Mechanic - Help from Plate on Foot Pull

[gordon30307]

Originally posted by Tim C
Gordon:

There is no such thing as "one man mechanics" . . .

Respectfully, I also have never seen or even heard of the BU getting trapped as you have listed.

Now we did, long ago, do the mirror thingy that if the BU felt pressure and went foul that the PU would cover inside (i.e. mirroring)and lead the play to second base if necessary.

I agree with Rich's statement in basic terms . . . the PU following up the line has many, many more things more important than helping on a swipe tag or pulled foot. (Actually a pulled foot would not even make my radar as a PU).

Where I live many games are done with one umpire. Give me a fax number and I'll dig this info. out concerning a one man game.

Doesn't happen often but I was trapped at first. Had a liner down the line and I was behind the 1B who was on the grass by the time I recovered BR was two thirds of the way down the line. My partner took BR to second and I covered the dish. Also as PU there was a close play at first my partner of course had to first make the call at first. When the ball squirted away he had no chance to recover and I took BR into second.

[Tim C]

Not only have I never done a game as a one man, I never would do a one man.

IF my partner was injured or did not show I would give the teams a process that we could cancel the game or use a volunteer from the crowd. (I have worked professional games, as the volunteer under this request).

If there was no one from the crowd I would select a player from each team to umpire (again this has been done at the lower levels of professional baseball at various times) each would be the BU when their team was on defense.

One more point, varsity baseball games in many areas cannot be played without two umpires: league, state and insurance rules control that issue.

Gordon . . . there is no such thing as one man mechanics.

In closing, I would not work with a one man crew. Period.

I work under FED rules in all my games (even summer Legion) and I am sure they would agree it is a potential safety issue. (That's my stroy and I'm sticking to it).



[Edited by Tim C on Feb 25th, 2005 at 12:34 PM]

[Tim C]

Gordon wrote:

"Had a liner down the line and I was behind the 1B who was on the grass by the time I recovered BR was two thirds of the way down the line. My partner took BR to second and I covered the dish."

Sure that happens, it is just part of "going out" and staying out.

It does not appear to me, probably a reader error on my part, that this has anything to do with your original play of getting run over by a runner or fielder.

Again, none of us are saying a PU does not have "some" responsibilites when heading for the 45' spot on the first base line . . . many of us just feel that helping the BU with his call is not high on our list of priorities.

[jicecone]

Originally posted by gordon30307

I can't believe what I just read. THIS is the most important reason for PU to come up the line?

One man mechanics?

Gordon, I'm truly not trying to be a a##Hole critic here, but take the advise of others here and strive to get the call yourself, and you will find, that that same hustle, will help improve many parts of your officiating experience.

You have never ever ever....... done a game by yourself? You've never had a partner get hurt and be unable to continue, go to the wrong field or simply not shown up. If this is the case you are truly blessed. In my neck of the woods most Freshman games are done with one umpire. Many summer tournament games are done with one umpire and virtually all Summer League High School regardless of level is done with one umpire. And yes there is something called One man Mechanics. And out of necessity you better know how to do a game by yourself. Give me a fax number and I'd be happy to dig this info. out and fax it to you. Concerning sophmore it's not unusual do a game by yourself. And yes as the PU you better be prepared as the plate umpire to take the BR to second and beyond in the unlikely event BU can't do this for the reasons described. And yes it's of utmost importance that the bases be covered.

And of course you try to get the call yourself, but, if you can't that's why you have a partner.

I will admit that I have had to do some games by myself but not any games that really meant anything. The mechanics I use are simple. If I get a good look at it, I make a good call. If I don't, I make a good call. If anyone has a problem with these mechanics then they are either asked to go home ORRRR, do the mechanics theirself.

In any event Gordon, we are discussing , normal basball games with normal conditions here. If you want to cover every abnormalty , well, Im otta here!!!!!!!!!

[gordon30307]

Originally posted by Tim C
Not only have I never done a game as a one man, I never would do a one man.

IF my partner was injured or did not show I would give the teams a process that we could cancel the game or use a volunteer from the crowd. (I have worked professional games, as the volunteer under this request).

If there was no one from the crowd I would select a player from each team to umpire (again this has been done at the lower levels of professional baseball at various times) each would be the BU when their team was on defense.

One more point, varsity baseball games in many areas cannot be played without two umpires: league, state and insurance rules control that issue.

Gordon . . . there is no such thing as one man mechanics.

In closing, I would not work with a one man crew. Period.

I work under FED rules in all my games (even summer Legion) and I am sure they would agree it is a potential safety issue. (That's my stroy and I'm sticking to it).



[Edited by Tim C on Feb 25th, 2005 at 12:34 PM]

You're fortunate that you have the luxury or process that requires two umpires. In my neck of the woods this is not the case. Over the years I've done perhaps a half dozen varsity games by myself. To my knowledge there are no insurance issues with respect to this. As long as the game is regularly scheduled this is not a problem as per the Rep. from NASO. Had I refused to do the game I would be in a world os s***. I honestly can't think of a reason why I wouldn't do the game solo. Also, to my knowledge, there's nothing in the Rule Book that says you must have two umpires or the game can't be played.

[Rich]

Originally posted by gordon30307

You're fortunate that you have the luxury or process that requires two umpires. In my neck of the woods this is not the case. Over the years I've done perhaps a half dozen varsity games by myself. To my knowledge there are no insurance issues with respect to this. As long as the game is regularly scheduled this is not a problem as per the Rep. from NASO. Had I refused to do the game I would be in a world os s***. I honestly can't think of a reason why I wouldn't do the game solo. Also, to my knowledge, there's nothing in the Rule Book that says you must have two umpires or the game can't be played.

