Purpose of extra umpires? (5&6)

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by rpumpire

The fair/foul responsibilities of the outfield umpires are from behind the base umpires to the fence, not from the bases themselves.

Originally Posted by BigTex

RF and LF umpires do not have any fair/foul responsibility in front of them.

Depends on the mechanics being used, since the OP didn't specify.

[MD Longhorn]

U5 is named "Window"
U6 is named "Dressing".

[Rich]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

Depends on the mechanics being used, since the OP didn't specify.

Exactly.

Some mechanics have the ULF and URF taking everything past the wing umpires. Some have the ULF and URF taking only balls past them to the fence.

Perhaps they are making it up as they go.

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by Rich

Exactly.

Some mechanics have the ULF and URF taking everything past the wing umpires. Some have the ULF and URF taking only balls past them to the fence.

So what is the MLB mechanic? I would have expected a set procedure for consistency sake. Or are you suggesting that it's up to the crew to decide during pregame?

I agree that they add very little value to the game, especially since what they are primarily responsible for--determination of a HR, no HR, or spectator interference at the fence, and fair/foul near the foul pole--is reviewable with instant replay. And when IR expands, it will make them even more irrelevant.

[BigTex]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

Depends on the mechanics being used, since the OP didn't specify.

I guess that is my fault for jumping to the MLB conclusion. I can speak for MLBUM and NCAA mechanics that say ULF and URF have fair/foul responsibilities behind them and U1 and U3 have fair foul from the base to ULF/URF.

[DG]

Can't say I have ever seen a book with 6 man mechanics in it, and the only game I have ever worked with 6 men I was behind the plate. The pre-game was interesting, as we went through 4 man, and then I looked at the field guys and told them "I don't know what to say, other than get the trap calls in LF and RF and Fair/Foul on any balls near you, and enjoy the game".

But, I would think a LFU could call fair/foul better on a ball that lands just in front of him than the 3BU who is turning around and some distance from the ball landing.

Come to think of it, I was at 1B for another 6 man game and I don't think the RFU had a call to make throughout the game.

[Matt]

Originally Posted by DG

But, I would think a LFU could call fair/foul better on a ball that lands just in front of him than the 3BU who is turning around and some distance from the ball landing.

I think any umpire can call fair/foul better on a ball landing just in front of him.

[DG]

Originally Posted by Matt

I think any umpire can call fair/foul better on a ball landing just in front of him.

I was commenting on the suggestion that the responsibility was fair/foul from where they are to the foul pole, which would leave out a ball landing in front of them, which seems wrong to me.