Davis stance/K3C
 

Ok, so I'm working on using the Davis stance for the upcoming season, but am running into a minor glitch---I can't find a Strike 3 mechanic that's comfortable. May just be the new stance, but I thought I'd get the thoughts of those that use it---What mechanic do you use out of the GDS?

Don -

There are several that I think work well with GD.

One is more of a softball in my mind- a simple extension of your right hand, while in your stance, then standing, and hammering the out assuming the catcher holds on.

The other is a simple pull of the bow. Stand out of your stance and take your right foot straight back, extending both arms with closed fists in front. Pull your right arm straight back like you are shooting a cross bow. When you get your right fist to your shoulder, put your feet back to shoulder width, and hammer home the out, either up top or on your chest - however you want to do it.

Not to make this a hammer/no hammer thread :)

Don:
 

I think that "Tuss" actually nailed it.

I am slightly different . . .

When I worked the Davis Stance my first move was to flick my left hand out over the catchers head with an open hand. As I straightened up and stepped back with my right foot I then moved my right hand next to my left, with a closed fist, and then "started the chain saw" with a little quick right handed pull . . . not more than about 3".

So you see I picture my called third was VERY similar to "Tuss's".

One Rule ~One Interpretation ~ One Mechanic

Don't hurt 'em, Hammer!

http://123pichosting.com/images/9060mc-hammer-pants.jpg

CAN'T TOUCH THIS!

I do it just like Tee, with no additional hammer.

There is a continual debate around my neck of the woods on what we should do for the regular strike call. I am a pointer, I stand straight up, take a quick jab step with my right foot at the same time I point and verbalize "strike".

I was told that in noisy or loud environments just using the hammer sometimes makes it difficult for the scorekeepers/score board operators to tell if a strike was called.

What does everyone else think?

I expierimented with something last fall - and didn't really like it. I pointed called strikes and hammered swinging strikes, opposite of McClelland.

I thought it would be really professional etc., but the reason I disliked it is because its hard to really give a good looking hammer, IMO. Its too softballish to give it really high, and too nonchalant to give it around the chest. I can be loud enough to not even do anything for strikes, but what's the point of that? I felt like I wasn't doing anything with my hammer other than pleasing myself.

So this spring I'm just going to point them all again... it was a silly expieriment on my part, somebody should have slapped me after my first game in hindsight.

Timmy Mc. is in the pros, so he can do what he wants - LOL!

P.S. - where is the spell check on this forum? I know I spelled experiment wrong for now a 3rd time, but it's late and I can't find the checker.

This site has no spell check. Go here http://www.iespell.com/ and download this outstanding spell check program. It works just like the spell check in Word, and you can set up an icon for it right up on top by your Favorites, History, etc. on the browser.

I found the GD, my current stance, uncomfortable with side facing mechanics. So I use...

Low hammer (more of an extension of the arm/fist to wards the pitcher) for strikes.

Forward Pull of the Bow for Strike 3.

No matter what your stance is, I think it is best to avoid sideways mechanics in general. We need to keep our eye on the ball. Unless you are working a 4 man crew, in a very high level of baseball, where the silly stuff just doesn't happen.

I've been using the GDS for two seasons now. For the strike (swinging or called), I rise out of the stance and face F1 while I point down the 1st base line for RHB's. For LHB's, I just use a slight turn to point down to 3rd base. For the called strike three, I push my right arm out in front of me, palm & fingers open. As I rise, I extend the left arm out to meet the right, close the right fist and "pull the bow" back as I transfer my weight (all 255 lbs) back on my right leg.

It actually took my wife to get the step by step down on the strike three call. I never realized how involved a simple thing like that was. Well, after almost 30 years of "perfection"......... :D

Nick, I point, but do not side face. Just a slight open step with the right foot and an aggressive point to the side. I do not change direction for a left handed batter.

I agree, side facing is flirting with disaster.

I am no expert, but .....
 

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.

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."

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.

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) :)

I just downloaded the new Firefox 2.0 and while it doesn't spell check, it tells you the words you mis spelled. That is good enough for me.

Hmm,
 

That probably works for a JV umpire.

Regards,

I'm interested in getting some response to my method.
I'm virtually the same as Tuss described but when no one is on base or 2 outs as I start the mechanic I'm looking the batter in the eye, and when I bring my left hand up I point it at the batter, the whole time I'm punching him out (all 3-4 seconds of it) I'm pointing and looking.
I've found it to be a technique that eliminates most grumbling and bad body language when the big dog makes first eye contact and points the punch at them. There's no mistaken I'm confident in the call.
I don't see anyone else doing it this way. Is there a good reason. I'm open for the barrage.

Barrage #1:

If your punch out for strike 3 takes 3 to 4 seconds to complete, it may be construed as showing up the batter. That, combined with actually pointing at the batter??? :confused:

You must be awfully big and tough to get away with that, because that kind of mechanic might not fly with an angry man with a bat in his hands who just struck out looking.:eek:

It appears I mispoke. The actual punch out doesn't take more than a second or two, certainly not over dramatic.
Are you saying that pointing and looking at the batter during the mechanic is wrong? It might be, that's why I threw it out here.

The only time you should point at the batter is when you say "yes, he went" on a failed check-swing attempt. I don't feel that pointing at a batter who just struck out looking is an appropriate mechanic, and can be interpreted as saying, "HA HA LOOK AT YOU, YOU JUST STRUCK OUT THERE BUDDY!" That might not play too well. With shaving age players, they will get pissed, and with kids, they might get upset and start crying because the mean old umpire was making fun of them.

I would wait to look at them until they keep standing there in disbelief, or start arguing with you. Then, by all means, feel free to stare them down. But not while you are making your initial call. It is just intimidating.

JMHO/YMMV

Actually, it should give you a spell check option as well. Try right-clicking on the words and see what happens.

Regarding side mechanics, I just moved to Ontario, and the baseball federation here is pretty strict. The nice part is that we use one set of rules for all levels of baseball (OBR). The downside is that they leave far less room for umpire's personal approaches to things like strike mechanics. I'm not trying to justify our peers who do the hokey pokey on every called strike, but I've always believed that a certain amount of personality and style is a part of the game.

I have been using the GD stance for three years now and I have changed to the mechanic that Dale Scott uses for called third strike it is quick and powerful for me. What does everyone else think.

No reply necessary.

You rejuventated a thread that was 2.5 months old to add this?