Passed Ball Mechanics

[jwwashburn]

Sorry, I should have described it better. The ball was bouncing toward the backstop, r3 coming home and the Home Plate Umpire turned his back on the ball(whilst it was still moving) and knelt facing home plate-approximately thirda base extended.

Fortunately, the catcher did not bean him in the back of the head.

[waltjp]

Bill Miller on the plate. Pitch was high and off the catcher's glove and back to the screen just to the first base side. The catcher turned to his left with a left handed batter at the plate. Miller moved to his right and turned to check the location of the ball, which went back to the screen to the first base side. My guess is that Miller didn't want to cross between the catcher and the plate so he moved another 2 or 3 steps in the direction of first base to clear the throwing lane. Miller then turned to watch the touch of home plate and any potential play. Turned out there was no play because the catcher couldn't pick up the ball.

I didn't see anything wrong with the play. The PU has to read the catcher and adjust accordingly.

[jwwashburn]

I understand that and that is what I try to do. I have bever seen anyone turn his back to the ball and kneel, though.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by jwwashburn

I understand that and that is what I try to do. I have bever seen anyone turn his back to the ball and kneel, though.

Maybe he was trying to get in good position, and then knelt down to avoid the throw, i.e., making himself a smaller target.

[jwwashburn]

I would rather not have the ball appear from behind me..I want to see it. Is this not what most people do?

[waltjp]

If he's watching the ball he'll never see the touch of the plate.

[jwwashburn]

Is it a proper and common mechanic to turn your back on the baseball on a passed ball, kneel down and just wait for the ball to appear from behind you? It is pretty easy to see the touch of home without kneeling and staring, isn't it?

[DG]

Originally Posted by jwwashburn

I would rather not have the ball appear from behind me..I want to see it. Is this not what most people do?

I don't know about most people, but I turn to the ball long enough to figure out where the throw will come from so I can make sure I am out of the way (and that ball did not go out of play or is lodged) and then turn to the plate, the ball no longer important to me.

Waltjp nailed the description as I a saw it too, best replay is at 35 seconds.

I never kneel either.

[treydawgmt]

I don't see much wrong with that. I also don't go to a knee due to knee issues on my right knee that would make it a tad hard to get up! However, I'm not really sure I'd call that a passed ball. Yes, he might have been able to catch it, but it was a horrible pitch too. Either way, the home plate umpire I think was fine.