Distance from catcher

[cc6]

How much space does a catcher's throwing arm take up to make a throw? What do you use to gauge proper distance from the catcher?

[SanDiegoSteve]

If he keeps hitting you when he throws, you are too close.

[DG]

The length of your arm is approximately the same as his.

[Tom H.]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

If he keeps hitting you when he throws, you are too close.

Duh Steve! Really???

[briancurtin]

Originally Posted by cc6

How much space does a catcher's throwing arm take up to make a throw? What do you use to gauge proper distance from the catcher?

Ask him how long his arm is.

That, or pay attention when he throws a ball.

[cbfoulds]

3-4 feet [I use Davis].

If you're getting in the way of F2's arm when he throws, AT LEAST one of the following is true:

* You are too close
* You are not in the "slot"
* You are insufficiently mobile: MOVE after the pitch is caught.

#2 is the most likely source of routine/ frequent contact [hiding behind F2].

[ozzy6900]

If you climb on F2's back when F1 comes set, you should be okay. Just jump off when F2 catches the ball!

Hey, don't get ticked off - a dumb question deserves a dumb answer!

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

Originally Posted by ozzy6900

If you climb on F2's back when F1 comes set, you should be okay. Just jump off when F2 catches the ball!

Hey, don't get ticked off - a dumb question deserves a dumb answer!

ozzy6900:

Judging by the answers given in the posts before yours, it appears to me that cc6 had a legitmate question (and that he is probably a new umpire, probably three years or less of experience, I am guessing). Therefore, that makes his question not a dumb question but your post a dumb post.

MTD, Sr.

[ozzy6900]

Originally Posted by Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.

ozzy6900:

Judging by the answers given in the posts before yours, it appears to me that cc6 had a legitmate question (and that he is probably a new umpire, probably three years or less of experience, I am guessing). Therefore, that makes his question not a dumb question but your post a dumb post.

MTD, Sr.

The poster you are referring to is a resurfaced troll who we tried to teach several years ago. He has come back to us under a different name but the same troll as before.

[MrUmpire]

Originally Posted by Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.

ozzy6900:

Judging by the answers given in the posts before yours, it appears to me that cc6 had a legitmate question (and that he is probably a new umpire, probably three years or less of experience, I am guessing). Therefore, that makes his question not a dumb question but your post a dumb post.

MTD, Sr.

This is cc6's second, at least, incarnation. An earlier, perhaps first, was as candaump6 who first graced these pages around February 2007, I believe. A sample of an early post, which would seem to indicate a level of previous experience:

Originally Posted by candaump6

By my second game of the season I have my strikezone consistent to within one to one and a half inches on the corners, an inch on the low part of the zone, and I've got a general idea of the high part of my zone as well. Usually just takes me one plate game to get me back in the swing of things."

While looking back at this goldie oldie, I was equally amused to see one of ozzy's early replies:

Originally Posted by ozzy6900

OMG! Get Stuffed, will you please?

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.

ozzy6900:

Judging by the answers given in the posts before yours, it appears to me that cc6 had a legitmate question (and that he is probably a new umpire, probably three years or less of experience, I am guessing). Therefore, that makes his question not a dumb question but your post a dumb post.

MTD, Sr.

Not a dumb question? You were judging from these answers? Look again:

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

If he keeps hitting you when he throws, you are too close.

Originally Posted by DG

The length of your arm is approximately the same as his.

Originally Posted by briancurtin

Ask him how long his arm is.

That, or pay attention when he throws a ball.

Originally Posted by ozzy6900

If you climb on F2's back when F1 comes set, you should be okay. Just jump off when F2 catches the ball!

Hey, don't get ticked off - a dumb question deserves a dumb answer!

These are all dumb answers to a dumb question. The phrase "there is no such thing as a dumb question" is a lie. There is, and this is an example.

The answer is to work the slot or the GD stance (you choose), and when you see a runner stealing, get the heck out of the catcher's way. It's not hard, nor is it rocket science.

I think a catcher clipped me one time about 20 years ago, and that was the one and only time. It shouldn't be a problem.

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

Originally Posted by cbfoulds

3-4 feet [I use Davis].

If you're getting in the way of F2's arm when he throws, AT LEAST one of the following is true:

* You are too close
* You are not in the "slot"
* You are insufficiently mobile: MOVE after the pitch is caught.

#2 is the most likely source of routine/ frequent contact [hiding behind F2].

1) This is a good answer. It addresses a problem that many new umpires probably have.

2) Was the original poster a troll? I don't know. If he is, so what? The question is a valid question from any new umpire and so let us take that position when answering the OP so that any new umpire can learn.

MTD, Sr.