Kind of Close Here?

[MNBlue]

What is the advantage of being that close and/or putting your hands on the catcher?

[jicecone]

Originally Posted by MNBlue

What is the advantage of being that close and/or putting your hands on the catcher?

Obviously the advantage is what has worked for him, in the +-10 yrs as a MLB Umpire. Although I would never subscribe to a stance like that, it is the thing that makes him comfortable behind the plate and enables him to do a good job with his strike zone.

I used to have a much lower crouch before my knees started to go bad and then I had to adjust. I used to feel that if I was looking at about the same height as the catcher was I had the best view. After two surgeries and a renewed stance, (Gerry Davis) I think I have have a better view and bigger zone.

Now as far as putting your hands on the catcher, I never liked it when I caught and would never do it to another catcher. A few times I asked the umpire not to do it because it bothered me and they always respected my wishes.

[MNBlue]

Originally Posted by jicecone

Obviously the advantage is what has worked for him, in the +-10 yrs as a MLB Umpire. Although I would never subscribe to a stance like that, it is the thing that makes him comfortable behind the plate and enables him to do a good job with his strike zone.

That's my question. Is it helping him lock in to his stance? Is it guiding him to the set height he wants? Is it guiding him to the distance behind the catcher that he wants?

[jicecone]

Originally Posted by MNBlue

That's my question. Is it helping him lock in to his stance? Is it guiding him to the set height he wants? Is it guiding him to the distance behind the catcher that he wants?

Sorry I can't answer for him.

[GA Umpire]

Originally Posted by MNBlue

That's my question. Is it helping him lock in to his stance? Is it guiding him to the set height he wants? Is it guiding him to the distance behind the catcher that he wants?

Any of this is possible. Some even say it helps to know where the catcher is going as well b/c they feel the shift.

If any ever did it, as a catcher, I never even noticed. As long as they didn't hinder me (and none did), I had other things to worry about.