Quote:
Originally Posted by GPC2
To preface this post, I am a football official and know absolutely NOTHING about baseball umpiring.
I was watching the JUCO World Series this past weekend and there was a close play at the plate in the bottom half of the 9th inning. My question is about the mechanics and positioning of an umpire at home plate for a bang-bang play. The umpire was on the 3rd base/home plate baseline extended (see pic #10 at Day 7 of JUCO 2009, May 29 | Photo Gallery | GJSentinel). It appeared to me that the runner tagged the base with his left hand and the catcher either did or didn't tag the runner in the back as he was in the sitting position either at the same time, slightly before or slightly after he tagged the plate. Basically a really tough call.
It seems to me that from the umpire's view point, he wouldn't be able to see the tag on the back of the runner since the tag would have occured on the runner's back. Is there ever a time where the umpire would remain in the area behind the plate for this call?
Thanks in advance for any insight. |
What's the question exactly? From the photo it looks like a close call. The umpire has positioned himself on the 3rd baseline extended, which is a good spot for swipe tags. Beyond that there's nothing to judge from the photo.
As for the question you ask: no, the umpire should not stay behind the plate. Proper positioning puts him on one of the baselines extended, depending on where the ball's coming from and what type of play he expects.