There is where I live. Two umpires are required at EVERY level.

[Kaliix]

Just for the record, I do more games by myself than I do with a partner. We have one high school here in CT that WILL NOT pay for two umpires for anything but Varsity.

Most of my summer and tournament games are one umpire, until the tournament gets near the end that is.

That's just the way it is...

[dddunn3d]

All the select/travel ball that I have worked in Northern Illinois only use one umpire; it's solely the home team's prerogative as to how many blues they will pay. Notable exceptions are the USSSA-type tournaments.

(And I guess T is saying he can't stand working with himself either .)

[cbfoulds]

Originally posted by Kaliix
Just for the record, I do more games by myself than I do with a partner. We have one high school here in CT that WILL NOT pay for two umpires for anything but Varsity.

Most of my summer and tournament games are one umpire, until the tournament gets near the end that is.

That's just the way it is...

Well, have to admit that I've done more than a few games, both big-boy & short-diamond, solo. I have always preferred to pull in a volunteer to call the bases, but occasionally that was not possible; or [in one memorable DH] the volunteer was so useless in game 1 that I really PREFERRED to do game 2 solo. [Yes, that was 2 full summer games back-to-back behind the plate]

"One-man mechanics" has to be, I'm sorry, a joke.
My "mechanics" for solo games begins and ends at the plate meeting:

"OK, guys, obviously I'm by myself today. I'll hustle as much as I can to get a good look at all plays, but the fact is, I'm gonna be calling some close ones from at least 90' away. If anybody is going to have a problem with that, now's the time to say so, & we'll call the game off & have it rescheduled. Otherwise, we're all going to do our best and have some fun, OK? Let's play some baseball."

After that, I do what I have to to be in as good a position as I can to cover whatever happens, but, really, it's all improvisation.

Our assn. solved the "too cheap to pay for 2 umps" problem by charging so much for teams that insisted on a single umpire that our proposed fee for a full crew made it obvious that the "savings" was false economy.

We get decent fees, too: Regular season 2-man Babe Ruth [WITH a time limit] pays $50 per ump: HS & Legion generally higher.

[DG]

For one reason or another, I end up doing 3 or 4 games a year by myself. No big deal in my book.

One of the best games I have had in the past couple of years was one my assignor called and asked if I could do at the last minute. He called at 2:00 and game time was 4:00. I showed up not knowing who my partner was supposed to be, and at game time a partner had not arrived. This was a varsity HS game between two private schools. I offered options to the coaches at the plate conference. We can wait for my partner to arrive, I can start and maybe end the game alone, or we could call it off and they could play another day. They opted to start the game. It was a 2-1 game, lasted 1 hour 20 minutes, the home team wrote me a check for $85. I only had one tough call, a steal of 2B that was close. Partner never showed up.

[thumpferee]

I would like to comment on this. I only read the first two pages so if this was already brought up, I apologize.

In the situation regarding getting help on the pulled foot or swipe tag.

Example: Any situation, BU does not make a call and looks to the PU for help. While coming down the line the PU has a brain fart or bug in his eye. You look at him and he looks at you with that deer in the headlights look. You then as the BU makes the call, or his response is delayed. You are not going to sell that call to anyone. It would seem like a guess.

From my experiences, it has always worked best(for me)as the BU to make the call. Be strong, call what you saw, and sell it. If after the fact you decide there may be a possibility that you missed it, go to your P for help and get the call right.

Some may not agree, but my p's and I have used signals in the past as to whether or not they saw the same thing. If they agreed, they would put hand over fist or touch the brim of their hat. If they didn't have the same thing, they would turn quickly and go back to business. To me, that extra information would let me know what I needed to do next. If I missed it, I would go to my p and get the call right even if not asked to get help. If we agreed and I was asked to get help, I would do so as a courtesy in most cases.

I don't have a big ego when it comes to getting help. I am human and make mistakes. But when and if I blow it, I would like to think I was in the best possible position to make the right call and will sell it big as sh!t.

Just my thoughts. Now for yours.

[gsf23]

Originally posted by Tim C
Not only have I never done a game as a one man, I never would do a one man.
[Edited by Tim C on Feb 25th, 2005 at 12:34 PM]

There is an old-time umpire up here in these parts that does amatuer baseball. The guy always works by himself. Guy's name is Earl and he made one of the funniest calls I have ever seen.

3-2 count on the batter, ball comes across high and batter checks his swing. Earl calls ball and runner takes off down to first. The pitcher then tells the catcher to appeal the call. The catcher turns to Earl and asks "did he go?" Earl replies with a hearty "YES HE DID!!" and rings the batter up on strike three.

Couldn't watch the rest of the game without laughing everytime old earl made a call.

[kylejt]

I did a variation of that.

Working solo, check swing, "no he didn't!"

Catcher points his mitt down toward first asks for help.

I obliged, and pointed down with my left hand and called out "Did he go!?", expecting only a chuckle from the crowd.

The first base coach cocks right arm and replies "Yes he did!"

That was good enough for me.

"Strike"

[officialtony]

thunpferee,

Earlier in the post there was a large discussion concerning " signals " between umpires. The general conclusion was that signals are NOT a good idea - for a variety of reasons. Feel free to check the rest of the thread to get that discussion. I won't bore everyone here repeating it.