Another ISF question
 

Watching Team USA versus China. Team USA has runners at first and second. I notice that a umpire is located about 10 - 15 feet from second on the shortstop side at the time of the pitch. What gives? Aren't they using 3- man mechanics? If so does ISF call for the umpire to be there? Dave

According to Gametracker, it is a 4 umpire crew. The shortstop side is a better calling position for the pickoff throw; neither side gives a significant advantage for the other necessary coverages (force at 2B or fly ball in the "Vee").

We are actually getting the softball on TV ESPN .
I thought they were using all 3 man teams .
If so the Umpire stands in the position you describe with a free runner only ie runner only on 2 .
They return around the corner with runners on 1 and 2 .
With a four man team ( boring ) they just stand still .

You're kidding, right? That may be true if the teams hit nothing, but ground balls. Since I doubt that is the situation, a four-umpire game is nothing, but a three-umpire game with a rabbit. Trust me, everyone moves in with four umpires on the field.

So far, all games have been 3-umpire games except the USA-China game.


http://www.usasoftball.com/Women/Wor...ndResults.html

Yes its true there is movement with a 4 man crew but sometimes it is boreing with only infield stuff .
I suppose I was showing my dislike of a 4 man crew .
Now a 6 or 7 man crew how about the movement there .

Six is nearly the same as four, just that 2B umpire is the only one which goes out.

Never heard of or saw a 7-umpire crew.

Only saw one once 2 on the lines and one in centre field .
Anyway give me a 2 man any day at least there is a lot of movement

I like 3-man. I think it gives better coverage, especially with multiple runners on base. I worked a 6-person once - it really feels congested on a 60' diamond! Trying to figure out if the "7" was a typo - if not, where would you put the 7th person?

To follow up on Mike's post, they have worked 4-umpire crews starting with Session 4 - Saturday evening (thanks for link, Mike).

I have had the priveledge to work 4-man a few times and like it. It takes some getting used to with the rotation. The trick we ran into was tag-up responsibilities when an umpire chases. This was a few years ago, prior to NCAA posting its mechanics for 3-man when noone chases, so we had to do it on the fly. Lots of communication and, luckily, no break-downs.