WSH - CWS Estabrook reversed...

[UMP25]

Originally Posted by mbyron

I have seen so many umpires moving to an angle significantly less than 90° that I'm thinking there must be a new mechanic coming up from PBUC. They move way off the line toward 2B and look back at F3 and the base.

One of the umpires in our association is current assigned to the minor leagues. I've got a message into him to see what PBUC's recommended mechanic on this is since you brought it up.

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by UMP25

One of the umpires in our association is current assigned to the minor leagues. I've got a message into him to see what PBUC's recommended mechanic on this is since you brought it up.

Cool. I'll be glad to know -- as I say, I see this all the time now.

[TussAgee11]

PBUC says "shoot for 90 degrees, but if you go a little further, its better than not going far enough".

Naturally, everybody goes a little further and wider.

[UMP25]

90 degrees on a swipe tag? That's insane, just insane. Never mind that it makes it virtually impossible to SEE the tag.

[zm1283]

Originally Posted by UMP25

90 degrees on a swipe tag? That's insane, just insane. Never mind that it makes it virtually impossible to SEE the tag.

90 degrees is where you start. You can adjust from there with a step or two depending on where the throw is.

[UMP25]

A step or two is one thing--that's understandable. However, Estabrook was more than a "step or two."

[TussAgee11]

You lock in once you read true throw. Estabrook correctly did not read true throw and immediately began adjusting towards the line. It was textbook.

I was more curious to see if anyone had opinions on the reversal and the aftermath. At the college level, you probably get away with this reversal and its seen as "getting together and getting the call right". At the professional level, you only get one shot at it. Completely different expectations.

[UMP25]

Originally Posted by mbyron

Cool. I'll be glad to know -- as I say, I see this all the time now.

He Emailed me to explain that PBUC teaches to get a 90-degree angle to the throw and adjust accordingly, which was the way I was taught at school, so it's nice to see things haven't changed in that regard. For swipe tags, one is taught to line up in a straight line with the fielder, runner, and tag in order to best view the tag attempt.