CCA 2 Man Mechanic
 

A question for college officials. On page 50 of the 2009 CCA Manual, it shows the responsibilities for each umpire for outfield coverage with no runners on.

It shows U1 taking the centerfielder, straight back, straight in, all the way to rightfield out of play. So far so good.

Now on page 59. No runners on, "routine" fly ball to right, U1 does not go out. U1 button hooks, has all plays on batter-runner at all bases. While PU moves to a position to best view catch.

Is page 59 a contridiction of page 50? Or does U1 only have the catch/no catch if he goes out.

Based on what page 59 shows PU has all routine fly ball catches/no catches. This is how we work HS and I just wanted to confirm that this is still proper with CCA.

Thanks

See top of page 49, do not go out automatically on balls in your coverage area.

If BU goes out, it's his catch...in 2 man baseball, the umpire does not go out on every situation. Does that help? Mechanics like this should be covered in the umpire's pregame...the conversation can go something like this:

PU: "I'll take all routine fly balls to the outfield. If you go out, it's your call, I'll take B/R into 2nd, 3rd...let me know that you've got home on a potential play"

BU: "Okay, sounds good."

there are 4 reasons why you go ut on balls...

1. possible Homerun
2. catch no catch
3. Fair/ foul
4. fielders converging on a play...


So in your example, there was no reason for U1 to go out. So that turn the catch no catch over to the PU..

Umpmazza, your item 2 could be revised to be 'trouble catches'. Those are ones where the outfielder is charging a ball or a ball is going over his head. Catch/no catch is too vague for me.

The importance of a pre-game with your partner cannot be understated. You must be totally clear with your partner on when you will or will not go out.

Why? the CCA manual is used extensively in most levels of baseball and by most umpire associations in the United States.

Umpmazza, your item 2 could be revised to be 'trouble catches'. Those are ones where the outfielder is charging a ball or a ball is going over his head. Catch/no catch is too vague for me.

The importance of a pre-game with your partner cannot be understated. You must be totally clear with your partner on when you will or will not go out.

If I'm PU at this pre-game, I almost always get: "Son, you're 20 years younger than me. If I go out for a call, don't expect me at home."

I completely understand, and take the runner all the way. It's great to know this BEFORE we step onto the field, though.

Shorten your distance and get a better angle on catch/no catch...you can get there.

I don't know how that thing got posted twice Steve...

Congrats on your progress, btw.

Thanks!

I'd rather hustle out to get the best distance and angle possible on the catch/no-catch than give some of that up to be sure I can get home for a play that happens once every 10.8765 years.

Bob, sorry to correct you, but it happens once every 10.895 years...;)

You are correct. If, with nobody on, the BU comes in, the PU has all catch/no catch responsibilies. If BU goes out, PU has BR.

maybe true...often times, what's another 5 feet going to get you? not necessarily a better look we don't want to make our call while moving. get a good angle, then do the rest of your job and head back toward the plate.

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?