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Greymule asked
"By "stay at 2nd", I assume you mean outside the bases (C position), but what happens if you are then in line for the throw from the outfield to 3rd.
If "stay at 2nd" means inside the bases and the runner goes, what is your technique for avoiding the runner? Of course, that would apply to many situations. My technique includes shading toward the most likely play to be made, judging the runner's speed (physical and mental), then starting quickly and "dancing" if needed. "
I'm getting inside, so I won't be in line with any throw. On a line drive or with the fielder charging, I may even stay out. Generally, I'm getting inside right away and making the catch/no catch call from there.
Shading towards the most likely play to me really sez knowing the game and knowing what should happen - for the most part, I agree with that, but we can only "count" on the second part with more skilled players - and even then, not always. And you need to add in to that knowing what you are physically capable of doing. So far, I'm still pretty capable.
My technique for avoiding the runner is -
1-Read & react. What the players do dictates a lot of what I do.
2-I'm faster than the runner. I've had 1 player outrun me - ever. That was last year and is one of the reasons I've spent some time working out during the off-season. With more than 25 lbs less of me and legs that are in better shape than they've been in years, I'm not expecting that to happen for another couple of years.
Dave - Let me suggest that you not tell your umps whether they are right or wrong. Tell them where to find the info they want & need. Then talk it over with them a second time. This will give each of them some ownership of the answer instead of just parrotting what you said.
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Steve M
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