Quote:
Originally Posted by Ref Ump Welsch
I've actually had a 2B say "blue, you're a little bit close for your own safety" when I lined up on the 2B shoulder side of the 1B and almost in a direct line to where 2B was standing. I told him I'll be fine. He shrugged his shoulders. Nothing happened, but I was quizzed by our association president a couple days later because 2B or his team rep called in the next day to state their "concern" for my positioning.
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I don't think they were as concerned with your safety as they were with your positioning as an umpire who is going to make a call.
Whenever I split the difference, I decide where I'm going to go based off of a number of things. Is it a righthanded or lefthanded batter? Do I see him aiming for 3B line, 1B line, or up the middle? Where are the fielders?
With no runners on (or a lone runner on 3B), I usually split the difference between F3 and F4 with a righthanded batter. Very rarely will I do this with a leftie. If I've got a leftie, I usually split the difference between F4 and F6.
It all depends on their positioning and where this split will put me as a result. If it gets me too far out of position, I'll just suck it up and park my butt behind F4, ready to haul butt when the ball's hit.