ASA National Umpire School

[SRW]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

I would think that sitting down to milk a cow is more definitive, but whatever works for you.

BTW, no leaning forward. My experience is that the shoulders will move forward without thought when you drop your hands down in front of you just for balance purposes. You start thinking about leaning in and all of a sudden that swoosh you hear is the bat passing your ear.

I disagree - to a point. A slight lean forward is better than a straight back. If you're straight-back, you can easily lose your balance and fall backwards, and it puts all of the stress on your legs (not really a bad thing...). A slight forward lean balances your center of gravity better, and balances the stress between your legs and your torso.

Lean forward too much, and your body compensates by sticking your butt up higher in the air. Not a good thing.

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by SRW

...A slight forward lean balances your center of gravity better...

I suppose that might depend on how much of your center of gravity is already naturally "forward"...

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by SRW

I disagree - to a point. A slight lean forward is better than a straight back. If you're straight-back, you can easily lose your balance and fall backwards, and it puts all of the stress on your legs (not really a bad thing...). A slight forward lean balances your center of gravity better, and balances the stress between your legs and your torso.

Go back and reread. I don't think we disagree.

I did not suggest a "straight back", though that is the term used. I specifically noted that unless you intentionally attempt to keep your spine perpendicular to the ground (ouch!), the top of your body will naturally move forward. When I said "no leaning", I meant (and thought clarified) to not intentionally lean forward as it may not be necessary and may place your mellon in jeopardy.

I have seen umpire intentionally lean forward and they adjust their foot for balance and all of a sudden, they are hooking the catcher.

[SRW]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

Go back and reread. I don't think we disagree.

I did not suggest a "straight back", though that is the term used. I specifically noted that unless you intentionally attempt to keep your spine perpendicular to the ground (ouch!), the top of your body will naturally move forward. When I said "no leaning", I meant (and thought clarified) to not intentionally lean forward as it may not be necessary and may place your mellon in jeopardy.

I have seen umpire intentionally lean forward and they adjust their foot for balance and all of a sudden, they are hooking the catcher.

Gotcha. Yeah, we agree. If you go set, you should be able to look straight up by moving your head, not adjusting your body. If you have to adjust your body to look straight up because your neck is craned backwards, it's because you're leaning forward too much.