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Originally Posted by Bassman
Not so much a debate, but a personal testimony. A few of the advantages are:
1) Your head is completely locked
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Personally, I don't want an umpire whose head is completely locked. Don't particularly care for the hand placement this position seems to promote. I have found in any mechanical stance, that umpires often begin to set-up based on placing their hands in a certain place as opposed to the batter's strike zone. You also have the injury factor to hands and fingers hit by a pitch or fouled ball.
If that's what you are seeking, fine. I'd rather the umpire be correct.
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3) All the strain is taken off your knees and hip flexors
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The wide stance, heel-to-toe mentioned above is equally comfortable and easier on one's back if done correctly. No matter what stance someone uses, if not done correctly, there is going to be some additional physical strain especially on the knees and back.
A half-dozen years or so ago, a member of the NUS took a couple of UICs from his region to Bergen County, NJ for a clinic. They came away somewhat frustrated as many of those at the clinic just could not grasp the part of the mechanic which asks them to keep their back straight and "sit down" into position. Apparently, so many of these umpires were so accustomed to bending down to the top of the strike zone, they just couldn't get the gist of "keeping the back straight".
Even today, what I have found of those who mock this mechanic is they have a picture in their mind that just isn't the mechanic. The "straight back" does mean that you lock your spine in a vertical line like you had a nasty nun standing behind you poised to strike you alongside the head with a ruler.
Not everyone has perfect posture and no one is expecting it to suddenly appear because of an umpiring mechanic. Keeping a straight back means to drop your tail to lower your eyes to the top of the strike zone as opposed to leaning forward to reach that point. It also helps to turn the toes out a little bit to allow the knees to toggle in a more natural position.
But as we have all found in the past, regardless of what I or anyone else believes, if someone gets comfortable with something, no one is going to convince them there is something better and that applies to everyone no matter of the stance being promoted.