advice for the 90'

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by PWL

I don't really care what the fielder wants. They have always asked me to move to one side or the other. I simply stated sure, but I will only go so far which is a step to either side. That have two legs, so that readily solves the problem. I have never had an infielder to ask me to move forward. I fail to see what you are getting at.

What he is getting at is that umpires are taught to move a step forward or backward, instead of sideways when asked to move "one left" or "one right" by an infielder. Moving left or right potentially puts one out of position. If you move a step forward or backward, you clear the fielder's vision without affecting your position adversely.

You should care what the fielder wants, by the way. You want them to make their plays, and you sure don't want to be in their way. The shortstop and second baseman are playing the game, you are just umpiring it. Don't get in their way, and let them do their jobs.

[DG]

I am trying to remember the last time F6 asked for a step, and I can't. Usually, it's R2 who asks for a step right. I have always given the players the step if they ask for it, and have never been out of position on the next play because of it, at least that I can remember.

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by PWL

If I'm standing in front of an infielder, how is moving forward or backwards going to clear the fielder's vision?

I have to admit, I'm a bit confused by that mechanic myself. If I'm on a direct line between, say, F4 and the plate, and I move along that line, I'm still goping to be in F4's way. I don't think, but I haven't tested it, that moving one step is going to change my perceived size relative to the plate either.

I think, though, that the point is that we all (?) agree that the umpire should move a step or so to accomodate the players.

[Tim C]

It is now trained at higher level clinics that when an infielder, or runner, asks an umpire in "C" to move:

"Hey Blue can you move to your left?"

Is for the umpire to move forwards (that means towards the plate NOT forward towards the pitcher) and that moves the umpire from a direct line between the fielder (runner) and F1.

This new mechanic accomplishes two things:

1) It moves the umpire foward which begins to open the angle to third base and gets him out of a direct line and DOES NOT move him into a disadvantagous position further from the potential play at third and,

2) Hard to believe but, much like the Gerry Davis Stance, the "size" prospective of the umpire also changes. i.e. the umpire appears smaller in your rear view mirror.

Bob, I was very skeptical of this when it was first mentioned to me . . . I now are a firm beleiver in the mechanic.

Regards,

[mcrowder]

Originally Posted by Tim C

It is now trained at higher level clinics that when an infielder, or runner, asks an umpire in "C" to move:

"Hey Blue can you move to your left?"

Is for the umpire to move forwards (that means towards the plate NOT forward towards the pitcher) and that moves the umpire from a direct line between the fielder (runner) and F1.

This new mechanic accomplishes two things:

1) It moves the umpire foward which begins to open the angle to third base and gets him out of a direct line and DOES NOT move him into a disadvantagous position further from the potential play at third and,

2) Hard to believe but, much like the Gerry Davis Stance, the "size" prospective of the umpire also changes. i.e. the umpire appears smaller in your rear view mirror.

Bob, I was very skeptical of this when it was first mentioned to me . . . I now are a firm beleiver in the mechanic.

Regards,

The physics on this is similar to the rising fastball physics ... it don't work.

[Tim C]

I'm sorry it does work. Try it before you throw out the bath water.

The logic is about the move towards the plate . . .even if you do it with "stick figures" on a napkin you'll see that the move towards the plate opens the fielder/runner sight line to F1.

I respect anyone's right to disagree . . . I just am dissappointed when people disagree without trying something first.

Regards,

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by PWL

Tee,

Moving is a request I seldom get, but if I do move it is toward a baseline as you suggested. I generally give a glance as to where I am in relation to fielders and runners. I try to stay in a that vee as I described earlier, halfway between the mound and the edge of the dirt.

First off, Tee did not suggest "moving toward a baseline." What he did say was that he agreed with me, that you take a step straight forward toward the plate, staying on the same line between the edge of the mound and the plate.

Originally Posted by Tim C

It is now trained at higher level clinics that when an infielder, or runner, asks an umpire in "C" to move:

"Hey Blue can you move to your left?"

Is for the umpire to move forwards (that means towards the plate NOT forward towards the pitcher) and that moves the umpire from a direct line between the fielder (runner) and F1.

I was saying the same thing, not suggesting to move towards the pitcher. You can move a step to either side if you want, but I was saying, as Tee did, that modern training teaches the "step forward" mechanic.

Originally Posted by PWL

Per my perspective if an umpire is properly set with his hands on his knees, the fielder should have the sight lines required to begin with.

You are right in that if an umpire is properly set with his hands on his knees, then the fielder and the runner should have no sight line issues. I am very seldom asked to move also. I try (hard as that is ) to make myself as small as possible when in the infield, so as not to impair anybody's field of vision.

Originally Posted by PWL

From A I have better view of pick off and C I'm a step closer to the attempted steal.

Did you mean "B" when you said "A"? Trying to picture it in my mind. Thanks.

[bossman72]

Tee,

I've taken the time to draw this up, and i'm not seeing how your method works:




If the umpire (X) would move towards the plate, that would be in the runner's (R) same vision line illustrated in green.

Is my drawing and assumptions accurate? How would moving towards the plate solve the problem?

[LilLeaguer]

Originally Posted by bossman72

Tee,

I've taken the time to draw this up, and i'm not seeing how your method works:

[image deleted]


If the umpire (X) would move towards the plate, that would be in the runner's (R) same vision line illustrated in green.

Is my drawing and assumptions accurate? How would moving towards the plate solve the problem?

Tee's mechanic opens up a view of the pitcher to the blocked player. Your diagram makes it clear that you are asking how to open up a view to home plate.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by LilLeaguer

Tee's mechanic opens up a view of the pitcher to the blocked player. Your diagram makes it clear that you are asking how to open up a view to home plate.

Absolutely. The runner needs to see the pitcher, not the plate. He can and will take a bigger (secondary) lead-off once the pitch is delivered, and will make his own view of the plate, and the position of the umpire will be a moot point.