On the mound?

[Tim C]

Several posters in the initial thread long ago mentioned that working behind the mound made a number of calls easier and a very few more difficult.

Ball/strikes are not an issue . . . a corner can be called from behind the mound (obviously the umpire is in a set position and can track the ball as well -- pitchers seem to know the strike zone better than PUs and they have just completed a jerky pitching motion) as well as behind the plate.

Working behind the mound, as I recall the thread from so long ago, places an umpire in great position to cover all bases for safes and outs (including double plays and FPSR).

Working behind the mound also places the umpire more near outfielders for catch/no catch calls.

So what the original thread centered on, if I remember correctly, was that an umpire gives up the fair/foul calls only and gains much more by working behind the mound.

I am sure I have forgotten to mention several details that were in the orginal thread but I think this catches the intent of the "pro" side of working the mound area.

Of course as I have intoned several times:

The best one-man mechanic is go get in your car and go home.