ASA 2-Person Slow Pitch Mechanics Question

[HawkeyeCubP]

Knowledgeable Slow Pitch Umpires -

What is the logic behind having the BU take the lone runner (on 2nd) on a tag up into 3rd? (p.245) This seems like it would be a lot easier for the PU to pick up (thereby allowing the BU to simply button-hook in and take the BR around), especially on a fly ball to center or right field. I ask this because from my starting position behind and to the side of the 2nd baseman, who generally all play slight variations of being about as deep as humanly possible without being even with the outfielders in men's leagues, this requires a sprint, and a long one at that, to get into position to get inside and see the catch and tag-up from 2nd. Not to mention the fact that, depending on where in right field the fly ball is caught - for instance near or outside of the foul line - it requires even more distance to cover (having to be more toward the 1st base-home plate side of the infield,) to avoid being in the path of the throw to 3rd.

Anyone have any insight into the reasoning behind this mechanic? With all of the button-hooking I already do as BU from the grass in men's league games, it seems like this would be a good one to pass on to the PU, allowing me to do a normal 1st base-oriented button hook, instead of sprinting across the infield from the right field grass.

[UmpireErnie]

The logic is to keep an umpire ahead of the runner. On a cleanly hit triple you can be at 3B to make a safe/out call while you still have a partner ahead of you at the next base in the event of a subsequent play there.

If you release the lone runner after 2B and there is an overthrow at 3B and the runner goes home, the PU will end up chasing the runner back to the plate.

[HawkeyeCubP]

Originally Posted by UmpireErnie

The logic is to keep an umpire ahead of the runner. On a cleanly hit triple you can be at 3B to make a safe/out call while you still have a partner ahead of you at the next base in the event of a subsequent play there.

If you release the lone runner after 2B and there is an overthrow at 3B and the runner goes home, the PU will end up chasing the runner back to the plate.

Thank you for your repsonse.

I completely understand the logic of taking a BR into 3rd as BU - and I like it.

But to the second point, that is no different than the mechanic for the PU covering the subsequent play at the plate following an overthrow to 3rd with a runner starting on 1st, or runners starting on 1st and 2nd. PU goes down through the holding area, comes inside to make the call, and if the ball gets away, PU moves back toward home plate (most likely in fair territory) to make the call there.

I guess my point/question is, the BU never has a lead runner into 3rd, so why, when there is a lone runner on 2nd tagging, should they have it then, when they don't in any other instance?

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by HawkeyeCubP

Knowledgeable Slow Pitch Umpires -

What is the logic behind having the BU take the lone runner (on 2nd) on a tag up into 3rd? (p.245) This seems like it would be a lot easier for the PU to pick up (thereby allowing the BU to simply button-hook in and take the BR around), especially on a fly ball to center or right field. I ask this because from my starting position behind and to the side of the 2nd baseman, who generally all play slight variations of being about as deep as humanly possible without being even with the outfielders in men's leagues, this requires a sprint, and a long one at that, to get into position to get inside and see the catch and tag-up from 2nd. Not to mention the fact that, depending on where in right field the fly ball is caught - for instance near or outside of the foul line - it requires even more distance to cover (having to be more toward the 1st base-home plate side of the infield,) to avoid being in the path of the throw to 3rd.

Anyone have any insight into the reasoning behind this mechanic? With all of the button-hooking I already do as BU from the grass in men's league games, it seems like this would be a good one to pass on to the PU, allowing me to do a normal 1st base-oriented button hook, instead of sprinting across the infield from the right field grass.

If the infielders are taking you that deep, move up the middle just behind a direct line between the two closest fielders.

Ernie is correct, it is to keep the plate umpire at home. Remember, especially on a ball to right, the PU has to stay on the line, or possibly in foul territory to watch a possible catch and carry. It is easier to retreat to the plate than try to unsuccessfully race the runner to 3B.

[HawkeyeCubP]

Right field foul line/dead ball territory coverage makes perfect sense. Thank you for your response.