base umpire positioning

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by EsqUmp

It's better to use constant references than it is variables. That's all.

Disagree. The entire game is based on variables and the umpire must adjust to the fielders, not the other way around. And for the reasons posted earlier, I would always keep the umpire near a fielder when possible.

As a batter, I loved it when the umpire would position him/herself in a hole. I would use that umpire as a target and try to put the ball right in his/her face and hope s/he would get out of the way as I knew that would be a base hit.

[Tru_in_Blu]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

As a batter, I loved it when the umpire would position him/herself in a hole. I would use that umpire as a target and try to put the ball right in his/her face and hope s/he would get out of the way as I knew that would be a base hit.

Mad skills, man.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Tru_in_Blu

Mad skills, man.

Didn't say I was good at it

[CecilOne]

Are Irish's comments the consensus about my OP question; regarding teaching and evaluation?

[EsqUmp]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

Disagree. The entire game is based on variables and the umpire must adjust to the fielders, not the other way around. And for the reasons posted earlier, I would always keep the umpire near a fielder when possible.

As a batter, I loved it when the umpire would position him/herself in a hole. I would use that umpire as a target and try to put the ball right in his/her face and hope s/he would get out of the way as I knew that would be a base hit.

The bases are constant. That makes it easier to give a description. Then people also don't take this so literally.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by EsqUmp

The bases are constant. That makes it easier to give a description. Then people also don't take this so literally.

However, the location & actions of the runners & fielders and direction & progress of a batted ball are not and sometimes change by the play or by the second.

[CecilOne]

First scrimmage, first inning, both F4 and F6 being literal about "middle infielders".
Both within 10-15 from HP-2nd line and 10 - 15 feet back from base line.
From behind them, no way to reasonably cover a pick at 1st or a steal at 3rd.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by CecilOne

First scrimmage, first inning, both F4 and F6 being literal about "middle infielders".
Both within 10-15 from HP-2nd line and 10 - 15 feet back from base line.
From behind them, no way to reasonably cover a pick at 1st or a steal at 3rd.

Which would be the more important call, the one at 3rd or the one at 1st?

Considering your concerns, assuming runners @ 1B & 2B. I would most likely suggest a position to the right of F6 and call what you can see. That DOESN'T mean you call R2 out because you didn't see the runner touch the base before the tag, but only if you see a tag and the runner definitely not in contact with the base.

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

Which would be the more important call, the one at 3rd or the one at 1st?

Considering your concerns, assuming runners @ 1B & 2B. I would most likely suggest a position to the right of F6 and call what you can see.
That DOESN'T mean you call R2 out because you didn't see the runner touch the base before the tag, but only if you see a tag and the runner definitely not in contact with the base.

Obviously the one at 3rd, but I was only referring to a pick at 1st when in B.

Not sure why you used that example. I did call a runner safe on a pick at 1st from position C, too far away and straight-lined by the runner, as you imply, which was on Facebook as an out that night. I still think I called what I should from that position.

My point is the insistence of many on using the fielder as a guide and a shield does not always work and in my opinion is the wrong approach to begin with.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by CecilOne

Obviously the one at 3rd, but I was only referring to a pick at 1st when in B.

Not sure why you used that example. I did call a runner safe on a pick at 1st from position C, too far away and straight-lined by the runner, as you imply, which was on Facebook as an out that night. I still think I called what I should from that position.

My point is the insistence of many on using the fielder as a guide and a shield does not always work and in my opinion is the wrong approach to begin with.

It is a preferred position as a matter of avoiding a possible INT call or being blocked. Like just about every other mechanic, it is not absolute. Most UIC/evaluators are not going to worry about an adjustment as long as it does not become the routine or is executed when unnecessary.