Tim McClelland is 6'7". On a knee he's still taller than me (well, not quite, but still pretty high).

Might not be the best example of the "low road."

The reason I bring up TC is because he, along with alot of other umpires, used to work the knee.

The lowest one should go is if you draw a line from the low outside corner, running the line to the top of the catcher's helmet, to your eyes. That's where my eyes used to be before I tried GD for a season, which made me work higher.

If you are right behind the catcher and your eyes are where I describe, I bet you'll get less foul "tips".

Well I used to work the scissors so I never hid behind the catcher. I was exposed most of the time. As far as I am concerned, I take far fewer shots in the GDS than I did working the scissors. Again, those that never try the GDS cannot really understand its workings.

I suppose we could go back to hiding behind the 'raft' and stay right behind the catcher. Some would say that working directly above the catcher's head was never a bad thing anyway. There were days when working lower level ball when I turned into a human backstop and I wish I had the outside protector back.

The adoption of the inside protector and the slot position, IMHO, improved your view of the zone, and also the low pitch.

The point I have tried to make is that sorry catchers will hurt you no matter where you stand. The distance between the pitcher and the umpire in heel to toe vs. GD on a fastball thrown by a college age (or high school even) pitcher is INSIGNIFICANT. It's gonna hurt like Heck if the catcher don't get a glove on it.

I deleted the rising fastball comment for obvious non-reason.

distance has nothing to do with it. if your feet are double wide and your arms are locked and an 87 MPH fastball blows up in your face while the catcher is on the outside corner diving over...you are going to wear that pitch.
working heel-toe or other stances, it would be easier to duck, slide over, turn, run away, dig a hole, etc.

edit: DG beat me to the punch pretty much. i didnt see page 2

Sigh!

You know what? I use the GDS the correct way.

I don't get hit any more often than I used to (which is not that often).

I don't "lock up" I lock in!

I can see the pitch better.

I can see the plate better.

I can see the field better.

I can see the batter better.

I can umpire better!

I don't hide behind the catcher (I never did).

I don't spend time worrying about "if a ball gets by the catcher".

When I get hit, it doesn't hurt any more than it used to.

So I would suggest that if you have never tried the GDS, you have not concept as to how it really works. If you try to use the GDS without learning it how to do it, you will get hurt.

If you don't use the GDS, that is fine too!

If you "hide behind the catcher", go see the Governor of California so he can call you a Girlie-man!

Bwaaa-ha-ha-ha!

ozz, was your overly sarcastic sigh in reference to something i had said?