Great 3b line extented position

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by NCASAUmp

Looks to me like 1B extended would have given the umpire a better angle on this particular call. The catcher's body blocked the umpire's view of much of the play, and 1BE would have, in this case, given the umpire a good 90 to the tag.

This was part of the debate before. 3BLE isn't a "bad" position if the runner cooperates and approaches the plate from an outside path. However, if the runner comes straight into a catcher attempting to block the plate, instead of catching a making a swipe tag, the position sucks.

This umpire moved to his position at the behind the LHBB and never adjusted. This is why we tell umpires the prescribed postion offered in our mechanics is a starting point and you have to allow the developing play take you into the proper position.

Some MLB crews changed up last year and had the PU moving toward the front of the LHBB on a play like this to give them a better angle. Apparently, this guy's crew was not one of them.

[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

This was part of the debate before. 3BLE isn't a "bad" position if the runner cooperates and approaches the plate from an outside path. However, if the runner comes straight into a catcher attempting to block the plate, instead of catching a making a swipe tag, the position sucks.

This umpire moved to his position at the behind the LHBB and never adjusted. This is why we tell umpires the prescribed postion offered in our mechanics is a starting point and you have to allow the developing play take you into the proper position.

Some MLB crews changed up last year and had the PU moving toward the front of the LHBB on a play like this to give them a better angle. Apparently, this guy's crew was not one of them.

I usually start 1BLE, then start swiveling counter-clockwise as the runner comes as I see how the throw is coming. Kinda like taking a string, attaching it to home plate, and moving to 3BLE while keeping the string tight.

Often, it's not just the runner's path that dictates where the umpire should be to get the best view of the play, but where the throw is coming in, where the fielder is, and where the tag is going to be.

For instance, if the catcher moves up into the field towards 1B a little too much, that tag is likely going to come from the 1B side of the plate. Staying 1BLE gives you little to no angle on the play, as the runner's body will block your view of the tag. 3BLE may afford you a better view.