2009 advanced FP camp

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by azbigdawg

This is my once (or maybe twice) a year agreeing with Wade. In 3 man...I can see staying outside at 1b, because you have 3u in front of you to come up and cover 2nd. Its a HORRBILE mechanic in two man. Younger (inexperienced) umpires MUST be taught how to get inside and get all the elements in front of you. Its a basic concept. If you stay outside you WILL get stuck behind a runner on an overthrow, bobble, etc if you are not careful, and possibly even if you are.

On another site, someone made the comment that problems (drop, bobble, misplay, etc.) happen often enough that our mechanics including a planned hesistation are based around those scenarios.

My response was that our mechanics especially a hesitation are taught in anticipation of being prepared for the rare and infrequent problem. The standard plays are easy, but the "surprise", unexpected misplay is when an umpire is really put to the test.

Getting caught out of position or making a call trailing a runner doesn't seem to be that big a deal until that one time you just cannot see a play and miss the call because the runner or fielder moved in an unexpected manner. And, unfortunately, that is the call EVERYONE is going to see and remember.