I know ASA softball gives those bounding shots down the line to the plate umpire. I know of no mechanics system IN BASEBALL that gives bounding balls past the base to the plate umpire.

And if the base umpire is calling fair/foul, he'd better be near the line.

Rich

Dark of days of Evans? We must have a different sense of history. He hasn't owned that school that long. Maybe under the previous owner?

The recent grads of the academey who I've seen work are no more than a step off the line.

As Rich pointed out, ASA mechanics are different that baseball. Maybe that's the source of the confusion.

At one time, pro schools taught umpires to start by straddling the line.

Now, they teach them to start in foul territory so that, when they pivot on their right foot, they end up in a position where their belt buckle is directly over the line, effectively straddling it.

Jim,
From my experience, I would be pushing off with my left foot and, thus, would be unable to pivot with the right which is then airborne. ;)
mick

That would be Bill Kinnamon. I have a copy of the Kinnamon school notes from 1982. I don't have time right now, but I'll check back to see what was suggested pre-historically! :D

Cheers

Consider the checking completed. Day 2 of the Bill Kinnamon Professional Umpire School, St Petersburg Florida February 2nd 1982, Joe Brinkman (Senior Instructor) covered 2-man mechanics and had this to say:<ul>Fair/Foul - Plate umpire has up to the base, not including the base, and all of third base / left field line. Base umpire has first base (including the bag itself) and beyond. (ie. Ball hits base - base umpire's call. Ball on fly and over base, base umpire's call).</ul>I don't see that leaving too much room for contention. I'd say that even in those "<i>dark old days of Evans</i>" they were using the current responsibilities for fair/foul down the first base line.

Cheers