I always (98%) come out from behind the plate to my left.
I am out of the way of Catcher and I seem to have a decent, open angle on the play at first.

Had an ASA UIC tell me it is preferable to come out to the right (in a one man game) because most of the plays will be at first.

What do the clinics teach?
Thanks
mick

I have been taught to generally move out to my left also. This is usually the area that is out of the way of most players. There are exceptions where I do not move out very far (bunt) or even move to my right (catcher moving down 3rd base line to field a bunt). I find that I have a better angle of first base (pulled foot, trapped ball, etc) when moving to the left from behind the plate especially when umpiring "solo". Hope this helps.

Mick,

I don't understand your UIC's reasoning. I come out to the left, circle into the infield and move toward 1B (typically). Coming out to the left has several advantages:

1) F2 99% if the time will be going straigt forward or going out to the right.

2) I can stay in foul territory if the ball is batted / bunted toward third, out of the way, but with still a good angle on the play at first.

3) With runners on base, I am positioned for any possible play at home.

What advantage is there to going out to the right?

Mick - you need to loan that UIC (T.H.?) a copy of your ASA book. In the umpire's manual under "Leaving the plate" the words "to left side" are mentioned three times in the first three paragraphs. Under One-Man mechanics, all the diagrams for all the coverages show leaving to the left.

It's the only way to go to stay away from the catcher and batter and to put yourself in the best position for whatever calls need to be made.

WMB

BTW - are you, Oatmeal, or anyone one else I know going to be in Petoskey the first of August for the JO tournament?

Agree with all three that have responsed. Exit LEFT.

Hi Mick,
I went to the 2005 National School this year. Trust me, you are suppose to go out on the LEFT. I can be so sure because we had a full day of moving into various positions from behind the plate. I had to do it around 50 times, and watch 300 others do it just as many times. (If we came out to the right, it would sure save me from alot of bats in the shin!)

Left is the way to go, especially if the catcher is doing their job and backing up first with no runners on. If you come out to the right that catcher will be in the way every time and prevent you from getting even decent (much less good) positioning.

Hesitate and swing a little wider
 

Hesitate about a half-second when you come out on the left, then swing out a bit down the 3B line - about 5 feet or so. Then trail the runner up the 1B line. It'll save yer shins.

I try to sweep around the batter's box as a guide - i.e.: I stay out of it as a guide, so I don't lose a shin, or collide with F2.

Thanks for your advice, Folks!
I appreciate it.
mick

WMB,
I'm not there, though I do enjoy weekend, out-of-town tourneys.

However, I wouldn't be the least surprised if someone told me that Oatmealqueen is the Umpire-in-chief, if not the Tournament Director.
mick

My 2 cents
 

I almost always come out to the left, for all the obvious reasons.

My pet peeve, however, is folks who go up and stay up the 3B line to make those calls at first. Arrrgggggh! This is not a phenomenon limited to the Pacific NW...seen it in other places, too...

Re: My 2 cents
 

There are times when that is necessary.

Not me this time....
I'll be camping that week :)

Barb

Is there a stupid sign on my back?
 

Mike, I understand there are times when that is necessary.

But it's not necessary when there is no one on and there is a two hopper to 2B.

Re: Is there a stupid sign on my back?
 

True, but no specific play has been mentioned and everyone who reads this board isn't necessarily a veteran.

I have seen many a rook pay attention to the players and "get out there" to see a play at 1B with a runner at 3B and get caught in the middle of the play, if they see it at all. For that matter, I've seen some veterans do the same thing.