Mechanics - Swipe Tag at First

[PeteBooth]

During my last HS association meeting concerning mechanics, specifically, the swipe tag at first, arguments developed (nothing new at association meetings since people like to argue for the sake of arguing - but thats another story altogether), concerning the proper mechanics.

The taught procedure was: The BU seeing the ball is going to be high and a possible swipe tag should adjust accordingly by getting as close to first base (without being in the way), as possible so he/she can see either tag or no tag and also be ahead of the runner should the ball be overthrown or misplayed.

The problem, because the BU is on the inside of first (fair territory), you could get blocked out on this play and not actually see the tag / no tag.

The PU's role at this point is to: obviously move out from behind home plate up the first base side and (1) be in position to help out your partner should he / she need it and (2) follow the ball as it is the PU's call should the ball go into dead ball territory.

Some including myself suggested the following:

The optimal position on this play is for the BU to be on the outside of first (foul territory - similar to the PRO umpires), since he / she can see the entire play develop right in front of them. From this position the BU can see clearly whether or not F3 tagged the runner or not.

Since the BU is already in Foul territory, have the BU follow the ball to make the dead ball call and circle back to home plate should there be a subsequent play there.

The PU seeing the BU on the outside of first - away from the runner would follow the BR around the bases should there be an errant throw or misplay.

Obviously, the PU can not follow the BR around the bases if we have a runner on third, since the PU's primary responsibility at that point would be to get into optimal position to make that crucial call at home plate.

So gentlemen what's the proper 2 man mechanics regarding the swipe-tag at first. Originally, I argued for the latter, but the more I think about it, the taught mechanics makes more since.

This is one of those plays in which we have to make the best out of only 2 of us being out there.

As always your opinions and feedback are welcome.

Pete Booth

[Roger Greene]

Pete,

I tend to go with the taught mechanic. If there is an R2 or R3, and the PU needs to stay home, he can go 1st baseline extended, and except for the moment of the touch at 3rd he can still be available to offer help on the tag if asked. He won't be that close to the play, but will still have an angle.

Roger Greene,
Member UT

[Bfair]

After 24 years of playing and 21 yrs of calling I can assure you there is no sure angle. The play stinks.

It is typically the defense who caused the need for a swipe tag with a less than perfect throw, so make the defense PROVE the tag to you.

Today's great angle is tomorrow's killer.
Talk about it all you want and you won't find a good answer to solve the problem.

Just my opinion,

Steve

[Ranger]

Pete, your situation is a great topic for discussion. Most of your discussion seemed to involve a play where the base umpire is in Position A or in foul territory along the first base line.

On an infield grounder, the umpire is taught to be 90 degrees from the line of the throw and facing first base. Most professional instructors agree on this. To follow these guidelines, most umpires will be in fair territory to make the call at first. Unfortunatly for the umpire, many of those plays will be routine and many will be quite difficult. Therefore, the umpire, after he moves into fair territory and positions himself facing the base and 90 degrees from the line of the throw, must pause to READ the throw for accuracy.

As the throw is in the air approaching first base, the umpire should be looking for a bad throw that may require a swipe tag. He also needs to look for the play where the first baseman may pull his foot. The umpire may also want to look for other things such as runner's lane interference and obstructions near the base. This position in fair territory gives the umpire the best position to see or react to any routine or non routine play.

To state this another way: the minute you are sure of the right position to take for this play, a new situation will come along to proove you wrong. If you have the benefit of a crystal ball, go to where the ball says to go. Without that crystal ball, take the position that is most often taught. It is a great position for the routine play.

If the throw is bad and the fielder will have to come off the base, you will recognize that well before the catch. In my experience, many umpires focus on the base too soon and do not read the throw. But if you work at reading that bad throw you will be rewarded many times over because you will be prepared to make a minor adjustment to be able to see a tag clearly.

With no runners on, the plate umpire should be going toward first base in case the base umpire needs help. If the base umpire is 90 degrees he will see routine and pulled foot plays well. If the base umpire reads the throw well and makes an adjustment he will also get the tag. But just in case, the plate umpire can help. Good position, good read, good adjustments and good timing will usually mean that the plate umpire will not be asked!

