Back?
 

I need to find the information about this stance yet, but from this back position can you still see the entire plate?

And how does being back help with judging low pitches? Can you still see the catcher turn his mitt over to catch low pitches?

I will find the information but from the descriptions I've heard so far it seems the catcher would block the last several feet of the ball's flight... that can't be right so I must be missing something.

Tony:
 

"but from this back position can you still see the entire plate?"

Not only can you see the entire plate you can see the dirt between the rear point of the plate and the catcher. Try it and see what I mean.

"And how does being back help with judging low pitches?"

Being deeper you have a different perspective on the pitch. It defines itself better as it passes through the zone . . . PLUS . . . you never become obstructed by catcher or batter.

"Can you still see the catcher turn his mitt over to catch low pitches?"

You can see every thing you see from the traditional position plus more . . . you are missing a little on perspective Tony (as did I before I made the change). You not only are deeper you are slightly higher.


". . . but from the descriptions I've heard so far it seems the catcher would block the last several feet of the ball's flight"

Completely untrue. Until you try the stance it is not evident on what you can see . . . in fact, for me, the whole plate area opens up and everything being less crowded allows a much better tracking of the pitch.

Tony, I think you really need to try the stance and have someone that has worked with the stance work with you to really appreciate what the new stance does.

BTW, some people do not like the stance because they feel more exposed for being hit and I can deal with that in a separate answer.

Hope I have answered your questions.

Tee

Re: Back?
 

It might be a visual thing that I can't describe, but by being further back, I think it allows the eyes to take in more.

In other words, the picture that your eyes are taking has so much more information in it than is possible by being so close to the batter and catcher.

As Tee said, it really is amazing. I did not believe it until I tried it. It took me most of the summer to get used to the high pitch. That is the one that still will give me a little trouble, but the low ones are no problem.

Usually if I miss a pitch, it is the high pitch for some reason.

Thanks
David

How about those under 100? Do the younger guys like it as well?

Yabadabadoo!
 

I didn't realize Papa C was that old.

Re: Yabadabadoo!
 

My birthday is coming up, April 23. It's a date I share with another writer, albeit probably he's not as good as I am.

Papa C,

Can the Gerry Davis stance be improved by using Betty Davis eyes.

Tee, where exactly are you going to be posting your review?

I've practiced the stance (no games for me until May), and I love how I lock-in. I'm waiting to try moving back and see if it helps with the low pitches.

No worries about being hit: gear, gear, gear!

Re: Re: Yabadabadoo!
 

Methinks Papa C doth protest too much.

Or are you referring to Nabokov?

Either way, they both had lousy third strike mechanics. :)

(Edited to make reference more direct.)

[Edited by pob14 on Apr 1st, 2004 at 11:23 AM]

Patrick:
 

Please remember this is an umpiring board read by umpires.

Reference to Valdimir Nabokov characters may go unrecognized for their meaning and context.

Thanks for the edit Patrick.

BTW, my review will be posted here AND on the ABUA site.

Tee

[Edited by Tim C on Apr 1st, 2004 at 11:48 AM]

Re: Patrick:
 

Above post edited to avoid possible sensitivity.

Still looking forward to your comments, Tee.