[Big Slick]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

That is true, but I do not have to be that close to see it. Besides, as I've been told, we are discussing NCAA . BTW, I don't remember saying anything about the umpire checking up at 2B

Well, the discussion is contrasting the two philosophies, so ASA comes into play. More on the umpire "checking up" in just a moment.

Now this is where you and Esq agree on missing the point I have made. Who says I'm going that far into the middle of the field? I am NOT a "you cannot have a play without the ball" believer. Which means I am watching the runner when near a defender and the ball will still be in front of me with the runner. But still, if there is going to be a play @ 3B, the ball will most likely turn me facing the runner approaching 3B. And if the runner is getting there that far ahead of the ball, I may be moving my priority to the runner when nearing the base or defender. Doesn't mean I do not know where the ball is, it just means I am focusing on the play at hand.

No, we both got the point, and you make our point for us as well. What you are doing is READING the play. If the most likely play is at second, you don't continuing all the way to first; if you get indication the runner is not stopping at second, you take a different path/vantage point. Furthermore, you also know where the ball is coming from: from Right Center, you are more tight to the base; closer to the RF line, you are wider.

Our point is that ASA lacks this in their training by not allowing the umpire options. How about this: I stay outside on this play, how many times will I lose any element? Answer: none. If I come inside, and you have seen this, how many time do we see umpires duck out in the last minute? Answer: often. There is a multi-faceted solution to this and it involves more than just staying outside or moving inside. It can be done inside, but you have to use your brain.

someone as young and healthy as you should be able to do it standing on your head.

Don't go spreading that rumor. I've put a few orthopod's kids through college. And young? Hell, I lived through the Reagan years (ok, I was not eligible to vote for Ronnie either time).

The umpire must take into consideration more than where s/he is going to stand to view the play. The umpire must be aware of the direction of the throw, the defenders in place to make a play and especially if there is a player in position to cut the throw should a runner check up or stumble and attempts to retreat. No matter how rare it is, if the umpire is not prepared for it......well, I just want to make sure that is not what happens.

Yes, yes and yes. It actually takes a lot more energy to do this inside than outside. That's rather paradoxical, in that ASA requires the mechanic with the most effort to those with the least talent.

All I am saying which seems to be the point missed is that I can (and any umpire should be able to) work the inside from 3B and still keep the ball the runner and defenders involved in front of me without looking over a shoulder and be prepared for the TWP that no one ever expects.

I did say you can, but there is greater risk for missing something. And it also involves the level of play. As you mentioned, in Major SP, there wasn't any plays at first, and probably not that many triples (doubles or HR's, right?). In the GOLD last year, I can't recall having any triples (and I'm happy I didn't have any U1 chasing with no on for me to get my young and healthy self across to first - but I did see a U3 trip on the sprinkler on the stadium field!). But other divisions is a different story.

Bottom line, I prefer to have an option.