Plate Mechanics
 

What do you see, good or bad?

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/...7/e7748c7e.jpg

From the camera angle he looks to be too far back from the catcher. His feet are too close together and his heel/toe positioning is off. Torso lean could be better by not leaning forward as much and his head height could be lower by spreading out his stance. I cannot tell if he is in the slot but if his eyes are at the top of his zone in this picture, he's calling strikes at the chin and his left hand resting on his thigh is not the best location.

He needs a web belt to keep his shirt halfway nice looking.

Although it's hard to determine in 2D, looks like his wing is sticking out. He'll prolly keep it out there til he takes that foul straight back.:eek: Old umpire from the days of my youth used to stick his out -- and he used a balloon. Still broke his arm. His main complaint was that for six weeks, he had to drink one-handed.

Hopefully for his sake, he wasn't right-handed.

That's all I'll say about it.

I thought that too, but given the height of the batter, I'm not sure how he's going to get his eyes to the correct level unless he drops to his knees. It looks to me that he's (trying to be) in the slot. I'm guessing this is a 10U game?

Hey, SRW......Did you get a new camera or something??????

:) :)

Apparently, my work network has the images blocked on all these posts. I cannot see a thing besides text.

If you are in Internet Explorer, click on "Tools" at the top and check your pop-up blocker settings. That sometimes will take care of it.

I agree with most of this, but looking at their feet, I would say in the slot or at least to left of catcher. If this is his all-the-way-down postion, strike zone will be way high.

NFHS, NCAA, PONY, USSSA, ASA, MPSSAA, DIAA (aka DSSAA), DSUA, UUA, SUM, HARSOA, NASO

I'm thinking that if his legs were spread wider and he had the proper heel/toe alignment his head could be lower.

My work site is not internet friendly, and yes, I teach for a living. But, needless to say, the pop-up blocker default is not an option for me.

It looks like his head is just a bit tilted - that's going to be harder on the neck than I'd like to feel. I think he's in the slot, but not far enough in the slot - needs to move a bit to the left. The head height looks ok, if he gets 4-6 inches closer and more into the slot - note that the bottom of the mask is at the top of the catcher's helmet.
That height is ok IF he's further into the slot. As for the eyes not being at the top of the strike zone, his knees may not allow him to get that low - mine don't. In fact, I regularly set up with the bottom of my head at the top of the catcher's helmet - and there are no complaints over the bottom or outside of what I see as strikes at any level.
I'd say he's either been taught a long time ago - using the stance that has both feet parallel to the back of the catcher's box OR he works some pretty high level games as that is a stance that is accepted - if not welcomed. But the feet should be wider - that would help to lower his head a bit and straighten his back a bit.

It looks very tiring.

You guys can sure see more in that picture from that angle than I can. Some of you must be pretty good in calling balls and strikes from the dugout, too! ;)

I don't know about the dugout, but 50 feet down the third base line in the fifth row of the bleachers, my strike zone is phenomenal. Especially with a right handed batter.

My thoughts, exactly. Everyone likes to play with a new toy :D

Stance is weak. Could probably stand to be a little wider, but definitely needs to bring left foot forward about 18" and turn the toes out a little more. That should eliminate the knock-kneed look and be quite a bit more comfortable.

He may be high due to not being in the slot and having a need to look over the catcher.

I would get my hand off my leg, also. More likely to get broken if hit by a foul BALL if placed on something (knee/leg) instead of hanging loose.

Actually these were not taken by me. I found them from a photosite from the early Thanksgiving Tourney.

To me, it looks like he's going to the toity! :D

Good point. In fact, when teaching the squat needed to keep the back, neck and head straight, I use the phrase that one should visualize sitting on the toilet. When done correctly, it puts all the strain on the quads, and none on the back or neck muscles. It defeats then most common argument of those who won't get down to the top of the zone, that their back won't allow it.

Only if he's got 'roids, cuz I know when mine bother me:mad: , I get a little knock-kneed just like this guy. :eek:

Here's another visual: sit down on the bucket, just like a coach who is real relaxed because he has the best effin umpire in the world back there callin balls and strikes.:D

So, in spite of all the warnings by your fellow umpires, you went out looking for trouble.

Tsk, tsk, tsk. :D

Yeah, yeah, I know, I know...


:D

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.

http://www.imarecreation.org/images/...ey_park_01.jpg

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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