Hallion ... AGAIN!!

[Thunderheads]

Let's see ....why did he get hit here? Anyone? Anyone?

http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=21444049&c_id=mlb

[dumbdumb]

Start right at the beginning 00 and see how nicely he is set up in the slot and the catcher is easily protecting his left arm. Then, after it is too late for Hallion to shift or reposition, the cather moves over towards the inside and exposes Hallions left arm. If catcher had stayed in original position, he would have taken the hit, and Hallion would have never been touched. Nothing you can do except hope it is a deuce or chang-up rather than a 94mph fastball.

[Thunderheads]

Start right at the beginning 00 and see how nicely he is set up in the slot and the catcher is easily protecting his left arm. Then, after it is too late for Hallion to shift or reposition, the cather moves over towards the inside and exposes Hallions left arm. If catcher had stayed in original position, he would have taken the hit, and Hallion would have never been touched. Nothing you can do except hope it is a deuce or chang-up rather than a 94mph fastball.

So? move! right?

[Welpe]

And on the next pitch, he drops right back into the same stance...like a boss.

[hbk314]

Seriously... Who writes the video descriptions?

Home plate umpire Tom Hallion is tended to by the Angels medical staff after taking a foul ball to his right arm.

[dumbdumb]

Start right at the beginning 00 and see how nicely he is set up in the slot and the catcher is easily protecting his left arm. Then, after it is too late for Hallion to shift or reposition, the cather moves over towards the inside and exposes Hallions left arm. If catcher had stayed in original position, he would have taken the hit, and Hallion would have never been touched. Nothing you can do except hope it is a deuce or chang-up rather than a 94mph fastball.

So? move! right?

At some point in the pitch sequence each umpire does not feel comfortable moving any more IMHO. They may feel if they wait too long into the sequence to set, they loose their chance to lock in and will be moving as the pitch is on the way. Some umpires may feel comfortable and feel they can lock in much later than others and will be set for the pitch. Right at the beginning of 1 when the pitcher raises his leg, the catcher is still covering Hallions left arm. What happens after this is where his arm gets exposed and Hallion must feel it is too late for him to move over more. So, some umpires who can set and adjust later in the sequence will not get hit, while others who cannot wait as long to adjust will get hit. Just guessing.

[Mike Prince]

Just one of those things. Jeff, once you set up it's pretty tough to move with the catcher. Plus, he really didn't move that much and if Hallion tried to go with him he would be squeezed pretty good. I do like how he got right back in there, if anything I though he got even deeper in the slot the next pitch.

[Haid D' Salaami]

Start right at the beginning 00 and see how nicely he is set up in the slot and the catcher is easily protecting his left arm. Then, after it is too late for Hallion to shift or reposition, the cather moves over towards the inside and exposes Hallions left arm. If catcher had stayed in original position, he would have taken the hit, and Hallion would have never been touched. Nothing you can do except hope it is a deuce or chang-up rather than a 94mph fastball.

So? move! right?

it was too late, then your moving as the pitch is coming in.. when the pitcher starts his move toward home, you ( the umpire ) is suppose to be locked in... Nothing Hallion could do.

[Thunderheads]

Ya know what, ...I see it now ......it was late wasn't it? OK, thanks guys!

[bpate]

Just curious why so many umpires leave their arms and hands exposed. As a former catcher, I always tuck my arms behind me. Sometimes it looks like I am skiing but so what? Some of these guys are throwing 95+, why would you leave a hand exposed when you could literally lose it on a foul ball?

[Umpire in Chief]

IMO an umpire having his hands behind him presents a poor appearance.

There's is a lot we can do to prevent from being hit, but when your number is picked you're going to get it no matter how good your positioning, mechanics or agility.

[bpate]

Yep, I agree that it looks awkward. The thing that really seems strange to me is watching an MLB game and the catcher will tuck his free hand and the umpire will leave both exposed. It just perplexes me why looks override safety. I could see the point if it had an negative influence on the umpire's ability to see but the best I can tell, it's all about how the umpire looks.

[Mike Prince]

My experience is that it's a bit harder to lock in correctly if your hands are behind you and ultimately puts more strain on your back. Someone in a post yesterday also discouraged this as it can pull your shoulders back.

My first year umpiring I did the ski jumper thing because I was scared to death of getting hit. Guess what? I did get hit - on the elbow which hurt like hell. Once I got my arms out from behind me I learned that your arms are an integral part of a solid stance and you adapt and refine your stance to protect both your arms and hands pretty well.

As mentioned, getting hit is not an if, it's a when. I'd rather have a stance that locks me in for 100% of the pitches I will see vs, a compromise that (I incorrectly think) protects me 100% of the time for something that happens 1-3% of the time and results in a decent chance I will get a less than consistent look at the zone.

[Umpire in Chief]

Great point Mike about locking in. I think having your hand in a place where it can help lock you in is important. After 7,8, 9 or more innings I think a lock in mechanism is an important thing to have.