Purpose of extra umpires? (5&6)

[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.