ASA 3-ump - Walk the line?
 

ASA mechanics 3-ump system. When do base umpires walk the line? I've been given conflicting info from very good umpires:

a. Never with ANY runners on base (so 3U would NOT walk the line with a runner on 2nd, and 1U would NOT walk the line with runner on 3rd) OR

b. Only when there's not a runner at your base (so 3U WOULD walk the line with a runner on 2nd and U1 WOULD walk the line with a runner on 3rd only)

Thanks for your thoughts.

Cant say if this matches ASA exactly, but just got back from the NFHS 3 man clinic this afternoon. According to the class, you only walk the line with no runners on. Anytime a runner or runners on base both umpires go to set position.

You would NOT walk as U3 with a runner on second; while you aren't responsible for a runner on your base, you have one coming to you, so you set. With 1st and 2nd, you also have runner leaving early responsibility at 1st; another reason to set.

Unless it has changed recently, it has been considered optional for U1 to walk or to set with a single runner at 3rd. That is the ONLY time you would possibly walk except for bases empty. It is my observation that, the option stated aside, that most UIC's prefer that both base umpires set in that case, and every other (as required) where there are any baserunners; and that both base umpires walk with bases empty.

Not that I legislate any rules, but I think it would be more consistent that both base umpires do the same thing on the field. So w/ bases empty, walk; w/ any runner(s), set. Having one walking and one setting might look a bit odd to an observer.

Ted

Why would anyone, including the observer, care?

The purpose of walking the line is keep the umpire on their toes, so to speak, and to enable him/her to be in fluent, ready position to react and move to where they need to be.

Until nominated as an Olympic event, I think we should avoid Synchronized Umpiring as a game plan at all costs. We got away from it about two decades ago and I think we should stay as far away as possible. Umpires have more important tasks than to worry about mirroring their partners.:D

'Cuz the observer might consider such un-synchronized activities to be capricious, random movements by a team of highly untrained mercenaries?

I can go either way, but if forced to watch something, I'd opt for the synchronized umpiring over somebody's kids playing herd-ball soccer.

Then that observer isn't qualified or so over-officious I wouldn't want to work for them.

Damn, pinko commies!!!

Do you not remember when the BU and the PU would syncronize their break away from the pitcher's and home plate, respectively, after cleaning between innings?

There are still people out there at nationals telling BU they MUST mirror the PU whenever they kill the ball. If there is an active runner or defender still playing the ball in the BU's area, I can understand the BU assisting in the call, but that is it.

In my experience, that mechanic (more obvious in SP) disappeared about 10 years ago.

Sorry for my long silence, but I'm uh... on another continent right now. :) Specifically, South America, and more specifically, in Argentina. Yes, really. LOVE IT!

Personally, I don't like "walking the line." I just don't think it serves much purpose. If you need something prescribed to you like that to keep yourself in the game, then you need to rethink your umpiring goals.

However, with respect to the suggestion that it may look "odd" for one umpire to walk the line and another to not walk the line, I simply shrug my shoulders, as most spectators are never really watching the umpires anyway... except other umpires. ;)

Okay, back to some awesome churrascos and empanadas. I think I've had beer with almost every meal since I got here. Pictures will follow on my personal website and on facebook.

Well, that is not the point of the mechanic. Then again, I don't see why anyone would have an issue with an umpire taking A STEP, two at the most. It WILL keep you on your toes, allow you to avoid being hit and allow you to move into position in a quicker and more efficient manner. But if that doesn't interest the umpire, just stand there :D

I agree with Steve as to the best way to do it - and Mike on the mirroring. Mirroring is a terrible mechanic that I'm glad is gone. It leads to errors and extra calls by a bu who should not be making those calls. One example of a bad thing I've had happen because my partner was mirroring, was I had a batter out of the box when hit the ball and called dead ball, my partner mirroring me called foul ball so he could be my helper and send the runner back - so mirror and coaching all in one bad call. So when I called the batter out, I had to answer for why I said out and he said foul. This was a 18G coach with a national championship under his belt and he knows what he is doing and it was not fun. You just do your job out there, and mirroring is not your job and it is not a listed mechanic. If you stay quiet and dont make calls that arent yours, you cant get us in trouble.

