2-Man Crew Coverage Question
 

1. R1 R2 1 out. Grounder to pitcher who throws to F5 for the force out who then fires to F3 for the 2nd out of the DP. Who has the call at first base in this case?

2. R2. Blooper hit down the RF line. R2 knows its not going to be caught so he heads for home. Who has the fair/foul call? Home plate ump? If so, does the base umpire have the play at home plate to see if the runner touches home?

spence,

1. BU

2. PU. PU.

JM

BU has both calls at the bases, the PU is responsible to watch for INT at 2B.

My understanding is the PU has the fair/foul when the BU is in B or C. So the BU is responsible for the touch/play at 3rd and the PU responsible for the play at home.

I agree with JM on this one....Spence, would you expect the BU to have home on situation 2?

-Josh

Well,
 

UmpJM has hit the correct answer.

As we all know two man mechanics are based on compromise.

With sinking line drive to the RF line PU goes up the line makes the "fair/foul -- catch/no catch" ruling then turns to pick up R2's touch of third (which may already have happened).

Look at it this way when the ball is hit U2 is in "C" and must get first a look at the possible tag-up at second IF the ball was caught he would then have the ensuing play at third.

In your example the ball is going to be uncaught therefore U2 must move quickly towards the "working area" behind the mound as he has a potential "throw behind" play at first base or a throw, slide and tag play at second base.

The compromise is that no one may really get a good look of the touch at third.

Oops
 

Good point Tim. I was so concerned with positioning in regards to R2 that I totally forgot about the B/R.

Sitch 2...the above posters are making some great points. keep in mind that you always want to keep track of the ball...esp on a play like this...if you miss the touch at 3B, you miss the touch at 3B...it's not ideal, but as others have already stated, 2 man is full of sacrifices...if you stay on the line as PU, it can be possible to make a catch/no catch on the trouble ball, the fair/foul call, and get the touch of 3B by R2 if you use your *peripheral (sp) vision...it can be done...but each situation is different

Can we change this up. We have a team who is known for this play. R2, Batter bunts up 1st base line, R2 knowingly cuts of third, Reason is coach knows PU has fair foul, BU has play at first, no one is watching R2. When members in our association work this game, we discuss this situation in pregame. We change it up for PU to take both fair/foul and play at frst, but be aware for play at home. That way BU can watch the cheater miss third, and if appealed we got it covered.

Do you think this is a good mechanic in this sitch.

I'd have PU move back to take the fair / foul call and still glance at third.

In my opinion, if you have a way that covers everything, then it is a good mechanic. If you know a team tries a certain play, and you have a plan to cover that play...then it's a good mechanic.

I think this gives you coverage more consistent with normal responsibilities.

agree

I'd have to agree. Let's assume the play at 1st is a close one and you bang him out as the PU. That same coach that tried the miss at 3B is going to come out yelling something similar to "Why are you making that call? That's the BU's call! There's no way you saw the play!"

I don't have much patience with coaches who interrupt a game to tutor the umpires.

me neither. don't worrry...I got an email from a coach about a play in my game last Sunday...(I got the email 4 days later)...furthermore, they were arguing an unannouced sub rule as an illegal sub. makes me want to scream. adult league. whining babies....I had the instance where the coach comes out at about pitch 5 of his pitching change only to get more pitches for his pitcher after his change. 1 man game...no partner help.