Laz's Head Height

[kstrunk]

Anybody see Laz Diaz's head height in last night's game between Miami and Atlanta? Scissors stance, head same height as catcher's head. Can he see the plate?!!! 

 

I know Laz has a lot of quirks, changing his stance and mechanics mid-game etc... but his strike zone is inconsistent, and I just noticed his head height for the first time, somebody help him!!!

[Magic]

I am sure that if it was judged that his strike zone was inconsistent, the powers that be would handle it.

Games Worked Too Damn Many

[MikeSafari]

Some video for those wondering:

 

http://m.mlb.com/video/topic/8879974/v64254483

 

On the first pitch shown in that highlight reel, he's almost directly behind the catcher, and seems to get in his way once play commences.

[Umpire in Chief]

I did see portions of that game. 

 

Please just keep in mind that while watching professionals is helpful in many aspects. They are not always the role models for mechanics. 

 

Some things they may do that are not acceptable at our level are:

• They often take plays much closer in than may normally be advised.
• Mechanics in general. Some may be forces of old habits and changing mechanics or the fact they work with the same crew all the time and have such a good connection they do mechanics that wouldn't be recommended when you're working 5 games a week with 5 different partners in a two man crew. 
• Arguments - They can be much more aggressive than we can.
• Plate stances - I understand they are encouraging umpires not to use the scissors any longer and that even Gerry Davis was requested to adjust his stance (by moving further forward I believe). 
• Making calls while moving.

Some things that I think professionals do well are:

• Plays at the plate
• Timing
• Rules applications

But looking at the data Laz while he may have been a little unorthodox. Had a pretty good zone.

http://www.brooksbaseball.net/pfxVB/zoneTrack.php?&game=gid_2015_04_07_atlmlb_miamlb_1/&innings=yyyyyyyyy&month=04&day=07&year=2015

[Thunderheads]

@kstrunk ....

 

your next MLB game is scheduled for ........when?

 

Get my drift?

 

Refer to @Umpire in Chief 's post after yours .....

[scrounge]

It didn't look all that egregious to me....sure, a little low later in the game but catcher was set up well to the outside on most, giving him a great view. I guess I expected worse with the "OMG" setup.

[umpstu]

It didn't look all that egregious to me....sure, a little low later in the game but catcher was set up well to the outside on most, giving him a great view. I guess I expected worse with the "OMG" setup.

Exactly what I got.  No way he's setting up somewhere and not having a view. 

[kstrunk]

@kstrunk ....

 

your next MLB game is scheduled for ........when?

 

Get my drift?

 

Refer to @Umpire in Chief 's post after yours .....

Thanks Chief. Your guess is as good as mine as to why I added that last comment. You're absolutely correct, and I deserve, and appreciate the rebuke. I humbly stand corrected. I set out to ask a question about plate mechanics, and sinned in the process. Forgive me. 

[zm1283]

Some video for those wondering:

 

http://m.mlb.com/video/topic/8879974/v64254483

 

On the first pitch shown in that highlight reel, he's almost directly behind the catcher, and seems to get in his way once play commences.

 

He is almost directly behind the catcher on the first pitch because the catcher has moved inside and squeezed him so he stays high. 

[blue23ll]

Looks like his nutty buddy turned sideways on him!  Also, switched between scissors and box, but his head height looks okay. 

[kstrunk]

I think what I caught on several pitches, in hindsight, is when the catcher moved outside on a righty, Laz in the scissors, his head is same height as catcher, but the plate is likely wide open for him, as the catcher is moved outside. 

[jpperez14]

his head height I thought was good, he must be trying the scissors because Jeff Nelson does the scissors. But at 1:38 he did switch back. His positioning seems pretty close to where I would be.

[T-Rav]

his head height I thought was good, he must be trying the scissors because Jeff Nelson does the scissors. But at 1:38 he did switch back. His positioning seems pretty close to where I would be.

Laz switches from the knee, scissors, and box throughout the course of the game. I have a friend who is good friends with Laz and he says Laz says that is what works for him. 

[PonyUmpire]

Maybe, since it was a blowout, he took the opportunity to play with his stance.

[UMP45]

 

his head height I thought was good, he must be trying the scissors because Jeff Nelson does the scissors. But at 1:38 he did switch back. His positioning seems pretty close to where I would be.

Laz switches from the knee, scissors, and box throughout the course of the game. I have a friend who is good friends with Laz and he says Laz says that is what works for him. 

 

And at the end of the day This is what matters. Now with that being said 9 times out of 10 it won't bite him in the ass. 9 times out of 10 it WILL bite us in the ass.