Mechanics

[BktBallRef]

Asked by a poster on another board that I moderate.

"Runner on 1st. Ball hit into the gap. Runner at 1st comes around and slides into 3rd. Base umpire calls him out. Coach argues and says that's not his call, that he should be following the trail runner(the batter) and that it was the home plate ump's call. Of course, the play stood.

What are the mechanics for this call/who's call is it?"

Thanks fellas. Have a good season!

[SAump]

Coach has a small bone to pick. I can only guess it is there to keeps us on our toes. Different mechanic with R1 and R2.

{Edited to delete: Now if it were any other manual, PBUC for example,} I believe an alternative would have the BU takes the first play in the infield. PU then stays home for possible play at the plate and partner should take the play into 3B; while also glancing back at B/R's touch at 1B and continuation to 2B. This is the CCABUM mechanic on a clean hit to the outfield with R1 and R2 described on page 82.

Then to keep us on our toes again, a similar mechanic to the one you described is used on a caught fly ball to center field with R1 and R2 found on page 83. Nothing is said about a fly ball to left but I suppose it is the same mechanic and these two mechanics change on a fly ball to right.

[Rcichon]

1) BU unless you have worked out something else with your partner.
2) Thank you for that inspirational message Coach, now go back to your dugout.

[blewthatone]

Unless I am reading this wrong. With a runner on first only, It would be the plate umpires call. He should rotate up and go into third when the ball and the runner take him in. He should also let his partner know that he is coming up the line and then into the play. However, if the base ump continues into the play, the plate ump should just start moving back to the plate and have a little talk with him later on. This is PBUC, CCA, and high school mechanics.

[DG]

PU parallels the 3B line in foul territory until he is sure R1 is coming to 3B, then moves into fair territory with a good angle to 3B to make the call. BU has tags at 2B and 1B and anything else that happens at 2B and 1B. If I see my partner moving toward 3B I will holler out that I have 3B, but since I always cover this situation in pre-game it's not normally necessary. If I am working bases I generally point toward 3B with my left hand and my back toward home to remind my partner (don't always work with the same guys).

I don't think the manuals disagree on this.

Definitely the PU call!!! But, if I am the PU and the BU followed him in, I am backing out!

Usually the argument from the coach is because the opposit (the right way) happening! LOL

Now go back to your pathetic NFHS BBS!

[BktBallRef]

Originally Posted by rei

Now go back to your pathetic NFHS BBS!

Poor guess. There's a Baseball board on the NFHS forums. That should tell you that the post wasn't posted there or I wouldn;t be offering it here.

Thanks for the replies, fellas.

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by BktBallRef

Asked by a poster on another board that I moderate.

"Runner on 1st. Ball hit into the gap. Runner at 1st comes around and slides into 3rd. Base umpire calls him out. Coach argues and says that's not his call, that he should be following the trail runner(the batter) and that it was the home plate ump's call. Of course, the play stood.

What are the mechanics for this call/who's call is it?"

Thanks fellas. Have a good season!

Ignoring the issue with the coach for a second, this is a pretty basic play.

With R1 and a clean hit to the outfield, PU comes up the third base line in foul territory to the library telling his partner "I've got third if he comes."

If R1 continues past second and there appears to be a play building, (remember it takes the ball and a runner to make a play), PU moves into fair territory and to the cut out telling his partner, "I've got third, I've got third."

If no play is going to be made, PU announces "I'm going home." and glances at the touch at third as he goes back to the plate.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by GarthB

Ignoring the issue with the coach for a second, this is a pretty basic play.

With R1 and a clean hit to the outfield, PU comes up the third base line in foul territory to the library telling his partner "I've got third if he comes."

If R1 continues past second and there appears to be a play building, (remember it takes the ball and a runner to make a play), PU moves into fair territory and to the cut out telling his partner, "I've got third, I've got third."

If no play is going to be made, PU announces "I'm going home." and glances at the touch at third as he goes back to the plate.

This reminds me of a story from when I was in my first or second season, and a very high level umpire was working the plate. On a routine 1st to 3rd play on a base hit, I, the BU, did not hear my partner tell me that he had third if he comes or anything, so I kept going, only to see my partner right on top of the play when I turned with the throw. I backed down and gave it to him. Later I asked him about it, and told him that I didn't hear him say anything, so I didn't think he was going to get there. He told me something that I'll never forget. He said, "It's my job to be there, so that's where I'm going to be."

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by BktBallRef

Asked by a poster on another board that I moderate.

"Runner on 1st. Ball hit into the gap. Runner at 1st comes around and slides into 3rd. Base umpire calls him out. Coach argues and says that's not his call, that he should be following the trail runner(the batter) and that it was the home plate ump's call. Of course, the play stood.

What are the mechanics for this call/who's call is it?"

Thanks fellas. Have a good season!

As the others have said, the *standard* mechanic is for PU to take this play. But, if PU falls down or falls asleeep, BU needs to take it. If PU is injured or immobile, then the crew can agree for alternate mechanics that would give the call to BU.

[JRutledge]

This is a perfect example of why you do not listen to what coaches say.

Peace

[ozzy6900]

I agree that this should be the PU's call at 3rd but I'll tell you this. I will be looking over my shoulder and if my partner bought a ticket on this play, I'll get my fat a$$ over there to make the call.

As far as the coach's comment, " Coach, you run your team and stay out of mine!"

Sigh! Coaches can be a real bother but I love to see them wiggle when I "reel them in"!

[blewthatone]

Absolutely, I always check and make sure my partner is coming up or, like you said, has his thumb up his butt watching the game instead of umpiring it.

[Eastshire]

As PU I always take this call. As BU I always assume I will need to take it until I hear the PU call me off.

[Gaff]

Originally Posted by SAump

PU has to have the confidence that his BU will do his job right and nail the call when an opportunity like this is present.

This is a basic first to third situation. PU should take the play at third. Unless this is a new "advanced mechanic" being taught at SA's clinic.