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Originally Posted by GarthB
Tee, Rich and I are often criticized for suggesting that one shouldn't need to get help on a pulled foot or a swipe tage at first when working on the grass. Always, at some point in the coversation, one will declare that everyone gets straightlined once in a while and should get help. Having never experienced that, I decided to try to figure out why they believe that.
I think I found the answer: the villain is "the working area."
When starting out, most umpires are indoctrinated into believing the "working" is their best friend, when, at times, it is their second worst enemy. I have seen so many umpires "over-rely" on the working area, and, in doing so, actually set themselves up for the worst angle on the diamond.
Consider: R1. 2 outs. BU in B. Slow grounder to F6. BU turns with the ball, and keeping chest to ball moves to the working area, turns with the throw and is nearly straightlined.
What I do in this situation is, turn with ball, chest up and read from where the fielder is going to throw, and instead of heading toward the working area, I take as many quick (jogging) steps that I can towards a 90 degree angle to the play. In this case, that would be towards the first base side of the "first-second" basepath. Now I have a great view of the foot as F3 reaches for the ball, and I am a step and a lean from seeing a swipe tag.
I have noticed that the new MiLB umpires use the "working area" primarily for the second play and get both great angles and close distance for the first play. Of course, they're 22 and are both faster and more agile than most amateur umpires.
Example: I was working with a new MiLB umpire a couple of weeks ago. He was BU. Bases loaded. Batter hit deep fly to straight away right field. BU got in position for a great look and called the catch. He had seen that R2 had held the bag then left on the catch while R1 had taken off on the pitch and now had to retreat to first from 2/3rd's the way to second. By the time R1 and the ball from RF got to second, the BU, instead of heading to the workling area was about 6' from the first base cut-out from where he made the call and then beat feet for the working area to cover any back door play at third.
The beautiful part of this was that PBUC had trained him to move in such a way and with such timing that you didn't notice him hustling. What you noticed was that he was suddenly right where he needed to be to make the call.
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I've always thought of the working area as the place where I go when I'm really not sure where the play will be. It's the place where I can best get anywhere on the infield the quickest.
With two outs, ground ball to F5 or F6, I know the play is going to first. So I get closer to the play and like you I get an angle so that I know I'm not going to be straightlined.
Usually if the grounder is to F5, I head for the start of the running lane and if the grounder is to F6, I work towards the line between first and second, like you said. I read the throw and then come set when I know it's a quality throw. If it's a bad throw, I prepare to take a read step (and maybe a lean, if needed).
Of course, I always have had the attitude that this is mine (and mine alone) to get. There is clearly an epidemic, though -- I was working a regional final a few weeks ago and was in the A position. F3 stretched up onto a tiptoe to make a putout, and the first base coach was STUNNED that I simply wouldn't get help on that play.
I wouldn't have gotten help from B or C, either, but asking when I'm in A? Bah. Should I give the PU my check, too?
Another problem I feel, Garth, is that many umpires feel that a day on the bases is a day off. You have to WORK the bases.