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OK,
I'll try to answer a couple of posts in one fell swoop:
DG:
"Assuming that BU has paused, read, and reacted, on a gapper why would your group send the BU out vs. making a pivot and being ready for a call at 2B or 3B on a "double" or a "triple"?"
Pause, read and react is the key to all umpiring. This does not mean you don't "go out" in lieu of this.
Unlike professional fields many non-professional umpires work at fields that have trouble areas. We send the message to our umpires "if you error in selecting when to go out make sure you go out too OFTEN rather than too little."
Pause, read and react is not a time consuming issue. When you read the ball being a gapper, trouble ball, a ball that is being caught below the waist or a ball where fielders are coming together that dictates your next action.
OfficialTony:
"I have asked several others this same question as I came through the system. There are different answers each time I pose the question. My response to you is this. Originally, I tried to cut across the runners path ( the basepath between 1st and 2nd ) to get inside before he rounded 1st base. What I found was that I couldn't get a clean view of his touch of 1st base. I also felt like I might interfere with him at some point by cutting across his foot path and sight path. Further, I found that I had trouble getting into a set position to make the call because I was watching the pitcher move in to back up the throw and a myriad of other problems. So I have opted for staying outside the base path and following the throw once the runner has rounded 1st. I let the ball lead me to the tag. This also allows me to make a call at 1st if the fielder gets to the ball quickly and tries to catch the runner headed back to 1st after making an attempt at 2nd. I don't know if this is text book, but it has worked well for me."
WOW! In "Big Boy Ball" there is no way an umpire can get inside and make a call at second base by being behind the runner. If the runner has passed you (made the turn) there is no way you can go behind him and get into position.
If you are so slow that you can't run 30' while the BR runs 90' there is no way you would get a varsity game in my area.
People, there is NOT ONE CLINIC OR SCHOOL that allows this mechanic.
PLEASE IGNORE OfficalTony's advice and hustle enough to beat the runner.
Everything he says can be done correctly.
He says he couldn't get a clear view of the BR's touch of first. If you do either the pivot (jump the creek) or a AAA Glance you just time that with the runner making the turn. Basic fundementals.
He says this allows him to get back to first if they throw behind: By hustling I am inside and can easily return to the cut out area if the throw goes behind the BR after rounding.
He says he worries about getting in the runners way or even the runners sight line. My gads, you are running 30' freakin' feet while the batter runner is running 90' -- I am the DEFINITION of "fat and old" and I make this move waaay before the BR is even getting to first base.
Tony, you must have went to Lance's school of umpiring.
Again, please ignore the advice given by OfficialTony
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