[David B]

Originally Posted by Carl Childress

I must be out of step. In my clinics, articles, books, I teach there are TWO positions from which to view a pitch: (a) the box; (b) the slot. (Professional umpires stole the name "box" for one of their slot stances. Ignore that revisionism.)

The box is that rectangle directly behind the catcher. The American League umpires used the box from the start of their League in 1903 until the 1970s. A box umpire looks directly over the catcher's head and views the plate head on.

Every other stance is a slot, where the umpire looks between the batter and the plate.

There are simply variations of the slot stance: knee (Doug Harvey's creation), scissors (Ed Vargo's sadistic legacy), heel-toe (PBUC stance), heel/toe/heel/toe (Jim Evan's name for his stance), balanced (John McSherry's stance, which the wannabes call the box), and the Gerry Davis.

Gerry Davis is identical to John McSherry's balanced slot stance with one addition: Gerry (and his disciplies, of whom I am one) uses the hands-on-knees set position.

There is one safe place for an umpire behind the plate: In the box (behind the catcher) with the outside protector.

Wherever else you stand, you're going to get plunked.

Now, if I've missed something, and there is a spot where the umpire can use Gerry Davis without being in the slot, let know.

Otherwise, buy plenty of Sportscreme. And get those soccer shin guards for forearm protection. About half of the GD umpires in my association now wear them. They smile a lot more.

I had forgotten about the shin guards for the arms, but after getting "plunked" Saturday in the forearm that would be a good investment, actually, my son has some that he uses for soccer that I could borrow.

And worn under my jacket, if would also be pretty much unnoticed. Thanks for the reminder.

Thanks
David