Plate mechanics

[Thane Yennie]

Okay new subject. I have often felt my coverage (perception) of plays at the plate was a little weak. Are there any tips of the trade out there to help in making those calls. Outside of third or first baseline extended, don't get to close. I am often "blinded" by the dust cloud rolling in and the dirt covering the plate as the runner slides. Any help is greatly appreciated.

[Ump20]

Originally posted by Thane Yennie
Okay new subject. I have often felt my coverage (perception) of plays at the plate was a little weak. Are there any tips of the trade out there to help in making those calls. Outside of third or first baseline extended, don't get to close. I am often "blinded" by the dust cloud rolling in and the dirt covering the plate as the runner slides. Any help is greatly appreciated.

You say your perception of plate plays was weak. Have you asked any of your partners for their viewpoints?
You may be a little harsh on yourself. No one can appreciate your mechanics more than an umpire who is actually there!

I would recommend that in general the thirdbase line extended is better for most plate plays because from what I have read 3/5 of plays at the plate are swipe tags. This gives you a better view of the tag than the firstbase line extended. When throws become off-line you have to adjust. I know this is one part of my game I am looking to improve.

I think you are right about not being too close. I would also suggest pause and react. Just like we can sometimes call pitches too quickly, we can do the same on plate plays. Give yourself time to develop the picture.

I know that some of our Top Dogs will have more to add and I'll be looking for their input. Jim Simms / NYC

[umpyre007]

Originally posted by Thane Yennie
Okay new subject. I have often felt my coverage (perception) of plays at the plate was a little weak. Are there any tips of the trade out there to help in making those calls. Outside of third or first baseline extended, don't get to close. I am often "blinded" by the dust cloud rolling in and the dirt covering the plate as the runner slides. Any help is greatly appreciated.

PBUC Manual

7.24 POSITIONING FOR PLAYS AT THE PLATE

The basic fundamental position for plays at the plate recommended by the Umpire Development Program for beginning professional umpires is the first base line extended. However; after gaining professional experience, it is permissible for veteran umpires to use alternative positions to take this play In particular following technique is acceptable for experienced umpires:

Take the play by starting in the area between the first base line extended and the "point" of home plate, then swing to the left (i.e., first base line extended) or right (i.e., third base line extended), depending on the direction of the throw to the plate and the anticipated closeness of the play. In using this alternative, the plate umpire must be certain that he is completely set and not moving before the play occurs.

The alternative above takes into consideration the fact that if the play at the plate is a swipe tag, the optimal position is generally the third base line extended; and if the play at the plate results in an actual blocking of home plate, the preferred position is the first base line extended. Swipe tags often occur when the play is going to be close and the runner will attempt to elude the tag, while blocking of the plate can occur on a ground ball to the infield or on a play where the throw has the runner beat by a large margin. Also, swipe tags can occur when the catcher must reach out and take the throw from the right side, while blocking of the plate often occurs when the throw is coming from the catcher's left side. (These are simply guide-lines, and if the umpire decides to implement an alternative position for plays at the plate, he must take each play independently and position himself accordingly.)

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That said, I personally prefer to be even with or looking at the play developing as it is coming slightly towards my position instead of viewing the play from behind my position. If a train wreck is going to occur I want to see it coming.

[Warren Willson]

Originally posted by Thane Yennie
Okay new subject. I have often felt my coverage (perception) of plays at the plate was a little weak. Are there any tips of the trade out there to help in making those calls. Outside of third or first baseline extended, don't get to close. I am often "blinded" by the dust cloud rolling in and the dirt covering the plate as the runner slides. Any help is greatly appreciated.

The one thing I think that PU's tend to forget is angle and distance. They may use this philosophy to perfection on the bases, but put the same official in the dish and it's forgotten.

Calling a play at Home plate requires exactly the same consideration of angle and distance that any play on the other bases requires!

All the talk about 1st base line extended vs 3rd base line extended simply won't help keep the dust cloud out of your eyes at Home if you are too close. Just because as PU you CAN stand right over the top of the play doesn't mean that you SHOULD! You still need that bit of distance to allow you to take it all in, and not have the play exploding on your vision. Around 12'-15', roughly the same distance you should be from any play at 1st, 2nd or 3rd base, is the correct distance for a tag play at home plate. The rules haven't changed simply because of where you are and the fact you usually don't have to make up any ground to be there. Whether you take the play from 1st or 3rd base line, or move either way from the point of the plate, start from at least the outer extent of the home plate cut-out

Thane, what you need is PERSPECTIVE, and that is a function of both angle AND distance. Ask any artist!

Cheers,