2 outs B or C??
 

I was reading a 2 umpire position manual where it states that with 2 outs and runner's on base that it is acceptable for base umpire to position themselves in position B regardless of the position of the runners.

The belief is that most plays will take place at first base in this situation and being in B gives the umpire a better look at the play. It further explained that the B position gives a good angle for any plays at second and third.

Opinions??

judge your partner, judge the level of play, and read the play, and anticipate where the ball will take you...then get into position. the thought is that since the large majority of plays will occur at 1B that by being in "b" you'll be closer to the play. that being said, you have to do what you feel comfortable doing...

I find that my angle at 1st is actually preferable at C.

Some guys prefer to be in B with 2 outs and runners at either 2nd, 3rd or both, however, I prefer to work in the C. The reasoning is that most of the time outs don't matter, developing this habbit can sometimes be detrimental - especially if forget the # of outs that have occurred. Also, as soon as the ball is hit, you are going to step up, turn, read the play and adjust for the throw to the bag or potentially a tag.

The number of outs have NOTHING to do with an umpires position. Where the runners are on base control your position.

You may want to read a few mechanics manuals before you make this statement.


Tim.

What manual would you be reading? The only two I give credence to say C with R1 and R2. I can move to B for a play at 1B if I need to.

In Canada the only position for BU with runners' in scoring position is C (4 in the baseball canada manual

http://www.baseball.ca/files/manual2.pdf

Canada, correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't it 1-plate, 2-what we call A, 3-what we call B, and 4-what we call C? SA, I believe this is what I read in their manual.

Being one to go with what I was taught, I never caught on well with some of the new-fangled mechanics over the years.

When I was taught, the only time we used B was when there was R1 only.

Any other runner situation, we were in C.

Somewhere along the way, they came up with B for R1-R3, and for bases loaded. I tried it a couple of times, but we were given the option, so I stayed with C, and just felt more comfortable. I can get a better angle for third, plus it opens a natural angle for throws behind R3 from F2.

You have to hustle more from C to get in position for plays at first, but if you move around properly, it's no problem at all.

I believe D is 5 there.

Two man mechanics.
 

Can you reference which books talk about outs in relationship to basic positioning?

Peace

We stay in B all the time with our HS crews.

I noticed in college game last week that the umpires are using B even with 3 man crew and runner at 1st or 1st and 2nd.

since I haven't done college in a couple of years was just wondering if that was a change since I used to see them in C most of the time.

As for your question, I prefer B.

thanks
David

B with 1st and 2nd? Even in 3 man? Who covers the steal of 3rd, or worse yet there's a double steal? You're liable to get clocked in the head with a throw to 2nd.

You're saying that there is an umpire in A and an umpire in B, and nobody is going to be in position for a steal of 3rd. And please don't tell me about angle over distance, because on a tag play, that doesn't wash.

I don't see how, without a dedicated 3rd base umpire in D or U3 in C, you can get as good a look with an umpire starting from B on a steal.

I'm not saying you didn't see it. It just goes against any mechanics manual or teaching I've ever heard of.

Well, how about we start with the NFHS (FED) Umpires Manual Pages 37 -87? No where does it say, in either 2/3 or 4 man mechanics, you are positioned by the number of outs.

-g