CCA Mechanic for Rundowns
 

I'm shy of owning a CCA manual. In a discussion with a fellow umpire last week we were discussion rundown mechanics. He is a college umpire while I only do high school (with the aspiration of college ball eventually). He stated that during a rundown, the umpires will split the baseline when the plate umpire comes to help out.

I do have a PBUC Red Book and it states in 2.7 that "...If the rundown should develop between 1st and 2nd or between 2nd and 3rd...[The Plate Umpire] will run down the foul line towards the 1st (or 3rd) base cutout to help out on that end only...The plate umpire will then be responsible for any play at the cutout area only. The base umpire will have the responsibility for the rest of the rundown." Is the mechanic different for CCA?

-Josh

Same mechanic - here's a good rule of thumb: If you're the plate guy, and you get to the cutout, you stay put there - you don't "float" with the rundown. The base guy, who has been with the rundown from its beginning, does the "floating" (to watch for obstruction, interference, and tags). If the play comes into the cutout, the plate guy is there, set, and has a great look. That's his call.

JJ

Exactly. My only addition: as PU, let your partner know you're in position. "I've got this end," but not until you're set in position (i.e., don't yell when you're 2 steps from the plate).

Agree. And don't move into position unless the runner is moving away from you (within reason).

Oooh, that's right. I forgot that piece.

I hope there's a rundown in my game today. :)

Many will ......
 

Many umpires that have worked a lot together or had very good pregames will take the half, but the thing to remember is that both umpires should and will always make eye contact before either umpire makes a call. This eye contact part isn't explicit in either book, but it is the most important part of a rundown or a fair/foul near the bag or a tag/no tag near the 45 foot line or any other play that is going to have 2 sets of eyes at or near the action.

2 cents.

Several MiLB crews I have had the pleasure to meet have told me that in their games, PU will take half except at home, where he will take his end only. I don't know if this is with their evaluator's and PBUC's blessings or not.

I was just curious since I only take the cutout (as I try to conform to PBUC mechanics). My partner usual partner knows that but I never really discuss "take only the cutout" when pre-gaming with a new partner. I will now clarify.

-Josh

Which PBUC mechanics would those be? The ones they teach the proschool honor grads? The one's they encourage second year umpires to "try". The one's they suggest to advanced A umpires?

One of the reasons that the proschools don't change to PBUC mechanics is the lack of consistency.

The new PBUC manual MiLB umpires were handed this year came out outdated.

Worth considerably more than 2 cents (that's my $0.02).

Generally, one umpire is going to have had a much better look at the tag (or whatever) than the other umpire. Eye contact ensures the right one calls it.

Yep
 

Was working a 3 man game yesterday where we had a bunt down the 1BL that had the B/R, F1, F2, F3 and the ball all at the 45 foot line at about the same time. I know what the books say, but i also know how I work and the guys I work with work. All 3 umpires had eyes on the play and the PU and I, U1, had eyes on the ball. When it was touched, the PU and I had eye contact, he verbaled to me and I verbaled back.

Timing isn't waiting to make a call, it is using your eyes to make sure you see everything including what your partners have.