Passed Ball Mechanics

[jwwashburn]

I just saw the Home Plate Umpire in the Pirates @ Tigers game set up with his back almost completely turned to the catcher, on one knee facing Home Plate. The ball was still moving when he turned his back on it.

I do not claim to know all of the mechanics taught to MLB umpires at all. This looked really weird and improper to me.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Where was the ball? Where were the runners? If there was a possible play at the plate, and he set up opposite of when the catcher was on an extended baseline, then he was probably setting up for a play at the plate. Other than that, I dunno.

[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?

[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!

[jwwashburn]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

• 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

Sounds right to me.

I would add, this guy on one knee is a lot more likely to get hit by a ball bouncing away from the potential play at the plate.

[jwwashburn]

I found the video.

This is the first time I have seen the replay. Maybe, he had already guessed there would be no play? But, why the kneel, then?

All Top Plays | PIT@DET: Miggy comes home on Barajas' passed ball - Video | tigers.com: Multimedia

PS Oh, now I see it was already found :-D

[kylejt]

One thing that I do is watch the pitcher's eyes as he's coming in towards the plate. They will tell you where the ball is, if it's being thrown to him, and where the throw it going. On oddly shaped backstops, sometimes the ball takes a turn when hits it. And yeah, sometimes the ball is at your back, and you have kneel down. I've done it.

Reading the defensive players eyes is very overlooked, and not often taught. Yet, it's very beneficial.