2 Man Responsibilities/Mechanics

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by rah718

There is a mechanic rule I do not agree with which came up in a girls fastpitch game last week.

I am the PU, the bases are loaded. The BU is in the "C" slot. Fly ball is hit down the rightfield line. If I have to take both the catch and fair/foul. How is possible for me to take the lead runner at 3rd as the book says in a 2-man?

To start, I guess we should know the association.

Then I guess we need to know that when you say "take the lead runner at 3rd" you mean the tag up, correct?

No matter what system you are working, in a two-umpire game, someone is going to have to see the touch and turn their head. On the 1B line, you have a better shot with peripheral vision than the BU does from the C, inside or out.

Yes, you are going to give R1 the benefit of any doubt since you are not going to be able to confirm the touch/catch and see them instanteously, not even with good peripheral since you will be more likely to pick up motion than actual contact.

While I am not in complete agreement with Andy as it pertains to the 1BLE do to the catcher's likely to step in front of you, I would not go more than a step to the 1B side of the plate unless necessary to see the catch. That is something that

It almost seems like a no brainer to have the PU take the tag a 1B (which can still be done), but you need to remember, depending on the game situation, there is just as likely to be a tag play at 2B and the BU needs to be in a good position for that.

This is only an issue if there is a fair/foul question. If this ball is not near or heading toward the line, there is no reason you need to be on the line. I would worry more about a foul ball on the 1B side in the same game situation that you may need to be in position to see whether the fielder enters DBT or possibly deal with spectator interference or there was actually a catch made. You cannot be in position to see that, the tag and be in a good position to make a call at the plate at the same time (unless you are playing on a field around here where you are lucky to have 10' of foul ground).

But now a question. What change in the mechanic would you suggest? (other than adding an umpire )