Gotta go with Johnny on this one. I've been standing at home and made the call on the play at the plate as the BU. It looks awesome, and people can actually see that the umpires really do hustle, as normally they don't get to see an umpire make a catch/no catch call in the outfield, and then make the call at home too. It may only happen once in a blue moon, but when that blue moon play happens, I like to be standing at home plate waiting on the batter-runner.

The day has not arrived yet where I can't get out to right field, make a call, make sure there is no trouble with the ball, and be running through the first base coaches box by the time the runner is arriving at 3rd base, and waiting at home if there is going to be a possible play.

I apparently didn't express myself well.

I agree -- go out and try to get back.

But, not everyone can get back if they give the full attention needed to the play in the outfield. For example, outfield shifted to left. High fly down the line (iow, the ball stays in the air a long time). F9 dives and you see the ball hit the glove, but F9 stays on the ground (iow, you need to wait to see what F9 does before you can make the call). BR is state champion sprinter.

95% of umpires will not be able to make it back to the plate if they go out as far as needed on this play.

And for slower umpires, it needn't be that extreme.

And, if I'm forced to choose between staying with the catch / no-catch and gettting back to the play, I'll choose the former.

My scenario was predicated on there being no trouble with the ball.

Certainly the first responsibility is the ball. I agree.

Whenever I have a trouble ball, I just kick one leg out straight and it usually self-adjusts.

Even if you're wearing a cup?