Scissors vs. Box (or GDS)
 

Had a conversation with a long time veteran that insists that the scissors is the most widely used and accepted plate stance. Just wanted to get a rough idea of how many of us use the scissors as opposed to the box.

Your thoughts??

Both pro schools teach the slot.

Hehehehe,
 

Insert Art Linkletter here:

" . . . long term veterans" say the darndest things!

His statement is not remotely correct.

Regards,

He should have said that the scissors is the most popular stance with those umpires who prefer the scissors. That would be a true statement.

Whatever works for you, I guess; and maybe I'm visualizing wrong, but this [back leg @ 45 degrees] sounds like a BAD idea, exposing a LOT more upper leg [thigh] and the side of your calf/ankle/foot to errant balls, defeating your protective gear for that leg. Newbies should NOT try this at home. I'm guessing you never had anything like an upper-level clinician watch you and work on your stance.

If the reason you are going this way is stability issues, try to get someone to work with you on your stance. I had all kinds of problems until I got someone to work with me to do the scissors correctly. Hard to write instructions, but stand relaxed with your feet about shoulder width apart, then step STRAIGHT BACK with the "back" leg: no more stability problems.

In the interest of full disclosure: I gave up the scissors when my aging knees and learning the GDS both required and permitted a "better" way.

"The slot" is a location, not a "stance".

Your partner is either misinformed or an idiot. Not only is the scissor stance used less than others, it continues to decline in use annually as both pro amateur umpires learn of its potential health risks.

This is true. I used the stance for 14 years and developed diabetes, heart trouble, and COPD.:eek:

Steve:
 

While your post was very funny (even though the health issues are serious) we need to keep in mind that there are serious health risks associated with working the scissors.

Regards,

Like your neck being exposed!

Uh-oh - did I just score a point for the dingle-dangler's group?

Puts a whole new spin on "What stance do you use at the plate?" ;)

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.

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?

It depends very much on what's at the other end of the neck.

Go to GDS and save them both.

That's a weighty subject.