Box or scissors?

[Moe]

I'm about 5"8' and I stand in the box position. I was just wondering; what are the advantages and disadvantages of the scissors stance? Though I'd try it out my next game.

[johnnyg08]

Stick w/ "the box".

[FlaUmp22]

http://umpire-empire.com/index.php/topic/47656-scissors/

 

I think this explains it pretty well, although it is longwinded

[mstaylor]

To be honest, at 5'8" I would stay box or GD. GD is probably better, it gets you back a little, higher and hit less.<br /><br />Sent from my C771 using Tapatalk 2<br /><br />

[Moe]

Forgive me for asking, I don't do abbreviations that well. What is GD?

[iankelleyumpire]

Forgive me for asking, I don't do abbreviations that well. What is GD?

 

Gerry Davis. The "Gerry Davis Stance" is what some might talk about. It's the box, but just resting on your knees and not going down very low. 

 

 

 

Advantages of the Scissor: Nothing. 

[catsbackr]

 

Forgive me for asking, I don't do abbreviations that well. What is GD?

 

Gerry Davis. The "Gerry Davis Stance" is what some might talk about. It's the box, but just resting on your knees and not going down very low. 

 

 

 

Advantages of the Scissor: Nothing. 

 

The Gerry Davis stance is a little more involved than you've described.

 

Feet square, deeper stance behind catcher, locked in.

 

Google Gerry Davis stance for help.  Forget the scissors.

[spiritump]

the advantage of the scissors give you the best view of the outside pitch at the knees--plus it looks cool

[grayhawk]

To be honest, at 5'8" I would stay box or GD. GD is probably better, it gets you back a little, higher and hit less.<br /><br />Sent from my C771 using Tapatalk 2<br /><br />

 

Mike, I am curious to know how the GD gets you hit less than the box?

[mstaylor]

Because you are further back the ball tends to go by you more. Or at least so I am told. I don't use it so I have to take others word on it. I scissor,I work back like the GD and see very well. A 5'8" umpire can scissor but you are almost standing straight up unless you are doing little kids. There are many advantages to scissors but I always caution guys that it is an unstable, hard to learn stance.  Many will tell you it will cause back and neck injuries, I will disagree. The neck injuries from being hit is just as possible in a box/heel,toe stance. Back injuries come from repetitive plates. Most of us don't work as many as pro umpires so that isn't an issue. Concussions happen can happen with any stance. I challenge ANYBODY, anywhere to show me a box umpire that has 38 yrs experience with no cup shots.

I still don't advocate new guys scissor because it is hard to do correctly.   

[zm1283]

I tried the scissors in a summer tournament this year.  It puts your head at a good height but it is hard to get in the stance quickly and was hard for me to adjust late.  It's also hard to point a strike to the side because you almost have to "get up" before you do it.

[spiritump]

I tried the scissors in a summer tournament this year.  It puts your head at a good height but it is hard to get in the stance quickly and was hard for me to adjust late.  It's also hard to point a strike to the side because you almost have to "get up" before you do it.

 

the fact that you have to get up is the best part,  it slows your timing down--you get more strikes

[mstaylor]

Getting into it is simple, put your lead foot where you want it, slide your back foot back. You don't adjust once down, because of this you go down later than box guys. When I point my strilkes I bounce off my front leg, land it and point right. 

[lawump]

About two years after I left the minors (where you had to work the heel/toe box) I went to the scissors, and I haven't looked back.

 

http://www.nfhsnetwork.com/events/61138

 

I'm with mstaylor...I think the scissors has a lot of advantages.

[JaxRolo]

Real umpires don't use the scissors! 😳

[afaber12]

Is it either too late or just too lame to do a "running with scissors" joke? Because I've got plenty of practice running with a box... Yeah, definitely too lame! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk - now Free

[mstaylor]

Real umpires don't use the scissors!

  And I mean that in the nicest possible way.    Have you noted the number of umpires that scissors while working the CWS?

[JaxRolo]

Real umpires don't use the scissors!

And I mean that in the nicest possible way. Have you noted the number of umpires that scissors while working the CWS? They know not what they do? You know I just say this to mess with you!

[Jocko]

Real umpires don't use the scissors!

And I mean that in the nicest possible way. Have you noted the number of umpires that scissors while working the CWS?They know not what they do?You know I just say this to mess with you!

[LMSANS]

 

 

 

Real umpires don't use the scissors!

And I mean that in the nicest possible way. Have you noted the number of umpires that scissors while working the CWS? They know not what they do?You know I just say this to mess with you! 2013-08-18-09-01-04--2020624860.jpeg

 

Nice picture of @mstaylor

[Jocko]

Rolo seemed to be crawfishin

[acpar72]

To be honest, I have converted to scissors and wont look back.  What box users guess at, I see. I can tell you that there is not a better view. Every umpire to his own, but if you use the scissors correctly it is a better view. Its why the NL mandated it for many years. 

[JHSump]

With scissors can you get your head closer to the plate?  Lower?  What?  If the view is better, it must be because you can put your head somewhere that box umpires cannot.  

[Texas Manny]

With the box, if you place your feet properly; if you square your shoulders; if your body is between the batter and the catcher in the slot; if you bend at the knees and slightly at the waste; if you keep the bottom of your mask at the top of the catchers head, and you watch the ball with your eyes and not with your head, you can clearly see every pitch. These are the mechanics necessary to be consistent with your strike zone. Any variant off and your zone perception changes. That's why you spend so much time in the minors, give or take a year, to develop these key important positional mechanics. If you do these, it's very difficult not to have a consistent strike zone. Your eye movement impacts your timing tremendously, slowing it way down. Watch the ball into the glove, hear the pop, then call it. Oh, how I love it!

 

The only disadvantage, I know of, in the box is when the catcher moves inside and squeezes you. It could force you to go over the head of the catcher instead of the inside. This may affect your low zone, if you do not concentrate. Scissor folks have the same problem and may force them into a compromised position concerning their protection. Nothing wrong with the scissors, but I love the box. Even weight distribution. Easy to relax. Looks cool and puts you right into the action.

 

I'm interested in hearing what other folks have to say. Cool conversation. I like it!

[mstaylor]

I'm the resident scissor proponent. I started as a box guy but switched to scissors because I was struggling with LH batters. Once I switched and got good at it I thought I saw the ball better, got hit less, and it was easier on my body. It isn't for everybody. It is hard to learn, is less stable, and people give you a hard time about it. You haven't been here looking but I brag that in 38 years I have never been hit in the cup.<br /><br />Sent from my C771 using Tapatalk 2<br /><br />