Play at the plate

[GPC2]

Originally Posted by mbyron

What's the question exactly? From the photo it looks like a close call. The umpire has positioned himself on the 3rd baseline extended, which is a good spot for swipe tags. Beyond that there's nothing to judge from the photo.

As for the question you ask: no, the umpire should not stay behind the plate. Proper positioning puts him on one of the baselines extended, depending on where the ball's coming from and what type of play he expects.

I guess my question was how would the umpire know if the tag was actually made since the tag would be made on the opposite side of the player's body than the ump was positioned on? Is it just a feel thing, where you get used to knowing if the player was tagged? I guess, to me, it would seem like you could see that better from behind the plate (but then you would be obstructed from seeing the plate I guess) - hey man, I don't know - just wondering.