Kind of Close Here?
 

Try that in softball, and you'll lose your background check card...

That's not all you'll lose... :eek:

I'm not really liking where this thread is going.

I've already removed one post and there are a few others that are right up against the line.

I sincerely apolgize. I was inappropriate.

I wouldn't have to worry about that.

But where is Roy Firestone when you need him?

I was kinda hoping we could get into a discussion of MECHANICS relative to spacing between the umpire and the catcher. Please don't disappoint me too badly, please. :eek:

I think it's safe to say that this is quite a bit closer than umpires are typically instructed.

Hopefully there are no runners on base. This would be a textbook picture for potential umpire interference on a stolen base attempt.

How does he get out of the way when the catcher chases a foul ball straight back? And yes, what about that umpire interference on a steal? I would never feel comfortable being that close...

JJ

This is Phil Cuzzi, and he's been using this close-in stance for a while. Here's another one of him with Orioles catcher Matt Wieters (sorry for the large size).

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3584/5...158d6c0e_z.jpg

I'm sure Phil has no problem opening the gate and not interfering with a catcher's throw.

Personally, I would never get that close.

Not only closer, but lower as well.

I can't imagine ANY catcher wants the umpire's hands on him while he's trying to field a 90+ mph moving pitch.

So what would y'all do if you were this close and the catcher head-butted you or drove you to the ground as he turned to chase a WP or foul fly?

Ask myself why the hell I was so close!

I wouldn't do it myself, but it's not bad. You forget about it after the first few pitches.

(I was a catcher through college)

I think you are an anomaly, Brian. I have asked a lot of college catchers about this, and just about all of them said they hate being touched by the umpire, although none of them said they would object to it.

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

You must have sat the bench then, because I've caught quite few games myself, and this stuff wouldn't fly with me.

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.

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.

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.

This statement makes absolutely no sense at all.

Why not?

That is a fantastic shot...how did you get a hold of that?

Sorry...read you initial post incorrectly.

I just did a Google Images search for Phil Cuzzi.

it makes sense if you know his history.

It may make sense, but it was borderline.

It is a bad idea to touch the catcher.