Run or walk?
 

I was thinking about this and wondering...do you prefer to hustle to position A from the outfield grass after the catcher sends it down to start the inning, or do you just walk over to the line?

I hustle to every positition allowing the distance that needs to be covered determine the pace.

An instructor at school used to say, "Never walk when you can run."

Do you even run from the line to the plate at the start of a new inning when working the dish? I've never seen that one!

Run most of the time. But there are times when I might walk when balls are flying from the outfield to someone off the field. Then I am just aware of where the balls are flying and I might walk as I am looking over my shoulder. The bottom line, it depends.

Peace

I will use the exact speed needed to get me into position for the next situation. Walk, jog, sprint or mosey whatever it takes.

In this situation, I've got plenty of time to walk. Gotta pace yourself out there.

An instructor at school used to say, "Never walk when you can run."

That's cute. So he'd never walk on the field, eh? How about when he leaves? Full on sprint? I mean, is there a real need to run, if you're not holding up the game?

Don't get me wrong. I'm an ex-bicycle road racer/triathlete (and no slouch, either), so I can amble around the diamond better than most. But some times, there's just no need.

Just don't be like that old knucklehead a few years back in the Little League World Series, who was more worried about hustling to his next position, that he forgot to do the only thing he was tasked to in a six man crew. Watch second base.

As I said, "I hustle to every positition allowing the distance that needs to be covered to determine the pace.

Yes, we jog onto the field at the beginning and off the field at the end.

An instructor at school used to say, "Never walk when you can run."

If your full time job requires you to run, you run, if not, be in the correct position to make the call, at the right time.

If some instructor told you to wear one pant leg up and one down , would you do it? Are you ever allowed to blow your nose on the field? Are you allowed to wear a different color t-shirt if you feel like it? Does your chewing gum lose it's flavor on the bedpost overnite? Yadi yadi yadi, Cum by ah!!!!!!!!!!

I always hustle. I make it a point to reach B position on a walk before the runner gets to first. Same thing between inning, I jog from my right field position to A on the throw down pitch.

I am just assuming that "run" in the poll, would include jogging. I don't run flat out in a sprint to A from RF, but I do jog. It shows hustle to both teams, and helps with the perception of my team.

Yes, I meant sprint, jog or hustle when I said "run." (you're choice) Sorry for the confusion.

Hmmm,
 

Slowly as I move into my new career as an umpire evaluator I will tell you my own personal standard:

When an inning ends and the BU is anywhere "inside" he will run into his between inning location in short right field (two crew system).

When the catcher throws the ball down to start a new inning the BU will run to "A".

When in "A" and a batter is either walked or hit by pitch the BU will run into the infield and attempt to be at "B" before the BR reaches first base.

It takes no ability to hustle.

If an umpire cannot attain the three requirements listed above he will be penalized on his evaluation.

Regards,

Walk briskly, between innings, to get to outfield position and from there back to A. I count pitches so I know when to start moving so there is no delay.

Jog from position to position during relaxed play, such as A to B after a walk.

Run whenever the players are running.

I knew you'd understand.;)

I have heard the term "false hustle". Please explain this term and give all "false hustle" examples you could think of with your vast experience. Thanks.

I prefer to jog back to position. I can't honestly say that I do it EVERY time. We've asked them to hustle on and off the field. We should do the same.

I don't necessarily jog out to RF, but will from there to the line.

Why would you ask that question of one who did not use the term?

As BU:

I hustle (jog) to short right after the plate conference and at the end of each half inning. After the throwdown, I jog to A. If I am in B or C when the bases clear either by runners scoring or being put out, I jog to A. From A, I jog to B on a hit batsman or base on balls and beat the B/R obtaining first.

As PU:

If I've gone to the library or third, I jog back to the plate. After trailing the runner to first, I jog back to the plate, After breaking up a conference at the mound, I jog back to the plate. If I've had to cover my end of a rundown, I jog back to the plate when it's over.

I don't need to jog to the plate from the line to start an inning becuase when there are "two left", I take a couple of steps toward the plate when I signal the pitcher. When there is one left, I talk a couple more steps when I signal the on deck batter. By the time of the throw down, I don't have far to go,

I've never heard a coach or another umpire say of an umpire: He's an excellent umpire, he just doesn't hustle.

I'm sure there are a few that have thought of me, "Steve sure hustles good, but he really sucks!":D

As PU a couple of years ago, I ran to 3B to cover any play there as I was supposed to do given the situation. I stopped, play stopped and I turned to walk (yes I walked, at least part of the way) back to the plate. As I went past the coach in the 3b dug out he said, "Nice hustle, blue" I was stunned.

Never heard it prior, haven't heard it since.

Some coaches are genuinely stunned when they see the plate guy bust his a$s to 3rd base. Many have grown used to seeing the guys who watch the grass grow by the plate.

I usually hear it once or twice a year after covering third. It's nice to hear something positive amidst all the.....suggestions to improve?:D