I've got some slight nerve damage in my left hand. Using my counter with my right just works better for me. I know the counter should be in the left but is it really a big deal? The right hand counter doesn't effect any of my signaling.
Thanks for any input

you might get docked some points in an evaluation or something, but being that you have a disability limiting your left hand, i think it would be ok for you to use the right. you seem to know that it should be in the left which is good, but just cant make it work that way due to that nerve damage.

in your case, i wouldnt worry about it too much.

I probably could make it work in the left hand but when my injury first happened I had to use my right and have stuck with it. It just doesn't cause me any problems in the right hand so I was wandering "why switch" if I don't have too.

If you CAN make it work, I'd switch if only for the reason that it probably helps the rehab on the hand in the long run... but aside from that, if you CAN make it work, you'll avoid having to educate an evaluator as to the nerve damage (and avoid getting docked should an evaluator do so without talking to you). Plus - consistency is always a good thing where possible.

If you CAN'T make it work, I don't see any problem with it other than that you'd need to explain it to everyone who might be evaluating you. If that's not a priority, and just working games IS the priority, then there's no concern there either.

What hand so you use to remove your mask?

I agree, there are bigger issues: consistent zone, positioning, game management, etc.

I'm able to remove my mask with my right hand just fine, it's the coordination of my fingers that seemed to be off.

huh ?!?
 

quote:
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Originally posted by cards2323
I'm able to remove my mask with my right hand just fine, it's the coordination of my fingers that seemed to be off.
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You remove your mask with your right hand, also ?

you can do everything with your right hand as long as you signal with the left. Lefty's do it. You can too.

please dont do this.

Good God, what the hell has happened to this forum?

Thank God I have never seen a left handed umpire, including me, signal with the left hand. What a crock.

So you have a very busy right hand. You hold the indicator with it; you remove the mask with it. Now, what do you do when you have to signal an out?

I ask this because signals are supposed to come from the right hand. It is what is expected by the coaches, players and the fans. Hopefully, when you remove your mask you tuck it under your left arm or grasp it with your left hand. That would be acceptable.

The reason for this whole thing is so that you don't bash anyone with the mask when you sell that close play at the plate. There was a time where you could never pass a NCAA evaluator's session using the right hand.

By the way, lefties do not do it backward - that is if they want to advance to higher levels. You seem to have a legitimate excuse so that should not interfere.

I am left-handed, and I do not use
my left hand to signal, nor do I remove
my mask with my right hand.

wow....i never thought i would get that much commentary for this....i personally do it with my left, but two guys in my assn. do it with their right since they are left handed, and one of them works d-1 college ball, no problems... are you sure this isn't just some old taboo?

I think it was Ozzy who gave you the best reason why we don't remove our mask with the right hand. You don't want to end up throwing it or knocking someone in the head with it when you sell a banger.



Tim.

I have seen a few umpires remove the mask with the right hand, only to transfer it to the left hand immediately.

I also have seen some professionals use both hands to remove it as well, probably taking their time to make sure they don't rip their hats off in front of 50,000 fans.

http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/1/1_4_45.gif

i agree that you don't have it in the hand that you signal with, but if you sell bangers with the left, why not hold a mask in the right?

because you never make calls with your left hand except the left half of a safe signal, and the various times you point (not including pointing strikes).

You don't remember Ken Kaiser??? ;)

And here's one reason why you shouldn't do that, either.

I was evaluating an umpire at a 3A varsity game. R3 is trying for home on an infield hit. The play was close.

Now try to visualize this:

PU takes his mask off with his right hand, then takes it from his right hand with his left, then signals out with his right hand.

Here's what the fans and coaches saw: A signal of out with his right hand, with mask in hand, followed by a signal of safe due to the left hand coming to the center of his body and and (after transfering the mask) swinging back to his left, followed by another out call.

Can you say "Sh!t house"?

Yes, I am sure. As far as the alleged "D-1" umpire goes, either he is not a conference official or the level of D-1 officials is lacking in your area. I'd love to know what area that is.

GB
 

Bellingham, WA

"Ahhhh," he said with a knowing wink to his Portland partner.

[Edited by GarthB on Mar 18th, 2006 at 05:06 PM]