Umpire Standing up

[nhref58]

Watching game 2 of the Cal State Fullerton/Arizona State
game and noticed PU standing behind the catcher during delivery so he was basically looking down thru the strike
zone. Is this something new, did the PU have bad back?
I was surprised of not seeing this posted on this site yet. I am mostly into softball officiating so I don't get into the baseball forum very much.

[David B]

Originally posted by nhref58
Watching game 2 of the Cal State Fullerton/Arizona State
game and noticed PU standing behind the catcher during delivery so he was basically looking down thru the strike
zone. Is this something new, did the PU have bad back?
I was surprised of not seeing this posted on this site yet. I am mostly into softball officiating so I don't get into the baseball forum very much.

Not a bad back. You would have seen the same on the Baylor/LSU game.

That is a takeoff on the box stance; however, the umpire is set up in the slot. A lot of them will also spread their feet our further, like an extended stance. (I call it the double wide)

A lot of ML umpires do this also.

The higher you are it give you a great view of the plate, the mitt and the batter.

Works great as long as you know you have a good catcher.

Will never work well in kid ball because you will get killed.

I worked the knee for 20 years, I went to this stance two years ago when my knees and back started bothering me.

Now I have no problems with either.

Thanks
David