BU - Modifying B or C depending on situation?

[wadeintothem]

Hey mike, thanks for the response.

the closer you are to 2B, the more of an angle you lose at 1B on a throw from anywhere other than the 3B line.

I dont think this is supportable or accurate.

On a ground ball to the infield, who has the call if the throw goes to 3B? I believe that would be the BU. On any pick-off play? BU. On any rundown situation? BU.

I already conceded that a run down situation is the only situation advantaged by ASA C in my original post, the reason is simply because it's closer than where I think you should be positioned at the pitch.

As you pointed out though, ASA (and in fact each of us) must use our best judgement because we cant cover every situation - to give us the best coverage we can.

If i was to sit and break down what we know could happen at 3, it'd just be another long post.. if they throw to 3, if they throw home who runs them back to 3 etc.. a little hustle will over come that situation, whereas, in most cases the play is at 1.

The out at 1 is extremely important, especially if the def is willing to possibly give up or at least rist the run to get that out. This is where I differ with those that believe BU's priority is R1 when it is in fact BR.

I think you are taking some serious liberties with your distances or assuming that umpires don't move quick enough. I've seen Steve M work and he's seen a couple of the umpires from may area and they are all good. And they are never as far as you are insinuating from any call for which they are responsible.

From C on a banger at 1 they are behind F6. I've never taped it off, but thats 70' Mike +/- and thats definately where the BU's are. The may be in a little if infield is in, but they are there - hustle or no hustle for reasons I already described, that actually have nothing to do with speed or hustle.

YOU CANT move very far before that play developes, its impossible.

What is the obsession with umpires and degrees? I don't care if you are at 90, 45 or whatever...

I think its not an obsession, but rather a training of the mind to try and get the best position for most situations. 45 is plenty good in many cases too.

I don't believe the ASA staff thinks that you can lay a template over the field and every umpire must fall into the proper place.

Oh I do, especially when an umpire is being evaluated, etc.

You are also correct that the standard mechanic may not always be the best for 90-99% of the plays we see. However, it's when the 1-10% of the plays occur and the umpire isn't in the proper position that is the most noticable and important.

This was more my point.

I dont agree that the 10% are the most important. I believe 90% is most important and "good enough" be used on the 10%; with consideration towards the fact in most games theres 4 eyeballs out there and thats it.

The play in R1@3b is check 3 go 1 at least 85%.. theres no doubt they go 3B 15%, it definately happens. So I believe in setting up for the 1B play and adjusting for the 3B play.. not only do you have PU already covering 1/2 of what play could develop, you have a good angle for a 3B play and enough variotions that it wittles it down to null.

So, it will be quite interesting to see if, and how, this subject may be approached at the Biennial UIC Clinic.

I'm sure mechanics will continually be talked about and revised.

The thing is, the positioning set by ASA are more rigid than a mere guideline mike. They are in fact law of the land and a template of positioning at the pitch, despite the fact you say otherwise.

It's whats taught, its how its called, and how its expected to be done and evaluated.

When I say "outside the box", I'm talking about adjusting from those rigid guidelines set by ASA for best coverage in a deficient coverage scheme (2 man) to begin with, based on game situations as they present themselves... and ASA expressing in some manner that this is acceptable.

Maybe what seperates us on this board from the rest is our willingness to adjust and cheat and hustle..

But the fact is, A B C positioning is uniform as can be.. and the vast majority of umpires maintain that position prepitch regardless of game situation even if disadvantageous, and thats because of ASA Policy, Training, and Evaluating that demands it.