Is there any way?
 

Working fast pitch one man mechanics, is there any trick to seeing if a runner on first or third is leaving early? I know that I'm missing at least 5 or 6 a game if I believe half of what the defense says but unless it sticks out like a turd in a punchbowl I'm tracking the pitch. Just wondering if anyone has any tips.

Tell the DC that is what happens when you only pay for 1 umpire.

We do the best we can, at least I assume that we all are trying to do the best we can. If we are to see the pitched ball, we have to give up the runners on the corners, for most pitchers.

I agree with Mark. Especially with some pitchers, you really have no hope.

With other pitchers, though, if you suspect a runner is leaving early, you CAN help yourself out by making note of how the runner sets up on the bag (lead foot on the bag and trail foot behind the bag, or trail foot on the bag and lead foot ahead of the bag). This will tell you if she has to take one step or two to be off the bag. Then, watch the pitch, but keep the runner in your peripheral vision. You'll be able to tell if she is actually leaving early.

You still have to give the runner the benefit of the doubt (which you should anyay), but she does not have to be half way to the next base before you can call it.

If she has the balls to play men's FP, she can leave any time she wants.

:rolleyes: I agree I tend to have girls fast pitch tunnel vision at times... In my defense, the OP doesn't specify.

I can see it now...

PU: Strike!
DC: Blue, that runner left early. You've gotta watch for that will ya?
PU: Sure thing, coach.

next pitch

PU: Ball!
DC: Blue, that was belt high down the middle of the plate! How can that be a ball?!
PU: I didn't see the pitch, coach. As you requested, I was watching to see if the runner left early. She didn't.

Do that once, and I guarantee the DC will either shutup, or read you the riot act. Either way, he's all yours. :D ;)

I did that once on a crow hop. "She's hoping! You gotta watch that!" I said OK . . .

Tell the DC that is what happens when you only pay for 1 umpire.
They'll gladly pay for two umps but doing men's FP around here is about as popular as a wet blanket on a cold night. They get what they get. I'll sure try the tip about watching how they line up on the bag. Yesterday's first game had two pitchers that were phenomenal. I haven't seen that much movement on a ball since I played baseball. One of the batters said, "That ball danced more than Deion Sanders at a P Diddy concert." A nice moment of levity in a very serious game.

I know..was just funning.

You stole my thunder......

A buddy of mine and I were working single umpire games on adjacent fields. My game ended early due to a mercy rule, so I was watching my buddy work.

The only diffrence was, he made absolutely no call on the pitch down the middle, but told the defensive coach that the runner on first did not leave early. The coach was so stunned, the look on his face was priceless......