Distance from catcher
 

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?

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

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

Ask him how long his arm is.

That, or pay attention when he throws a ball.

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].

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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:

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

I am very disappointed with most of the replies to this thread. The replies themselves are classless- I am not making any moral judgments about the people who posted them. It was a legit question as Mark T. DeNucci, Sr. pointed out.

I asked because I am making adjustments to my stance, including changing distance from the catcher. I have been told that I should be far back enough that I shouldn't have to move when the catcher throws. I was planning on keeping it that way, and moving in a bit, but a in this thread a couple people mentioned getting out of the way when the catcher throws. It is hard to know whether it is sarcasm or not. I see sarcasm as a very dangerous form of trolling, because it can be misinterpreted as real advice.

Mark, ozzy has been attacking me for years now, without any sort of provocation. I have observed that people who put someone down often do so because they are unhappy, and their behaviour tends to repeat itself with other people.

Being unhappy is the only reason? An oversimplification, maybe?

Deliriously happy myself.

Hey Bobby, the advice I gave, while a smart a$$ answer, was also very sound advice. If you are getting hit by the catcher, you are either too close, or you don't know how to get out of the way properly. When you see that the catcher is going to have a play, stand up and back away.

Duh Steve! Really???:rolleyes: