1st Playoff Series

[DG]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

3) ? (I forget -- there's a third "little guideline")

I don't know if this is it, but it is one I remember.

If there is a runner at 1st there is an umpire at 1st. If there is a runner at 3rd, there is an umpire at 3rd, unless there is a runner at 1st.

[rcaverly]

Trouble spot #1: R3 only - fly ball to RF - U1 goes - U3 camps for the retouch at 3B - ball falls in - BR attempts 2B and no one there to cover it.

Trouble spot #2 - R1/R2 - double steal - U1 tries to help at 2B - throw goes to 2B and too many umpires are there to cover it.

[RPatrino]

Originally Posted by rcaverly

Trouble spot #1: R3 only - fly ball to RF - U1 goes - U3 camps for the retouch at 3B - ball falls in - BR attempts 2B and no one there to cover it.


Trouble spot #2 - R1/R2 - double steal - U1 tries to help at 2B - throw goes to 2B and too many umpires are there to cover it.

- U3 has to hustle his rump to cover that, immediately start toward 2b, not camp for the retouch at 3b.

- U3 has initial responsibility for the play at 2b, unless there is a throw toward 3b, where that would be his call. U1 then would move toward 2b for any further action there, if any.

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by RPatrino

- U3 has to hustle his rump to cover that, immediately start toward 2b, not camp for the retouch at 3b.

- U3 has initial responsibility for the play at 2b, unless there is a throw toward 3b, where that would be his call. U1 then would move toward 2b for any further action there, if any.

Agreed on the first -- I think that's why he listed it as "trouble".

Disagree on the second -- unless there's "more action" than just a throw to third, U1 won't beat R1 to second.

[David B]

Originally Posted by davelock11

I have my 1st playoff series assignment this weekend. I'm pretty excited about it, but also a little nervous. I've been studying the 3-man mechanics for the past couple of days, but I've never used them on the field.

What are some of the most important things that I need to be aware of (areas most likely to screw up) when going to 3-man for the 1st time? Any advice or tips?

Congrats and I would simply add that you enjoy, learn, and have fun. One thing i always do before playoff games is to look over the rule book, go over the dead ball tables etc., just to refresh.

This might be your first playoff game, but expect the unexpected. I have gone to too many game (as umpire and fan) and have something "crazy" happen and the umpires didn't know how to handle it - well they handled it but not by the rules.

Go over the simple stuff like "dead balls", "balks", "appeals", "equipment" - so many times when the pressure gets turned up the coaches start begging for calls on things that are not in the rules, and sadly I've seen many umpires make the wrong call simply because they were depending on past experiences and were not prepared for "today's game".

Mechanics and all will take care of themselves if you just watch each other and react.

Thanks
David

[Tim C]

"The least experienced man should be U3."

Holy crap Batman!

U3 is the lynchpin of all rotations.

Agree to disagree I guess.

T

[davelock11]

Had a good time and I don't think I messed anything up too bad . I was U1 for 1st game and PU for 2nd. We did a pretty good job of communicating on all the rotations in my opinion. Being U1 in the 1st game, I found myself having to fight the urge to go in on base hits. Also, I felt caught in the middle of the play a couple of times on pick-off throws that got away from the 1st baseman. All in all I enjoyed it, but I do wish we would at least work a few of the area games with 3 man crews during the 2nd half of the season.

Thanks for all the input and suggestions from you guys!