Straddling the foul line

[David Emerling]

I think it's better to be just slightly (but completely) in foul territory for two reasons:

1) It's less likely that you will be struck by a fair ball - although still possible. (i.e. a hot grounder goes directly over the bag. Fair ball! It could go into foul territory and strike the umpire it is will still be a fair/live ball.)

2) More importantly, because he is in foul territory, the umpire can immediately start focusing on the ball, and whether it's fair or foul, rather than being concerned with moving.

Most umpires that I see have their right foot within a few inches of the foul line.

In my opinion, the necessity to get a good view of a batter's check swing is very low on the totem pole. Regardless of your view, just call what you see and if you didn't get a good look, just extend your arms and say, "No!". Simple!

[scarolinablue]

Good info, gents, and will take these points back to my association. Not sure where the line-straddling momentum came from - likely from the U3 and then got liberally transferred to U1.

I've always stayed about a step foul when there is a runner being held on first. The only time I've ventured near or on the line is the R3 situation if my view is being blocked, usually depending on the size of R3.

Thanks again.

[Mrumpiresir]

Originally Posted by David Emerling

In my opinion, the necessity to get a good view of a batter's check swing is very low on the totem pole. Regardless of your view, just call what you see and if you didn't get a good look, just extend your arms and say, "No!". Simple!

There are other things to consider. I want to see the batter when he hits the ball. I want to know where the ball is going. I have never had a problem standing in Fair territory.

Last year I had a sharply hit ball to F5. R3 was dead meat and F5 immediately put a tag on him. I pointed fair and then signaled the out as F5 completed the throw to F3 for the DP. I thought it looked sharp (on my part) because I was exactly where I needed to be.

I agree I could have seen this from foul territory but I don't want to miss the first 30 or 40 feet the ball travels because I am blocked by R3.

[justanotherump]

I've never heard taught to be in fair at first base.
Professional baseball used to instruct to be in fair territory with a runner on third, if the third base umpire is on the line. This was to see all things at the plate, foul or foul tip in the dirt, check swing, ball off the bat, etc. you will be three or four paces, minimum, behind the third baseman, so hot shots down the line shouldn't be too much of a problem. Though it could still happen.

[Publius]

Mechanics are personal. What the big shots do or teach is personal to them; just because something works for them doesn't mean it works for you.

As I tell everyone I hire, "The proper mechanic is whatever results in the proper call."

FWIW, I like straddle as U3, foul as U1. That may not work for you.

[zm1283]

Originally Posted by scarolinablue

Good info, gents, and will take these points back to my association. Not sure where the line-straddling momentum came from - likely from the U3 and then got liberally transferred to U1.

I've always stayed about a step foul when there is a runner being held on first. The only time I've ventured near or on the line is the R3 situation if my view is being blocked, usually depending on the size of R3.

Thanks again.

Straddling as U3 has worked for me just fine. There certainly is nothing wrong with it and it does give you a better view of the batter/plate area. If your group chooses not to do it, fine, but don't think it's "wrong" by any means.

[bossman72]

Start in foul. There are times where R3 takes his lead in foul territory which completely screens you from the batter and you can't see the ball off the bat. This is when you inch into fair territory until you can see the batter.

Ideally, I'd like to stay in foul, but do what you have to do to see the batter.