Mr. Aerosmith, he said it was hit to Right Center Field. That's why F8 and F9 are converging on the ball. It's called working the V. Who do you think should go out on trouble balls? Pretty basic stuff. Go back to the attic and play with your toys.

I really hate to agree with Steve, but you do not leave the diamond from the B or C position. You might move for an angle, but you do not leave the diamond.

Well Steve, if the bases are loaded many are taught to be in the C position. This is often taught to put the umpire in a better position to call the play at first.

Peace

Well, C is just a pre-pitch position. Hopefully JM meant what he said, in that he was moving toward RF, not into RF, from his starting point (C), without crossing the base line.

Playoff time too. U1 in three or four umpire crew WOULD go onto the grass for this.

Two umpire crew - Agree with SDS.

My three man is a bit rusty, but when would U1 be in "C"? I thought he was in "B" with a runner at 2nd base.

For God's sake, is it necessary for people to nitpick the mechanics here? (Not the person I quoted, but since ST is on ignore, this is the best I can do).

If F8 and F9 collided and I needed to cross the basepath to see if the ball was laying on the ground behind a fielder, I'm doing it, especially if the players were injured and I know that we're calling TIME as soon as we ascertain what's going on and play stops. The catch/no catch is paramount. My partner can pick up on what I did and can cover third, if necessary. I can pick up plays at second from behind, if I need to.

C is a starting point. The right place to go is the place that's necessary for the situation. For example, if the ball is stuck under something in the outfield and a fielder raises his hand, I'm going to go out to check on it.

I was working the game solo.

I had come out from behind the plate and had set to call the catch/no catch just short of the pitcher's mound to the 3B side where I had an angle on the initial attempt.

When no one came up showing the ball after the collision, I started running towards RF, about midway between 1B and 2B to get an angle to clear the tangle of the 2 fielders and was probably about a step or two onto the infield dirt when I saw the ball on the ground.

JM

Coach, you did what you had to do in the situation - no big deal like others are making of it. Just remember that if those fielders were not on the ground, you may get a throw back into the infield, but that would be a different situation.

To the amateurs out there, the number one, most important thing that an umpire needs to know is the status of the ball. Nothing can happen without the ball! Try to keep that in mind in the future!

This is the exact reason why it is totally wrong for anyone to work a game by themselves by design. You cannot call the game very well even if you are in shape or you know what you are doing. I am so glad I started in a place that never did this on purpose. I think if I started umpiring in this area and had to work by myself, I would have quit years ago.

Peace

This is not true. There is a lot that can happen without the ball. If someone misses a based and there is no play on that runner, the ball is not relevant to the play. This is the very reason someone should not be working alone during any baseball game.

Peace

You might want to check with any pro, college or HS instructor, Rut. Nothing is more important than the ball! NOTHING!

You are correct that many things can go on, but the first and foremost thing is the ball. Everything else is secondary to this.

Regards.

Working solo is not a big deal. I've worked hundreds of games alone, including JV games and Colt games on big diamonds. You just have to hustle, and if anyone argues a call you tell them to hire two umpires next time, and that shuts them right up.:)

I do not care what any pro, college or HS instructor says. That is in my opinion not a very good point of view or philosophy if you ask me. And this is only a baseball mentality where you think the ball is everything. Well it is not and when you miss the obstruction call or a missed base, tell the coach then how important the ball is then. I am also not saying that the ball is not important, but it surely is not the only thing.

Peace

I am not talking about it from the angle of folks arguing calls. I am talking about that when you work varsity and college ball, you do not work the game from only one point of view. Working by yourself gets you into bad habits and you do not get to work the game from positions that will really make you a good umpire. Part of being a really good umpire is knowing how to handle a game on the bases. Many of the toughest calls are made from there and making them from weird angles is not helpful in the long run if you ask me.

Peace

Jeff,

I think these are pretty good points. I might say "..can get you into bad habits..." rather than "...gets you into...", but the point is valid nonetheless.

However, I'm the new guy. I go out of my way to work 2-man games, but the fact is, at this point, the majority of the games that are available to me are solo.

I think it's better for my development as an umpire to work more games, even if solo, than to "hold out" for just 2-man games.

While I would agree that two competent umpires are preferable to one, I would argue that one competent umpire is better than two who are less than competent. (Possibly better than one who is and one who isn't.)

The world is not always the way we wish it were. Such is life.

I umpire because I enjoy it. While I like working a 2-man game better than solo, I still have fun when I work solo. You ought to try it some time.

JM