Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve M
Wade,
That's an alternate starting position for the 2-umpire crew in the college game, too. It feels strange, but I can see that it may be helpful. As for BU, in this modified position, taking fair/foul - you don't. In this position, your fly ball coverage area is the 'V' - that's the area from F7 to F9.
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OMG, don't let the SUIP hear you call it the 'V'; it's the 'wedge".
Very few umpires in this area have taken to the alternate position. It essentially trades off the illegal pitches where the pitcher doesn't maintain contact with the pitching plate for a better look at the 24" pitching lane (which is violated considerably less often; and the lines are quickly gone whenever a pitcher is even close to being considered for that).
Other than that, you save so few steps that there is no value realized. The can of corn in the wedge has always been easily called by PU; more easily than having the BU chase nothing and the PU do a one man until the out is called.