IBXL

[GarthB]

Originally posted by Sal Giaco

This picture does NOT show a swipe tag but rather a tag actually being applied on the inside shoulder of the runner - which is impossible to see if you are positioned 1BLX. That's probably why the instructor has his arms out to his side suggesting that he can't tell whether or not the tag has been applied. If you position yourself 3BLX (the same angle from which the picture was taken), you can clearly see that the runner was tagged.

Now, if the play developed further, perhaps into a swipe tag on the runner's back, then you would have to adjust a couple of steps towards fair territory (yes, like Bruce Froeming does) to see the tag. It's a ******* play but what else can you do??

Sal,

If what they are telling the umpire is that it is absolutely guaranteed that the only play that will be made on the runner by a catcher in fair territory is a tag on the side of the runner, and not to prepare for any other possibility, then yes, 3BLX is the place to be.

I never have been trained that way. In all the clinics I've attended, including the desert classic, we were taught to be positioned to see what ever could happen given the positions of the catcher, the runner and the quality of the throw. I am very poor at one dimensional questions. I'll refrain from joining in on them in the future.

[ozzy6900]

WHAT PICTURE? The placemat or link is gone!

Oh never mind - it's in regard to LL so it's not important!

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally posted by Mike Walsh

I could not see the picture posted, so I went to the source. Let's be fair, Tim. The title of the picture is "1blx vs. 3blx" and it is one of two pictures. The other shows the fielder and runner in the same position with the umpire in the 3blx instead of 1blx position. Viewed in context, it is obvious that the purpose is to show why 3blx is the way to make this call.

Bob Larson posted the picture, but I don't think he is in it. Maybe. I know from other posts that he annually attends a professional clinic on the East Coast. Your reference to a bunch of smittys seems misplaced. Shouldn't you save your criticism for the wannabee umpires who don't seek advanced training?

Mike

Mike,

Tim was making a joke about the Smitties, because someone we all know made a remark that all the umpires on Tim's board at Yahoo were a bunch of Smitties, to which I'm sure the fine umpires there took offense.

Smitty #12

[BigUmp56]

Mike:

My comment about the "Smitty's" was completely sarcastic. I get tired of hearing how all LL umpires are untrained or unkempt, "Smitty's."

Some of us that work LL games ( notice that's a real baseball field they're training on ) take great pride in educating and improving ourselves.

The guys in the picture look professional and interested in what's going on with the play. I hope this help's dismiss the image some of the members have of LL umpires with no uniform, equipment outside their clothing, hat's backward, etc...


On the play itself, I posted the picture to spark an actual baseball officiating discussion. As you can see, there are differing opinions on how best to see the tag here. I think that's what makes these forums interesting to read. I enjoy hearing how others would call a play when faced with the same situation.

Personally, I would call this from 3BXL a few steps to the right of the plate. But that's not saying anyone who would call it from a different position is wrong in their approach. I think the play can be called from 1BLX without being straightlined if the PU gets a good lean and look, but I wouldn't recommend it.

Tim.

[Sal Giaco]

Garth,
There is nothing wrong with starting at the point of the plate extended and then adjusting either to 1BLX or 3BLX, depending on the cather's positioning, the angle of the throw and/or how the entire play is developing. That's how we've all been taught over the years. However...

I have noticed, especially at the big league level, that umpires are now using 3BLX as their starting point (so that you can see swipe tags on EITHER side of the runner) and then moving towards fair territory, sometimes as far as in front to the plate, for collison plays.

As I mentioned earlier, this is different from what we've have been taught, however, this ADVANCED positioning mechanic has it's merits. In fact, I have been using it the last year or so and it has really given me some great views of some tough plays at the plate.

For the majority of umpires, using the point of the plate extended as a starting point is definitely the way to go. As you gain more and more experience and feel comfortable reading how plays at the plate develop, don't be afraid to try this new positioning - you might be surprised by what you actually "see". Take care

[GarthB]

Sal,

I'll be the first to admit that I tend to fall back on "what works" for me. When I see a catcher move that far away from the line. my fisrt thought is "swipe tag" and I begin to prepare for that.

I am not opposed to moving into fair territory if it will give me the look I need and if I will not present any hazard to the throw, be it a good throw, or potentially a bad throw.

I've done that at the D-1 level as well as high school with no grief from a supervisor.

[Sal Giaco]

Originally posted by GarthB

I am not opposed to moving into fair territory if it will give me the look I need ...

Glad to hear you are open to new ideas, different mechanics, etc. I think that's what we are all here for - to exchange ideas that we've enocountered through our own experiences.

As a side note, I wish more threads would play out like our exchange did. Both of us are niether wrong nor right in our opinions yet I feel like we've learned from just stating our view points in a positive/respectful manner. Hopefully, others will follow in a similar fashion. Happy Holidays!

[briancurtin]

Originally posted by BigUmp56
notice that's a real baseball field they're training on

looks like a fake one to me. wheres the grass?

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally posted by briancurtin

looks like a fake one to me. wheres the grass?

So, fields that use artificial turf are fake baseball fields?

[briancurtin]

yes


i will type it for you: "haha brian that was a good one"

it was a joke. fake grass -> fake field -> fake baseball

[umpbrian]

Originally posted by briancurtin
yes
i will type it for you: "haha brian that was a good one"
it was a joke. fake grass -> fake field -> fake baseball

I still believe like Crash Davis does that astroturf and the designated hit should be banned. But that's just my opinion.

Brian

[gobama84]

I thought that since BigUmp56 posted it, and the subject looks like an I instead of a 1, that it meant I Be Extra Large. lol

I had no picture either...

[BigUmp56]

I'm wondering why some of you are unable to see the picture.
I can see it using IE at work, or Firefox at home. Is it just my pictures that neglect to show up, or are there others you're unable to view?

I be extra large.........Good one!!!



Tim.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally posted by BigUmp56
I'm wondering why some of you are unable to see the picture.
I can see it using IE at work, or Firefox at home. Is it just my pictures that neglect to show up, or are there others you're unable to view?

I be extra large.........Good one!!!



Tim.

I get the picture sometimes, and sometimes I get the little X. I am not a computer expert, so I don't understand why it is doing it. Same thing with the umpire shirts, sometimes I get 3 X's.

Tim, when I first saw IBXL, I thought the same thing!

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally posted by PWL
When I first saw it, I thought it was about root beer. We have IBX Root Beer around these here parts. Back in the old days, used to have Triple XXX Root Beer and Dad's Old Fashioned Root Beer.

BTW-Anybody like A & W creme soda?

I've never heard of IBX Root Beer, but we have IBC Root Beer and Cream Soda in glass bottles. It's the best. My dad used to buy Dad's by the gallon bottle. A & W Cream Soda is not as tasty as Safeway/Vons/Pavillions (all the same) Diet Cream Soda. Their root beer, and in fact all their sodas are surprisingly very good.