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Originally Posted by azbigdawg
Re-read... batter Runner ONLY..... and the BU is to the RIGHT of the 2nd baseman to start.... hes got NO angle when he buttonhooks in, and the PU has THE BEST angle. (If hes in the right spot)
They have put the BU so FAR away from 1st base ( I would imagine for better position on the frequent doubles in SP). WHY would you then require him to get back to first when you have another set of eyes that has a GREAT angle?
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You may have read in another thread that I was the ASA Rep at the JO Slowpitch Nationals, and did fill in for one game on the bases. Our Tournament UIC stated in the pretournament clinic that "Per Bernie" the base umpire should ALWAYS start to the right shoulder of F4; one starting position, no matter where runners were or weren't located. The umpires did what they were told, and worked what they named the "J-slot" (UIC's first name starts with J). In fact, many of them almost were right up the middle, looking like a deep USSSA base umpire.
Personally, I worked the ASA Umpire manual mechanic in my one game, the same B slot I work in fastpitch. I felt very comfortable buttonhooking from that location without crossing F4 to pick up my batter-runner, and was easily in a great position to handle any throwback at first base, without needing to rely on PU who may or may not be there to take my call. Being in the B slot made it easier to help with fly balls and the temporary fences, and I never once felt the need to help with fair/foul calls that aren't mine to call, no matter where I am starting.
I wonder if Darrell's situation was caused by being told to work closer to 2B? Without stealing, I can't see the reason to ever work to the right of F4, unless they play 5 infielders, or F4 is in an exagerated shift for a big leftie. I heard several of the umpires talking about disliking having to clear F4 to work inside and pick up the BR, but they did as told, despite not agreeing, nor it being the manual mechanic. And, we all know the closest calls are the back end of the double play, and all the bangers at first base. The premise was to take you to the easier buttonhook location, that being the most predominate situation in slowpitch. That is between F3 and F4, so we should start there.
Mike, is this being changed midstream? Have you heard, or can you find out first hand if Bernie is being misquoted? It wouldn't be the first time that (a midstream change) has happened, although it would seem to be counter to the approach of the current administration, which has stated they wouldn't change anything unless and until they could publish a change.