Straight-Lined
 

Just watching ESPN this morning and see perfect example of not moving and getting straight lined even from the MLB guys.

Royals game and Windlestadt is U3 and on run down he gets out of position to see the tag. But to his credit, after coach argues he asks for help and makes the right call.

It is so easy to get straight-lined especially on plays that take the umpire by surprise as this was on a pick off play; however, it's good to see and learn.

Just thought i'd mention. I'm sure you can watch on MLB.com later today.

Thanks
David

He wasn't straight-lined. He took his eyes off the fielder for a moment and thought the tag was an empty glove tag. Davidson corrected this judgment.

Can't understand it really. He sees F5 catch the ball in his glove and apply the tag. Whats the problem. And he is out of position to see the actual tag. When you watch at full speed it happens quickly and I looks like he just thinks R2 got around the tag.

What is it exactly you can't understand? People make mistakes or that they actually got the call right but, it wasn't pretty.

Does anyone have a 4 man mechanics book and can look up run-down positioning, responsibility?

I'm guessing this play should be taken from about where he was and U2 and U3 split with U3 on outside and U2 on inside - and not from the 3rd bases coaches box.

Now do you see why us older farts say "Get your facts before you make your call". If you need help get it first.... one play - one call.

Go ahead and argue about it all you want but making a call then getting help looks like $hit!

Yep that's why it got my attention. In his defense from where he was standing he did see a tag since the runner was between him and the tag and i'm sure he was also having to look to see if the runner was running out of the base line etc.,

But, why not immediately go to your partner when everyone in the park runner included thought he was out!

Thanks
David

"Umpires worst enemy: Surprise" - Jim Evans - Spoken during a lesson at the Academy of Professional Umpiring.

David, it looked to me as though he saw the tag but when he picked up his head, he saw the fielder with the ball in his hand and assumed the tag made was with an empty glove.

Perhaps, because he thought he had it right.

Do you go to your partner before a request is made every time you think you're right?

If you think you got the call right, there is no need to "get help" if no one asks.

I can't understand How he could think the ball wasn't in the glove when the tag was made

Getting help before the call looks like $hit too.

Very well done. We all make mistakes, it is how we handle the situations that arise from those mistakes that seperate us.

Wendlestedt kicked the call. Anyone who has met him knows HW is confident to the point of concern. He sought help because it was the correct thing to do. He took the flack like a champ and the game moved on.