Quote:
Originally posted by WestMichBlue
Mike: Don't think so. If the umpire's do their job as prescribed, the present mechanic works quite well.
OK, but what really is the prescribed mechanic for a runner at 2B? I know what you said above, and Ive always agreed, and I echoed your comment in my response above. But when challenged by jstark23, I went to the ASA umpires manual to quote a specific line and I couldnt find it!
WMB
|
Try turning to page 243 of the 2004 ASA rule book, umpire's edition. The mechanics for both umpires with a runner on 2B only in FP are well defined.
I think too many place far too much emphasis on trailing the runner. Remember the priorities of a call are increased the closer you get to home. Therefore, it is more important for the PU to be in position for the call at 3B than to worry about a pulled foot. I DID NOT SAY THE PU SHOULD
NOT HELP AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE, OR THAT S/HE SHOULDN'T TRAIL THE BR.
Meanwhile, if you have the PU get into position for a call at 1B, you now have no one covering home should R1 fail to stop a 3B. I doubt quite seriously a BU is going to outrun her/him to the plate from outside the diamond. Now, the most important call has been left open because everyone is so damned worried about the call three bases away from a score.