Quote:
Originally Posted by ronald
Just a thought. What hppens if the plate ump takes his eyes off the play at first to see the runner from 3b touch home and the bu says pulled foot? Crew might look a little amateur at that point.
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I cover this in our pregame. I also expect the plate umpire to pay attention to the actual play that exists, that being the one at first base.
The reality is that everyone will be watching the play at first and no one pays attention to R3 touch home, at least not when there is a potential problem with the play at first. I would also expect that the plate umpire would line himself up properly and would be able to see both.
This is a far better technique than making a call and then having to stop play to talk about it. You may end up having to place runners, you may put other runners in jeopardy, etc. It's just a big, unnecessary mess.
If we can still "go for help" on a check swing when a runner is stealing, I think umpires can walk and chew gum at the same time at be able to see a runner step on a plate and still pay attention to first base. If the umpire can't, they we need to do a better job training them.