Quote:
Originally Posted by chymechowder
OK, that's an interesting point. In my scenario, I've got the BU making the catch/no catch call even if he's not going out. So your response at least answers my question about why one guy would do both.
Buuut, I guess I still have another question, and I suppose it's one of general mechanics. With a runner on first, I assume the ASA BU's pre-pitch position is around 2nd base? If so, he's never going to be able to have both the touch and the tag in front of him. Maybe if it's down the RF line. But anything to center or left is going to require him to see first touch then whip his head around to see when the runner releases. There's going to be a gap. Unless he's only LISTENING for first touch, which I dont imagine he's doing.
So I guess I come back to: with (just) a man on first, isn't the home plate umpire in a better position to rule on first touch vs. runner leaving?
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With a runner on 1st (or no runners on), the pre-pitch position is behind the 2nd baseman, and shaded toward the first base side. If the F4 plays extremely deep, then "behind" becomes behind a line drawn between the F4 and F3, again shaded toward first base. Only if F4 is deep AND shifted way around on a big lefty does the BU get anywhere near 2nd base.
After buttonhooking into the infield as the ball is hit into left field, the BU has almost the exact same view and angle, if not better, as the PU who is hustling down the third base line to see the catch. So, as NCASAUMP said, if PU is doing his job, and BU is properly doing his job, then it makes no sense for PU to call the tag occuring about 90' away behind his right ear, when the BU can see it from 20' away in his peripheral vision.