The Set Position

[AtlUmpSteve]

Originally Posted by SRW

Uh, really?

Yes. I consider that hand position to be above the knees (albeit not by much), and the ASA Umpire Manual defines the bases set position with a wide stance for a form foundation (check), upright and leaning forward (check), "C) Keep your hands in a comfortable position in front of the body between your upper legs and your belt buckle" (check).

Maybe my anatomy classes are different, but anything above the kneecap that is on my leg is on my upper leg. If we don't exclude the extremes stated, then the extremes are included in the approved range.

The NCAA CCA Umpire Mnaual defines the "Set - Ready" as :" The body is stopped, not moving (sic), the feet are comfortably wider than shoulder width apart and parallel to each other. The hands are drawn in, close to or on, the front of the body at or below the waist."

Again every part of that definition checks with stance pictured above. The location on the leg above the knee is in front of the body and below the waist.

So why the apparent disagreement? Because, despite meeting all the definitions, many of us have been subjected to personal preferences of evaluators, coordinators, trainers, and UIC's, who have told us their version of the truth as if it were the Gospel spoken on the Mount. And, although I agree that this isn't the ideal set (and said it wasn't my standard, either), it meets every printed definition.

Except that it looks too baseball, mind you.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by AtlUmpSteve

"C) Keep your hands in a comfortable position in front of the body between your upper legs and your belt buckle" (check).

Maybe my anatomy classes are different, but anything above the kneecap that is on my leg is on my upper leg.

Don't disagree, but is says "between", not "on" your upper legs.

Except that it looks too baseball, mind you.

Don't care if it looks like baseball or not, but that is where I got my first experience of "locking" into position like this which was one of the reasons HP gave for not "leaning" on your knees. It is a position, at least for me, that takes a little more effort to disengage.

I stand in a relaxed, close to (but not quite) in a heel-toe stand about shoulder width. I hold my hands just below my belt (in the groin area) in a closed, but not fisted, manner. Much like "walking" the line, I find that I tend to move to the balls of my feet on the pitch and am ready to move in any direction upon the batter hitting the ball.