Now, for some actual baseball

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by asdf

It seemed to me that the PU pointed as he touched. I've done that plenty of times. If anyone questions whether or not I saw the tag at the plate.... "go to the video."

Bad reason to deviate from the proper mechanic, imho. Do NOT point at the plate except on timing plays (and on timing plays, point even if they didn't touch!)

[Rufus]

Basketball ref, and baseball coach, with a question on where you look on a play like this. In basketball we typically "referee the defense" to know whether or not legal guarding position was attained before contact. That way we know what to call, a block or player control foul. Do baseball umpires do the same kind of thing in situations like this where contact between players is possible/likely?

I ask because my eyes followed the catcher (defense) on this one and, based on his movement away from R3, it seemed that R3 initiated the contact by leaning into the catcher.

Granted, as a coach I would also instruct my C to divert further from the runner once he's thrown the ball to avoid such a situation in the first place.

[Steven Tyler]

Originally Posted by mbcrowder

(and on timing plays, point even if they didn't touch!)

I don't agree here, it could confuse the defense into thinking the runner touched, and scored on the play. Let the defense at least have the opportunity to make a play on the runner without an appeal to get the out.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by Steven Tyler

I don't agree here, it could confuse the defense into thinking the runner touched, and scored on the play. Let the defense at least have the opportunity to make a play on the runner without an appeal to get the out.

I see your point, but the point of the pointing (on a timing play) is to indicate that the run scores. Which it does, pending appeal. You are signalling to the scorekeeper, not the players.