Mechanics Question

[Rich]

Originally Posted by kylejt

You don't say how many umpires are on the field. Someone is going to have the tag up at third, and that pretty much rules them out for a play at the plate because of the angle. If you have an umpire at first, with a three or four man crew, I'd expect U1 to cover the dish with the PU so far from home.

I don't know if it's covered in any manual, but it's just common sense.

With an umpire at first on the play the OP cited, I'd expect U1 going to the fence with the popup and the plate umpire to make sure he could get to the plate.

In 2-man, good luck. PU has it all.

[RPatrino]

I think in this situation. as the PU I'm not going to 'run out' to watch the catch. I would track the catcher, while moving back from the plate to maintain as much angle as I can to be able to see the catch and watch the tag, and still try to stay close enough to the plate to cover the play at the plate.

2 Man is a series of 'compromises'. This is just another of them.

[kylejt]

You're either watching the catch, or watching the tagup. You have two umpires, so divide it up. It's hard to imagine U1 coming in from C to call the catch. I think in a play like it's instinct and communication that would be key. U1 HAS to have the tagup. PU has to communicate who has the dish on this during the play.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by kylejt

You're either watching the catch, or watching the tagup. You have two umpires, so divide it up. It's hard to imagine U1 coming in from C to call the catch. I think in a play like it's instinct and communication that would be key. U1 HAS to have the tagup. PU has to communicate who has the dish on this during the play.

Patchwork umpiring.

The PU has it all. You don't have to line it up perfectly to determine if someone left early -- if it's really close, he didn't. Go as far as you can while still being able to get back and set for a play at the plate.

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

Patchwork umpiring.

The PU has it all. You don't have to line it up perfectly to determine if someone left early -- if it's really close, he didn't. Go as far as you can while still being able to get back and set for a play at the plate.

True, but, especially if the ball is clearly foul, BU can help with the tag-up.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

True, but, especially if the ball is clearly foul, BU can help with the tag-up.

Absolutely. I would do this myself. However, on an appeal, I would make certain that the plate umpire welcomed my input and I'd be happy to make the call if we had signaled to each other.

As the plate umpire, though, I would be prepared to take the whole thing, especially if the partner wasn't familiar.

[jdmara]

As the PU, the correct response to the screaming coach is "you should pony up the dough and hire more umpires!"

PU has it all, in my opinion. It's the same situation of who looks at all the runners on a pop fly with bases loaded. It is impossible to see EVERYTHING when you have one of the umpires watching the ball. Something is bound to be missed. Good question though

-Josh