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Because of the length of your reply, I will respond to each thought or query. I will attempt to be brief.
Papa C.:
Unless you work in an unaffiliated minor league, I believe your comment about how you handle half swings is disingenuous. I know Mike Fitzpatrick, and I know his evaluators enforce the PBUC mechanics, one of which I quoted in my orignal (sp) post.
WCB:
I have spent the last few years working for several independent leagues. When I graduated from pro school, we were still using the UDP system, but I am very familiar with the PBUC format and materials. I mentioned that only as a retort to your implication that I was unaware of what is being done in professional ball. The rest of my reply dealt with NCAA mechanics.
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Papa C:
You say that some NCAA coaches go berserk when the plate umpire checks with an umpire inside the diamond. On the one crew, where you "NEVER grant the appeal when my 3BU is in C or my 1BU is in B," if I were one of the NCAA coaches and you refused to check, I would protest the game, citing 3-6e: "When asked by a coach or player, the plate umpire must [my emphasis] seek a decision from the appropriate base umpire ragarding (sp) the 'checked swing.'" Whether it was a check swing is judgment; whether you refused to ask is evidence of a blatant disregard of black letter law.
WCB:
Most of the coaches I see recognize that the call is not the same from that angle. They love it when it helps them and hate it when it is called against them. Cmon, he doesnt have the angle there. is the usual reply. Weve adapted to their concerns, not the other way around. They also know that a lot of crews will have an unwritten rule, If you are in B or C, agree with me, that way they have nothing to ***** about. I have no problem granting the appeal, but Im the junior man on these crews and like working there.
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Papa C.:
After the protest, which I would win assuming I lost the game, I would call the conference supervisor and be sure you never worked one of my games again: "Hey, Tommy, can you believe it? They just wouldn't appeal when I asked. Say, who are those guys? Did they come in on a turnip truck or what? I know it's hard to find enough warm bodies these days, but...."
WCB:
Hello, Conference Officiating Director here. Coach, I hear you...but, youve only been here one year. Ive seen this crew work dozens of times and they are the second rated crew in our conference. I know that you think they should appeal that swing, but you know how umpires are. They probably talked in the locker room and have a contingency for coaches that ask for that call. Uh, huh...the rule book states that. Yep, no argument here. Did you lose the game? Uh, huh...did that call affect the outcome of the game. Oh, you lost 14-2. Your appeal is denied, but Ill call the crew chief and alert him to your concerns. Good luck coach. Ill talk to you after your next loss. CLICK
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Papa C.:
Finally, why not adopt the PBUC guideline and ignore whether U3 is in C or U1 is in B? Ask the umpire on the line, whichever side B1 is hitting from.
WCB:
Because this is the NCAA. They tend to frown upon novel mechanics.
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Papa C.:
BTW: Did you know that I invented the names of the positions? I'm surprised to see you, a "professional umpire" using them since the professional schools have studiously avoided those labels.
WCB:
In an effort to avoid another war, I will refrain from the easiest of retorts.
Instead, I will say that I use the same vernacular that the membership uses.
I am not writing for my enlightenment or to receive accolades. I provide information and make every effort to explain in it ways that the rookie or veteran can understand.
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Papa C.:
Instead of saying "Go to B with a runner on first," they prefer: "Move into the infield on the right side of the diamond, station yourself on a line between the plate, the skin of the mound, and the outfield, and stand perhaps 15 to 20 feet behind the rubber."
WCB:
I have only offered advice from my experience. If you have coaches that allow that call, then your job at the plate is considerably easier. If you read carefully what I have ascribed, I recognize the rule and have not dismissed it. I have simply said what is expected from us in these levels.
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Papa C:
When I trained umpires for a PONY league, I got tired of the latter and switch to the former. Life is so much better now.
WCB:
I dont teach as many clinics as you. But, I am an instructor at multiple clinics across the country - teaching everything from NCAA mechanics to showing 14 year olds how to hold an outside protector. My attitude is pretty much the same for all. Demonstrate the accepted mechanic, explain what variations exist and permit them to find the method that works best for them. Most will adopt the professional ways, but the ones that teach me and gain my respect are those that find another way that works. The mechanic we use for check swing appeals works in our leagues. Its really that simple.
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