Best Plate Coverage?

[SAump]

Passed ball or wild pitch to right-handed batter. Runner at 3B attempts to score run while pitcher covers the plate. Where should PU position himself for best possible coverage?

I have always told the batter to get out of my way and lined myself up with the extended first base line behind the plate so that I could get a great view of the touch/tag. But that view may also block my view of a ball that is dropped after the tag by the pitcher.

A partner suggested that I move around to the the first base side of the line or switch to the extended third base line but I feel the pitcher may block my view of the original touch/tag from these positions. Am I wrong?

[BigUmp56]

SA:

Just like any play at the plate you have to let the ball take you to the best position to make the call. You should open the gate and see where the ball is first. If the ball is behind the batter to the left of the third baseline you should move to 3BXL and step up to see the tag. If the ball squirts away in front of the batter to the right of the first baseline you should drop back 1BXL and step up to see the tag.


Tim.