Play at the plate

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by GPC2

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.

You're right. As it turns out, there could have been a better place (based on the pictures). But, that "better place" would heve made it more difficult if the tag had been on the side / arm / shoulder of the runner closer to the catcher. And, the play goes from a "tag on the shoulder" to a "tag on the back" in about .1 seconds (SWAG).

It happens in all sports (I don't work FB, so I won't try to come up with an exact analogy). All you can do is use your experience, and other evidence (sound, the movement of F2's glove / arm) to determine what most likely happened.