"C" position - how can I improve?

[Rich]

Originally Posted by rbmartin

Game 2 of Varsity doubleheader yesterday. Runner on 2nd w/2 outs. I am at "C" position. Ball is hit sharply to F6. I stay put with eyes on ball (I expected the throw to go to 1st). R2 breaks for 3rd. F6 throws high to F5. R2 tries to go low and around (to HP side of F5). Runner was not out of his baseline. Attempted tag in chest area of runner. Since I have no x-ray vision, I am shielded pretty well from the tag/no tag. I take a mental picture of play but before signaling I breifly look (less than a second) to HP to see if he could help. He couldn't/didn't. I make the call. Coach complains more about the pause than the call. In postgame debrief, HP said I got the call right.
Obviously this is my primary call. How can I do better?

Your mistake was looking to the plate area. It looked indecisive. Step up, make a confident call, and move to your next position. As you said, this is your call all the way and you shouldn't even be *thinking* about getting another umpire involved on this.