GD Variation
 

Considering the other thread that is going on is more about the "point or no point", I thought I'd add a personal take on GD on a new thread.

I was taught the Box originally, but adopted it to something that ended up being GD when I finally found out what GD was. But instead of my hands on my knees, I put them behind my back. I hate the idea of getting foul tips to my fingers. Since I'm young, the fatigue factor doesn't really affect me.

Is this bad?

I would say that although the "fatigue" factor isn't a concern for you, your head height throughout a game probably is. Without a decent lockin mechanism you tend to drop your head as you track pitches and lose consistency. I think there are others here that use the GD that know how to help you learn to lockin without leaving your hands completely exposed.



Tim.

I was taught many years ago never put your hands behind your back. It makes you look like an amateur.

The problem with putting your hands behind your back is that you defeat the real purpose of the GD. That is to get a rock solid lock-in on every pitch, placing your head at the same height each and every pitch. BigUmp is correct, putting your hands behind your back makes it a very good possibility that you might drift up and down with your head.

As to the safety of your hands, I have not ever got hit in the hands using the GD. If you are worried about that, you could slide your hands around the side of your knees, leaving only your thumbs exposed. I have not seen anyone do this, but I assume it works.

I'm not a big fan of putting any weight on your arms. Far too much loaded weight, and no flexibility when hit. But that's just me.

Turn your elbows so the fleshy part faces the pitcher, and don't lock the elbows. If a ball hits the arm, the arm will give / bend at the elbow.

Hands behind your back makes you look like you are hiding.

Hide your hands on the catcher's back, tickle him a bit, and have fun.

Uh, wait...wrong forum.

Never mind. :D

The behind the back "speed skater" stance does look pretty bad, but many of the Smits I work around have taken to it for LL Minors and other cases where the catchers absolutely cannot catch a baseball. They are tired of getting whacked on the arms and hands 4 or 5 times or more per game!

I personally don't care how many times I get hit, I'm not putting my hands behind my back. But what is wrong with doing what 50% or more MLB umpires do, and hide that slot arm, or even both arms, behind the thighs? Nothing, that's what! Head height consistency is overrated. I know where my strike zone is, and I set up the same every time without doing it "Gerry's way." You can either call balls and strikes, or you can't. I have a very popular and consistent strike zone, no matter if I use the scissors, the box, the heel/toe, or the GD.

When working with less than stellar catchers, it is prudent not to use a standard Gerry Davis lock-in, because you will get killed. The GD stance is great if your sitting behind a hoss that knows how to protect the umpire. Just lock in and relax. All you get is the occassional foul ball. But with little Johnny who the coach is trying out on you at catcher who couldn't catch a cold in a blizzard, working the GD can be hazardous to your health.

GD with a twist
 

Tussagee11, if you are worried about getting one of your hands busted, give this a try. We'll assume a right handed batter, take your left hand and tuck it in under your CP, like you would if you were escorting a lady to dinner. Take your right hand and place it right behind the top of your shin guard and lock this arm. This will give you the best of both worlds, flexibility for the exposed arm, and a good locking mechanism as well.

What?
 

Most us wear the CP underneath a shirt. One cannot tuck the hand inside the CP. Only three options exits: 1) allow the left arm to fall in front of the body (ala the waiter), 2) allow the left arm to rest on or behind the knee (ala GD) , or 3) allow the left arm to sit in the small of the back (ala the speed skater).

I, personally, like choice #3 to prevent the inevitable after taking a few shots off the left hand. I enjoy the comfort of holding on to the indicator throughout the entire game.

i dont think he means to actually tuck it physically inside and under the CP...
id guess that hes saying to bring your arm, bent at the elbow, across your stomach just under the bottom of your CP.

also, #3 is probably the worst option. i hold my indicator for every second im on the field -- from just standing there, being in the GD stance, taking off my mask, etc.

If your hands are behing your back you are not working GD, and it you do GD correctly you will not get hit in the fingers. Top of the hand, or wrist maybe, but not fingers. Hands should not be on knees, but on the thigh just above the knee, just above the shin guards. I changed to GD after getting a finger broken on my left hand and have not been hit in the fingers since.