[JRutledge]

Not all umpires teach the 90 degree angle mechanic. I think the better mechanic is similar to the position that the 1st base umpire is in a 4 man system or what you see on TV often. I think a better mechanic is looking at the runner slightly off the line. You get a better look at the foot of the fielder, and you can see the runner touching the base. Seeing a tag play or a swipe is much easier than if you take a 90 degree angle to the throw.

[MRUMPIRE4U]

Conventional wisdon says you should not argue with a mechanic that has stood the test of time but I think it makes sense to call this play from the outside if there are no other runners on. But, unlike Pete, I would not trade places with the PU on an overthrow. As BU you should have time to hustle into position for a play at second on an overthrow since the BR would probably have overrun first.

Just my two cents.

Capt. Dave

[Rich]

...teaching 90 degree angles a while ago.

The "correct" mechanic is sometimes referred to as 2SF, or 2 steps fair.

This puts you on the line, a good position for pulled foot and swipe tags.

But, you have to watch for the quality of the throw and be prepared, as the base umpire, to shift into a better position.

As the base umpire in A, you should NEVER have to ask for help from the plate umpire, unless you weren't prepared to adjust for a bad throw.

Rich

[umpyre007]

Originally posted by Rich Fronheiser
The "correct" mechanic is sometimes referred to as 2SF, or 2 steps fair.

Besides, the BU looks sooooooo cool when he's not in a big rush to get to the 90 degree angle.

[Rich]

...the umpire get into position, anyway, except maybe other umpires.

Personally, I don't like the angle 2SF gives, but I think 90 degrees is too much.

So I split the difference.

It doesn't matter as long as you are prepared to move and prepared to lean and look from the spot you choose.

Rich

I'm with Rich. I'm somewhere in between but a little closer to 90. But whichever one you use I would never go to foul ground. It's too far to make up on an overthrow. If you're in "A" you HAVE to make that call yourself or lose your credibility. Read the bad throw and take a lunge step toward the foul line. If a coach ask you to check with the PU I wouldn't. Just tell him you got a good look at it and you're keeping the call.

[Rich]

....on certain plays, especially where pressure comes from F3 or F4.

IF you pregame this well, and you decide as a crew that when the BU is forced foul the PU will pick up the BR and take him to second, you don't lose anything.

Rich

[JJ]

I had a double play ball with the bases loaded, and as first base ump in a four man crew assumed the 2SF position. The throw from second pulled the first baseman in a "straight-line" toward me. The PU couldn't help as he had runners coming home and had to watch touches there. I banged the runner at first (looked like the first baseman was coming off the bag as he caught the ball, but had the bag and THEN came off). Offensive coach came out and said "You have to get help". I told him the propor mechanic is to get help before the call is made, but taking into consideration the prime responsiblities of the PU as well as his angle (pretty much the same as mine, with the first baseman moving away from him), help was not a choice. (Plateman later agreed). Then coach said "You should have been closer". I told him I was in the position taught, and the only person with a better look at the play was the first base coach. Of course, with a four man crew I guess I COULD have been standing next to him...
All this goes to show that no matter where you are, no matter how many of you there are, you can still have an impossible look at a bad play - and you still have to make a ruling. I love this game!

[Bfair]

Originally posted by JJ


All this goes to show that no matter where you are, no matter how many of you there are, you can still have an impossible look at a bad play - and you still have to make a ruling. I love this game!

JJ---------

Isn't that what I stated early on?

Steve

[jicecone]

1. With a player on base the only place your going is in fair territory. If you know the play is gonna be at first, head towards home plate and turn in a line between the mound and first, if possible. You can probably get a good read from there if the ball is fielded by the catcher or second base. Otherwise, set up the best you can and as JJ said hope for the best. With a runner on third , help may not be possible from the PU.
2. In the A position, if you can tell when a errant throw is gonna happen, your a better ump then the ones I know. So if you know when to head for foul territory, well good luck.

This is for 2 man system.