I'll try it, Garth. Do you have any tips on how to avoid flinching when you have no confidence in the catchers ability? It's something I'm sure I'll need to work on to do this.


Tim.

Not everything teachers teach, should be taught.

If you're not working the GD, your not supposed to be set before the catcher, is what I remember being taught.

Like Garth, I don't care if F2 moves away.

As far as flinching, a long time ago, I had a friend throw rubber balls at me (my equipment on, of course). From that, he switched to regular baseballs and threw them easy. I just got used to seeing the ball coming at me.

Now, all I can tell you is that after 20+ years of getting whacked, nothing seems to phase me anymore. A ball heading at me at 90+ mph doesn't even raise a hair on my head. I just concentrate on the pitch and call it.

Then enjoy the "concern" of the crowd after I take a shot! :D

A wise old umpire gave me a tip... if you find yourself blinking or flintching, leave your mouth open just a little bit. I thought he was smokin' something... but it actually works for me... give it a try.

Thanks for the tips. I don't think I'm going to have to re-invent the wheel here, but I do think it'll take some getting used to.


Tim.

I have all my class notes from the 1997 UDP (PBUC) class: and either "Sarge" or "Fitzy" did teach us that "if the catcher moves outside, you (umpire) move with him."

For what its worth.

Sorry, too Brokeback for me.

As a former catcher, I got used to pitches and foul tips and never flinched. As an umpire it was the same thing.

But now that I use GD, I seem to be flinching again. I don't know what it is, maybe since high school ended I've been dealing with less experienced catchers and its made me wary, and has nothing to do with GD.

I'll try the mouth open thing.

And there is nothing better than a concerned crowd. But nothing worse when nobody realizes it got you pretty good.

We had a small faction of our locals that decided they were going to go with the 'hand-on-the-back' for a while last year. Majority of them worked the box, a few were heel-toe'ers.
Their balance was thrown off by this new 'lean' intoo the catcher, and at least half of them decided to stop doing it over concerns that at times-especially when clearing the catcher- they were 'pushing off'.
In addition to that, we heard word from some of the catchers that the umpires were setting up, putting their hands there, and staying put, even when the catcher moved or shifted- the catcher's were asking the rest of us "what's the point? it's not about distance, cause they don't move!"
Anyway, I think only one guy still does it, and he only sets up with it, then removes his hand- it sort of hovers there, but doesn't touch the catcher.
I wouldn't do it- I prefer a wide slot, and I'm sure at times would need an extended arm to even reach him!


Bainer.

Actually, I was ejected after I complained about the umpire putting his hand on me. At times, he would actually hold on to my chest protector strap. I turned around and said something along the lines of "Will you get your f---ing hand off of my damn back?" Words were exchanged and I was tossed. I took off my chest protector and laid it on home plate. I walked away after sayin "Here, if you want to hang on to it so bad, I left it here for you." It was worth it. As I mentioned in an earlier post, I dont do it when I umpire.