Hmm... we'd better have a longer pre-game, next time we work.

Generally, if I'm PU and BU is in:

(a) Fair territory -- I drift to the right and am prepared to take the ball and let BU take the BR to second.

(b) Foul territory -- I stay in fair and am prepared to take BR to second and let BU have the ball.

I honestly think there's no need for the PU to do this, but heck, it's no skin off my back if that's what you wish to do, Bob. ;)

What I say during my pregame is that...

If you need to even take one step out there to call fair foul down the line, I'll take the BR. By that time, you're trapped out there.

Bob,

Despite some protestations to the opposite, this is exactly what I see the recent PBUC grads do at the local Single A games.

This is also the mechanic I have used in three associations.

I have never heard of this coverage. Is it something new? According to Garth, this is the accepted mechanic from PBUC.

Whoa, big guy.

Don't miquote me. I have never been to PBUC. Some of our association members have, but I haven't been that fortunate.

What I said was: "this is exactly what I see the recent PBUC grads do at the local Single A games."

They may do cover this in pregame, or have come to agreement on it as a permanent crew, or have picked it up from wherever, or learned it at PBUC. I don't know why they do it. I can't even say all of the crews do it, as I only see about a dozen games a year.

However, the MiLB umpires that I see do it, are indeed first and second year grads.

This is the exact same coverage I was taught back in 1986, and it's the same mechanic we still use. Unless there is extreme pressure to first base, like a ball hit just out of F3's reach which F4 makes the play very close to the line, then U1 should always move into fair territory to make his call. I very rarely have a play at the HS level which requires me to go into foul territory.

There are some umpires who think it's just dandy to take most of their calls in foul territory, and to put the burden of running around the bases on an overthrow onto the PU. Boo creepy umpire, hooray beer!