Foul Tip in Dirt

[nafxos]

Originally Posted by GROUPthink

As someone with 25 years of experience, let me tell you that you're completely wrong. You can make the same judgment from B or C as the plate guy can behind the plate. You have a few advantages -- there's no chance you're going to be blocked and you don't have a pitch to track.

The mindset of not calling a swing from the middle is very old school and most good umpires have discarded it. If you judge that the batter offered (and I still suggest you use your first instinct), go with it. Why penalize the defense because you don't want to make that call?

I'll think about it. I have a hard time believing I can get a good look at a lefthanded batter's check swing from B. Or a righhander from C. But I'm open to the idea.

That said, I do remember in my certification class a veteran ump making it pretty clear that 99 times out of 100 you shouldn't overturn your partner's "no swing" call from B or C.