Plate Mechanics

[Rachel]

I am a physical education teacher and a strength coach. My opinion on this stance is that his knees are too far forward in front of his toes and this stance is really bad for the knees.

Bend the knees to the point that the knees are in line with the toes and then drop the butt back and sit. The width of the legs and how far a person can drop is pretty much determined by the flexibility of the hips. That has to be worked on but can improve.

Turning the toes out slightly aligns the knees with the hips and reduces torque when doing repeated squats. The heel toe thing helps line the belly button up with the outside corner and improves vision.

[Skahtboi]

Okay...here's another one for discussion.

[AtlUmpSteve]

Originally Posted by Skahtboi

Okay...here's another one for discussion.

Obviously bad, in so many ways. But, given the size of the players, certainly excusable. The only real problem with this is that it can lead to bad habits; "you play as you practice" comes to mind. I hope she has a real stance when dealing with real players, and can make that adjustment.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Skahtboi

Okay...here's another one for discussion.

Are you referring to the brown-toned grey pants and ball bag?

No face mask on the batter's helmet?

Or the sore back this umpire is going to experience?

The fact that judging from the shadows is working over the catcher's head?

The large bruise the umpire is going to have on the right thigh if the catcher misses that fast ball just a little outside?

But there are lines on the ground! Something we rarely see in my area.

[Skahtboi]

And you didn't say anything about the navy blue "dazzle" shirt they are wearing. I hated the dazzle material. IMO, way too showy for an umpire.

[bkbjones]

A couple times on batters this small I have been tempted to work scissors.

Now before you laugh or whatever too much, I did see an umpire work scissors at a Western National (16U) in 2005. In fact he was my partner for a couple games.

Not only did he work scissors, but he was 5'2" on a good day...so he was reallllllllllllllllllly low. I didn't know if the UIC was going to voodoo or doodoo.

What I do on batters this size is just widen my feet. If you are flexible enough, even at MY weight, you CAN get down there and work those pesky little 10Us...and get up...and not be in any worse shape afterwards than working Gold.

Well, except for wanting the catchers to give you the glove so you can catch all those pitches that otherwise hit ya.

[SRW]

Originally Posted by bkbjones

... and work those pesky little 10Us...and get up...and not be in any worse shape afterwards ...

I dunno, bkbjones... the last time you worked 10U, we had to send you to the hospital...

[bkbjones]

Originally Posted by SRW

I dunno, bkbjones... the last time you worked 10U, we had to send you to the hospital...

Yah, I know. It was my partner's fault!