Base Mechanics?
 

I recently worked a woman's fast-pitch softball game with two very veteran umpires and got two very different mechanics. Who's right?
As the Base Umpire in a two-man system with runners on 2nd & 3rd, I'm in position 'D'. I was told that if there's a throw from the catcher to the 3rd baseman in an attempt to pick-off R1; (1) I should take a few steps in toward the infield to get the 90 degree angle to the base; or (2) I should move parallel to the base path to get as close to the left field line as possible to see the throw coming up the line.
Who's right?

Depends on what rule set you are playing under. If it is ASA then they want you to go parallel with the base line between 2 and 3rd (start toward the 3B foul line) and then move to a position to get a clear view of the play.

The theory is if you move parallel with the 3B foul line in a large number of plays you are going to be forced to try and see through the defensive player to see a tag, not possible. By moving parallel to the base line from 2-3 it allows you to get to a position where you can adjust as necessary as the play develops to get an unobstructed view of the tag.

RJ, the "D" position is foul ground third base; in a two umpire system (as you stated), I sure hope you aren't starting there. That would be known as C2; off the right shoulder of F6, or in the hole between F5 and F6, depending on where F6 is positioned.

To your question, you should react moving toward whatever position puts you 90 degrees to the intended tag. When the pick throw is to F5, the position best to see the tag (generally up the line) is (2), as close to third base foul line as possible.

When the pick throw is to F6 sneaking behind, or if F5 is playing very deep at or behind the base, the tag is more likely at the leading edge of the base (facing the plate), so the better position is (1), to step forward to 90 degrees to the base and tag at front of the base.

This is always a difficult snap judgment since the tag can vary, particularly if the runner slides back and tries to hook into foul teritory to avoid a tag. But the rules of thumb apply generally to which tag location is most likely.

If you were working a three umpire system (you did say you had two other umpires??), you would actually be in D; if the tag is up the line by F5, step up maintaining the view down the line you already have. If F6 snaking behind, or F5 deep, step forward into foul ground and even with the front edge of the bag (working to create some distance from the bag) to a calling position 90 degrees from the leading edge.

Hope that helps, and helps understand why you would get two different advices.

So far, you have gotten two decent responses. Playing off of them, the first thing I would suggest is now that you have been told 90 degrees, put it in the back of your head and forget about it.Steve is a little more detail. Stepping up for F6 and over for F5 coverage is pretty much common, but don't sit on those. I would add, forget about having a preconceived idea of exactly where you need to end up, the play will take you to that point. You need to be prepared to adjust as the fielder may shift to accommodate the location of the throw.

Thanks Dave, Steve, and as always IrishMafia. Your answers have been a big help as usual.
To Steve; they were two different games and I was in position C2 (off the right shoulder of F6). Thanks for the corrections.
rj

Great answers both of you. May I add the caveat of not ignoring the runner at 2nd, especially when moving inward from C?

Which is why you don't worry so much about 90 degrees, but instead a good position to see the play while insuring not getting in the middle of it.

Good point