Is There A Stance Behind The Plate Makes One More Venerable To Injury?

[NaiCam]

This is a question some friends and I were talking about the other day.

"I mean vulnerable"

Thanks BrianC14

Edited September 15, 2010 by NaiCam
wrong spelling

[kylejt]

Anything that makes you wide and/or tall. Locked elbows, and fingers on top of shin guards.

[UmpTTS43]

The scissors stance due to the strain on the neck.

Setting up outside the catcher due to taking foul balls off of the mask and/or body.

[BrianC14]

This is a question some friends and I were talking about the other day.

What do you think?

ven·er·a·ble   /ˈvɛnərəbəl/ Show Spelled[ven-er-uh-buhl] Show IPA

–adjective

1. commanding respect because of great age or impressive dignity; worthy of veneration or reverence, as because of high office or noble character: a venerable member of Congress.

2. a title for someone proclaimed by the Roman Catholic Church to have attained the first degree of sanctity or of an Anglican archdeacon.

3. (of places, buildings, etc.) hallowed by religious, historic, or other lofty associations: the venerable halls of the abbey.

4. impressive or interesting because of age, antique appearance, etc.: a venerable oak tree.

5. extremely old or obsolete; ancient: a venerable automobile.

Or perhaps you meant vulnerable?

vul·ner·a·ble   /ˈvʌlnərəbəl/ Show Spelled[vuhl-ner-uh-buhl] Show IPA

–adjective

1. capable of or susceptible to being wounded or hurt, as by a weapon: a vulnerable part of the body.

2. open to moral attack, criticism, temptation, etc.: an argument vulnerable to refutation; He is vulnerable to bribery.

3. (of a place) open to assault; difficult to defend: a vulnerable bridge.

4. Bridge . having won one of the games of a rubber.

Personally, I think anyone that uses the "Gerry Davis System" is more vulnerable to injury. They certainly aren't venerable when they use it. :HD:

[mstaylor]

The Gerry Davis stance looks like it is very prone to injury but everyone that uses it say that because of being deeper they rarely get hit. I use the scissors and I rarely get hit but the fingers get it most. Any stance that squares your feet to the pitcher, which is all except scissors and the knee, opens you to cup and thigh shots. I have never been hit in the cup. Going outside the catcher will get you killed and is just wrong.

[NaiCam]

Thanks for the replies fellas. I have always thought the scissors would be a more vulnerable stance (thank you BrianC14). My thinking behind that was because your arms are right up front, and your arms are on of the few things not protected. However, the few umpires I have talked wouldn't box out for anything.

[Stan W.]

Thanks for the replies fellas. I have always thought the scissors would be a more vulnerable stance (thank you BrianC14). My thinking behind that was because your arms are right up front, and your arms are on of the few things not protected. However, the few umpires I have talked wouldn't box out for anything.

As an umpire, one of the things you have to come to grips with early on is that you will be hit.......the ball finds you.....hopefully not often and hopefully not where you arent padded but, it does......and I have taken some pretty vicious shots in my time.

Its why you will always hear us preach to the new guys about the importance of buying the best gear you can afford....I personally have spent two fortunes upgrading over the years....so I am one of the most vocal "Buy Pro Gear" advocates around....

[Fittske24]

I typically work the Gerry Davis with anything JV and below. For varsity and college ball I will work the box with my slot arm tucked.

I would say any stance can be as equally as vulnerable if the umpire does not utilize the “slot”. There are two types of situations that leave the plate umpire more susceptible to injury. They are foul balls and uncaught pitches.

With foul balls, when an umpire is “aggressive” in the slot, with proper head height, most foul balls will clear the umpire without the umpire getting hit. An umpire that is less aggressive in the slot, or the umpire that lines up dead center of home plate regardless of the location of the catcher, will get hit more often than the umpire that works the slot. However, each stance will leave a different body parts more vulnerable than the other.

With uncaught pitches,. Most uncaught pitches occur at lower levels with younger more inexperienced catchers. However when it does occur at the higher levels (Varsity and above) the consequences can be more devastating. In my opinion this is where equipment as well as your stance matters the most. Since most uncaught pitches almost never hit the catcher, working the slot will leave the umpire wide open to being the recipient of the uncaught pitch. A 85+ fast ball taken of the hands or elbows, may keep you out of action for a while.

[JaxRolo]

Does anyone have any pics with the Davis and the box?

I do not know the difference.

[Fittske24]

Does anyone have any pics with the Davis and the box?

I do not know the difference.

Nothing better than Gerry Davis doing the "Gerry Davis" himself:

The Box:

[JaxRolo]

Thanks for the pics. The 2 seem to be very similar. Only difference I noticeis the arm and hands position.

Anything else I'm missing?

[mstaylor]

Yes, they are as different as night and day. The GD stance is higher, further back, you lock on your knees and lean forward. The box stance taught in school is closer to the catcher, your hand behind the catcher is on your leg, the arm to the batter rests on your leg and covers your cup. You sit down into the stance like you are sitting in a chair and you keep your back straight. The GD stance is much easier on your knees, the box is easier on your back.

[JaxRolo]

Yes, they are as different as night and day. The GD stance is higher, further back, you lock on your knees and lean forward. The box stance taught in school is closer to the catcher, your hand behind the catcher is on your leg, the arm to the batter rests on your leg and covers your cup. You sit down into the stance like you are sitting in a chair and you keep your back straight. The GD stance is much easier on your knees, the box is easier on your back.

Great explanation! Thank you!!

[D62 blue]

Does anyone have any pics with the Davis and the box?

I do not know the difference.

here is an excellent diagram , showing the box . btw i have posted this many months ago . share with anyone interested .

d62 marc

[NaiCam]

I am so glad I found the Umpire-Empire