NCAA Kills the Scissors

[Andy]

Originally Posted by texump

There have been some very successful NCAA softball umpires who used the scissors.

It would be interesting to find out what "studies" the SUP has to show the increase in injuries and inconsistent strike zones.

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.