John Hicks has some ugly looking legs. The IronPigs catcher has adopted the latest technique which has catchers going down on one knee when he is working behind the plate. The theory is that it gives umpires a clearer look at the pitch and gives pitchers a better chance of getting the low pitch called a strike. At 6’ 2,” Hicks is on the taller side for a catcher, and he believes that his size can sometimes keep umpires from being able to get a clear view of the lower portion of the strike zone.

The problem is that it leaves the inner part of the catcher’s thigh exposed and vulnerable to being hit by pitches that bounce in the dirt or are fouled back by the batter. Because of that, Hicks – and catchers all around baseball – are taking more of a beating than they normally might.

Former major league catcher Tyler Flowers is credited with developing the technique. Flowers was 6’ 4” and felt his size was blocking umpires from getting a good look at pitches. The idea caught on and has become the standard for catchers in pro ball.

“This is my 13th season and when I first got into pro ball, if you went down on one knee, you were lazy and you didn’t care. People realized that umpires were calling everything a strike while he (Flowers) was catching,” said Hicks. “I still think it’s prettier to catch on two feet but it’s a valuable tool to be able to be on one knee and being able to block.”

Any change in the catcher’s mechanics brings up the question of what affect it may have on their ability to throw runners out. With the implementation of the disengagement rules by pitchers, runners have more opportunities to steal bases, which puts more importance on a catcher’s ability to throw out base stealers. There is also the impact being on one knee might have on blocking pitches or catching pitches thrown well out of the zone.

“I can block as well or maybe better off of one knee,” said Hicks. “The throwing might be a tick away from how quickly I can throw when I am in a regular crouch, but I feel I can make other adjustments to make it worthwhile.”

As for the extra bruises: “I seem to have a target on me anyway when I’m behind the plate,” said Hicks. “Maybe I can invent a new type of pad that covers a catcher’s thighs or a shin guard that comes all the way up.”

NICE HAT... Another relatively new tradition in baseball is some type of dugout celebration after a home run. The IronPigs have adopted a flying pig hat for their celebration. The chapeau features a pig with strings that come under the player’s chin that when pulled allow wings on the pig to flap. “Aramis Garcia found that somewhere and brought it in for us to use and it’s become our way of celebrating a home run. It’s just kind of fun,” said Hicks.

HOT SCOTTY... Scott Kingery has quietly turned things around for himself this season. Through Saturday, he had a five-game hitting streak with a .429 average (6-for-14) during that stretch. He also has two home runs and seven RBI – including five on Friday night – during the five games. The five games have all come at Coca-Cola Park where he is batting .258 this season compared to his .295 mark on the road. On the season, Kingery is hitting .275 with nine home runs and 24 RBI.

DARICK HAS LEFT THE STADIUM... The Phillies recalled Darick Hall from Lehigh Valley following Saturday night’s game. Hall, who had initially rejoined the IronPigs on a rehab assignment after suffering a thumb injury early in the season had been activated and optioned to the IronPigs. With his bat heating up here, he was brought back to the Phillies and Kody Clemens was optioned back to Lehigh Valley where he will work on playing multiple positions to add versatility. Two weeks ago, Hall – or at least a ball that he hit – also left the ballpark. A home run he hit to right field was unofficially measured at 488 feet after it traveled over the right field signage, across the entrance road and landed at the top of a grass berm bordering the parking lot.