Hand(s) on the catchers back

[RPatrino]

I still don't understand what "necessary adjustment" would need to be made if the catcher moved. I use the GD, the catcher moves, I stay put. What stance/system has you moving to stay behind the catcher?

[oneonone]

As a catcher I hated the Blu's touching my back. It always made me feel like there was an old dude sitting in my back pocket and was going to be in my way if I had to haul a** back to the fence on a wild pitch. My coach use to teach us that a couple of burrito's for lunch will take care of a hovering umpire.

[briancurtin]

ive never done this. i worked the box and a few variations and never did it there, and now thats not even possible in the GD. i personally dont see the need for it.

as a catcher, i never once liked it, but then again i very rarely had an umpire do that. i had a few hand-on-the-back umpires in high school, but none in my college stint. i have no idea about little league or anything from when i was younger. even though the guys that did do it, put the hand there lightly, you still feel it and it just feels out of place.

im not a fan of it from either side

[Forest Ump]

Originally Posted by BigUmp56

It's not something I would do.


In the words of the immortal Forrest Gump....


"That's all I have to say about that."


Tim.

Tim,

Thanks, I've been trying to come up with a sign off to go with my name.

[BigUmp56]

I don't know, Steve. I might have went with the phrase:

"Stupid is as stupid does."


Tim.

[TCump84]

Originally Posted by RPatrino

I still don't understand what "necessary adjustment" would need to be made if the catcher moved. I use the GD, the catcher moves, I stay put. What stance/system has you moving to stay behind the catcher?

When and if the catcher has to move back or up, you need to kind of move with him so that you, for one are not looking in the back of his head if he moves forward, and two, if he moves backwards, you can clear him if he has to move left or right. I only do it if the catcher moves alot before the pitch.

[BigUmp56]

Originally Posted by RPatrino

I still don't understand what "necessary adjustment" would need to be made if the catcher moved. I use the GD, the catcher moves, I stay put. What stance/system has you moving to stay behind the catcher?

Maybe I'm in the minority, Bob. I use the heel/toe stance and stay upright until the pitcher begins his motion. Then if the catcher moves out I move out with him. If he moves to set up inside blocking the slot, I move up and back a bit.


Tim.

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by BigUmp56

Then if the catcher moves out I move out with him. .


Tim.

Why?

As Evans teaches, I take my place in the slot and stay there. What does it matter if the catcher moves to the outside? Why would I want to change the way I see the zone pitch to pitch or batter to batter?

[Forest Ump]

Originally Posted by BigUmp56

I don't know, Steve. I might have went with the phrase:

"Stupid is as stupid does."


Tim.

Equally good. That one would apply to the coach who yelled at me last week "Blue the ball hit the plate first". I may just start a compilation of Gumpisms and switch from time to time.


I can remember putting my hand on the catchers back a few times several years ago. I would never do it now. I don't see the need as I have also adopted the GD stance.

[BigUmp56]

Like I said, Garth, I'm sure I'm in the minority here on this. It's the way my plate work has evolved over the years and I'm confident in my ability to call my zone consistently.


Tim.

[GarthB]

I love it when the catcher moves outside and there's nothing between me and pitcher but my equipment. I just can't imagine moving from a view like that.

[BigUmp56]

The chances are pretty good that you're setting up behind much better catchers than I am, Garth.


Tim.

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by BigUmp56

The chances are pretty good that you're setting up behind much better catchers than I am, Garth.


Tim.

Don't you wear protective gear?

[BigUmp56]

Sure I do. In fact I use pretty good stuff. It just that I guess I become a little jumpy when I know some of the catchers I set up behind can't get much of a glove on a pitch when the battery gets mixed up. I'm not opposed to trying to stay completely exposed when the catcher moves out. It's just something I'm not accustomed to doing.



Tim.

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by BigUmp56

. I'm not opposed to trying to stay completely exposed when the catcher moves out. It's just something I'm not accustomed to doing.

Tim.

Good, you're open to trying it. So, try it. It's good to break out of your comfort zone once in a while.