NCAA 3 Person Mechanics

[Scooby]

In a situation with no one one and the U1 goes out on a fly ball or line drive. By the book the touch at first by the batter-runner U3's call. Is it common for the plate umpire to take this call?

Also, if the right fielder makes a throw to first and the plate umpire takes the touch, he would also take this call. Correct?

[DaveASA/FED]

NCAA might be different but I doubt it, I am sure someone will chime in if I am wrong.

ASA and FED you are right U3 has the BR when U1 goes out. You are back to 2 person mechanics. BUT you are also correct that sometimes the crew will deviate and communicate (required if you are doing something NOT by the book) and the PU will take the call at 1st base. (S)He has the best angle on that play and with just a little more effort (suppose to be trailing about 1/2 way up the line anyway) can be even closer to the play than U3.

[Skahtboi]

Using NCAA mechanics, if U1 chases, then the touch of the runner at first with no one on is the responsibility of the PU. He is also responsible for the throw back to first. U3 should be at second for any potential play there.

[CelticNHBlue]

ASA states specifically that this is the call of U3 anytime (bold mine) U1 chases for consistency sake. They also don't want you to pre-game deviate this mechanic for the same reason. However, it is also commonplace for PU to take this responsibility so long as they commuicate every time that they are taking the call.

The mechanic for NCAA requires PU to take the touch and call at 1B, U3 goes straight to 2B.

[Dholloway1962]

Originally Posted by DaveASA/FED

ASA and FED you are right U3 has the BR when U1 goes out. You are back to 2 person mechanics. BUT you are also correct that sometimes the crew will deviate and communicate (required if you are doing something NOT by the book) and the PU will take the call at 1st base. (S)He has the best angle on that play and with just a little more effort (suppose to be trailing about 1/2 way up the line anyway) can be even closer to the play than U3.

I'm not familiar with FED Mechanics, but in ASA the PU has BR to 1B don't they?

[AtlUmpSteve]

Originally Posted by Dholloway1962

I'm not familiar with FED Mechanics, but in ASA the PU has BR to 1B don't they?

No. In ASA, if U1 chases, the U3 becomes THE BU. That makes him/her the primary at 1B. You need to communicate that change, if PU comes up to make the (obviously clearer) call.

[Dholloway1962]

Originally Posted by AtlUmpSteve

No. In ASA, if U1 chases, the U3 becomes THE BU. That makes him/her the primary at 1B. You need to communicate that change, if PU comes up to make the (obviously clearer) call.

You might want to re-read the manual. I'm reading it as PU has the play. Can anyone clarify.

[AtlUmpSteve]

Originally Posted by Dholloway1962

You might want to re-read the manual. I'm reading it as PU has the play. Can anyone clarify.

You are right about one thing; someone may need to reread the manual.

Fly ball coverage with no runners on base. PU is to "Trail batter/runner toward first. If first bse umpire goes out, ASSIST IN WATCHING batter/runner touch first base." U1 is to "If third base umpire goes out on fly ball, come inside the diamond, buttonhook, and take runner to third base." U3 is to "If first base umpire goes out on fly ball, come inside the diamond and take the runner to third base."

So, which part says PU has a play at first? If you read that, then, PU must, by your reading, also have the play at first when U3 goes out, over U1, since the exact same terminology is used. Do you agree that U1 has the call at first when U3 goes out, and that PU simply "assists"? Then, by the same wording, U3 has the play at first when U1 goes out, and PU simply assists.

If you can't follow that, then no one can clarify it for you.