4 Man Mechanics - Pressure @2nd base
 

Curious as to how this is handled in different parts of the Country.

• 4 man crew
• Bases loaded
• Infield playing on the grass (in)

My curiosity came about when I saw this situation with all runners in a deep secondary. The umpire looked as if he were trapped in front of 2nd base with no where to go. The batter smashed a shot for a base clearing home run, so I never got to see what the situation would come to.

I believe that I would choose the old mechanic of slipping out between F4 & 2nd base and position myself on the dirt. This would keep me out of the "mix".

Like I said, I just want to know how you guys deal with this situation.

With the infielders in on the grass, I will take a "deep B or C" position behind the infielders. Normally I am in the "deep B or C" position with bases loaded anyways, but I may have to play deeper with the infielders in. One of the adjustments a crew must make with this situation is catch/no-catch to the infielders, especially on a line drive below the knees. With the ball more than likely going home when hit to an infielder, I will have time to come in and adjust for any subsequent play.

I had this situation twice last night in a 4-man. I was in the base path like what you described...super deep B. If F4 goes up the middle, I'm behind him and can take a quick step to my left to clear him, then get into the working area once he goes for the ball.

Super Deep C is sometimes referred to as position F. They use F in TASO mechanics, for example.

E is U2's position in the outfield with no runners, and F is an optional position which is straight back from C, and toward the outfield side of the dirt about the same distance from 2nd base.

The ML umpires manual puts the umpire behind the fielders in this situation in 4-man.

Thank you gentlemen for answering. It seems that we agree to get off the grass in this situation and that is what I was looking for.

the deep deep C position is taught by schools but there is leeway to move yourself to deep deep B if players ask you to move (because you are in the way, which you probably already realize at that point)

CCA has U2 in deep B with the bases loaded.
I don't see how any C-based positions could work well with the bases loaded and the infield in. You are proably in the way of either F6 or R2, take your pick. In a deep deep B, you are behind F4 with no one else to worry about.

Will you have time to get into the working area if you were just in the basepath?

Absolutely.

After an overthrow/base hit, or right after the second baseman throws?

You do realize we are talking 4 man mechanics, right?

Yes. I still don't know how you can go from behind the baseline to behind the mound after he "goes for the ball". Is the working area different in 4 man?

Let's think about this for a second. What are U2's responsibilites with bases loaded and a batted ball to F4?

Why does U2 need to go behind the mound in this situation? His play is at 2nd base.

I agree that he doesn't need to go behind the mound, but he needs to get on the 1st base side of the cut out no doubt. He has R1 all the way into second, possible OBS/INT, a tag, a force, basepath violation, etc.

I wouldn't want to be hanging out in the baseline for all that...

If we are all still refering to the original OP, the defense is playing in, we are behind them, close to or on the baseline, preferably in the "deep B" position. Since the D is in, any ball to the infielders that is fielded cleanly is more than likely going to go home, then possibly to 1st for the DP. If the ball is muffed, the play will likely go to first. If the ball stays in the infield, there is no reason for U2 to "bust in to the working area." There will be no rotations so the only responsibility U2 has is at 2nd base. Since all of the action is originating in front of him, it is acceptable, and easier, to position himself outside the basepath for any possible play and looking for R1 to touch 2nd. That way, you are not crossing paths with any infielder going back. If, for any reason, the ball happens to end up in the outfield on an overthrow, you can then come into the cutout area for any subsequent play. I could see myself going into the cutout area on the secondary throw to 1st on the DP, after R1 has rounded, all the while keeping my eye on the ball.

It is possible to take any play at second from behind. Most ML umpires do just this now on clean hits where the BR tries to stretch it into a double.

Ding, ding, ding, ding.....we have a winner,


Are you paying attention cc6?

I have never heard of a position F.

And?

Agreed. It was Briancurtin who originally said that after the second baseman goes for the ball he will go from super deep B into the working area. I'm not sure an umpire can move that fast. This is his post:

Rich:

Do you think they take the play from behind is based off the angle that the play originates at the base??

In other words, could a play coming in from right field dictate a position that is on the CF side of 2nd base, but a play coming from F5 on a force may require a look from the cut out and not from that same angle?

I'm just not so sure "any play" at second can be taken from behind as you said. Some, for sure.

U2 would be inside on a play from F5.