Quote:
Originally posted by mrm21711
I was wondering what schools teach or what should be done on close plays? Example: Steal of second base. Should you be watching the ball and let it turn you and then focus to a point on the base, glove, whatever? What is the "correct" and best technique to get the close plays correct?
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I think perhaps you have a better understanding of what it takes to gets these calls correct than you may think.
Be in position.
Let the ball turn you into the play.
Try to be stationary when you watch the play.
Watch where the tag needs to take place (between runner and base - for a steal of 2nd the runner is trying to reach the side/edge of 2nd base closest to 1st. Watch that edge of the base.)
Pause to ensure the call is correct.
Make the call.
If you have calmly done all of the above, there will likely not be a need for a "big sell." But do so as the situation warrants.
If there is a collision and you can't see the ball and don't know that the defender has control of it, commandingly demand "Show me the ball!" This is only for when you feel the tag was in good time and you are prepared to call an out. If you are not going to call an out then you don't need to see the ball. "Show me the ball!" and if he comes up with it firmly in his grasp, ring the out. Obviously, if the ball falls out or the glove is empty, calmly call the safe.
Pick off at 1st is a little more difficult ~ perhaps. Glove between the runner and the base, just like at 2nd, you're gonna have an out. But what you get quite often at 1st is a runner that is in the air, diving, has not yet touched the base, and is struck with the glove somewhere on the forearm. Timing of the runner touching the base and timing of the glove contacting the runner ... timing becomes more important than glove position but still recognize that the action is going to happen on the side of 1st base closest to 2nd and within that 2-1/2 feet before the base is where you need to concentrate for tag and timing.
Home is likely the biggest challenge because the slides are different depending upon the situation and the runner slides or runs completely by the base - feet first, and touch with hand; inside the diamond; outside the diamond; head first straight at the plate; standing; ducking; dodging; collision; obstruction/interference; etc. The umpire must combine the skills used at first and the skills used at 2nd/3rd - timing and position. Who touched what, when. Was the plate touched? Was the runner tagged? When did the ball arrive? The runner? Did the catcher hold onto the ball? Umpire positioning so you can see the entire play (ball being caught, runner approaching, tag of the runner, and touch of the plate) is absolutely crucial - See the entire play.
Usually, tag plays are the final play (not always by any means because there might be another tag play at another base), so to hurry and make a quick call may not be the most prudent response. Take your time and get the call correct.
Don't start your call before you have decided what the call is going to be. That time of yelling/groaning/grunting to make the big sell can be used to decide the correct call but it sure looks better if everyone knows what your call is going to be as soon as you start it rather than when you finish it.
Good luck
One last little thing. We always say let the ball/throw turn you into the play. This is true for all of our safe/out calls. The ball is moving at 70-80-90 MPH and the runner, at best, is moving 20 MPH. The act of ball arriving and receipt happens much quicker than runner arriving and touching base. I recommend focusing on the ball receipt first and secondly upon runner arrival - Did the runner beat the throw or not? Then the call becomes more obvious.