GD System - Foul Balls to Undesired Spots...

[Tim C]

Having used the GDS for over five years now I get confused when people tell me they think they get hit more or more severely.

This confuses me because since making the change I have been hit four times in the mask (all by balls that were "tipped" foul) and once in the left wrist ( a deflected fast ball that came directly off F2 glove and pout me DOWN).

I guess I am a statistic waiting to happen. I recognize that I work pretty good high school level games behind pretty good high school catchers -- maybe at lower level you ARE MORE EXPOSED. I just don't have an imperical data to prove that.

I have written a column on the paid side of this site and also authored a thread on this site about my concerns and the possibility of going back to the text book pro school stance but that decision is on hold.

For the uneducated that think you can't see the outside corner, or can't see the low pitch, or that GDS leads to the calling of higher strikes I suggest that you try the stance for a minimum of 10 plate jobs (after having been taught the stance just not read about it) and see that the view of pitches is different (not better or worse, just different) and is an accepted stance at the MLB level.

Regards,

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by Tim C

I guess I am a statistic waiting to happen. I recognize that I work pretty good high school level games behind pretty good high school catchers -- maybe at lower level you ARE MORE EXPOSED. I just don't have an imperical data to prove that.

I have noticed that in "pretty good high school" games that the catchers actually exhibit a little skill, and don't allow many pitches to hit the umpire untouched. The GDS serves me well when working these types of contests.

After my past year's sojourn into the depths of youth baseball, I can tell you that I was forced to abandon the GDS in these types of games, because many catchers at lower levels routinely allow baseballs to pass their gloves. The most common places to be hit in these games are in the stomach below the bottom of the chest protector, and the hands/wrists/forearms area which seem to be just sitting ducks for errant pitches.

Mysteriously, the ball seemed to avoid all the expensive gear that I had on, and only managed to find flesh and bone.

[3appleshigh]

I am 6' 3" just shy of 300lbs. I have worked the GD stance for three years from 10yr olds to 20yr olds. I see no major difference in the number or severity of being hit by the ball. I have seen a shift in location the vast majority now are on the legs and feet, like that matters, with the odd, chest or shoulder and a couple in the arms over the three years. When I was doing the heel/toe, I took a minimum of 4 to the arms a year, These are the ones that hurt. This year I took a foul of the Quad then three games later a staight fast ball in the exact same spot and had a 7" circle bruise on my leg for a week or two, still able to work games though. This is the worst (knock on wood) I have take since switching. Before I would spend at least a few days with a numb arm. I'll take that trade anyday.

[DG]

My worst hits since adopting the GD system have all been from behind college age catchers on pitches they did not get a glove on. It could have happened in heel to toe just as easily, ie sorry catchers. I have not been hurt seriously in a high school game. I am locked in better though with GD so it's not a tradeoff. Sorry catchers will hurt you either way.

[briancurtin]

Originally Posted by DG

My worst hits since adopting the GD system have all been from behind college age catchers on pitches they did not get a glove on.

agreed. ive posted my story enough times, but overall, taking untouched fastballs at that level sucks.

[ozzy6900]

Originally Posted by briancurtin

agreed. ive posted my story enough times, but overall, taking untouched fastballs at that level sucks.

I still fail to understand the problem! If F2 misses the ball you are going to get hit no matter where you stand! I would also think that the closer you stand to F2, the better the chances that you will get hit harder and in a bad spot. With the GDS, because you set up around 4 feet back, the ball should be dropping by the time it gets to you.

That is, unless F1 is throwing a rising fastball!

[TussAgee11]

Closer, to the catcher, more of you is protected. Also, you typically work lower the closer you are to the catcher, which hides more of your body, just scrunching over.

Working GD leaves you very high, and very open, from what I can see/tell/reason.

[DG]

Originally Posted by ozzy6900

I still fail to understand the problem! If F2 misses the ball you are going to get hit no matter where you stand! I would also think that the closer you stand to F2, the better the chances that you will get hit harder and in a bad spot. With the GDS, because you set up around 4 feet back, the ball should be dropping by the time it gets to you.

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.

[briancurtin]

Originally Posted by ozzy6900

I still fail to understand the problem! If F2 misses the ball you are going to get hit no matter where you stand! I would also think that the closer you stand to F2, the better the chances that you will get hit harder and in a bad spot. With the GDS, because you set up around 4 feet back, the ball should be dropping by the time it gets to you.

That is, unless F1 is throwing a rising fastball!

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