Play at the plate

[GA Umpire]

It is a tough call and I can tell it would be just by that pic.

The umpire was in the best position possible from what I can tell from that pic. Generally, the umpire will kind of stand at the point and adjust from there on the play. Since this was a swipe tag attempt, the umpire tried to get 3BLX(third base line extended). He couldn't completely b/c of the players being in the wrong position. But, he looked like he was still in a good position.

Some plays are going to be difficult to see no matter where the umpire gets. Now, if it was going to be a blocking of the plate play, the umpire would get 1BLX(first base line extended). Especially if the throw is coming from the left side of the field.

This umpire did it right and got in the best spot possible for this type of play. The only other place he could have gotten is the area where the teammates are at. He could have gone a little over the 3BLX line to get the angle to see if the tag is applied on the backside. But, that wasn't going to happen b/c of the other players.

For beginners, 1BLX is better to start. After feeling comfortable, they can begin to move to the POP(point of plate) position and read the play and from there to go 3BLX or 1BLX. But, this umpire would not have seen any tag from 1BLX probably on this play.

But, after seeing pic 34, he did see the tag and called the runner out. Looked like the right call too b/c pic 32 has the tag on the back.