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Originally Posted by jimpiano
so a possible play at third base is "more" important than a missed tag or pulled foot at first base?
Discuss.
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It has little to no importance to the PU. Dont forget, 1B is already covered by BU.. so that is equal to its importance, it already IS covered by a competent, trained, and certified sports official.. the "trail" theory advocates double coverage for lame reason.
Lets examine a sample play to illustrate my point...
WheelsR1@1B 0 outs - Runner goes on the pitch; slap and run blooper to shallow right.
PU and BU follow the book, PU trailing the runner up 1B BU hooking in from B, great view of 1B.
R9 fields the ball and shoots to F3, F3 makes the catch, PU sees the pulled foot, which by the way - stalls his movement to B3. BU calls the out or sees the pulled foot himself. Meanwhile, back on the rest of game, while you are over there with BU patting yourselves on your fine coverage of 1/4th of the bases.. R1 has already rounded second and is full steam to 3B.
Now even in-shape speedsters like Steve M and myself (let alone most other umpires) would have trouble to even get somewhat of a decent call .. because guess what, you aint going to get close to that play.. best you can hope for is an "angle"..
but lucky, 1B was double covered.. the IMPORTANT UNCOVERED play is 3B.
3B needs a good fair call, its going to be a bang bang slide play and you need to be there to be perfect on it.. not "with an ok angle".
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Where is wade?
I'm on that call at 3B - sacrificing over coverage of 1B in a 2 man system for a good look on the lead runner - the most important to the game and to both teams.
2 man is deficient of course, and requires some sacrifices. This is one.
ASA and NFHS is wrong on their coverage with Runner on.
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With Runner on 1B and a hit, PU (assuming catch / fair /foul responsibilities are met) moves Out to the left of the F2 and slightly in, then moves immediately towards 3B keeping careful eye on his responsibility, the advancing lead runner and ready to be ON TOP of the play at 3B.
To go farther, BU ready to rotate home is an excellent option which should be implemented in 2 man.