Ah, ok. I definitely assumed some positioning similarities between ASA and USSSA that clearly don't exist!:) (At least not in the U-trip league I was schooled in.)

Our BU's, with any runners on any base, are always just inside 2B, cheating a step or towards 1B.

BU's don't go out on balls, even ones that are going to be questionable on the catch--which I think is definitely weird. They're always inside the basepaths. And the BU's have just about every out call in the outfield, routine or otherwise. One exception: nobody on base, someone hits a high fly down the RF line. BU will run from his starting position (behind 1B) to get in position to rule on a potential play at 2B, and the PU will have the catch/no catch in right.

Thanks for the replies--even though there was some unwitting "apples and oranges" going on there!

We switch up every game. So the first game, I was the plate ump, trying to call all of the tag ups. The second game, I was the base ump, thinking he would do the same, as he was the plate ump for the second game.

Thanks for the page reference!

Apparently, you misunderstood what he told you:So, YOU have the tag ups, regardless! Base or plate! :D

Tom, quit confusing the poor guy. ;)

I've had the same issues w/ tagup responsibilities w/ runner on 1B.

Virtually any line drive to an outfielder doesn't give me time to come inside while also trying to watch both catch and tag at the same time.

I usually try to anticipate if the runner at 1B is even fast enough to attempt a tagup and try to get to 2B. Most are not and simply just take a few steps off the base anticipating the ball will be caught.

On a high, deep drive, the runner will likely be playing it halfway or more thinking the ball will not be caught.

I've done my share of head-swiveling on some of those plays 90% of the time outside the diamond.

Only two options on this one: haul a$$ and get inside (and risk not seeing the catch/tag-up), or stay out, watch the catch/tag-up, and then move to 2B on the outside. It doesn't "look as good," but in all honesty, you have a better chance at seeing what you need to see on a ball hit towards the left field line.

Obviously, ASA does not like the latter option, nor would I recommend it for anything other than rec league games. It's a simple matter of survival.

A ball hit to right field, on the other hand, doesn't pose quite the same problem. You're better off buttonhooking in and getting the 4 elements in front of you. Now where have I heard that one before? :rolleyes:

These days, hauling a$$ takes two trips. :o

But I still do better than many guys who just plant themselves in "B", make a call on a runner sliding into second base from there, and then ask me if I saw anything different. Well, if'n I was working a one-man game, I might have been closer than he was when he made the call.

And ironically, my understanding of why they're having us start in B was that guys were having troubles getting there from the line. So great, now that they're there, they're still having troubles moving. Granted, they have to move less, but they're still having troubles.

NO moving and having trouble moving are two different things. Your staring position is never your calling position in 2 umpires system. If you are a lazy umpire this is not true, no matter where you start.

The reason for the move was because this was the position SP umpires spent most of the game anyhow, coming off the line puts the umpire in tight spot negotiating F3 and the BR.

Starting in the B allows the BU to observe the same events in a more efficient and less stressful manner. That means s/he has the opportunity to see more.

I find that most people who have a problem getting inside are waiting too long to start.

Don't you know it's impolite to stare... hot moms notwithstanding. :cool:

The count's gone up...
http://sabian.whispers.org/indicator3.jpg

How do you account for double-digit hot moms?? I haven't been fortunate enough to work a game that hit double digits, but I suppose the possibility does exist.

New and improved model. Has an inner gear that turns the second dial.
http://sabian.whispers.org/indicator4.jpg

....widening your angle to get the catch/tag-up in your view.
And then work on your angle as you're moving to 2B. If you get yourself at a good angle to the throw from the OF you get a real good look at the tag play at 2B.
While I'm not "up" on what ASA likes or dislikes in this regard and agree with Dave that "it's a simple matter of survival"....IMHO it's still a damm effective way to cover that particular play and personally have been doing it that way for a good many years probably 90% of the time that play occurs.