3-Umpire Mechanic Situation

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Dholloway1962

The other 2-umpire situation brought up a situation that happened to me over the weekend and wanted input on proper mechanic.

3-umpires, bases loaded, and two out. Batter hits a fly ball down left field near foul line that drops fair. 3BU chases. Now, hopefully I get runners labeled correctly and avoid being chastised....R1 scores easily, R2 touches 3rd heads home as R1 heads towards 3B.

R1 is one fast runner. Touches the plate and heads back toward 3B! WOW!

Sorry, couldn't resist. I'm sure you mean R3 was heading to 3B

Going to be a play at 3B, which is the PU (me) call. As I see this developing I realize I'm going to have a pretty close time play at the plate. Now I'm thinking where do I get into position to watch the tag play at 3B and watch when the runner touches the plate. I wound up closer to HP and was able to watch the runner touch before the tag. The play at 3B wasn't close and was safe so timing play didn't come into play.

If R2 was still heading home, the call at 3B may not have been yours, but was yours. Speaking ASA, it is a little vague. You have the call at 3B, but are still supposed to watch the scoring runner touch the plate.

Based on the principle of the BU always having the trail runners, I would think s/he should be prepared to take a call at 3B if you are unable. This is where that great umpire-to-umpire communications comes into play.

I felt I was waaaaaaay too far away to make a sell call if the play at 3B had been a close play.

What would be the best way to position yourself? If you devote your full attention to the tag you are going to guess on if the run scored first.

Thanks for input.

Well, you can make a quick peek after seeing the play, but we all know you aren't supposed to take your eyes off the play.

Or you can hope your partners can help