Hand(s) on the catchers back

[MRD]

What do you fellow umpires think about putting your hand(s) on the catchers back when setting up behind the plate? Also, I would be interested in some feedback from former catchers who are now umpires. Thank you in advance

[Dave Hensley]

Originally Posted by MRD

What do you fellow umpires think about putting your hand(s) on the catchers back when setting up behind the plate? Also, I would be interested in some feedback from former catchers who are now umpires. Thank you in advance

I think it's unnecessary, probably an annoyance to the catcher, whether he says so or not, and just basically kind of gay. I say this knowing several MLB umpires, and no doubt countless others in the lower ranks, have this habit.

[ctblu40]

sometimes when a catcher is setting up late, I'll ask him if I can place my hand on his back to follow him so I don't have to "guess" where he's going. By late in setting up I mean he is moving when the pitcher commits to the plate.
I never touch the catcher when the ball is on its way to the zone. Just my mechanic.

[kawallac]

Many catchers I have coached complain about it. I would simply ask the umpire to not do it.

[mj]

Former catcher, now umpire...I did not like it back then and I don't like it when I see it now.

[Tim C]

Another good thing about working the "Gerry Davis Plate System" is that I am not close enough to even touch the catcher if I wanted to . .

Regards,

[RPatrino]

So, on the late moving catcher, you place your hand on his back so that you can follow him?

[nickrego]

I don't do it now that I use the GD, and didn't do it back when I work the Heel-Toe Slot.

Personally, I think it is inappropriate. How would you, especially if you are a youth player, like some stranger putting his hands on you while your trying to work ?

And don't even give me that crap that it helps an umpire track the catcher. As a batter I knew where the catcher was, I sure as heck don't need to use Braille as an umpire to track him.

[TussAgee11]

Used to catch, I hated it. If you need to follow the catcher, use your eyes. If you use your hand maybe you are blind, just like that the coach suggested earlier in the game.

[BBUMP99]

I used to catch, and hated it. I was ejected two years ago because, out of no where, I stood up and turned around and said something to the effect of, "Will you get your damn hand the hell off of my back?" It was worth it. Anyways, I dont do it and never will. I know that catchers dont like it and it doesnt really help the umpire.

[bbump82]

Sounds like I'm in the majority. I hated it when I caught, and wouldn't do it now. I remember having one umpire when I was in HS that wouldn't just put a hand on my back, but literally placed his forearm across my shoulders/upper back. I got so aggravated with it in one game that I purposely got tossed.

[UMP25]

Originally Posted by MRD

What do you fellow umpires think about putting your hand(s) on the catchers back when setting up behind the plate?

Sorry, too Brokeback for me.

[TussAgee11]

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.

[Bainer]

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.

[BBUMP99]

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.