I hope your first game was better than the third, fourth and fifth game of the partner to which I was assigned last Saturday. I can only imagine how his first and second were. I will share no details as the memories will haunt me for years to come.

Thanks and have great season.

Thanks all for your comments and support. My game went really well on the bases for me. Made a bunch of calls and no one complained so I guess thats a good sign. I did however get hung up on fly balls as far as where I was suppose to go in the B & C postions. Wasn't sure in going out or holding my postions in the infield. Oh well its early.

Easy fix. Never go out of the infield from the B or C positions. If you have a call to make in the V go no farther than edge of the infield grass to get a view.

They're all nice until something doesn't go their way. That's why we carry cheese in our pockets:D Hey Rook you'll figure it out.

Biggio is a class act in every respect, always has been. Went to HS down the road from me. Never a chirp about a pitch or anything else.

Wrong advice here. If in the B or C (assuming 2 man) how are you going to see the catch, the tag and get in position for a play at a base if you're on the edge of the grass? You have to get in the working area (behind the mound) from there you can see the catch, the tag remember bases juiced or 1st and 2nd you have the tag at 1st and 2nd and all plays in the infield. Edge of the grass no way this can be done.

Hey Rook you're only friend is your partner. This is the first lesson you need to learn.

By moving the head and the body and not anchoring the feet to the grass. Not that hard. Been to a Single A MiLB game lately?


[/QUOTE]You have to get in the working area (behind the mound)...[/QUOTE]

The PBUC evaluators instructed the new umpires last year to consider the working area as a place to go for the second call and to get close to the first call they need to make.

I believe I can get in position (and have done so many times) to see a catch in the V and the tag at 2B, and move my feet to get in position for the next play. If the ball is deep,. and that would be a very good reason to get on edge of the grass, I have plenty of time to move my feet for the next play. On a deep ball I can get on the edge of the grass in the 2B cutout and there is no way I would miss a tag at 2B. If shallow there is not likely to be a play. If bases are juiced, my partner has tag at 3rd, and I have 2nd. Neither of us has 1B, remember it's 2 man, and you can't do everything in 2 man. If runners on 1st and 2nd I have the catch and the tag at 2B. And, if there is to be a tag with runners on 1st and 2nd that means there are less than 2 outs and my partner will be coming up to 3B to take the runner from 2B into 3B, should he go, so I can stay at 2B for a play on R2 returning or R1 advancing. We covered this situation in pregame.

You have to get in the working area (behind the mound)...[/QUOTE]

The PBUC evaluators instructed the new umpires last year to consider the working area as a place to go for the second call and to get close to the first call they need to make.[/QUOTE]

This isn't pro ball. Average HS Umpire my opinion behind the mound is the place to be. Best place to head is to get behind the mound. From there I can get the angle for catch no catch tag at second and I'm in perfect postion for the second play be it at second or third and even first. Equal distance (approximately) to all bases. Works for me.

No one has the touch and tag at first? Tag at first doesn't happen often but you got to get this call. What are you going to do if there's an overthrow and R1 is standing on second and they appeal first. What's the call? Both teams saw him leave early your crew didn't. It's the U1 job to get the tag and touch at first. You'll have paper work when you get home. Like I said bad advice.

Ok, bases loaded, deep fly to F8 caught. I'm U2 in C pos. Where am I looking first? Does U1 have 3rd and me 2nd for the tags ups?
How about 1st and 2nd? U2 has 2nd, U1 has 1st?

UIC Plate Umpire
U1 Field umpire

As U1 First Responsibility Catch No Catch. R2 SHOULD be tagging. If he does be sure he doesn't go early and be ready for the play at third. R1 SHOULD be halfway. You still have to know if R1 tagged or not should he advance. Behind the Pichers Mound you can see the catch and the tag. If no play at third be sure R1 tags up (UIC has touches at third) locate the ball and let it take you to the next play. If there's play on R2 at third you have to get it. UIC at this point has nothing (R3 has already scored) to do and can help on the tag up of R1 at first. Can easily do this without leaving the plate.

Pretty easy if the players do what there supposed to do. However, never assume anything and be ready for anything. You can have the Keystone Cops on the bases. If that happens you do the best you can do. That's why I like to be behind the Pitchers Mound. It's the shortest distance where I have to be when things fall apart.

Rngrck:

These are fundamental 2 man mechanics and I suggest you locate a clinic in your area and attend. You really can't learn on a forum like this, IMHO. The only real way to learn is to practice it and be observed and recieve some constructive feedback.

But, to answer your questions. First, PU has all touches and tags at 3rd base and home. On the deep fly to F8, your first responsibility is the catch, so you do need to move toward the edge of the infield grass, while still keeping in mind you have to watch the tag-ups at 2nd AND 1st. You can do this at the edge of the outfield grass. Catch made, signal the out and verbalize, "that's a catch" so your partner can hear you. As the catch is made, begin to move toward the working area, shading toward 3rd, anticipating a play there, either R2 tagging up and advancing to 3rd, or R2 advancing to 3rd on the throw home if R3 is tagging and going. Also remember you have any secondary plays at all the other bases, so this is where the working area is usefull.

R1 and R2, with a deep fly to F8, your approach to the fly ball is the same, however ( you need to cover this in pre-game with your partner) PU will take R2 advancing to 3rd after the tag. You then will have all the other secondary tags and plays at 2nd and 1st. PU never has tags at any base other than 3rd.

Hope this helps.

If you are in the working area, there are many fly balls that will be routine catches where you can position yourself to see 1B, 2B and the timing on the catch.