Scissors vs. Box (or GDS)

[fitump56]

Originally Posted by lawump

I was required to use the heel/toe stance (called "box" by pro umpires) in the slot while in the minors. I found that after every game my knees would be killing me. And I was in my young 20's. I often had to ice my knees after games.

Now before everyone starts posting, "well you must have been doing the (box) stance incorrectly"....being a minor league umpire I was evaluated multiple times during the season. And I can assure you, that the one area I was NOT zinged for, was a lack of proper stance. In fact, I was told that my stance looked very good, by mutliple evaluators. So according to reliable outside sources (MiLB evaluators) my stance was "correct".

However, as a result of my knee discomfort, I could not wait to switch to the scissors when I left the minors and went down to college, Legion and High School. I have used the scissors for 7 years and I love the stance. My knees never hurt.

If Minor League Baseball/ "evaluators" had any brains at all, then they would look at each individual and consider his situation. If your evalaution had you as a miserable ball-strike caller, duh, maybe it was because you were distracted by pain. It's not your fault that your body doesn't like a certain semi-static position and what difference does it make if you do a good job? This is a typical power-control agenda, using this or that as a "highway or bye-byeway". Ever watch "Big Love"?

After being on these boards as a poster for several years, I am very cognizant that there is a risk of neck issues from using the scissors (T is a very reliable poster). So far I've had no issues at all. However, if I start feeling anything...who knows what I'll do? What does an umpire need more: a neck or knees?

Coin toss. Neck if you have no knee issues, knees if you can't do your job because of them. I assume you are wearing a hockey styled mask, right?