Very Simple Mechanics Question

[lawump]

bossman72,

As Bob and Steven pointed out: The key here, and where I think you were having problems, is that when the fly ball is routine and you come in and pivot you have NO responsibility to make a catch/no catch determination. Once you come in and pivot, the catch/no catch call is now the plate umpire's.

In fact, I teach plate umpires to take their eye off the ball to glance at and read the base umpire, because the base umpire's actions dictate the plate umpire's responsibility. If BU goes out, than the PU has the B/R all the way around the bases. If the BU comes in and pivots, then the PU has the catch/no catch.

Good luck.

[RPatrino]

Bossman, only go out from A in 2 man for a trouble ball. If you do go out, try to get angle on the catch, don't run directly at the fielders. Once you determine that the ball will not be caught and is not heading toward a fence or other trouble area, return to the field and cover home.

If the ball is not a trouble ball, pivot in. PU has catch/no catch.

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by RPatrino

Bossman, only go out from A in 2 man for a trouble ball. If you do go out, try to get angle on the catch, don't run directly at the fielders. Once you determine that the ball will not be caught and is not heading toward a fence or other trouble area, return to the field and cover home.

If the ball is not a trouble ball, pivot in. PU has catch/no catch.

Take a read step. Read the ball, read the fielders. Go out on a ball that may need a fair/foul call, home run/ground rule double decision, and any others that are requiring special effort by a fielder.

[RPatrino]

Amen, brotha..Well said. You must take a read step, and not automatically go out.

[Four-Oh]

Originally Posted by GarthB

Take a read step. Read the ball, read the fielders. Go out on a ball that may need a fair/foul call, home run/ground rule double decision, and any others that are requiring special effort by a fielder.

At the clinic I attended on Sunday, we were given the following guidelines on when to go out (i.e.: what makes a "trouble" ball):

1. Ball takes F9 toward the line
2. F9 is charging in hard for the ball
3. F9 turns his back to the infield to go back for the ball
4. Ball is in the gap and F8 and F9 are charging for it
5. A blooper where three defensive players are converging

Having taken the read step (we were told to turn 90 degrees so that the line is in front of you), we were then told to quickly assess the situation and then be decisive. Above all, once you've decided don't change your mind!

Also, make sure to communicate with the PU!

Andrew

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by Four-Oh

At the clinic I attended on Sunday, we were given the following guidelines on when to go out (i.e.: what makes a "trouble" ball):

1. Ball takes F9 toward the line
2. F9 is charging in hard for the ball
3. F9 turns his back to the infield to go back for the ball
4. Ball is in the gap and F8 and F9 are charging for it
5. A blooper where three defensive players are converging

Having taken the read step (we were told to turn 90 degrees so that the line is in front of you), we were then told to quickly assess the situation and then be decisive. Above all, once you've decided don't change your mind!

Also, make sure to communicate with the PU!

Andrew

In my shorthand answer, your number 1 is covered by "Go out on a ball that may need a fair/foul call" and you numbers 2-5 are covered by "home run/ground rule double decision, and any others that are requiring special effort by a fielder."