[AtlUmpSteve]

Originally posted by SC Ump
With playoffs occurring, I thought these might be good. I was in a game this evening and there were questions about who does what. I will refer to umpires as PU, U1 and U3.

Sit A: No outs, no one on. Sinking liner to right field. U1 goes out and rules no catch. F9 fires the ball to 1B, who has the call at 1B?

PU call all the way, trailing the BR.

Sit B: R1 on 1B. U3 in B position. Sinking liner to left center field. Is it appropriate for U3 to go out?

No, it is more than appropriate; it is mandatory to have coverage on the liner.

Sit C: R1 on 2B. U1 in B position. Sinking liner to left center field. U3 goes out. Ball is not caught. R1 goes to 3B while ball is field and thrown to 3B. Who has responsibility for the call at third?

First, with U1 in B, he should have gone out. When U3 goes out, PU takes the lead runner at 3B, U1 takes trail runner.

Sit D: Same as "Sit C", but ball is overthrown at 3B and R1 attempts to score. Who has the call at home plate?

PU has the lead runner. U1 has the trail runner. When U1 starts in counter-rotated position, he NEVER rotates home. Stay in 2 man mechanics, until the end of the play. PU must pivot and take the runner home.

Sit E: R1 on 2B, U1 in B... well actually B+�, instead of positioned on F4's left shoulder, positioned between 2B and F4, on the edge of the grass. This is to better watch R1 leaving early and better position on a throw back. Concerns with this?

Should be off 2B's right shoulder; that positioning is sufficient to cover the leaving early and throw back. The position you describe makes plays at 1B and check swings unnecessarily difficult.

Sit F: Same positioning as "Sit E", check swing on a right handed batter. Who should go PU go to? (And don't go back and change your answer for "Sit E". )

Repeat, wrong position for U1; but that is who must make that call. Certainly still in better position than U3, and check swing appeal is mandatory!!

Other tricky 3 Umpire situtions that you can think of?