GD Stance

[ozzy6900]

I've been using the GDS for about 3 years and I get the same crap from other umpires (who do not use the GDS) and our evaluation people (who refuse to use the GDS). Personally, I couldn't care less what anyone else thinks about the GDS.

1. It is comfortable for me.

2. I have never been more consistent in over 20 years.

3. My timing is much better.

4. Most important - I get a longer look at the pitch (as Tee stated).

I've had a couple of coaches in HS have a comment about setting up farther back than other umpires. When they have a wise remark, I just tell them to ask their catcher how I'm doing! Never another word!

So Tee, who gives a rat's rear end what anyone else thinks? Hell, I'm old enough to retire and D1 or MiLB umpiring is just not in my future anymore!

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by tibear

I also use the stance, exactly as you do BUT I'm much closer to the catcher and higher so I can see the entire zone.

You're not using the Gerry Davis stance. Sorry, no cigar.

[UmpJM]

Gentlemen,

Just as a point of information....

I'm the one who took the pictures that Tim posted on the ABUA website that were linked in an earlier post on this thread, and I watched the entire game. During the game, I saw exactly one pitch that I thought Tim missed the call on (though Tim was a bit harsher in his own self-critique following the game).

As I recall, the pitch I thought he "missed" was a breaking ball that started high and inside & then broke late over the middle of the plate. This was the only pitch that drew any kind of negative reaction (which was fairly mild) from the coaches, players, or fans the entire game. Nobody had any negative reaction to pitches in the "at the knees, outside corner" area the whole game. They looked like good calls to me. And, as you know, since I'm a coach I have somewhat "superhuman" abilities in terms of being able to call close pitches from a perspective where there is really no angle or view to accurately judge.

Now I've never even tried the GD stance/system in a drill, so I don't know whether Tim really had a good view of those pitches or not - but it sure seemed like he did.

Just my $.02.

JM

[Tim C]

AS you are aware Davis teaches the stance to be from 3' to 4' back from F2. If you have problems his suggestion is always: "Go Deeper, go even farther back."

When you work higher -- and I am considerably higher -- you look down and see the dish (true catchers that work REALLY close to the dish can obstruct parts of the plate at time -- but from the normal slot you are also blocked).

And yes, I get comments often about being so deep -- those however usually come from the true experts -- the lady in the fourth row on the third base side.

Regards,

[Justme]

Originally Posted by tibear

T,

I think you misunderstood my position on the GDS.

I also use the stance, exactly as you do BUT I'm much closer to the catcher and higher so I can see the entire zone. From this location, on virtually every pitch, except for the ones where the catcher jumps up, I can see the pitch from the release right into the glove of the catcher.

From looking at the picture, I find it hard to believe you can "look "down" and see the whole plate." unless the catcher is setting up on the outside corner.

If the catcher is setting up inside can you really see the plate or are you going with the "I know where the plate is" theory?

Trying explain or teach the GD stance in a post is not possible. I began to experiment with the the stance in the hope of prolonging the use of the knees I was born with (I'm a wimp when it comes to going under the knife). After reading articles and looking at photos I set out to master the stance....I had some problems It wasn't until I worked with an umpire who had used the stance for several season that I was taught the proper way to use the GD stance. It made ALL of the difference in the world......I'm now a 'true believer' in the stance.

It's true that some coaches/evaluators may view the GD stance with skepticism at first but if you have a good consistant strike zone their fears will soon disappear.

[PFISTO]

Well I must say that from the pics Tc does seem to be a long way back as I also use the GD SYSTEM and I also do not setup that far back. As we all know the F2 could at times be a real headace in blocking pitch view, but over the course of the game I feel I am more consistent with my calls using the GD but not that far back.

[Arnold A.]

Looking at the pictures of Tim C., that is where I set up using the GD.

The instructors in the GD urge students to err on the side of getting further back. Take your stance where you believe you should be and then take a step back.

BTW, a coach questioned the distance factor last year, I told him that the fans behind the backstop are further away than I am and they haven't missed a call yet!

[mcrowder]

Originally Posted by PFISTO

Well I must say that from the pics Tc does seem to be a long way back as I also use the GD SYSTEM and I also do not setup that far back. As we all know the F2 could at times be a real headace in blocking pitch view, but over the course of the game I feel I am more consistent with my calls using the GD but not that far back.

Then you're doing it wrong, and eliminating the main benefit you gain from this stance.

[3appleshigh]

For the record, and I think Tee just doesn't wish to say, but I do believe he has actually had his stance evaluated by Gerrry Davis, and told his positioning is spot on. So I think GD might be right on the mechanics of his very own stance.

[tibear]

Originally Posted by 3appleshigh

For the record, and I think Tee just doesn't wish to say, but I do believe he has actually had his stance evaluated by Gerrry Davis, and told his positioning is spot on. So I think GD might be right on the mechanics of his very own stance.

I don't think anyone is saying that T is doing the GDS wrong, we're simply questioning the positioning. Just because GD says it is right doesn't mean that improvements can't be made to the stance.

[Justme]

Originally Posted by tibear

I don't think anyone is saying that T is doing the GDS wrong, we're simply questioning the positioning. Just because GD says it is right doesn't mean that improvements can't be made to the stance.

tibear:

Please share with us......what improvements have you made to make the GD stance better?

[tibear]

better is a subjective term.

What I was commenting on was that simply because GD said this is how the stance is done, doesn't mean that that others can't make slight adjustments to the stance which they feel works better for them.

[LLPA13UmpDan]

but Tim C., why would any umpire wear "blue" shins? It sticks out totally. ive only seen Black and the greyish shin guards. just my 2 cents

[Justme]

Originally Posted by tibear

better is a subjective term.

What I was commenting on was that simply because GD said this is how the stance is done, doesn't mean that that others can't make slight adjustments to the stance which they feel works better for them.

tibear:

I think that the point was made that IF you are not using the GD stance the way it is taught then it is no longer truely the GD stance......it becomes the tibear stance.

Of course each of us can make adjustments to our stance but don't try to compare it to or call it the GD stance, obviously it is different.

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by LLPA13UmpDan

but Tim C., why would any umpire wear "blue" shins? It sticks out totally. ive only seen Black and the greyish shin guards. just my 2 cents

You can get "any" color when you get them custom made by Cece Carlucci. He is "known" for his royal blue color.