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Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve
First off buddy, it's ridiculous, not rediculous.
Second, it's not drivel. If you are in B with a runner at 2nd base only, you are in the wrong position. I don't care how long you've been doing it.
Third, don't talk to me like that. To borrow a line from Sal, this ain't my first rodeo either. Don't go around insulting people, it's not nice.
Fourth, My B and C are both lined up with the edges of the mound, just as I was taught right out of a pro school manual. I don't stay there to make my calls. I do this uncommon thing called hustling!!! So, no, I'm not out there in "Smitty Land," which if you are in B with 2nd only, I would consider you in.
Fifth, from C, I hustle at an angle in and toward the foul line as I've already stated. How do you figure I'm not closer to third? To say otherwise is incorrect. I may be off quite a bit with the 20 feet, okay? I'm terrible at estimating distance. That's why I can't putt worth a damn. Maybe I'm 30 feet from the play, I'm still much closer, with a superior look (angle and distance) at the play than anything you can come up with starting in B. I also probably take more than 3 or 4 steps (I did say that, not "3"), perhaps 5 or 6, I haven't really counted (Im too busy hustling), so that was probably not an accurate assessment on my part.
Sixth, I was taught (by several pro school grads from both Harry's and Joe Brinkman's) to glance over my right shoulder to see if the runner is going. If he starts, by the time the catcher catches the pitch, I can glance over my shoulder and see the runner. Usually I can hear the runner's footsteps behind me. I can also hear fielders say, "he's going!" So there are plenty of ways to know the runner is stealing 3rd without resorting to starting on the 1st base side of the diamond.
Seventh, please tell me in which umpire's manual you can find where they teach the mechanic to work in B with a runner at 2nd base only. I say it doesn't exist. Prove me wrong.
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Its always interesting and entertaining to read how umpires throw in things like I was taught by ...... who happened to graduate from a pro school etc., )
When I went to school many moons ago they taught us what was accepted at the time but the bottom line was do what your association does.
I've been teaching to stay in B since 1990 and our group still does. Might be the only one in the country, but it works great and I don;t have to worry about angles etc.,
From B all its takes is a few quick steps and you have the perfect angle for any call at third.
I've read it from Carl that I believe he's advocating staying in B period, and I believe he included such in his Mechanics for the 20th century etc.,
I might be wrong, but I know what works and that's what matters the most. Now when I call with my college guys, they like me to change, but since I get the calls right they leave me alone.
Thanks
David