Too close? Too far? Just right?
 

Anyone think this umpire is too close/too far/just right to the play?

I think the umpire iss in fine position to sell the call, but if it was me, I'd prefer to view the play as it occurred approx. 2 steps directly behind him.

You don't need to be that close to view a force out (if the play was a force out).
Was it?
Or was it a steal attempt?

Draw a line from the umpire's cap to the defensive player's glove, then draw a line to the bag.

That's a big angle. It seems a bit too close, but we can't tell where the umpire was when s/he SAW the play. We just see where it was called. :)

I agree with you there. I'd be a couple of small steps back.

It was most likely a force out play, as there appears to have been no tag.

Don't forget - that's a "sell safe" call she is making. She actually called the play from where her back foot was when it was completely down. That's a real good distance AND angle.

No, she is okay for making the call assuming she was at least 6' away when seeing the play. However, I prefer to be 8-10 feet away from a play when a play develops. Maybe a little closer once I can determine where the ball will be.

I know, that sounds strange, but what I want to avoid is getting so close that if the throw is off, I don't want to have to move my head/eyes to the point I lose part of the frame especially if it is a force play.

Maybe I'm dreaming this, but it seems that every "safe" call I've seen this past weekend involved a step toward the play.

Looks like a good calling position and angle to me as well, for the reasons that have already been stated.

Loks like the proper distance and angle for a tag play to me. What makes you think it was anything else and why do you think there was anything wrong?

What makes you think this is a tag play? Looks to me like a force play. Defensive player's foot close to being on top of the bag, glove of defensive player just held out with no attempt to tag the runner and defensive player looking toward the umpire hoping to get an out call. If it was a tag play she would be looking at the runner. JMHO Dave

Fielders feet were originally stradling the bag to prevent obstruction and she is now stepping backward. If this were a force, she would have had one foot at the front edge of the bag and would have stepped towards the throw after it arrived. Also, I was at the game and remember the play!!!

If you have to move your head down to see the bag or up to see the ball.. you are too close.

I would think this umpire is too close.

then you dont own a manual.... 6-8 ft tag play depth

That doesn't make it right, just what someone has gotten in the manual.

He is correct, if the umpire should not lose sight of base to watch the defender catch the ball.

ok maybe its just me... but looking at the distance from the base (play) and the height of the umpire (and taking into account the "step" to sell the call)... she's only about 4.5 to 5 feet away..... too close (or maybe the third baseman is 7 feet tall)