Just when we thought this topic was about masks and hats :rolleyes:, someone goes back to the OP. :D

I had an occasion to speak with someone this past weekend that provided some unique insight into the banning of the scissors plate stance.

What I was told is that there is a study out there done by Major League Baseball a few years back that showed that there is a sightly increased risk of a head or neck injury when using the scissors if the umpire is hit by a pitched or fouled ball in a certain spot. MLB used this data to ban any of their new umpires from using the scissors.

I was also told that allowing NCAA umpires to use any plate stance they were comfortable in as long as they were able to see the ball and call a good zone was brought in by the "old" SUIP, which was removed from power a few years back. So the "new" regime is going to slowly eliminate all of the changes brought in previously. I also heard that most of the college coaches don't like the scissors for some reason.

As to the longtime NCAA umpires that are "grandfathered" in and will still be allowed to use the scissors. That number is limited to ten umpires. Some of these umpires have worked the WCWS in the past and have aspirations of going back. What was mentioned to me is that if these umpires elect to continue to use the scissors, is there really a chance of the powers that be selecting them to go back to the WCWS? The last time one of these prominent umpires went to the WCWS, they were only assigned one plate game for the entire week.

I realize this is all hearsay...take it as you will. I trust the source and have never been steered wrong before.

This sounds like the real reason(s), with the rest being window dressing.

I spent the week of 7/26 thru 8/2 working with one of that group of ten that had been told they would be allowed to continue with the scissors; and that position to "grandfather" them had been retracted. I believe he got that phone call during that week, as he believed he was grandfathered early in that week.

It would be practically indefensible to allow some to continue, and not others; and the people making the decision (as well as those that were hearing the retraction) recognized that. While the whole independent contractor thing means he/they can do what they want, the reality is none of them appears ready to buck the SUP decision.

What will be VERY INTERESTING (at least to me) is what happens if/when a former scissors umpire is injured working Gerry Davis or heel/toe in a manner/location that was better protected in the scissors. I suspect that individual would have a very viable legal basis to hold the NCAA accountable, and possibly even force an employee definition with mandated benefits, like the football players seem close to doing.

Just a personal observation: While using the scissors for the last five or so years, I've been hit less frequently and less severely than in previous years using the GD.

I don't buy the injury argument. I also don't believe that it results in a less accurate strike zone.