Getting straightlined?
 

Tee, Rich and I are often criticized for suggesting that one shouldn't need to get help on a pulled foot or a swipe tage at first when working on the grass. Always, at some point in the coversation, one will declare that everyone gets straightlined once in a while and should get help. Having never experienced that, I decided to try to figure out why they believe that.

I think I found the answer: the villain is "the working area."

When starting out, most umpires are indoctrinated into believing the "working" is their best friend, when, at times, it is their second worst enemy. I have seen so many umpires "over-rely" on the working area, and, in doing so, actually set themselves up for the worst angle on the diamond.

Consider: R1. 2 outs. BU in B. Slow grounder to F6. BU turns with the ball, and keeping chest to ball moves to the working area, turns with the throw and is nearly straightlined.

What I do in this situation is, turn with ball, chest up and read from where the fielder is going to throw, and instead of heading toward the working area, I take as many quick (jogging) steps that I can towards a 90 degree angle to the play. In this case, that would be towards the first base side of the "first-second" basepath. Now I have a great view of the foot as F3 reaches for the ball, and I am a step and a lean from seeing a swipe tag.

I have noticed that the new MiLB umpires use the "working area" primarily for the second play and get both great angles and close distance for the first play. Of course, they're 22 and are both faster and more agile than most amateur umpires.

Example: I was working with a new MiLB umpire a couple of weeks ago. He was BU. Bases loaded. Batter hit deep fly to straight away right field. BU got in position for a great look and called the catch. He had seen that R2 had held the bag then left on the catch while R1 had taken off on the pitch and now had to retreat to first from 2/3rd's the way to second. By the time R1 and the ball from RF got to first, the BU, instead of heading to the workling area was about 6' from the first base cut-out from where he made the call and then beat feet for the working area to cover any back door play at third.

The beautiful part of this was that PBUC had trained him to move in such a way and with such timing that you didn't notice him hustling. What you noticed was that he was suddenly right where he needed to be to make the call.

(edited to correct mislabeled base)

I've always thought of the working area as the place where I go when I'm really not sure where the play will be. It's the place where I can best get anywhere on the infield the quickest.

With two outs, ground ball to F5 or F6, I know the play is going to first. So I get closer to the play and like you I get an angle so that I know I'm not going to be straightlined.

Usually if the grounder is to F5, I head for the start of the running lane and if the grounder is to F6, I work towards the line between first and second, like you said. I read the throw and then come set when I know it's a quality throw. If it's a bad throw, I prepare to take a read step (and maybe a lean, if needed).

Of course, I always have had the attitude that this is mine (and mine alone) to get. There is clearly an epidemic, though -- I was working a regional final a few weeks ago and was in the A position. F3 stretched up onto a tiptoe to make a putout, and the first base coach was STUNNED that I simply wouldn't get help on that play.

I wouldn't have gotten help from B or C, either, but asking when I'm in A? Bah. Should I give the PU my check, too?

Another problem I feel, Garth, is that many umpires feel that a day on the bases is a day off. You have to WORK the bases.

Garth,

Excellent description of how it can, and should, work for this play. Change the situation to R2 and only one out. How do you position on the same slow roller to F6? Edited to add: for a two man crew.

good stuff, garth - as usual. keep the detailed mechanics/footwork stuff coming. it is much appreciated.

just to clarify - on your sit with R1 and a slow roller to F6. you're in B and you rotate to your right with the ball as it heads to F6 - chest to ball. and then you rotate to your left and head for the 1st- 2nd baseline, while looking back to your right to see the throw. and then set and make the call. is that correct?

With the ball to my right, I step forward with my left and drop step with my right, keeping my chest to ball until I can determine from where the throw will come. I then drop step with my left and, while keeping watching the ball, run towards to a position that will put me close to 90 degree angle to the play.

If the throw is a quality throw, I come to a standing set and make the call.

The footwork is not important. The positioning is. The key, I believe, to not getting straightlined is to realize the "working area" is overated.

Obviously, with less than two outs and if F6 indicates he is going for the DP, positioning changes, but the concept of gaining both angle and distance does not.

Not much different actually, if I assume correctly that you are still talking about a throw to first.

Turn with the ball, and determine if F6 will bluff R2 back or not and watch as he sets to throw to first. Again, avoid heading toward the traditional working area or you will either get in the way of his throw or get straightlined. If he indeed indicates he will be throwing to first, head for the first/second basepath to make that call. If R2 takes off on the throw and F3 makes a throw to third, head toward the back of the mound for that second play.

Heading for the working area and just pivoting towards plays are for those who can't move. The goal these days is to get the angle and close in on the first play.

gotcha. thanks. i'll always appreciate your posts.

Unless there is no possible way to know where the play will be.

Bases full, ground ball to F6's right.

I'd get to the working area, and just react the best I could to get some angle on any play, whether it be at 3rd, 2nd, or 1st. From the working area on plays like this you are only about 5 or 6 steps away for calling something at 3rd or 1st without getting straightlined. I feel confident I can get 5 or more steps in as soon as I can tell where the ball is going (fields the ball and keeps gliding his feet towards 3rd, its going to 3rd. Turns his chest towards the 3rd/home baseline, its going to 1st. Going to 2nd, those feet are gonna turn pretty quick to turn a potential DP.)

I guess my point is that the working area can be used as a place to work OUT of, not FROM neccessarily.

Only if you're blind or lazy.

I have yet to have a play in which the fielder throwing the ball didn't indicate to where he was throwing it.

Indicate as in "point of shoulder" or "Hey Garthie Ima gonna throw it over there"? I guess I have been more, er, fortunate, having seen the opposite a time or two.

And well you should.
Never, ever, not one time, ever? :confused:

Garthie is a very knowledgeable ump, he can teach you a great deal. Keep listening.

I've never asked for help on a play where I've been "straightlined" on a play at first base. Never. Ever.

I've asked for help twice in my career at first base. In both occasions a fielder ran in front of me and blocked my view of a play. Both times I made sure the plate umpire was watching and I was certain I was working with a guy who wouldn't drop the ball.

But a routine grounder? It'll be a cold day in you-know-where when I can't get that myself and it will also be a cold day in you-know-where when I'll ask for help on that.

Garthie? Oh, I can see the ignore list getting bigger by at least one.

Brazil? The Sahara? :)