I was reading that they finished an NLCS game with five umpires. How does that work? Where does the fifth man go?

The 5 man mechanic is used on fields that have a foul pole in center field.

They started with 6 (5 & 6 are on the OF foul lines). Rapuano left feelin ill which left 5.

But what position does the fifth umpire take?

Next to the manager in the dugout of the team that is batting. After all, most managers think they have a better view than the umps from that vantage point anyway.

He serves as a "consultant." After any umpire makes a call, he meets with the 5th umpire to be sure they got the call right. ;)

Read the quote again.

In a 6 umpire system, the 5th and 6th are stationed on the foul lines in the outfield. This game started with 6 but the 6th (Ed Rapuano) fell ill and left the game.

I understand that he left, but what did the five remaining umpires do? Did the fifth stay on a foul line, or did he move to a new position.

Looks like the guys are giving you a hard time.

The RF umpire (Tim Welke) stayed in his position, there is no left field umpire on the line, its not that big of a deal. This happened last year in the NLCS, when Crew Chief Jerry Crawford became ill in game one and was forced to leave. Mike Reilly moved in from the RF line to behind the plate. The RF line was vacant for the remainder of the game and Larry Poncino (LF line and remaining outfield umpire) stayed in left.

Hope this answers your question.

Thanks. I was wondering if they made some mechanical changes. I guess adding the OF guys doesn't make as much difference as adding guys on the bases.

I was at the game and noticed he was gone, I had wondered what happened to him.