Some LL Mechanics I learned this past week that are different than last time I went to school

[ArchAngel72]

Not a knock just some different looks for things.

 

1. Box stance,  previously the box stance in the slot was heel toe looking in at the plate, Also doing your best to get to eye level at the top of the batters zone.

Now its Even So you are looking out straight and you are at a comfortable level for you when you lock in as repeatable as possible same height no matter the batter. Of course the catcher may change that for you if he/she is too tall. I would think 85% of the LL umps out there wont have any issues still

2.  Strike calls.  I was previously told bring the left arm up parallel to the ground when making a strike hammer call with your right arm.

Now  Nope leave that left arm "silent" leave it down at your side quiet and not moving Just the hammer with your right arm now.

3. There is a heal toe stance where you pick up one arm and tuck it in front I cannot for the life of me recall which arm inner or outer sorry.  I did not pay it much mind as I wont be doing it. Only having one arm to lock does not strike me as being stable enough for me.  others sure ok but my fat arse  nah.

 

  

 

[Jimurray]

1 hour ago, ArchAngel72 said:

Not a knock just some different looks for things.

 

 

2.  Strike calls.  I was previously told bring the left arm up parallel to the ground when making a strike hammer call.

Now  Nope leave that arm "silent" leave it down at your side quiet and not moving Just the hammer arm now

 

 

  

 

Did they have a scissors available to cut the string?

[ArchAngel72]

Just now, Jimurray said:

Did they have a scissors available to cut the string?

Funny they do not teach that one any longer as they said not to many of those old guys do LL any more

 

[834k3r]

1 hour ago, ArchAngel72 said:

2.  Strike calls.  I was previously told bring the left arm up parallel to the ground when making a strike hammer call.

Now  Nope leave that arm "silent" leave it down at your side quiet and not moving Just the hammer arm now

You mean right arm, correct?

I'm not sure I understand the "leave the arm down...just the hammer arm now." Would you mind explaining a bit more?

[Jimurray]

2 minutes ago, ArchAngel72 said:

Funny they do not teach that one any longer as they said not to many of those old guys do LL any more

 

I've never seen that taught at any clinic. It was seen as a bad habit but if the guy had the string we left it alone.

[ArchAngel72]

3 minutes ago, 834k3r said:

You mean right arm, correct?

I'm not sure I understand the "leave the arm down...just the hammer arm now." Would you mind explaining a bit more?

check it now, better?

[ArchAngel72]

3 minutes ago, Jimurray said:

I've never seen that taught at any clinic. It was seen as a bad habit but if the guy had the string we left it alone.

Well supposedly  some guys still used it and the clinic I went to in 2018 it was demonstrated 

[834k3r]

Thanks. I appreciate you sharing what you learned.

I was never taught to do anything with my left arm--strikes called with the right arm "hammer" only.

[ArchAngel72]

2 minutes ago, 834k3r said:

Thanks. I appreciate you sharing what you learned.

I was never taught to do anything with my left arm--strikes called with the right arm "hammer" only.

I know I saw guys doing that at the Regionals and WS this year and I was like Hmmm they changed it.  Sure enough I asked about it in class and was told picking up that left arm like I used to was ok as they USED to teach that but they prefer it be left down now.

Sigh something I need to unlearn LOL

 

[SeeingEyeDog]

Bringing the left arm parallel to the ground is called..."The Table". For example, "...that's a hammer with the table." This is not exclusively a softball mechanic but, the table is seen more frequently in softball than in baseball. Back in 2020, when my association was using COVID mechanics and U1 was calling balls and strikes from the B or C position, I felt more comfortable using the hammer with the table mechanic than I did my usual pointing mechanic.

As for stances, like everything we do...there is what is taught and how leadership wants us to do the job and there is what works best for us as individuals, what we feel keeps us safest and what enables us to make the most correct calls consistently...

I have used both a squared stance (where my shoulders are parallel to the pitching plate) and an angled stance (my feet are staggered heel/toe, for righties my gig line is between F4 and 2B, for lefties my gig line is between F6 and 2B). For me, I prefer the angled stance. I track the ball better with my eyes. I feel most confident in how I see and process pitches from this stance. And finally, because I am angled I never fully wear a pitch. Since I am on an angle, anything F2 misses catches me with a glancing blow.

~Dawg

[Vegas_Ump]

I am a very tall umpire.  No way can I use the box stance (in Little League).  Rather, I spread my legs way out until I can get the sight picture for the low-outside pitch ("money pitch").

You will find how steady you are, and your zone will really improve.  For little kids, I need to be solid!

For older kids, high school, etc., yeah a box stance works because they are closer to your height.

Mike

Las Vegas