Your chance to wipe out a bad mechanic

[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by topper

I would move inside and head to 3rd.

Yes, but now you've got some catching up to do because you're trailing the runner, which is the absolute worst place to be when making a call.

Originally Posted by topper

Being out of the way is fine, but you will not have as much in front of you, nor be able to see the play develop. Plus you will not be in as good of a position to see the play at second because you are "out of the way".

Actually, I don't have a problem seeing it develop. If the ball is at the plate, I know I need to be off to one side or another on a baseline. If the runner has already touched 2B, I should be closer to baseline between 1B and 2B, ready to cover 3B if necessary. If the runner is coming from 1B into 2B, I should be closer to the baseline between 2B and 3B.

In both of those cases, I have an easy time of getting a good 90º to the tag, and I don't have nearly as much distance to cover if the runner should I need to cover 3B.

Originally Posted by topper

I agree. ASA does not. I think that was Wade's point.

I understand both sides to the coin: ASA needs to get almost 50k umpires (according to their website) up-to-speed with good techniques, but there are other advanced ways of covering plays.

The problem comes when you have an advanced umpire with an inexperienced one. Whose mechanics should dictate the other's behavior?

[topper]

Originally Posted by NCASAUmp

Yes, but now you've got some catching up to do because you're trailing the runner, which is the absolute worst place to be when making a call.

I'm not sure how far behind I'd be, unless they neither slide nor slow up into the bag. That slight risk is by far out weighed by having more of the entire sequence in front of me. Besides, PU doesn't have anything left to do.

Originally Posted by NCASAUmp

The problem comes when you have an advanced umpire with an inexperienced one. Whose mechanics should dictate the other's behavior?

When working ASA it's a moot point.

When not, I would think the more advanced official would suggest doing some things differently and explaining why. That's what we do at every camp I've been a part of.

[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by topper

I'm not sure how far behind I'd be, unless they neither slide nor slow up into the bag. That slight risk is by far out weighed by having more of the entire sequence in front of me. Besides, PU doesn't have anything left to do.

Assuming there are no other runners, taking the last runner to 3B should always be the BU's responsibility. PU should be preparing for a play at the plate. Priorities.

Originally Posted by topper

When working ASA it's a moot point.

But we're not talking about keeping what this association or that association wants. We're talking about what WE want as officials. So no, it's not a moot point.

Originally Posted by topper

When not, I would think the more advanced official would suggest doing some things differently and explaining why. That's what we do at every camp I've been a part of.

That can be dangerous if done with a truly inexperienced umpire. You'd have to pre-game it extensively and in an environment where you can afford to make those adjustments. Doing this in the finals would be bad timing.

Not to mention the fact that first and foremost, our main concern as veteran umpires tasked with bringing up the rookies is to give them the building blocks from which to grow. By starting off doing something different from the prescribed mechanics, you're not doing them any favors as a mentor.

Originally Posted by topper

You're still talking only about seeing the play at second. The discussion is about keeping everything in front of you.

Yes, and we should be ready for subsequent plays. Never compromise getting a good look at a play if it means getting behind the runner at your next play. It may work for 9 out of 10 plays, but it's that 10th play that'll bite you in the @$$.

Originally Posted by topper

I quess your UIC doesn't mind if the PU just hangs out at home. Maybe someone should explain to him/her, and you for that matter, that the subsequent play at 3rd should be covered by the PU.

Yes, the PU and BU are a team. And it's a team that works in priorities. As far as I'm concerned, the priorities on the bases start with home plate and work their way backwards. This is why the BU takes the trailing plays at 3rd, as well as the last runner or batter-runner. A blown call at 2nd or 3rd doesn't sting quite so badly as a blown call at home plate.

Originally Posted by topper

Unfortunately, since I do live in the Houston area, this wouldn't surprise me of some of the UICs/assignors I know.

Won't even touch this one with a 10 foot pole, especially considering there are involved parties present on this board.

[topper]

Originally Posted by NCASAUmp

Assuming there are no other runners, taking the last runner to 3B should always be the BU's responsibility. PU should be preparing for a play at the plate. Priorities.

The play at the plate is over, hence the throw back to 2nd.

Originally Posted by NCASAUmp

But we're not talking about keeping what this association or that association wants. We're talking about what WE want as officials. So no, it's not a moot point.

ASA isn't concerned about what WE want as umpires. That's why it's moot.

Originally Posted by NCASAUmp

That can be dangerous if done with a truly inexperienced umpire. You'd have to pre-game it extensively and in an environment where you can afford to make those adjustments. Doing this in the finals would be bad timing.

Not to mention the fact that first and foremost, our main concern as veteran umpires tasked with bringing up the rookies is to give them the building blocks from which to grow. By starting off doing something different from the prescribed mechanics, you're not doing them any favors as a mentor.

You said we are not keeping what "this association or that association wants", so what prescription are we going by? Why teach a new umpire mechanics only to try to un-teach those mechanics later?

Originally Posted by NCASAUmp

Yes, and we should be ready for subsequent plays. Never compromise getting a good look at a play if it means getting behind the runner at your next play. It may work for 9 out of 10 plays, but it's that 10th play that'll bite you in the @$$.

So the next "possible" play is more important that the one right in front of us. Interesting!

Originally Posted by NCASAUmp

Yes, the PU and BU are a team. And it's a team that works in priorities. As far as I'm concerned, the priorities on the bases start with home plate and work their way backwards. This is why the BU takes the trailing plays at 3rd, as well as the last runner or batter-runner. A blown call at 2nd or 3rd doesn't sting quite so badly as a blown call at home plate.

I'm sorry, but I'm not sure what this means.

Originally Posted by NCASAUmp

Won't even touch this one with a 10 foot pole, especially considering there are involved parties present on this board.

To say that I am sorry if I offended anyone would be disingenuous. And no, I am not an "involved party".