Mechanics Question

[WestMichBlue]

Originally Posted by varefump

BU is straight-lined and cannot see F3's foot or the bag. Ball and runner arrive almost simultaneously. F3 makes a clean catch. BU cannot see the exact position of the runner's foot at the time of the catch because F3 has her body blocking the view. BU is 'pretty sure' that F3's foot was on the bag due to her not having to stretch for the ball.

BU called an out and the game was 'over'.

NEVER GUESS AN OUT!


WMB

[Rich]

Originally Posted by WestMichBlue

NEVER GUESS AN OUT!


WMB

Why? Does the offense deserve every benefit of the doubt?

Doubt on a pulled foot, the fielder held the base. Doubt on a swipe tag, the fielder missed the tag.

[Al]

Originally Posted by varefump

This play happened last night in a Fed. game.

Two outs, bottom of the 7th, home team down 4-2, runners on 2nd & 3rd.

Umpire was in the 'C' position over SS left shoulder. Ball hit to SS (not hard, but also not softly). SS fields the ball cleanly, glances home briefly, then fires to 1st to retire the BR. Throw is low (dirt level) and F3 kneels to scoop the ball. BU is straight-lined and cannot see F3's foot or the bag. Ball and runner arrive almost simultaneously. F3 makes a clean catch. BU cannot see the exact position of the runner's foot at the time of the catch because F3 has her body blocking the view. BU is 'pretty sure' that F3's foot was on the bag due to her not having to stretch for the ball.

BU called an out and the game was 'over'. OC comes and asks if BU can get help from PU. They get together and PU said he was watching R2 rounding 3rd and did not see the play at 1st. So play stands as called.

Is there an accepted mechanic that can be used in this situation to get the play right 100% of the time?

I advocate the 'D' starting position in this situation and therefore the BU would have been about 20 feet from 1st and in a good position to see everything. Our training instructor wants to use the modified 'C' position (halfway between ss and 2nd base).

This is a tough play and what can we do to make it easier (besides getting a third pair of eyes)?

With the sit you described, varefump, I think the BU was in the correct position, but the PU should have followed the throw to 1st while staying in a holding position between third and the plate. In the PU's holding position he would have been able to see 1st base and where F3's foot was. ...Al

[wadeintothem]

Originally Posted by WestMichBlue

NEVER GUESS AN OUT!


WMB

Never guess a pulled foot either...

[bkbjones]

1. Be on SS RIGHT shoulder.
2. Bust your butt inside to get an angle. I agree with Darrell's post on this.
3. PU needs to help on this. Anything else, IMHO, is an excuse. The ball is going to first, why aren't the PU's eyes?
4. Save rimming for your love life.
5. The "modern" FP game is no different than the men's game was in its heyday.
6. Clinicians who think they need to reinvent the wheel need to recall these mechanics are there for a reason -- and these old fogie mechanics actually work.
7. The mechanics are NOT all from some ancient period. For instance, you should hear your regional UICs, then on down to your state/association UICs, down to your local UICs, preaching things like a much more narrow buttonhook -- not the crap of going toward the pitcher's plate. These mechanics evolve. If your local clinicians or whoever are going against the book, IMHO, they are doing YOU a disservice.

[wadeintothem]

Originally Posted by Dakota

And you guys thought he was looking for help!

Yep, he got us.

That was pretty lame.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by WestMichBlue

NEVER GUESS AN OUT!


WMB

The umpire did not "guess" an out. The umpire made the best decision he could based on the fact available at that time.

[CecilOne]

If you are to SS right (c2) on a throw from SS to 1st, you either run into the path of the throw or take extra steps/time to get around her.