his back to call balls and strikes -- afraid of getting hit and a lesser umpire because of it.
I've been smashed in the left hand this season by an untouched fastball in a HS game and I don't work the GD stance. Happens once in a while -- at all levels.
--Rich
[Edited by Rich Fronheiser on May 14th, 2004 at 09:54 AM]