New (Old) 4 Man Mechanics

[tballump]

I would assume there is still a "special Umpire Instuctions Manual or book for plays and positioning" given to all MLB umpires which was alluded to years ago when Frank Pulli was working the plate in a LCS and called interference on the runner for running out of the lane the last half of the distance to first base. The runner was running with his right foot on the line and his left foot to the left of the line. It was said that in the National League Book or Special Instructions Book, that the runner must have both feet on the line or to the right of the line while in the American league it was OK to have the right foot on the line and the left foot inside the line.

There is probably a special MLB rule about the hidden-ball-trick, for where the pitcher must stand without the ball, on or astride the rubber, as the book says, or on the incline, or at the bottom or flat part of the mound, or completely off the dirt.

I would assume there are also instructions for variations on umpire positioning, such as being OK to either stay fair or go foul if there is some pressure from the second baseman going to his left in the gap. OK for 2nd base ump taking the steal at 2nd from the 1st base side or the 3rd base side, OK for the plate umpire working the slot or the scissors.

Since brother Tim worked the AL for years, I am sure Bill is well instructed on when and how to work the outside of the bag if and when needed, and I am sure the supervisors have approved this method even if by chance it is not mentioned in a Special Instructions Manual if there still is one like in the old days.