Quote:
Originally posted by Tim C
Ted Barrett helped me in a huge manner about 5 years ago that made me recognize that when a runner is safe at first (on the standard throw'em out play) that the "SAFE" call can be the instant the runner beats the throw.
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Timing according to the Academy is defined as "proper use of eyes". We use this all the time as plate umpires however it is just as important to use timing (proper use of eyes) and base umpires, as Carl said, to ensure complete control and voluntary release.
The problem with making a safe call immediately after the runner's foot touches the base is when F3 drops the ball on a wacker at first. As you come up with a BIG safe call to sell it and suddenly the ball is on the ground five feet from F3, he is going to turn to you and say "NO SH!T he's safe, I NEVER caught the ball... And by the way, thanks for sticking it up my a@@ !"
It's kind of like a BIG called third strike call on a cock shot where the batter is already heading for the dugout knowing he just took a perfect pitch. Sometimes you just don't have to emphasize the obvious.
As umpires are often creatures of habit, I would rather excercise good timing (proper use of eyes) on all plays, ie tags, forces, routine, wackers, safe, outs etc. because it just keep things simple. Just my opinion