Originally posted by whiskers_ump
I know one BLUE that is feeling
pretty bad rite now. The person that was
on second for the Bronx/Calf. game. He
kinda forgot how quickly those kids can
round the bases. How about the Calif. fans
receiving the phone call in stands to make
the appeal? 
or what?
Glen we have all blown calls, just not in front of 30,000 people and millions of viewers.
Let's examine the cause for the missed base.
If this semi-final game were played on a 90ft. diamond, IMO the call would not have been missed. Why!
U2, could simply turn around and watch r1 touch the base. He would be stationary as we are taught when we make a call. On a 90 ft. diamond, U2 would have been right in front of the play and had a perfect angle.
In the play described (60 ft. diamond), U2 was moving in at the same time the runner was advancing. Therefore, U2 was behind runner (cardinal sin of umpiring) and also was moving. So he had 2 things against him. He was behind the play and was moving.
My observation was this: Should the PU or U1 watch the touching of bases? U2 was in the outfield and as trained, came into the infield when the ball went into the outfield, however, the play was slow to develop and thus U2 was caught out of position.
The PU has perhaps the best view, especially on a 60ft. diamond. All the PU has to do is go to the
working area (somehere around pitcher's mound) and the runner would be right there.
On a 60ft. diamond, the Field umpires are stationed in the outfield to begin with so perhaps, the PU should watch the touching of the bases. IMO, it's not that difficult. It's very difficult to make call from behind the action as opposed to in front of the action, so perhaps mechanics on a 60ft. diamond should change.
Any thoughts?
Pete Booth