Preferred plate adjustment when blocked in the slot?

[txtrooper]

Originally Posted by teebob21

College showcase tournament: Last weekend, one of my teams was 50% right-handed slapper/drag bunt hitters. They started in the back of the RH box and crowded the plate. Combined with a pitcher that liked throwing inside, I could not get comfortable behind the dish.

I ended up setting up higher and closer to the catcher than usual and stayed in the slot as best I could. (This is what I was taught years ago. Not sure if this is universal or ASA being ASA.) I was not happy with the consistency of my zone, and I lost my feel for both low strikes and the outside corner. I also had trouble picking up the pitch off the pitcher's hand.

I've been away from the game for 2+ years due to family commitments. Nowadays, what is the preferred mechanic in this case? Does it depend on which alphabet you're working for on a given game?

In my experience, most clinics ASA/NFHS/NCAA are teaching umpires to set a little higher when they are blocked out in the slot. I will set up a little more behind the catcher and high enough to see through the strike zone; I work the glove as well.

Most batters who drag bunt or slap do it from the left hand batters box (for clarity, to the umpires right). As the other guys have stated, the act of drag bunting is achieved by moving forward through the batters box and bunting the ball. After talking with some coaches, they have stated that the bat can be in front or behind the batter, although it is typically trailing the batter and dragging it through the zone.

Good Luck!