New NFHS Two-Umpire Mechanic.
I have an intense dislike for the new NFHS Two-Umpire mechanic that requires the BU to be in the "B" position when there are Runners on 1B and 3B. I can truly say without exaggeration or hyperbole that well over 95% of the time I have had this situation, I have only been in the "B" for not more than two pitches because the Offensive Team has its Runner on 1B steal 2B and the Defensive Team lets the Runner steal 2B due to Catcher Indifference. Stupid, stupid mechanic.
I guess I am getting lazy and senile in my old age. :p MTD, Sr. |
I don't agree at all. The college mechanic has always been B with R1 and R3. Does it bother you to take 4 steps to the C after R1 steals 2nd? The potential steal of 2nd is why you are in B in the first place.
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Standard PBUC 2-man has U1 in B with a runner at 1st or 1st and 3rd.
Why did NFHS, ever think that U1 should be pre-pitch positioned in C, I'll never know. |
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Our state, which uses our own manual instead of NFHS, has used this positioning for several years, with no complaints that I'm aware of. |
The double steal is only just one possibility. There are more things that could happen that makes the B position a more advantageous position than C in the 1st/3rd configuration.
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1) Use C whenever there's a runner at second or third. 2) Use C whenever a (single) steal of third is possible. 3) Use B whenever a (single) steal of second is possible. I started my training with #1. My state uses #2 for HS. I prefer #3. |
You want to call a potential pickoff play at 1st from C ??
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I don't work NFHS so I am in B in that situation, but C can't be that bad. With C you start with a better angle than you would have in B, and on a pick the only thing you can do from B is take a big step towards the plate to try to gain a better angle. From C, you can probably step towards the mound to get an even better angle as well as a little bit closer.
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Again, most umpires can handle it from C easily but, it just looks better from B. |
Junior and I had a varsity game this afternoon. Six times today I went to the "B" position with Runners on 1B and 3B and each and every time the Runner on 1B stole 2B on Catcher's Indifference on the very first pitch to the Batter.
MTD, Sr. |
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Its a short stroll from B to C. |
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It gives you a super look at swipe tag at 2B. MLB mechanic, NCAA mechanic, and now FED finally jumped on board. We agree to disagree. |
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Don't speak for us up here in Minnesota. Our kids can execute that play all day. BTW, I just got 8" of snow tonight. I won't sniff a field for another week. |
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It doesn't only happen in large late inning leads. I had it down 6 times in the first four innings of a 2 run game. MTD, Sr. |
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I agree with the perception issue on calling the pickoff at first from the "C". Just last night, R1 and R2, so I was in the "C". Pitch in the dirt that the catcher blocked, but rolled a few feet away. R2 took a couple of steps but held at second, R1 took a couple more quick steps toward second, then started back as the catcher snapped a quick throw down to first. I took one or two quick steps and then made the out call on a play that was not that close - the tag was down and applied as the runner slid back headfirst. However, the OC was livid, not because he saw anything different, as he admitted he didn't have a good look on the play, but that "there's no way you can make that call from there (meaning the "C")!!!" I told him I was in the place I was supposed to be and that his runner was clearly out as the tag was waiting for him as he slid back, and that I had a good view of the play. His only retort was again that there was no way I could make that call from where I was. I told him his runner was out and turned and walked away. He proceeds to my partner and whines a little more, where my partner repeated almost exactly the same to the OC as I had, including the fact that his runner was easily out.
The next inning with R1, a soft liner was hit to F6 that looked like it might fall. F6 makes a nice diving catch, and fires to F3, who was off the base and had to make a swipe tag on the runner to double him up. A similar tag play, and actually more of a banger, but not one peep from the OC, presumably because I was now in the "B" and not the "C". Either that, or he realized what a rat he really is - doubtful, though. |
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Rich: I am saying that I went into the season with an open mind about the new mechanic but in my games it has been a waste of time because what it is supposed to help cover has not arisen. And at my age it is from "C" to "B" and back to "C". :p MTD, Sr. |
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IHSA says...
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A good <u>general</u> rule is for the BU to position himself based on the pre-pitch rotation.
If PU is rotating to 3rd, BU is in B. If PU is staying home, BU is in C. With two outs and R2, R3 or R1, R2, R3, I like 'B'. With 0 or 1 out and RISP, I like C whether a steal of 3rd is possible or not. Back-picks happen, and when they do, I like to be nearer them. |
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Although our state mandates Position C for R2 + R3, many times I get moved to deep B by the runner and/or F6.
As long as you stay close to 2nd base, you get a good look at the snap throw to 3rd, and you're at a reasonably credible distance. |
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Thanks David |
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