Mets/Dodgers

[SanDiegoSteve]

That was the coolest DP I've ever seen! I sitting here laughing and cheering my a$$ off. I detest the Dodgers, naturally.

[LLPA13UmpDan]

haha, i saw that play to. That was kinda bad offensive by the dodgers.. Good to see John Hirshbeck got the calls right, lol

[johnSandlin]

I am a big Hirschbeck watcher because of his style, strike zone, demoner, and his approach towards the players and managers.

With regards to the plays at the plate....great positioning, and great timing on both calls. Plus......he has established a great strike zone. He is calling strikes and he is keeping the game moving.

[mattmets]

Originally Posted by johnSandlin

I am a big Hirschbeck watcher because of his style, strike zone, demoner, and his approach towards the players and managers.

With regards to the plays at the plate....great positioning, and great timing on both calls. Plus......he has established a great strike zone. He is calling strikes and he is keeping the game moving.

I saw John beat the hell out of a call at the plate in Boston this year because he seemed to be out of position. Other than that one day, though, I'm a big fan, especiall because of his strike zone.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by johnSandlin

With regards to the plays at the plate....great positioning

Yes, I agree. This is the positioning I was referring to months ago when everyone tore me a new one for suggesting to get in close on tag plays.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Now, I just saw another mechanic which has been generally shot down by certain members of this forum:

On a run that the Mets scored, the runner slid at home and touched the plate with his hand. The throw was a bit late, and up the 3rd base line a little, so there was no tag attempt on the runner. John Hirschbeck "plated" the run by pointing at the plate, indicating that the runner's hand had touched the plate.

Is this the accepted standard mechanic for this play? I usually do the same thing, but after reading many responses concerning the plating of runs, I was wondering if I should stop this practice. I never do it when the runner simply touches the plate standing up, only when he slides and touches the plate with an outstretched hand.

[rulesmaven]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

Now, I just saw another mechanic which has been generally shot down by certain members of this forum:

On a run that the Mets scored, the runner slid at home and touched the plate with his hand. The throw was a bit late, and up the 3rd base line a little, so there was no tag attempt on the runner. John Hirschbeck "plated" the run by pointing at the plate, indicating that the runner's hand had touched the plate.

Is this the accepted standard mechanic for this play? I usually do the same thing, but after reading many responses concerning the plating of runs, I was wondering if I should stop this practice. I never do it when the runner simply touches the plate standing up, only when he slides and touches the plate with an outstretched hand.

Hirschbeck was great on the DP. I think one issue on pointing to the plate is consistency. I guess the bad circumstance is where a catcher has to try to remember which umpire points and which doesn't -- the downside is where the catcher expects the signal because another member of the crew has done it, so when he doesn't see it he chases after the runner trying to tag him perhaps needlessly letting a runner advance who would not have.

[socalblue1]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

Now, I just saw another mechanic which has been generally shot down by certain members of this forum:

On a run that the Mets scored, the runner slid at home and touched the plate with his hand. The throw was a bit late, and up the 3rd base line a little, so there was no tag attempt on the runner. John Hirschbeck "plated" the run by pointing at the plate, indicating that the runner's hand had touched the plate.

Is this the accepted standard mechanic for this play? I usually do the same thing, but after reading many responses concerning the plating of runs, I was wondering if I should stop this practice. I never do it when the runner simply touches the plate standing up, only when he slides and touches the plate with an outstretched hand.

Common in a stadium environment where the scorekeeper needs input from PU. Same as signals for pinch hitter, 2-1 changes, etc.