This area has been very quiet for two weeks, but should pick up as soon as the HS seasons start.

Bob

Bob, I have a question. Where do you like to set yourself up behind the catch and why?

Thanks

"Everybody kind of perceives me as being angry. It's not anger, it's motivation." Roger Clemens

You got that right bluezebra. Once the games start the rules questions will too.

Sark,
If I remember correctly I believe Bob worked the slot. I work the slot as well, although the "locked in" Gerry Davis" stance (modified box) is getting a lot of talk in my association. I could probably get away with that in youth summer ball, but Im afraid with the size of most HS players, I would be too short for that.

I liked working the slot. It gave me a much better view of the low outside corner. I took a few "shots" on foul balls and missed pitches, but felt it was worth it to get the better angle. That position also affords more mobility in avoiding hindering the catcher's movements.

Bob

If in working the slot, How do you guys get used to reading a running fastball? It would seem to be hard to call that outside corner.

Also, How do you guys feel about putting a hand on the catchers back. Seen this done. What is the purpose of that?

Thanks for the replies. Both of you.

"Everybody kind of perceives me as being angry. It's not anger, it's motivation." Roger Clemens

I never put my hand on the catcher's back. I think it's unnecessary, and makes many catchers uncomfortable. Some PUs think it helps them "feel" where the catcher's moving when the ball gets away. I hate that mechanic.

Besides, you must be extra careful these days about sexual harassment. A few years ago, a PU was hauled into court when he put his hands on the back of a female catcher.

The ONLY time I put my hands on a catcher was to keep her/him from falling.

Bob

quote:

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Originally posted by piaa_ump:
I work the slot as well, although the "locked in" Gerry Davis" stance (modified box) is getting a lot of talk in my association. I could probably get away with that in youth summer ball, but Im afraid with the size of most HS players, I would be too short for that.

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I'm not sure I understand how you think your height or the size of the players would make you "too short" to use the Gerry Davis stance. Perhaps there's some misunderstanding about what exactly the Davis stance is. Rather than summarize it here, I'll post this link to a set of free articles written by Carl Childress which describes and analyzes the Davis stance in excellent detail, with pictures.

Go here:

Childress Library

and then scroll down to the bottom of the page to read "Gerry Davis Part I" and "Gerry Davis Part II."

Dave Hensley

quote:

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Besides, you must be extra careful these days about sexual harassment. A few years ago, a PU was hauled into court when he put his hands on the back of a female catcher.

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Please don't take this the wrong way, bz, but I doubt that that actually happened. It sounds an awful lot like one of those things where one guy says, "Why, I bet if you....." and the next guy turns into "I heard that if..." and the next guy turns into "I heard that this happened..." and then it's "A friend of a friend of mine..."

If you know what I mean. Do you know for a fact that an umpire was actually in court for this, and if so, who was it, when, and where?

D'oh!

quote:

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Originally posted by P-Dog:

quote:

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Besides, you must be extra careful these days about sexual harassment. A few years ago, a PU was hauled into court when he put his hands on the back of a female catcher.

---

Please don't take this the wrong way, bz, but I doubt that that actually happened. It sounds an awful lot like one of those things where one guy says, "Why, I bet if you....." and the next guy turns into "I heard that if..." and the next guy turns into "I heard that this happened..." and then it's "A friend of a friend of mine..."

If you know what I mean. Do you know for a fact that an umpire was actually in court for this, and if so, who was it, when, and where?

D'oh!

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It wasn't "one of those things", it ACTUALLY happened. If I remember, it was on the East Coast.

I don't have the info anymore, but you might check with REFEREE MAGAZINE. That's where the article appeared.

Bob

p.s. I don't rely on, or relay rumors.