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.