Mechanics Question

[Justme561]

I have a difference of opinion with a fellow umpire that maybe you guys can help with.

We were working a college scrimmage today and had the following play.

Runner on 2B. The batter hits a ground ball to left field. The runner from 2B rounds 3rd and heads for home. The left fielder throws it to the 3rd baseman, who has moved toward the outfield grass, who then throws to home. There's a close sliding play at home.

The question is where should U1 have been positioned to make the call?

[dash_riprock]

Originally Posted by Justme561

I have a difference of opinion with a fellow umpire that maybe you guys can help with.

We were working a college scrimmage today and had the following play.

Runner on 2B. The batter hits a ground ball to left field. The runner from 2B rounds 3rd and heads for home. The left fielder throws it to the 3rd baseman, who has moved toward the outfield grass, who then throws to home. There's a close sliding play at home.

The question is where should U1 have been positioned to make the call?

Assuming U1 means the plate umpire, he should be at the point of the plate to read the throw home and adjust accordingly. Usually, the place to be is the 3rd base line extended.

The PU also has R2's touch of 3rd base.

[jicecone]

I agree if your talking about the PU, then 3BX is a good starting point.

[JJ]

Third base line extended no matter who is making the call. Get a CCA Manual. Read it.

JJ

[zm1283]

You guys were working a college scrimmage and this was a point of contention?

[egj13]

Originally Posted by zm1283

You guys were working a college scrimmage and this was a point of contention?

+1

Was this 2 umpires I assume?

[Rita C]

Originally Posted by JJ

Third base line extended no matter who is making the call. Get a CCA Manual. Read it.

JJ

Maybe he has read it but his partner hasn't. I've had that kind of partner. The one who knows all about positioning but hasn't attended any training or read any manual.

I wouldn't be surprised if his partner really thought U1 should be making the call at home. I've had that kind of partner.

Rita

[bluehair]

I agree with dash that you start off at the point and read/adjust from there. The OP seems to suggest that 3BLX was the place to be on this close sliding play. But some who have "seen the light" of the benefit of 3BLX think that 3BLX is the only place to be on a batted ball/play at HP. If the throw is there in plenty of time and it become a question of what happened first (tag or touch) then 1BLX is sometimes the place to be.

[maven]

Originally Posted by Rita C

I wouldn't be surprised if his partner really thought U1 should be making the call at home. I've had that kind of partner.

Rita, I'm fairly confident that the OP meant the plate umpire by 'U1', with R2 and a safe single to left. Some mechanics manuals (FED for instance) use that designation.

But, for the record, I've had the same partner — the one who thought the base umpire should make the call at home. One guy thought he should take it from the mound...

[Justme561]

My partner, the plate umpire, had just completed a high school clinic (this is his 2nd year working high school ball). He had wanted to come out to a scrimmage to get some experience so we let him. It is very informal so he couldn't screw things up..too bad.

He took the play at home positioned 1BX as described. After the inning I tried to explain where he should have been....He did not believe me. He said that he was just taught the previous weekend to do it the way he did. So I posted the question to the group here.

He will be reading your responses.

I meant PU when I said U1.... another "old guy" moment...they are coming more often these days!

Thank you all

[dash_riprock]

We call that the [insert name of local newspaper] position. You are in great position to be in the photo on the high school sports page, but the worst position to see the play at the plate.

[bluehair]

Have him c/o the umpire in 1BLX in this SB play. It's SB but its the same issue (bad positioning).

http://www.wfaa.com/sports/high-scho...151479335.html

Edit: Link Fixed

[maven]

Originally Posted by bluehair

Have him c/o the umpire in 1BLX in this SB play. It's SB but its the same issue (bad positioning).

Bad link?

[JJ]

Originally Posted by Justme561

My partner, the plate umpire, had just completed a high school clinic (this is his 2nd year working high school ball). He had wanted to come out to a scrimmage to get some experience so we let him. It is very informal so he couldn't screw things up..too bad.

He took the play at home positioned 1BX as described. After the inning I tried to explain where he should have been....He did not believe me. He said that he was just taught the previous weekend to do it the way he did. So I posted the question to the group here.

Buy him a CCA manual for his birthday. And a FED manual. Clinics are great as far as they go, but they should be demonstrating the mechanics found in these manuals.

JJ

[egj13]

Originally Posted by bluehair

Have him c/o the umpire in 1BLX in this SB play. It's SB but its the same issue (bad positioning).

Rulebook shows umpire made correct call in controversial softball game | wfaa.com Dallas - Fort Worth

Edit: Link Fixed

He was on the 3rd base side...did you mean he SHOULD have been on 1B side?