The Official Forum - Tagup Responsibilities

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Quote:

Originally Posted by KJUmp (Post 620388)

....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.

The problem is simple geometry. You've got an infield that plays so far back, you're almost in the outfield, even if you "split the difference." In order to be able to see the catch in the outfield and not get whiplash when checking the runner on 1B, it's just easier to stay outside when the left fielder is going for a catch near the line or in foul territory. If you go inside, now you've got to turn more than 180 degrees to pick up the runner.

Maybe it's just a bad habit of mine, but I don't like turning my back to the outfield when I'm inside. That's how umpires get pegged.

Quote:

Originally Posted by NCASAUmp (Post 620402)

I don't seem to have this problem. I take off on the ping of the bat (Oh how I long for the days that the sound was a "crack").

If it is a line drive, yeah, I'll peek, but before every play, I scan the OF and know where the players are and what type of effort will be required on ever ball hit. I also know where the possible plays will be and avoid any potential throwing lanes.

This may come as a shock to some :rolleyes:, but ASA (nor anyone else of which I am aware) does not dictate a given path an umpire must take. And there is an allowance to change up your position should the defense play deep. As much as I like to stay a few feet off F4's shouder, I move around a lot to accommodate the fielder and my relative position to the possible plays.