Great 3b line extented position
 

Great look at the winning run in the all star game??

I meant extended...but he was right on top of the play....so it could have been extented!!!:)

Well that play wasn't that close either. ;)

Actually, the catcher's tag was on top of the plate. Since F2 was up the 1B line a bit, PU had an excellent view. However, 1B line extended would have been better for this play.

I just watched the replay...never mind what I said earlier, that was pretty close! I didn't remember it being that close while watching it last night but I had just gotten home from working some SP so maybe I was just worn out. ;)

I don't know, 3rd BLX seems to afford a pretty good view of the swipe tag in this situation.

I only made the comment because of this PARTICULAR play, not as a general comment.

Same here. Why do you think 1st BLX provides a better view for this play?

Because it gave a 90 degree look at Morneau's foot sliding into the plate.

with the remainder of his body in the way that you have to look through to see the plate.

3BL extended all the way on this play and it's not even close.

Did you watch the play?

http://www.eteamz.com/softballumpire...lipboard02.jpg

Other than the fact that the umpire was not 3BLX on the noted play, you are correct that on many swipe tag plays it gives the umpire a decent view. But what happens when the umpire sets up on 3BLX for a play at the plate and the runner slides directly to the plate and the catcher successfully moves entire body to block?

The umpire is going to have to make their best guess. Meanwhile placing yourself to view the area between the catcher and runner and adjusting to the direction of the ball, the umpire is going to be set up for almost any possible play

I'm not sure what to call the umpire's position other than 3rd baseline extended but I think we are discussing the same thing.

I agree, 3BLX is not a good position for all plays at the plate, having to guess is not a fun position to be in.

I would rather have a 90 degree look at the application of the tag.

: Except for the swipe tag...which happens about 90 % of the time on tag plays at home with high caliber players.

Cousins was as close to 3BLX as you could be, without being on an X. If you watch the play and not just one picture...he was almost in the way of the on deck batter trying to help with the slide. HPU was much closer to 3BLX than anywhere else that has a title, and moved slightly to position himself for the play. Textbook!!

Even then, you cannot be sure of where the throw is going to take the catcher. I'll take a position where I know I cannot be blocked out anytime over something where that is a possibility even just 10% of the time.