Quote:
Originally Posted by rj
I recently worked a woman's fast-pitch softball game with two very veteran umpires and got two very different mechanics. Who's right?
As the Base Umpire in a two-man system with runners on 2nd & 3rd, I'm in position 'D'. I was told that if there's a throw from the catcher to the 3rd baseman in an attempt to pick-off R1; (1) I should take a few steps in toward the infield to get the 90 degree angle to the base; or (2) I should move parallel to the base path to get as close to the left field line as possible to see the throw coming up the line.
Who's right?
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RJ, the "D" position is foul ground third base; in a two umpire system (as you stated), I sure hope you aren't starting there. That would be known as C2; off the right shoulder of F6, or in the hole between F5 and F6, depending on where F6 is positioned.
To your question, you should react moving toward whatever position puts you 90 degrees to the intended tag. When the pick throw is to F5, the position best to see the tag (generally up the line) is (2), as close to third base foul line as possible.
When the pick throw is to F6 sneaking behind, or if F5 is playing very deep at or behind the base, the tag is more likely at the leading edge of the base (facing the plate), so the better position is (1), to step forward to 90 degrees to the base and tag at front of the base.
This is always a difficult snap judgment since the tag can vary, particularly if the runner slides back and tries to hook into foul teritory to avoid a tag. But the rules of thumb apply generally to which tag location is most likely.
If you were working a three umpire system (you did say you had two other umpires??), you would actually be in D; if the tag is up the line by F5, step up maintaining the view down the line you already have. If F6 snaking behind, or F5 deep, step forward into foul ground and even with the front edge of the bag (working to create some distance from the bag) to a calling position 90 degrees from the leading edge.
Hope that helps, and helps understand why you would get two different advices.