Passed Ball Mechanics

[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?

[waltjp]

What would you do?

[APG]

Baseball Video Highlights & Clips | PIT@DET: Miggy comes home on Barajas' passed ball - Video | MLB.com: Multimedia

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by waltjp

What would you do?

• Find out where the ball is

• Stay out of the throwing lane

• Watch the ball until it is released and on a trajectory toward the plate

• Be set (not on my knee) with a good angle/look at the play

• Watch the play happen until all playing action ceases, moving if necessary

• Make a ruling on the play

Now that I have seen the video, what was wrong with what he did? He was nowhere near the throwing lane and he was in perfect position. He can go to a knee if he wants to, a matter of preference. If I were to kneel, the catcher would have to help me up!

[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.