Umpiring in the 1940s

[Carl Childress]

Originally posted by greymule
Many thanks, Brian.

The catchers also often stood up as the pitcher was winding up and then moved down into the crouch as the pitcher's arm came around. Of all the differences between modern baseball and play in the 1940s, that one may be the most striking.

[Edited by greymule on Feb 22nd, 2006 at 09:31 AM]

Strange: There are a few coaches in this area who teach that maneuver for the catcher. I hate it, of course, since he often sets after the release. I'm told that the catcher can track the ball better. I don't believe that although there are many major league umpires who follow the same procedure. It's part and parcel of the Jim Evans "heel/toe, heel/toe" stance, slipping into the lock/load as the pitch is on the way.

I'm also told that it allows the catcher to stretch his muscles just before he receives the pitch; that is, he frees himself from the natural kinks of squatting. I DO believe that - since it's the way I was taught to do it back in the late (LATE) 40s.