"Tail Wagging The Dog"

[Durham]

Originally Posted by Tim C

"When I work 3 man, most weekends, and I am forced to go to deep C, left handed hitter, . . . "

Are you saying that the handedness of the hitter dictates where you locate yourself as a base umpire?

If that is what you are saying could you direct me to a place in either the NAPL manual, the CCA Mechanics Manual, or the NFHS Umpire manual that offer this as an accepted mechanic?

Thanks,

The 2006 CCA shows everything from C or deep C, however on page 121 it states,"U3 has the option to position himself on either side of second basewith a right-handed batter. This optional position may be used with conference coordinator approval."

I think that the thought process here is much like U2 positioning in 4 man in MLB when U2 is in the outfield, U2 goes opposite the hitter's handedness for a better angle on a HR ball. The idea as I have been taught is getting away from a pull hitters strength. Right or wrong that is the thought process.

I can tell you that all five conference coordinators on the west coast have us using this. I was corrected on my second series of the year by my crew chief for trying to stay in deep B with a left handed batter and a runner on 1st. I knew why he corrected me before he told me, but I think C is a ****ty place to be on a steal play, so I was taught to swing back into the dirt to get the angle I need, like working the plate.