I'm no spring chicken so the fatigue factor is an issue for me, and the GD is a definite plus for mitigating fatigue. But the thing I like the most about it, is it is a rock solid stance to see the pitch with.

Yes, I was refering to the "Waiter". That was why I made the statement about escorting a lady to dinner. As BC was correct in his assumption.

How about option #4, the one I suggested! As you go down into your stance, drop the arms behind the legs, and place your hands on the back of your thighs. This works well, allows consistent height, does not look Smittyish, is used widely in MLB, and best of all, it protects your hands, forearms, and wrists.

That is what I used to do, until I discovered the GD.

The GD, done as designed, gives much better consistency in every respect. And, I get hit in the hands/arms a lot LESS than I used to, trying to hide them.

I agree that the GD is great, but only when sitting behind a catcher who can, like most HS varsity or JV catchers (or higher levels).

When you work with small children who can't catch the ball very often, especially pitches which are barely inside and would require them to move their gloves a couple inches, the GD stance will get you beat up. I know, because I tried taking it from the HS game back down to the kiddie ball game, and it just doesn't give me the confidence I need to relax and call the game. In the GD, I would get hit constantly in the forearm, wrists, and hands.

Not hiding very well
 

There was an AMLU photo of a replacement crew showing up for work just a few months ago. Most of us should remember seeing the thread here. I believe that replacement PU, from the photo alone, knew what he was doing back there. If you continue to work the GD stance, then I agree that you should find those matching shiny black protective forearm guards too. Again, I don't see much of a point in wearing them after you have been injured.

I use the GD stance/system, and rest my hands on my knees. Luckily,
I have never had a "foul tip" hit my hands. :rolleyes:

I've never had a "foul tip" ever hit me at all in over 20 years of baseball. Anybody else never been hit by a "foul tip?":D

Now I agree !

If I were to go back to doing younger kids (and I probably will when know one else will have me), I would definitely work a knee, fold my arms into my waist, and lean way over to protect them.

The levels I think you get hurt the most with are Freshman HS, and 12 YRO on the 60' Diamond. Freshman catchers can't catch, and Freshman pitchers have no control. 12 YRO are way too powerful for a 60' diamond, and the catchers just can't react fast enough, no matter how hard they try.

And Steve, please don't take the [and I probably will when know one else will have me] as a negative comment to wards lower level umpires. I cut my teeth in LL, and I can attest to the fact that it isn't easy. Also, quality umpires are needed at that level, just as much as any other level.

Yeah, but that was when I was working with my head was too low.:eek:

I know better now.;)

I am working the lower level by choice (maybe not a wise one), so I deserve all the pain I get I suppose. I did mostly HS Varsity, Legion, adult ball, etc. for many years, and hadn't really done much small ball in 18 years or so. I finally upgraded all my gear. I love my new Douglas leg guards, V-Sport protector, and my latest toy, the McDavid Hex-pad tights! Like the picture I posted in the Knee Brace thread, I really could use that chest protector with the catchers I've been subjected to lately.:)

ill just take the bruises here and there, and like it!

Ah, masochism. Gotta love it!

Whip me. Whip me good!

i edited the period at the end of that sentence to have an exclaimation point, like it was meant to have :)

Nope, I've never been hit by a foul tip either.......

Nah me neither. A few foul balls but never a tip.


lol!


Can someone post a decent definition of the GD? Unfamiliar with it.

Welcome Aboard
 

I'll leave it to others who definitely know more about the GD system to answer you on this thread.

I'll post the archive / index to this forum's page 1.

http://forum.officiating.com/archive/index.php/f-2.html

From there you can EDIT, FIND {GD topics} very quickly.

Or you can read just about anything of interest.

Have a great time.

What was I thinking
 

I have no room to tuck my left hand under my CP because my belly protrudes from beneath. I clearly disregarded those much healthier specimens who have plenty of room. I failed to consider how the other less-hungary half live.:D

Carl Childress articles on the Gerry Davis stance - Part I

Carl Childress articles on the Gerry Davis stance - Part II

Stance?

More of a system to me.