Hints on plate stance

[briancurtin]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

There is nothing wrong with dropping your arms behind your legs when you lock in. I see many MLB guys doing it, and while you still get hit on the arms, you don't get hit on the wrist and hands.

At higher levels, like Varsity HS and higher, I like the scissors, I lock in, and don't care about getting hit as much, because you don't. Anything lower, I am in the heel-toe slot, and my hands go behind my legs.

Brian, 30 years from now when you are my age, and have absorbed as many injuries from the baseball as I have, you may have a different appreciation for keeping your forearms out of the way.

tim covered it, but i dont disagree with what you are saying. i dont use that stance, but im not opposed to it. i am opposed to having your arms completely behind your back. we're on the same page

[RPatrino]

My only criticism of putting your hands behind your knees is that you do NOT really have a rock solid physical lock in. You may notice movement up and down on those who use this approach. With the GD, you have the best lock in mechanism available, with no movement what so ever.

Gerry, during his clinics, is constantly harping on "can you feel your lock in?" You can't feel a lock in if you don't have one.

Bob P.

[LakeErieUmp]

Is there a decent photo of the GD stance somewhere? I'm trying to visualize it - I don't hear the term much around here.

[RPatrino]

Check this out.

http://childress.officiating.com/?d=...is+Part+II.pdf

[LakeErieUmp]

Well that explains it - other than the hands-on-thighs this is the stance our association preaches. They apparently just don't want to give Gerry Davis credit for it!
Thanks for the article!
By the way, does a light-weight mask much difference in neck strain? I have good old fashioned iron Wilson mask (at least that's what feels like).

[SAump]

I am not there to look like a waiter. I like the speed skater look. Anything that bounces off and toward the backstop is GOOD. There is absolutely no way that I will take a foul ball directly to my exposed arm.

Take the set position with both hands on the knees and relax. The head shouldn't move. As soon as the pitcher begins his delivery, rasie the left arm and place knuckles in small of back, pause, read and react. This motion adds to an internal sense of timing that helps my concetration pick up the baseball upon release. I have a much better sense of timing and relaxation.

I think most hitters use a rock step to accomplish the same thing. Perhaps some UMP will want to test this hypothesis to see if it helps them. If it does help, then it is GOOD. I also think it pays tenfold, because I take fewer shots to the arm per season.

[RPatrino]

Lake:

The reason your neck hurts is because you are not dropping your rear. Just as the pitcher prepares to deliver the pitch, drop the seat of your pants a bit, like you are sitting in a chair. This will bring your neck in alignment with your back and prevent neck strain.

The best way to really perfect the GD is to go to one of Gerry's clinics.

Bob p.

[UMP25]

Originally Posted by MrB

You could always use this:

http://store.rawlings.com/product/in...entPage=family

Don't laugh. One of my three college assignors uses this in his college games! (I sure hope he isn't reading this forum! )

[UMP25]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

I used one of those on a particularly bad LL Seniors League one time on the advice of my assignor, who lent me his ancient raft protector. I loved the protection it provided, but did not care for running with it. I'll take my chances with an inside model.

I can see it now. On a windy day you go to call a guy safe, and a big gust of wind picks you up as you go flying across the field, soaring like an eagle a la the season finale last year of Las Vegas, where, wearing a dress with flappy sleeves, Monica got blown off the Montecito's roof then sailed through the air, only to plunge to her not-so-aerodynamic death in the casino salon.

[BigUmp56]

Originally Posted by UMP25

I can see it now. On a windy day you go to call a guy safe, and a big gust of wind picks you up as you go flying across the field, soaring like an eagle a la the season finale last year of Las Vegas, where, wearing a dress with flappy sleeves, Monica got blown off the Montecito's roof then sailed through the air, only to plunge to her not-so-aerodynamic death in the casino salon.

And Jimmy Caan had no compassion at all...............

Tim.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by UMP25

I can see it now. On a windy day you go to call a guy safe, and a big gust of wind picks you up as you go flying across the field, soaring like an eagle a la the season finale last year of Las Vegas, where, wearing a dress with flappy sleeves, Monica got blown off the Montecito's roof then sailed through the air, only to plunge to her not-so-aerodynamic death in the casino salon.

It would take one helluva wind to pick my fat a$$ up off the ground!

[UMP25]

Then you haven't been to the Chicago area this spring, have you? To say we've had many windy days would be an understatement! You'd be amazed by what things have been blown around.

[Blue37]

Originally Posted by BigUmp56

Steve:

Personally, I like to take a small bar stool behind the dish to lock-in with. I would do it more often if the pitchers would quit spilling my beer!


Tim.

My son played in a coach-pitch league several years ago. They used one umpire, and he was around 5'10'' and maybe a biscuit shy of 450 lbs. He had a metal stool he sat on at the screen behind the catcher and made all calls from there.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by Blue37

My son played in a coach-pitch league several years ago. They used one umpire, and he was around 5'10'' and maybe a biscuit shy of 450 lbs. He had a metal stool he sat on at the screen behind the catcher and made all calls from there.

Now that's just plain sick!

[BigUmp56]

Originally Posted by Blue37

My son played in a coach-pitch league several years ago. They used one umpire, and he was around 5'10'' and maybe a biscuit shy of 450 lbs. He had a metal stool he sat on at the screen behind the catcher and made all calls from there.

Let me guess. The kids called him "Jabba-the-Ump?"


Tim.