Davis stance/K3C

[DonInKansas]

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?

[TussAgee11]

Originally Posted by DonInKansas

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

[SanDiegoSteve]

Don't hurt 'em, Hammer!



CAN'T TOUCH THIS!

[RPatrino]

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?

[TussAgee11]

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.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by TussAgee11

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.

[uxley11]

Originally Posted by TussAgee11

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.

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.

[Don Mueller]

Originally Posted by TussAgee11

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

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.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by Don Mueller

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???

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.

[Don Mueller]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

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???

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.

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.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by Don Mueller

It appears I misspoke. 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

[Tim C]

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

[ozzy6900]

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".........

[RPatrino]

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.

[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.