3 umpire situation

[Big Slick]

Originally Posted by Andy

Was watching one of our State Championship games last night with a group of umpires and a situation came up that got us talking....

3 umpire system, no runners on base.

High popup to short left field, F6 is moving backward and makes the catch easily on the edge of the grass. U3 turned to watch the catch, but PU makes the out call and signal with no signal from U3.

The discussion was whether or not U3 should have been moving toward second base since there was no chase. My initial thought was that she should have been, but upon thinking a bit more, I can see why she didn't.

When the ball came off the bat, it looked like it was going to be a deeper fly ball that required a chase, by the time U3 read that the ball was in fact much shallower than that, her path to second would have taken her in front of F6 attempting to catch the ball and could potentially be a distraction, although U3 would have been well in front of F6.

Thoughts?

Yes, I have a thought.

We need to start teaching umpire to read the FIELDERS for chase situations instead of the "ball." If U3 has focused on F6 (eyes on the field), she would had seen how the play was developing and that no chase was required (and then moved to a position at second in case the ball was dropped). Trying to "guess the play by reading the ball" with her eyes skyward leads to bad reads.

This is akin to PU reading the catcher of fly balls around the plate. If PU "looks up," then there is a danger of being run over by the catcher.

I very much teach umpires to read players and not the ball for all chase situations. The only exception is when there is a question of fair/foul on a home run, as you then have to shift your focus to when the ball clears the fence. This also helps to decide who's chase area the ball is in by watching the fielder go into the chase area.

This also helps PU who doesn't work much 3 umpire because now their eyes are focused on the field. Their partners are now within the visual range. I tell people the best way to develop this skill is by working slow pitch, where there are more opportunities for fly balls.

If you want, we can discuss this theory more this summer, maybe in the mid-west, over a plate of ribs (and yes, I will be there the entire week this time).

Therefore, as to your particular play, U3 should be moving towards second by being mindful of F6 catching the ball and then not being in any throwing lane when she passes F6 (maybe a "deeper" path is optional).