Having done my first slo pitch games last night I was paired with a partner that wasn't the most mobile person in the world. Stationed herself in front of 2b and stayed there all night. Said her legs wouldn't hold up anywhere else. Of course, she told me she made her living umping and did it every night.

Needless to say, the mechanics were really confusing because she had "her" way of doing it.

Are the base mechanics in SP such that you never go to the C position? The PU handles everything at 3b except BR?

Stationed herself in front of 2B all game? Tisk-tisk. I believe this year, the ASA mechanics dictate that the BU should start in the B position behind F4.

To answer your questions, though, yes and pretty much yes. I would say that if there is a rundown between 3B and home, the BU should probably take any calls at 3B. I'm sure I'll be corrected if I'm wrong.

No C position in SP..... Base umpire handles all but batter runner..but in specific situations that changes....are you still coming to Phoenix for the school?

Tell her to back to school to learn the new machanics!!!

If I remember correctly, standing in front of 2nd is an old USSSA SP mechanic. :>(

Actually, the USSSA SP mechanic at this position is just to the left of 2nd, about 5-10 feet off of the bag. Though most folks that I know who do SP actually stand pretty well behind the baseline, mostly out of fear of those "come-backers" up the middle coming off of these new, hot, high tech bats!

actually standing inside anywhere is kinda nuts anymore. the ball is moving kinda quick, and even though you can avoid most of them, its just too much of a risk for little reward.

Amen to that. Doesn't U-Trip or another organization have a mechanic that wants the BU inside the diamond? With these lethal bats, I think it's scary being inside for BB. No way would I want to be inside in the softball games I work.

Maybe I should have added that I saw many USSSA umps here in Atlanta Metro standing in front of 2nd and this was in the 80's.

Do you mean plate "umpire handles all but batter runner" at 3rd?

Yes. There is no c position in SP, so the PLATE umpire has to actually get off his can and make calls at third.

Well, this isn't Hertz, so the answer to this is "not exactly".

If there are multiple runners and there is a possible play at home, the PU must stay at the plate and the BU has all other runners at every other base.

Also, the BU has any call at 3B on a steal.

What about "first play in the infield"?

What about it?

I did slow pitch for years before I did fast pitch..when I went to fast pitch, and heard the "first play in the infield junk", I thoght FP mechanics were nuts... now I KNOW they are..they dont quite split the field enough....HP catches a break a little too often...example runners on 1st and 2nd..hard hit shot to short lf....left fielder fields and throws to 3RD!....if youre in C..you have ALL the bases? makes no sense...PU should come up and catch that callfor you, and the better ones do

Speaking ASA

Where did you get this mechanic? Certainly, not from ASA's manual.

read what I wrote mike... its OBVIOUSLY not from the manual, but its OBVIOUSLY the BEST coverage for that particular play..my basic point is that fp mechanics are not divided evenly enough... (in my opinion)

Okay, I read it again. Maybe I'm just reading it wrong, but I don't think the PU has it any easier if he is doing their job. With the exception of the "first play", I feel there is very little difference in the mechanics on batted balls.

As is your's, JMHO,

its not a point of the PU "having it easier" its a point of giving the base umpire a better chance to cover 1st and 2nd effectively...on that play the PU has nothing to do...having him come up the line and be used effectively is not a bad idea... we use it..it works WELL...

JMHO

If you and your partner are comfortable with what you say, asbigdawg, then do it! I had a great partner (who sadly has passed away) in FP, and I swear we read each other's mind.
And remember, "IF YOU DEVIATE, COMMUNICATE". I know I've heard that in every clinic and National school in ASA that I ever attended.

That is the bottom line maam..anyone who doesnt pregame, or communicate during the game is asking for drama

Okay, still a bit out of this one. Are you saying that the BU would have 3B on the play from LF? If so, I disagree. That's the PU's all the way.

Im sorry....."Technically" its the B umpire..realisticaly it should be the plate umpire..better angle. We had a few BU get hungout on that one because the PU wouldnt come up ang get it.

umm, am I missing something or wouldn't this fall into the category of PU has lead runner into the bag at third BU got them going back, I know that that mechanic is used mostly when talking about R1 on first but if PU is working and gets to the holding zone and reads the play he only has to take a step inside the foulline to get the 90 and then release to the bag to make up distance... in order for BU to make that he call he either has to cross a throwing lane (big time no no) or be looking right at someones butt as they slide in, so I think read react and get out of the bucket

"Technically" pages 244/245 (Two Umpire System, Runners on First and Second Base - Fast Pitch) in ASA's 2004 Umpire Edition will indicate that the PU has the call at 3rd base.

In the scenario, this is NOT "any ball to the infield", so FU 2 does not apply. However, PU 1, 2 & 3 do.

forgive me mike for not being clear.... When I first asked someone about this mechanic, I was told the "first throw" stuff..apparently it had been a mechanic for a while and still is with some people. I just thought it was a foolish one, and didnt make sense.

Darrell,

I don't know whether it is you not being clear or me just not getting the gist of your post. I understand the "first throw", it's just that it only applies to balls in the infield.

I've won bets from "experienced" umpires who insist that no matter what, the PU always has 3rd base. I usually collect in cases of adult beverages :)