GD, up close and personal

[DG]

Originally posted by tmp44
I went to the Pirates/Dodgers game on Friday night, and got to see the GD from the originator...Gerry Davis was on the plate. I have switched to the "system" the last year and was excited to see how he actually called the game in person. A couple of observations:

1) Now I really understand how wide you need to be. Davis was double shoulder width apart..many first basemen would envy his mobility;

2) He's tall. I was in the outfield seats, but I would estimate that Davis is at least 6'2" (if anyone knows for sure, I'd like to know). That being said, for those of you that use the GD, do you think that being taller helps you? I'm 5'8" and, at least to me, it seems that I have some trouble seeing the corners because of my height...thoughts?

3) The low strike was there all night..to the point where a couple players gave the old "quick headturn in disagreement to the umpire" look.

4) Because he was spread so far, his chin was right above the top of the catcher's head. I've always tried to be higher than this to see the corners. Does everyone else try to get into this same position (right above the catcher's head)?

The guys who are looking back want all of the ball above the knee for a strike. And the same guys want the pitch above the belt to be a ball. The hollow beneath the knee is the bottom of the zone, and any part of the ball can touch for a strike. I have been told I am a low strike umpire, but I think it's because I call any part of the ball at the hollow of the knee. I think GD helps with calling the corners and the low strike, because of being locked in to get a good solid look. I don't think the top of my zone has changed much since adopting GD, but I call more strikes low and on the corners.

I'm 5'10" and I get pretty wide, but not quite double shoulder width. I have a fellow umpire who is 5'6" and I notice that he is wide, but not as wide as I am. So maybe our relative head heights are about the same.