"The Pinch"

[BigUmp56]

In the past few months, I have heard several of you mention "working the pinch" in your posts. Could you please explain to me what that is.

Thank's,

Tim.

[bluezebra]

That's when the PU and F2 are on VERY FRIENDLY terms.

Bob

[BretMan]

The "Pinch" is a mechanic for the base umpire in a two-man, 60 foot base game.

There's a good discussion about it here:

http://eteamz.active.com/baseball/bo....cfm?id=884788

You'll have to scroll down past the first twenty-or-so posts in the thread to find it.

[jicecone]

Originally posted by BretMan
The "Pinch" is a mechanic for the base umpire in a two-man, 60 foot base game.

You'll have to scroll down past the first twenty-or-so posts in the thread to find it.

I believe that it is when the BU is brushing the base off, and is trying to do such a good job, that 2b pinches him, to let him know that are going to start the next inning.
Yea, I'm sure thats what it is!!!!!!

[Dave Davies]

"Da Pinch"

This is a LL mechanic designed so that the base umpire can see the runner leading off early and also get inside on any play.

I couldn't justify making a call at 1st base from behind the SS. It took 2 years to figure it out. The biggest obstacle being where the BU should be with R2. Draw a line between F4 & 2nd base, line up between 2nd & F4 on that line. As the pitch reaches the plate area, take a step or two toward the mound. I could see if R2 was leaving early and I was also inside if there was a play. With R1, be on the 3rd base side on the infield grass. You can see F1 & R1. With R3, be on the 1st base side on the infield grass.

The "Pinch" is a lot tougher than this brief description and you have to be experienced to consider using it.

One thing for sure is that you can be inside for EVERY play and not get in the way.

Calif D62 uses this mechanic exclusively. The standard LL mechanic is ridiculous for experienced umpires.

LL does NOT endorse this mechanic because they didn't invent it. When they DO invent it in a few years they will heartily endoese it and take credit for it.

I introduced the "Pinch" to WRLL in 1998 and they recoiled in horror, with the exception of Mike Wright.

The "Pinch" was invented by Davies, Named by Carey and perfected by Batterman.

Dave
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[BigUmp56]

Thank you Dave. I've seen this mechanic used by a couple of guys during our state tournament, but I didn't know I was looking at "the pinch."

Tim.