Technique

It sounds like it might be an attempt at the "Gerry Davis" stance. The Gerry Davis stance is more of a system. It includes a stance and positioning.

Done correctly, the umpire is even farther back, at least 3 feet from the catcher. His posture is much higher than a typical heel/toe umpire, but he works in the slot as do most umpires. (that area between the catcher and the batter.)

The added height and slot position makes up for the distance and many umpires swear by this system.

Personally, I prefer heel/toe - heel/toe as I learned at the Academy. PBUC modifies that slightly as heel/toe - heel/instep.

The scenario you give with the stealing runner and borderline pitch is not difficult if you maintain a good slot position.

Umpires who flinch on curveballs are at best untrained. Waiting out a curve, in reality, is not a risky thing for umpires. More often one sees umpires flinch on up and in pitches that are swung at. The combination of seeing the pitch coming straight at your eyes and the motion of the bat seems to cause blinking or a minor flinch in some of the better umpires.

Yes, I agree with Jimmy....this is someone who is using what is called the "Gerry Davis" system...(GD is #12 MLB Umpire)...it does involve moving back and being higher than the stance that both Jimmy and I have always used and were taught.

I see a lot of umpires who attempt to use some variation of the GD stance and for those unaccustomed with it, it can look a bit odd. Those that have been trained properly say it gives them a better view.

Flinching is another whole ball of wax....sometimes it comes on from an injury or a series of lousy catchers or just out of the blue.... training helps.....good use of the eyes to follow pitches helps....sometimes you just have to tell those guys that getting hit is part of the game.....you buy the best gear you can afford and wear it all properly and have faith that it will protect you...

I get a case of the "blinks" at least once a season..........dont know why they come on.....dont really know what it is that I do to make them go away....

Just my .02

quote:

Originally posted by piaa_ump:
Flinching is another whole ball of wax....sometimes it comes on from an injury or a series of lousy catchers or just out of the blue.... training helps.....good use of the eyes to follow pitches helps....sometimes you just have to tell those guys that getting hit is part of the game.....you buy the best gear you can afford and wear it all properly and have faith that it will protect you...

I get a case of the "blinks" at least once a season..........dont know why they come on.....dont really know what it is that I do to make them go away.
Just my .02

Everyone has a different way of dealing with flinching. What works for me is mentally repeating a mantra "my mask is my friend". I know it sounds dumb, but after I think this, I'm good to go, so ....since it works, I stick with it.....

This year I found myself flinching on up and in pitches, I was hit in the bicept on a miscommunication catcher called for a curve and the pitcher FB up and in! Black and blue for almost three weeks! In that time period I got hit a few more times in the same spot NEVER FAILS!!!
Well I read this book called 212 about how you must give the extra degree, 211 hot water, 212 steam that can power a locomotive! I found myself saying 212, 212 to ump a great game and NOT flinch!!! IT WORKED FOR ME!!!!!

Mind if I suggest something that may work for you guys based on what I do with my catchers?

I put my guys down in block position with full gear and stand about 5 feet away. I get a small bucket of balls and throw balls at them. I hit them in the helmet/mask, chest and top of the shins. The whole purpose of this is to get them used to getting hit.

I realize that catchers have it easier in that they know what pitch is coming and have a mitt but still they can't flinch or blink either. As a catcher I appreciate what you guys go through behind the plate. One thing I tell my guys is no matter the count, runners or not and score you work your rear end off to help the plate ump. Both of you have the toughest job in the game.

quote:

Originally posted by coach2709:
Mind if I suggest something that may work for you guys based on what I do with my catchers?

I put my guys down in block position with full gear and stand about 5 feet away. I get a small bucket of balls and throw balls at them. I hit them in the helmet/mask, chest and top of the shins. The whole purpose of this is to get them used to getting hit.

I realize that catchers have it easier in that they know what pitch is coming and have a mitt but still they can't flinch or blink either. As a catcher I appreciate what you guys go through behind the plate. One thing I tell my guys is no matter the count, runners or not and score you work your rear end off to help the plate ump. Both of you have the toughest job in the game.

We do this with rookies, only when we throw at the mask we do it from about 2-3 feet away.