TALL catcher! ??

[Thunderheads]

OK ...

Last night, u14 travel .... 6'3" F2!

I'm PU, I"m 5'11" .....first batter comes up, and he's 5'6"

So, you don't want your chin lower than the top of F2, but you also want to line up your eyes w/ the top of the zone, in and about ....

Well, with a 6'3" F2, that's not easy! Have you ever had one of those games, and/or innings where setting up was ...well....awkward?

[JaxRolo]

OK ...

Last night, u14 travel .... 6'3" F2!

I'm PU, I"m 5'11" .....first batter comes up, and he's 5'6"

So, you don't want your chin lower than the top of F2, but you also want to line up your eyes w/ the top of the zone, in and about ....

Well, with a 6'3" F2, that's not easy! Have you ever had one of those games, and/or innings where setting up was ...well....awkward?

I'm 5'8" and I have that problem at HS level sometimes. Some of these kids are Ginormous. I have found myself almost standing up to look down at the strike zone. Sometimes I can get low and inside but if the catcher sets up inside then its a no-go.

We just have to adapt, be uncomfortable and try to do out best.

[mazzamouth]

OK ...

Last night, u14 travel .... 6'3" F2!

I'm PU, I"m 5'11" .....first batter comes up, and he's 5'6"

So, you don't want your chin lower than the top of F2, but you also want to line up your eyes w/ the top of the zone, in and about ....

Well, with a 6'3" F2, that's not easy! Have you ever had one of those games, and/or innings where setting up was ...well....awkward?

There is no "lining up the top of the zone" you need to make sure your in the slot, and your head height is correct. that is how you need to work.

I'm 5'7" and had a catcher who was 6'4" that was tough.. he bent down pretty good, but as long as you work your spot your good.

[Thunderheads]

OK ...

Last night, u14 travel .... 6'3" F2!

I'm PU, I"m 5'11" .....first batter comes up, and he's 5'6"

So, you don't want your chin lower than the top of F2, but you also want to line up your eyes w/ the top of the zone, in and about ....

Well, with a 6'3" F2, that's not easy! Have you ever had one of those games, and/or innings where setting up was ...well....awkward?

There is no "lining up the top of the zone" you need to make sure your in the slot, and your head height is correct. that is how you need to work.

I'm 5'7" and had a catcher who was 6'4" that was tough.. he bent down pretty good, but as long as you work your spot your good.

Thank you sir !!

I was definately in the slot last night, ...I always am, but w/ this F2, and at the proper head height, .... my eye level was at some kids shoulders, ..lol ...just felt 'out of sorts' looking 'down' thru the zone...

[carolinablue]

I have had this problem before but it seems the better catchers, no matter how big, will give you a good look most of the time.

[Umpire in Chief]

I love big catchers! They help give me a better sense of confidence.

But I have been burned by big gys and impressed by some of the smaller ones.

[UMP45]

The biggest I have ever worked behind started for Newberry College in Newberry,SC. He was 6'4", 240 pounds. I never had a problem seeing anything! He would spread his legs and fold like an accordion. And hit the piss out of the ball! I rhink he got drafted by the Bluejays. This was in 1999(?).

[Thunderheads]

Ok, ok .... a TALL catcher who just squats and doesn't have a clue about giving an umpire a "look" ....

Big isn't a big deal if they know what they're doing!

[UMP45]

Don't sweat it . Just do the best you can. And know you will be wore out after this game. You will have to work harder to see pitches.

[Guest]

After Mike mentioning the #1 piece of important information here (there is no such thing as eyes at top of the zone = proper head height), I'm surprised no one mentioned #2 - how about a dialogue with your catcher?

After your partner, F2 should be your best friend on the field. You should always get behind him for at least 2 (personally, I take 4) warm up pitches at the start of each game and have a chat to develop some rapport.

If you see you're going to be working with Shrek, just say to the guy "hey, you've got some size on me. I don't wanna tell you how to work, but anything you can do to help me get a better look at the pitch will be much appreciated."

IMO, developing relationships with catchers is the most undertaught concept in the world of umpiring. If you don't already work with your catchers, you will be amazed how much easier having a good catcher-umpire relationship can make calling a game.

[AmackNH]

I had a catcher in a babe ruth game last night I had a similar problem with...i am only 5'6' and this kid was a 6'1" left handed 14 yo. He never really got set, was starting to stand before receving the ball, was constatly leaning back and forth...it was nightmare.

[mstaylor]

I had a catcher in a babe ruth game last night I had a similar problem with...i am only 5'6' and this kid was a 6'1" left handed 14 yo. He never really got set, was starting to stand before receving the ball, was constatly leaning back and forth...it was nightmare.

That's when you talk to the coach. Tell him you realize the kid is big but that makes him staying down and still all the more important. One of the best catchers I ever worked behind was at least 6'1" or better but when he squatted his butt almost hit the ground, blocked everything, had great hands and fully understood how to work with an umpire. If he caught something ugly he would say that was his fault, he would get me a better look next time. I worked behind him until he was in his late thirties, and that was with pitchers throwing up to low 90s.