Then why, in a 2-umpire system, does the BU stay stationary until the ball is hit? You're not really that much further out than if you were in a 3-umpire crew (maybe a couple of feet - unless you're calling SP and getting pushed halfway to the fence).

For me it's simple: I don't want to be moving just for the sake of being moving. If I'm going somewhere, I want it to be for a purpose. Maybe it's because I'm younger than the average umpire that I don't find it difficult to get the ol' turfslappers moving, but I just don't see walking as being all that necessary. Even when I'm "stationary" as the BU, I can do little things to keep my feet at the ready (wiggling toes, flexing the calf or thigh muscles, etc.). I'm moving as soon as I know where I need to be, and in less than a second after the ball is hit (usually a split second). All the while, I'm stationary to see everything I need to see as clearly as I can.

:confused:

What makes you think this is only for 3-umpire mechanics?

That is why the umpire is on the outside foot because that is your push-off foot when you need to go somewhere.

Irrelevant. The mechanic was dropped a few years ago and brought back because umpires felt more comfortable and mobile taking that step as opposed to standing still in a set position.

And I'm seeing everything I need to see and am moving WHEN the ball is hit. That means I have more time to get to where I need to be, set and see the most important thing, the play.

Personally, I believe you are overthinking this mechanic and wonder if you were ever taught it properly.

I know the OP stated ASA, but I tend to default to the CCA manual on this - pgs 155 - 158.

I believe Dave is a predominantly a slow pitch umpire, thus starting in 'B'. I think the discussion is centering on fast pitch umpiring, where the BU's start on the line.

Forgot to remind y'all I'm SP only. :)

Yes, in FP with no runners on, the BU's walking the line.

That could totally be, and I'll acknowledge that. My experience with 3-ump mechanics is a little on the limited side. Was hoping to refine it more at the NUS, but, well... damn astroturf!

Was hoping to refine it more at the NUS, but, well... damn astroturf!

Dave, would you like to share the astroturf reference?:):D

Crap... Yeah, apparently the NB 350s and astroturf are extra "adhesive." We were practicing the 3-umpire mechanics, and I was 1BU. I was attempting to pivot while running home when my left foot absolutely STUCK to the ground. It stopped mid-pivot, but the rest of my 230-pound body kept going. From the reports I received afterward, I had apparently been flipped (literally) into the air, feet up over my head, then I came down hard. Now more than a month later, it's still giving me problems. But hey, I've sucked it up and umpired about 9 days after the injury, so... Let me just say that Active Ankles are AWESOME when you have an ankle injury. HIGHLY recommended.

Fortunately, Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech were playing a doubleheader about 100 yards away, and they were about to begin when one of the other students at the NUS ran down and grabbed their student trainer, explaining that an umpire was down.

Man, she sure was cute! :D

I was playing in a pretty big tennis tournament. In the first round had a minor hammie pull that required taping and massaging of my lower buttocks. I got a student trainer from San Jose State to tape and massage me all weekend. I was so happy I made it to the semi's before losing.

She was cute, and very friendly.

What do pgs.155-158 of the CCA manual say on this? I'm not a CCA level official, just curious as to their recommeded mechanic...always looking for something that may help my own mechanics and thought process.
Thanks

PS..I'm a walker...it's rare that I ever get the opportunity to work 3 man, and as an umpire who just works lower level local SP, FP, (and yes BB), I'm never under the eyes of an observer. But I am a stickler for good solid mechanics that help you in seeing what you need to see and getting you to where you need to be on the field to get the call right.

I know it's apples and oranges, but I have noticed that, in MLB games, 1B umpires walk the line and the 3B ump does not.

Don't have this year's version, but I think it's:
Bases empty: Both walk
R on 3B only: 1BU walks, 3BU set
R on 1B only: 1BU set
Anytime 1BU is in infield: 3BU set

(2008 version, pp. 152-155)

I don't work college, but the CCA manual is still a good read because it has a lot of great advice on preparation, handling people, various situations, etc. Just remember the rules discussed are NCAA.

The couple of MLB games I have seen this year had neither umpire walking but in a set position with the corners facing each other, turning their heads toward the plate and almost leaning in that direction.