Quote:
Originally posted by GarthB
Being positioned in the same place for every pitch makes more sense to me. But moving with the catcher was what I was taught, and I saw, and still see, the MLB guys doing.
I don't know where you were taught, but I don't believe any proschool, pro ump or serious clinician ever taught this. The only time one moves because of the catcher is if he takes the slot away. If he moves outside, you stay right where you are.
Do some MLB umpires move? Probably. Do physicians with 20 years experience still do everything the way they learned in med school? I haven't finished med school yet, nor am I an MLB umpire. My evaluator still expect me to do it right.
The GD stance, as I understand Carl's description, is partly based off the distance from the catcher. This seems to be a logical and essential element. I don't understand how one can make such a serious alteration in a "system" without affecting the "system".
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The GD system is predicated on two principles: (1) It is a good thing to be set before the pitcher releases the pitch; and (2) It is a good thing to see the pitch from about the same position every time.
You can't do that if you slip/slide with the catcher. That two-step is a bad thing.
The point: The catcher's positioning should have NOTHING to do with where you set up. That's entirely governed by the position of the BATTER. If he crowds the plate too much or hangs his arms high and over the plate, he may obstruct your sight of the release point.
So you move. You move not because of the GD system; you move because it is a good thing to track the pitch from the hand to the mitt. That creates good timing, no tunnel vision, and promotes happiness, well-being, and the American way of life.