more positioning
 

Two runners, base hit to CF. BU goes inside, 1st base side of circle.
Throw goes home, then back to 2nd. BU gets as far outside as possible, good angle to throw.
Is it acceptable at that point to be directly in the base line even though usually taboo?

Absolutely imho. Get your 90's on that secondary play every time you can. And I didn't know there was a taboo about being on the base line...I do it every single time I cover a play at third from home.

Why that side of the diamond? Though a throw back to 1B is possible, the higher priority call is more likely to be @ 3B

Outside what?

I wouldn't recommend it simply because when defenders go to make a play on a subsequent runner at the trail base, it is a possibility that throw may be right down that base line. Get a good angle, but be aware of your are on the field in relation to subsequent plays.

Thanks for the detail.

Speaking of inside-outside theory, once you are inside for ball to OF, do you go back outside when throw comes into home or a base?

Not if you can avoid it. There are too many moving obstacles (fielders, runners and maybe the ball) you may need to avoid. In doing so, that navigation may take your attention from the play you are supposed to be watching. It may also take you away from subsequent plays. That's the plus to being inside, a step or two in any direction and you can slide into a viable position to make a call at any base.

Personally, I'd probably move to the left side of the PP since the odds are you will more likely to have a play at 2nd or 3rd.

Some recent ASA clarifications have mentioned "secondary positions". How is that defined in cases like
- a BR-R rounding 1st or
- a R rounding 3rd or
- a throw home from the outfield when the BU came inside from "C"?

I have been doing that when trailing BR/R to 3rd with a throw coming from RF or 1st; cutting behind the runner between 2nd & 3rd. Gets me out of the throw and allows similar angle as covering a steal from C.

3 umpires, runner on 3rd only, ground ball in infield.

A) If U1 rotates to plate, besides 2nd, does U3 have any follow-up at 1st (runner going back from attempt at 2nd, run down, etc.), like on a hit to outfield?

B) BR/R goes to 3rd with PU and U1 rotated, does U3 just observe?

In this situation, the three umpires can't rotate until R1 at third base commits to home. Then U3 can release to cover second, but PU needs to stay for a potential play at home. If it's a ground ball in the infield, there is either going to be a play at home or at first base. Unless there is an overthrow on a play to first, I don't see where a need to rotate any further would come in.

I'm assuming her that R1 has already scored and something has happened as above (errant throw) that is allowing the B/R to advance. In this situation, PU should move to third and U1 to home once the B/R has committed to second base. U3 would have the touch of second, then secondary observation from there.

There is no rotation on a ground ball in the infield with a runner on 3rd

Andy and Mike,
My Q makes no sense at all, now I don't remember what I was getting at. Something from reading the manual.

Don't needlessly come in in the first place and it won't be a problem. Death to the Buttonhook. Death to the Inside-Outside Theory.

LOL! Must be a democrat!