Quote:
Originally posted by jicecone
NO reason whatsoever your partner couldn't have gotten into position for that call. Did he stay in the "C" position?
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Answer: He had to have either stayed in "C" (as stated in other posts) or moved directly toward first base instead of the 45-foot line.
As I have said on other boards, I often get frustrated at the number of times in amateur baseball the BU asks the PU for help on a force play at first.
As I have taught at various clincs, no matter from which position you begin in the infield ("B" or "C")when taking a play at first base, the base umpire HAS to move toward the 45-foot line, and not toward the bag.
Umpires moving from "B" or "C" directly toward the first base bag, in my opinion, is one of the top incorrect mechanics consistently used today. Its the old umpire school saying, "angle over distance in the two man".
Tony, don't beat yourself up. The (former) pro umpire in me would have (when pointed at by the base umpire) either (1) pointed back at the base umpire (2) waived "hello" at the base umpire OR (3) stared at him with bug eyes conveying the message, "its all you, buddy". However, I have respect for you accepting the request for help (if you call a "point" a request) and saving your partner's butt.
As to the play at the plate, don't be afraid if you get caught on the inside (in fair territory) to take the play at the plate from there. For example, I was taught by my PBUC evaluators (back in 1997...for those keeping score) that if you, as the plate umpire come up and into the third base cut-out on a first-to-third rotation, and the ball then subsequently gets away and the runner goes home, that you should stay in fair territory and take the play out in front of the plate. Especially at that level, there is no way you can get back into foul territory with how fast those players are.
So in your situation, if you are not going to do one of the three things I would have done when pointed at, I would just make the call (at first) out in front of the plate, remained there, and then followed the throw from the first baseman back to the plate and let the throw turn my eyes into the play at the plate.
I hope your base umpire bought you a few cold ones after the game.
One other little thought:
It seems to me from reading your intial posting that when the base umpire "pointed" it took you a minute or two to realize what he was doing. This suggests that maybe you guys didn't have a very comprehensive pre-game conference. You might want to look into whether you are having adequate pre-game conferences or not.