GD Question(s)

[GerryB]

Due to knee soreness developed in the college season I have been using the summer to try the GD stance. OK, but not in love with it yet. A question and a comment:
With my feet wide, I get the good head height etc., but (not like I'm athletic anyway) don't get out of the stance and to where I'm going on a hit ball like I used to. My old box stance, as we say in football, gave me an explosive first step. The wide stance doesn't. Am I doing something wrong?
Even with the very wide stance I am looking down on the high strike (I'm already 3' behind the catcher, I back up more I lose the plate). From the box stance my high strike was set, it feels hard now to get both high and low strikes effectively. More experience, adjustments?
Thanks.
Edit: really two questions.

[briancurtin]

Originally Posted by GerryB

Due to knee soreness developed in the college season I have been using the summer to try the GD stance. OK, but not in love with it yet. A question and a comment:
With my feet wide, I get the good head height etc., but (not like I'm athletic anyway) don't get out of the stance and to where I'm going on a hit ball like I used to. My old box stance, as we say in football, gave me an explosive first step. The wide stance doesn't. Am I doing something wrong?

from what i've noticed, this just takes time to get used to. what i do is as soon as the ball is hit, i take a step inward towards my body with my right foot and then go from there. it shortens up how wide you are and then you just take off. im not sure what others do, and im not sure if there is a prescribed way to do this, but to me i just found that if i quickly shorten up im able to take off and get where i need to be pretty quickly.

Originally Posted by GerryB

Even with the very wide stance I am looking down on the high strike (I'm already 3' behind the catcher, I back up more I lose the plate). From the box stance my high strike was set, it feels hard now to get both high and low strikes effectively. More experience, adjustments?
Thanks.
Edit: really two questions.

its a different view than what you were getting previously, so it could just take more games of experience to get you used to it. i dont personally know anything to do on this one, but im sure theres someone who knows. ive never had that problem, but i would kind of say to try setting up a bit lower. not much lower, just see if it gets you a better view.

[rpumpire]

I do exactly what Brian says about getting out of the wide stance -- bring the right foot in to normal width and take off from there.

As for the comfort level in seeing the zone from that perspective -- it will come in time if you're working the stance correctly. When I switched to GD three years ago, it took about two or three games to really feel comfortable with seeing the zone from that view/perspective.

[Tim C]

Since I am a five yet vet of the stance:

I had the same problem. I have written about the issue extensively.

I find a way to get my feet clsoer together as soon as I can . . .

The bottom line:

I NEVER get as far down the first base line on a ground ball to the infield as I did when working "heal-to-toe" . . .

I am leaving the "Davis System" at the start of 2007. I am going back to basics.

Regards,

[GerryB]

Thanks for the responses. I'll give them a go.
T, were your writings on this side or the other side?
Thanks.

[Dave Hensley]

Originally Posted by Tim C

I am leaving the "Davis System" at the start of 2007. I am going back to basics.

Going back to the balloon?

[Carbide Keyman]

Originally Posted by Tim C

I am leaving the "Davis System" at the start of 2007. I am going back to basics.

Tim,

Why are you going back to basics ?



Doug

[socalblue1]

Originally Posted by PWL

IMO,

It gives you a bad view of the uncaught third strike. Just ask Doug Eddings.

The view from GD on an uncaught thrid strike is no different than other stances. Each has it's own advantages & disadvantages - go with what works best for you. I prefer GD because I call better game. If that means POSSIBLY having an issue on an uncaught 3rd strike so be it.

Not paying attention & poor mechanics caused the Eddings issue.

[LMan]

Originally Posted by Carbide Keyman

Tim,

Why are you going back to basics ?



Doug

You'll have to read "Strikes and Outs" for the answer