FP vs. SP base mechanics

SactoBlue · #1 (**permalink**) Tue Aug 03, 2004, 11:45am

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?

BigUmpJohn · #2 (**permalink**) Tue Aug 03, 2004, 12:29pm

Quote:

Originally posted by SactoBlue
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.

azbigdawg · #3 (**permalink**) Tue Aug 03, 2004, 08:14pm

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?

buddha69 · #4 (**permalink**) Fri Aug 06, 2004, 07:33am

Quote:

Originally posted by SactoBlue
Of course, she told me she made her living umping and did it every night.

she had "her" way of doing it.

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

Elaine "Lady Blue" · #5 (**permalink**) Fri Aug 06, 2004, 10:40am

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

Skahtboi · #6 (**permalink**) Fri Aug 06, 2004, 04:23pm

Quote:

Originally posted by Elaine "Lady Blue"
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!

azbigdawg · #7 (**permalink**) Fri Aug 06, 2004, 04:38pm

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.

Steve M · #8 (**permalink**) Fri Aug 06, 2004, 05:00pm

Quote:

Originally posted by azbigdawg
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.

Elaine "Lady Blue" · #9 (**permalink**) Sat Aug 07, 2004, 11:16am

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.

CecilOne · #10 (**permalink**) Sat Aug 07, 2004, 12:06pm

Quote:

Originally posted by azbigdawg
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?

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

azbigdawg · #11 (**permalink**) Sat Aug 07, 2004, 12:48pm

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

IRISHMAFIA · #12 (**permalink**) Sun Aug 08, 2004, 08:45am

Quote:

Originally posted by CecilOne

Quote:

Originally posted by azbigdawg
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?

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

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.

CecilOne · #13 (**permalink**) Sun Aug 08, 2004, 10:38am

What about "first play in the infield"?

IRISHMAFIA · #14 (**permalink**) Sun Aug 08, 2004, 11:45am

Quote:

Originally posted by CecilOne
What about "first play in the infield"?

What about it?

azbigdawg · #15 (**permalink**) Sun Aug 08, 2004, 01:58pm

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