Hand(s) on the catchers back

[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.

[TCump84]

I attended the PBUC Evaluation course thise year and while we were there they told us that it would work to our benefit it we placed our hand on their back just until they moved so that you can make the neccesary adjustment so you dont hinder the catcher one way or the other. Just thought you guys might like to know what is being taught.

[lawump]

Originally Posted by TCump84

I attended the PBUC Evaluation course thise year and while we were there they told us that it would work to our benefit it we placed our hand on their back just until they moved so that you can make the neccesary adjustment so you dont hinder the catcher one way or the other. Just thought you guys might like to know what is being taught.

This whole thread brings back memories of the Mike Matheny (sp? -- catcher for St. Louis) and Jerry Crawford "fiasco" during the 2003 season.

[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.

[lmathews19]

Former catcher (retired 2 years) current umpire here. I absolutely hated it and noticed it was mainly the old guys who would do it. I never had the nerves to smart off like some of the other posters though. After an inning or so, I always forgot about it and it never affected how I caught....it just kind of got on my nerves. I would never do it as an umpire, I believe it's completely unnecessary.

Luke

[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?

[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.

[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.

[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.

[nickrego]

Originally Posted by TCump84

I attended the PBUC Evaluation course thise year and while we were there they told us that it would work to our benefit it we placed our hand on their back just until they moved so that you can make the neccesary adjustment so you dont hinder the catcher one way or the other. Just thought you guys might like to know what is being taught.

Not everything teachers teach, should be taught.