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Quote:
QUOTE=Carl Childress]R1, R2, 0 or 1 out. Fly ball to right, and F9 busts toward the line to make the catch.
Base umpire (BU) must get the retouch of both runners. Right?
Plate umpire (PU) has catch/no catch and fair/foul. Right?
If R1 retouches and tries for second, BU has the play.
If R2 retouches and tries for third....
Who has the play?
I have always taught that the BU splits the difference and prepares for plays at either (or both) bases.
A supervisor for an independent minor league says the PU should take that play at third, even if it's the first play after the catch.
Any thoughts?
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Papa C this type of play comes up every year and more than one occassion. It is mentioned as one of those type plays which "crys out" to have three person crews but we know due to budget constraints, etc. that doesn't happen until the end of the season come playoff time.
On a bill hit to F9, the PU vacates home plate to get the best possible angle which is to the right side of home plate. He has to first make sure of fair/ Foul and then make the catch call which could be difficult espcially if it's one of those soft sinking line drives.
As soon as R2 sees the ball Touch F9's glove he is taking off for third, so I do not know how the PU can get into proper position to make the call at third when he is concentrating on the "other" responsibilities.
Over the years it seems as though the PU in a 2 person system has gotten more and more responsibilities with respect to the bases than before. I do not know about everyone else but when you as PU have to "run around a lot" especially in the heat it takes away from our prime responsibility which is to call Balls / strikes.
As fatigue sets in, my timing caling balls / strikes is effected. We as PU want to get into that "zone" so that we are consistent and call a good game behind the plate. When we do a lot of running, etc. it takes away from that. It sems as though the BU is getting a "free ride" on many of these type situations. It's no wonder now-a-days that many prefer the bases to the plate.
In the example above, the BU is already in "C" and can straddle himself to see both the touches from R1/R2 and also make the call at third. Sometimes I do not understand the thinking that goes into these types of situations.
Pete Booth