base umpire positioning

[CecilOne]

About base umpire positioning, two umpire system.

The manuals and clinics say just off the shoulder of the fielder, 2 -3 steps back, shading toward lead runner.

Fielders do play shallow or deep, and left or right of good umpire calling positions.
e.g., F4 playing very deep and ¾ of the way to 2nd,
or F6 playing even deeper, 10-15 feet from 2nd base to HP/center line

How much positioning leeway do you believe or teach or allow?

[BlueDevilRef]

Best way I was ever taught and have used to teach others: from both B slot and C slot, line yourself up behind the baseline with the pitchers plate. It is almost exactly halfway so you can get to base behind for a throwback or base ahead for a steal or force play. If you use this as your home position when in these spots, it helps you not get beat and helps prevent you cheating one way or other

[Scooby]

Do not allow the fielder to move you out of position. Within reason, if the fielder is playing deep you cannot play in front of her because that is the best position.

What if the defense put on a shift and with a runner on 1st they move the 2nd baseman between 2nd and 3rd. Would you go with her?

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by Scooby

What if the defense put on a shift and with a runner on 1st they move the 2nd baseman between 2nd and 3rd. Would you go with her?

Of course not. The mechanic is about a fielder on the side we are on.

[tcannizzo]

It is my understanding that the "2-3 steps off the shoulder" is where F6 would "normally" play.

If F6 is playing in, or shifted left or right, this would have no bearing on your position. You want to maintain a consistent position.

If F6 is playing deep, you may drop back a bit, but then maybe not. . .using the "straight line theory" (at least I think that is the right term).

Straight Line Theory: imagine a straight line between F6 and F4 (or any two adjacent players for that matter). If you are behind that line, you are considered to be behind both players, even though you may be closer to home plate than one of those players.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by tcannizzo

It is my understanding that the "2-3 steps off the shoulder" is where F6 would "normally" play.

If F6 is playing in, or shifted left or right, this would have no bearing on your position. You want to maintain a consistent position.

No, it is off the fielder, not a general position.

If F6 is playing deep, you may drop back a bit, but then maybe not. . .using the "straight line theory" (at least I think that is the right term)

Straight Line Theory: imagine a straight line between F6 and F4 (or any two adjacent players for that matter). If you are behind that line, you are considered to be behind both players, even though you may be closer to home plate than one of those players.

This should be used only if extremely deep, not just a step or two back. You will see that more in SP than in the FP game.

As an umpire, I want to be close to a fielder. Try to avoid a position in the hole, if possible. If you are, you become a target for the batter and that is something you do not want, especially in the SP game. This is more workable up the middle.

The reason you want to be close to a fielder is to avoid them when s/he reacts to a batted ball. Like a PU and a catcher, when the fielder moves back for a ball, you swing one way or the other depending on the direction of fielder and s/he is by you in the first step.

[NevadaBlue]

This is the way I was taught!!! Use your pitching plate as a point of reference in B and make slight adjustments.

Similarly, while in C, don't let the position of the SS take you closer to 2B than necessary. If needed, move to 3B side of SS. You don't want be caught chasing down an advancing runner into 3rd, you will end up getting straight-lined and guessing most of the time.

[BlueDevilRef]

Tangent? I was told there would be no math....

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

Originally Posted by BlueDevilRef

Tangent? I was told there would be no math....

Sorry but I am a retired structural engineer, .

MTD, Sr.

[Tru_in_Blu]

Originally Posted by BlueDevilRef

Tangent? I was told there would be no math....

That's not math. That vocabulary.

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by BlueDevilRef

Tangent? I was told there would be no math....

Originally Posted by Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.

Sorry but I am a retired structural engineer, .

MTD, Sr.

Originally Posted by Tru_in_Blu

That's not math. That vocabulary.

You guys are off on a tangent...