stance adjustment

[nickrego]

Originally Posted by ggk

i've also thought about losing the ball when I point, but i see it done so often - i know this is not a valid reason.

Not seeing the ball while you are doing your superbly polished Point is just fine, until you miss a play !

I started out pointing, but when I switched to the GD System, as you are being nudged into, I changed my Strike indication to a Low Extended Fist Toward The Pitcher. I find it much easier than trying to twist and point in the wide GD Stance. Plus, my eye is never off the ball ! Also, if a pitcher is working quickly, I don't have to move my feet between pitches, which makes my look at each pitch even more consistent.

3rd Strike-Not-Caught...Indicate the strike, give the Safe signal.

I reserve the Hammer for outs.

[IceGator8]

This is an interesting discussion.

I point without looking to the side. I started to go with the mechanic where you signal the out in front of your body (I suppose this has been referred to as the hammer) but one of my mentors changed me back. He told me (take it with a grain of salt) that the hammer was adopted by a lot of major league guys because it's easier for the scorekeeper to see using a tv. He stated that most of the scorekeepers on that level look at the plate ump through the outfield tv camera that you usually see when you watch MLB broadcasts. In other words it's a TV mechanic. He said pointing to the side is easier to see when the scorekeeper sits behind you. I bought into it and have been a side pointer ever since.

With all that said I'm all for doing what your assigner or evaluator tells you to do.

Eric

[nickrego]

I tried the pointing to the side, without looking to the side, but I found it very uncomfortable. It just felt funny.

I agree with you that you need to do what your assignor's require, unless you are not concerned about moving up (many umpires aren't).

[DG]

Yep, as mentioned by several, he has introduced you to GD stance. Learn it and use it and you will call better games and not be as tired at the end.

I'm a hammer guy, I don't point. That's the way I was taught when I first went to school and I believe how they still teach it. Swinging or looking does not matter to me, although I am sure I am more casual with the hammer (ie small hammer) on a swinging strike. My called third strike is different as it is for most folks.

What do I think about the changes? It doesn't matter what you or I think. If this guy has a lot to say about who works college games and you want to work college games you will change, per his suggestions.

[Justme]

Originally Posted by nickrego

I tried the pointing to the side, without looking to the side, but I found it very uncomfortable. It just felt funny.

I agree with you that you need to do what your assignor's require, unless you are not concerned about moving up (many umpires aren't).

When working 2-man I point to the side while looking forward. It does feel strange at first but I got used to it. I would hate to be giving the crowd my best strike mechanic and learn that I had missed a play because I took my eyes off the ball. Now get me in a 3 or 4-man game and I can "strike mechanic" with the best of them