Positioning and Getting Help

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally posted by Rich Fronheiser

I've worked with partners in HS varsity games who will ask for help twice a game and think that it's perfectly OK to do so. Why? Is it poor training?

--Rich

I concur. Umpires need to get their own plays. I have asked for help on plays at first maybe two or three times in 20 years. I work hard to get good angles, and I have my eyes where they belong, as dictated by the playing action. If a throw is on target, I watch the base and F3's foot. If the throw is off-line, I move, under control, to obtain the best possible angle, so as not to get straight lined on the tag attempt. Sometimes when in the middle, you can easily be screened out on swipe tags if you aren't prepared for them. Some guys stand in either B or C and never move out of their little patch of grass. You are supposed to start in those positions, not stay in them. I really get annoyed when partners are in A and still need help on calls at first base. There is no excuse for not getting the call yourself when in A.

I know what Rich means, I occasionally work with a certain few partners who are constantly either asking for help, or just plain kicking the crap out of every other call. My assignor, always the cynical smart alec, tells me it's good training for me. Yeah, thanks.