"Tail Wagging The Dog"

[Rich]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

"They" might have a far easier time calling the steal, but I don't. The swipe tag is too easy to miss from C, imo.

What "studies" seem to show that the angle from C is better? (I'm not disputing the conclusion, btw)

C is farther than B. If (and I don't know that this is true), the angle is about the same, then closer (up until about 10' or so) is better.

Bob, it's clear an umpire has to work a bit harder in B on a steal of second. That may be the rub for some people. I don't know.

(Even in 4-man, I prefer deep B on a steal. In 3-man, I slide into deep C, though, since it looks odd having both base umpires on the first base side of second.)