Last night I was 3b Ump on a district championship game.
In our pre-game the PU dicussed a recent article in a well
known officials magazine on a variation of mechanics.
Basically it is having the 3b Ump in the "C-slot" with bases
loaded or runners on 1st and 2nd. I gave it a try. As it worked
out, I had no situations where it made any difference. The idea
is I guess for better coverage on close double plays.
Any input ??

i think it makes sense ... i may give it a try next time i'm the rabbit ........

Where is your fellow BU? If s/he's in the B, you've got great coverage of 2B and CF. If s/he's on the line, you are wasting that position and losing the priority on the bases.

The idea of a 3rd umpire is to put an extra set of eyes ahead of each runner. You may be losing angle and distance on a possible play at 3B.

It is also to allow a rotation that includes using the extra set of eyes on balls to the outfield especially on the lines.

You are also losing the angle on the pitcher for IPs.

I've been thinking about it, but I just cannot come up with anything advantagous of such a change.

Baseball has been using this mechanic for a while. The idea is to prioritize the most likely play. YOu're generally more likely to have a close double play than the steal at third, plus it leaves one umpire there to call interference.

I agree with Mike - I see some potential problems with this positioning. I see it eliminating some of the big advantages of the 3-man. I don't think I'd want to use this variation on the standard mechanics.

And baseball is a very different game, with different needs, so different mechanics.

Not that I care what baseball does, but what's the problem with the other BU making that call from the B just as s/he would in a 2-umpire crew? And what type of interfernce? You are more likely to have a steal of 3B, a force at 3B or a throw back from 2B than any type of interference at 1B.

Ditto Steve
The D position for U3 puts you in a great place for steals from second, force outs at third and pickoffs from the catcher to third base. On a pickoff at third base all it takes is a couple of steps to foul territory to see the tag.
Another problem that I see with going to a C position is the screaming line drive down the left field line that may
short hop the left fielders glove. U3 is in a better position to go out from D.

Just read the article
 

May issue of Referee by Jay Miner
Covering Double Plays Using Modern Mechanics

Obviously the best situation is several officials, each with their respective duties/lines/bases/catches etc.

Jay hits similar points as discussed here for "traditional" three-man mechanics: stay ahead of the play, have it coming toward you. Then he contends some other points for "modern" mechanics: better, more accurate results with two umpires calling respective ends of a double play; statistically, more correct calls at 1st with ump starting behind 1st rather than behind 2nd baseman.

He recounts a bunt situation of R1 and R2 (U3 at D for the expected close play at third, U1 at B) that became a hit situation after fouling off two bunt attempts (U3 moved to C and U1 back to A). U3 was able to watch the front end of the double-play at 2nd and stay focused for interference, missed base, pulled foot etc. U1 was able to focus solely on play at 1st.

I can see potentially better coverage of the impending collision at 2nd and perhaps, if his statistics are plausible, a more accurate call at 1st.

Eeehhh, maybe some valid points. It's worth thinking about.

We never had a bases loaded situation-- and the more I think
about it, i'd rather be in the D-slot for that and potential
pick off play at 3rd base. I'm willing to experiment. I remember
trying out a "modern mechanic" for 2 umpires that had the
base ump in back of second base with a single runner on 3rd.
It seemed to work even with that lonnnng view of 3rd, because
I was in better shape for the "banger" play at 1st.
Just sayin' and good discussion here !!