Davis stance/K3C

[Durham]

I understand the concept of potential trouble of a sideways mechanic, but, knock on wood; I have never had a problem because of it. My strike, both called and swinging are sideways. I have seen officials have problems with sideways mechanics, but their problem wasn't the sideways part it was the timing part. When there is action in front of me, I stay square and do not turn as I point to the side, i.e. steal of second or third or double steal, possible batter's interference, or catcher's interference, I stay square. So I think if you were having problems turning, you might also be having problems with consistency of the strike zone cause by bad timing.

This topic seems to come up over and over again and many teach young officials that it is the kiss of death to turn, I think it would be better to tell them that the kiss come from bad timing, weather you are on the plate or bases, with action or no action, work on your timing.

How many of you actually have a problem when turning, or have seen a partner have a problem with it?

I know Jim now teaches not to turn and Richie Garcia now has all of Short Season guys using the hammer, but timing is at the root of these choices and not, because that is how they want it or think it should be done.

[TussAgee11]

Durham -

Yes, people have problems with timing, but they will have that regardless of whether they use hammer or point or face side and point.

The problem is that when you take your eyes off the field, you're playing with fire. Especially when your BU might be spacing out at the end of a DH or something, and coming out of his lock in with eyes and mind wandering. End of story.

Let's say you point to the side, and then all the sudden there is

a) A delayed steal of home
b) The catcher wants another ball
c) The pitcher wipes his hand to his mouth
d) A catch/no cath on a 3rd strike

But hey, at least when you face the side you can see what's REALLY important. (sarcasm detector reaching level 9 now)

a) The hot mom sitting in the first row.
b) Knitting grandma
c) That the coach is inside the dugout while sitting on his bucket.
d) Is that on-deck batter using a donut (for LLDan only)
e) Is that 1st/3rd base coach in the box? (depending on LHB or RHB)
f) That mom didn't use a pooper scooper on her dog and this is a public park!

etc. etc. etc.

Eyes on the field, except for maybe reason A, but just between innings cause that way I get to fully appreciate. Then you can think about

1) "Does she dig me for my mechanics?"
2) "I hope its not Skip's wife."
3) "Can she see my inner beauty, as in, my sweet West Vest Gold?"
4) "Let me wipe the sweat off my forehead to impress her."

[Durham]

Originally Posted by TussAgee11

Durham -

Yes, people have problems with timing, but they will have that regardless of whether they use hammer or point or face side and point.

The problem is that when you take your eyes off the field, you're playing with fire. Especially when your BU might be spacing out at the end of a DH or something, and coming out of his lock in with eyes and mind wandering. End of story.

Let's say you point to the side, and then all the sudden there is

a) A delayed steal of home
b) The catcher wants another ball
c) The pitcher wipes his hand to his mouth
d) A catch/no cath on a 3rd strike

But hey, at least when you face the side you can see what's REALLY important. (sarcasm detector reaching level 9 now)

a) The hot mom sitting in the first row.
b) Knitting grandma


Eyes on the field, except for maybe reason A, but just between innings cause that way I get to fully appreciate. Then you can think about

1) "Does she dig me for my mechanics?"
2) "I hope its not Skip's wife."
3) "Can she see my inner beauty, as in, my sweet West Vest Gold?"
4) "Let me wipe the sweat off my forehead to impress her."

Do not discount B, some of those grandma's have Bow-Flex bodies and are HOTT. And I hope it is #2!

Now to your points.

A) I hope every R3 delay steals home while F2 is holding the baseball.
B) Never happened to me, but he can wait like we wait for him to get the damn signs from the pitching coach
C) Now this is a serious one, their is no penalty for this in NCAA unless he is on the rubber, but turn the TV on, and watch a few innings, almost ever pitcher goes to his mouth while inside the circle when he is getting the ball back from the pitcher, and how many balls have you seen awarded to the batter?
D) On strike 3 I go straight back, but even then timing is the key, punch out or dropped mechanic.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by TussAgee11

d) Is that on-deck batter using a donut? (for LLDan only)

Actually the question for LLDan would be, "is there an on-deck batter, and why would you allow one in Little League?" (No on-deck batter allowed at LLDan's level)