Can anyone explain the theory behind the superwide stance?

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Dakota

Well, the wide (as you describe it), I've been taught. The superwide, I've only seen at the WCWS, the World Cup and other similar high level games. The PU's feet almost seem to go from batter's box to batter's box. Here is a pic:

Nice slot?

[Rachel]

That Japanese catcher Jumped all over the place. The angle of the camera tells us so little. That goes for us trying to call strike zone from the TV. We know that you cannot tell ball-strike from where the camera is, or the dugout, or the stands.

I don't even think that that is a super wide stance in that picture. It looks like your standard college stance that is taught. That can't be Bryan Smith.

Bryan Smith is 6'5" and if he did a squat he would chew his knees up within a year. Seems to work for him though he's one of the best official in the world.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Rachel

That Japanese catcher Jumped all over the place. The angle of the camera tells us so little. That goes for us trying to call strike zone from the TV. We know that you cannot tell ball-strike from where the camera is, or the dugout, or the stands.

Which is why I placed a (?) after the comment. The angle also doesn't prove the "batter's box to batter's box" comment. However, if an umpire did accomplish such a fete, I don't see how s/he could possibly be in the slot.

What this photo does show well is the position of the umpire's feet. They are turned out which is what saves the knees by allowing a more natural bend of the joint.

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

...The angle also doesn't prove the "batter's box to batter's box" comment. However, if an umpire did accomplish such a fete, I don't see how s/he could possibly be in the slot....

I said, "The PU's feet almost seem to go from batter's box to batter's box..."

"Almost seem" means only that it appears as if they do from the pictures.

That pic was one I found quickly using google image search. I've seen better examples, but couldn't find one with a quick search. Someone posted a video clip from the WCWS that also showed the superwide stance, although from a distance and kind of fuzzy in a youtube video sort of way.

No one should take any of this in any way as a criticism of the umpires who call at this level. It is merely a curiosity about the rationale behind the stance, since they all seem to do it, which implies that it is mandated.

I still think it looks goofy. As in unnatural or perhaps sumo-esque.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Dakota

I said, "The PU's feet almost seem to go from batter's box to batter's box..."

"Almost seem" means only that it appears as if they do from the pictures.

And box-to-box isn't that wide if you think about it. My two points were, 1) that the angle is the angle and nothing, including the position of the umpire, could be taken as a matter of fact (if anything far from it) and 2) an umpire who did that couldn't be working a good slot.

[CecilOne]

"if we are going to continue this, someone please define the difference between wide and superwide and whatever you call less than wide"

Is it just requiring steps to stand up again, a spread relative to the boxes, a spread relative to the umpire's body, or ... ?
Thanks.

[bkbjones]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

Nice slot?

Damn. Now I've got to apologize to all those guys and gals I've taught to NOT look over the catcher's outside shoulder.