2013 CCA Umpire Manual

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by EsqUmp

Rather shamefully, there were some changes and virtually none of them made their way into the 2013 manual.

The base umpire no longer signals the closed fist on a caught third strike. Now, he only points to the ground on a dropped third strike. This was not updated in the manual.

The base umpire no longer echoes a play umpire's infield fly call. This was not updated in the manual.

An umpire who calls an infield fly no longer extends his index finger into the are, but rather uses a closed fist. This was not updated in the manual.

On checked swings, the plate umpire will always go to 1BU on right handed batters and 3BU on left handed batters, regardless of their starting positions or playing action. This was not updated in the manual.

With no runners on base, if 1BU chases, 3BU only moves to the calling position at 2nd base if a play is developing there. Otherwise, 3BU remains outside the diamond and would take BR into 3rd base staying outside rather than looking over his shoulder for the ball coming from right field.

With R1 on 1st base only, the starting distance for both 1BU and 3BU has been cut down from 6-12 feet to 6-10 feet.

Anytime 3BU starts on the line and is responsible for a runner (i.e., R2 starts on 2nd base or R3 starts on 3rd base), the starting distance has been cut down from 6-12 feet to 6-10 feet.

Maybe it's just me, but most of these changes are so petty, I just don't understand why someone felt they were necessary.

I mean, really, what the heck was wrong with signalling a caught third with a fist and an uncaught third with a finger point? Now the fist is no longer required because...?? Was it really that bad to give the fist signal? Now, the PU has to hope that no signal means a caught third, and NOT a brain cramp on the BU's part.

And what could possibly be the compelling reason to change from a max of 12 feet to a max of 10 feet when positioning on the line with a runner at their base? I just don't get it...

[KJUmp]

Originally Posted by Manny A

And what could possibly be the compelling reason to change from a max of 12 feet to a max of 10 feet when positioning on the line with a runner at their base?

......and when U3 is rotated with a runner on first.

Less distance to cover getting to your initial primary position and making whatever adjustments the play dictates.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by KJUmp

......and when U3 is rotated with a runner on first.

Less distance to cover getting to your initial primary position and making whatever adjustments the play dictates.

How would you adjust to a high throw that close to the play?

Don't get me wrong, I'm often up close and personal @ 3B, but not @ 1B.

[shagpal]

You have to remember to move to a deeper calling position on force plays, not just for U1 but for U3, else, the play explodes. Backing up to a deeper calling distance on force plays and getting a 90 on the throw is part of pre-pitch planning, something that should be done between pitches for every pitch.

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

How would you adjust to a high throw that close to the play?

Don't get me wrong, I'm often up close and personal @ 3B, but not @ 1B.

[KJUmp]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

How would you adjust to a high throw that close to the play?

Don't get me wrong, I'm often up close and personal @ 3B, but not @ 1B.

If I read a high throw, (pick-off at 1st as U1 or steal at 2nd as U2) I'm not going to immediately close down on the play, I'll read the fielder, then adjust as necessary if I need to make a call.
If the throw 'sailed', I'm getting ready for my next responsibility on any subsequent play that may develop.

I think each of us have our own starting distance 'comfort zone' (within the distance recommended in the Manual) for this rotation. I'm sure that for all of us that choice is based on numerous factors other than our personal preference and may even/should change slightly from batter to batter based on fielder position, ability to see our areas of responsibility, R1's speed (or lack of), B1 being a bunter/slapper, F2's arm, F2's style of pick-off throw etc.

Mine is 6-7 ft. as U1, and 8 ft. as U2 and I've been using that distance prior to the recent mechanic change. In my case, feedback from and work with evaluators and clinicians got me there....but that's me.

Needless to say, there's no one size fits all 'X marks the spot.'

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by KJUmp

If I read a high throw, (pick-off at 1st as U1 or steal at 2nd as U2) I'm not going to immediately close down on the play, I'll read the fielder, then adjust as necessary if I need to make a call.
If the throw 'sailed', I'm getting ready for my next responsibility on any subsequent play that may develop.

The statement referred to the starting point with a runner on 1st.

With R1 on 1st base only, the starting distance for both 1BU and 3BU has been cut down from 6-12 feet to 6-10 feet.

That means you are too close if there is a high throw to put out the BR @ 1B.

I would rather stay back and step in AFTER the pitch for a possible play on the runner. Now, maybe the statement was taken out of context and I'm not seeing something, I don't know.

I think each of us have our own starting distance 'comfort zone' (within the distance recommended in the Manual) for this rotation. I'm sure that for all of us that choice is based on numerous factors other than our personal preference and may even/should change slightly from batter to batter based on fielder position, ability to see our areas of responsibility, R1's speed (or lack of), B1 being a bunter/slapper, F2's arm, F2's style of pick-off throw etc.

Mine is 6-7 ft. as U1, and 8 ft. as U2 and I've been using that distance prior to the recent mechanic change. In my case, feedback from and work with evaluators and clinicians got me there....but that's me.

Needless to say, there's no one size fits all 'X marks the spot.'

Agree. Even more so if I have an antsy fielder moving around a lot. I may stay a few feet deeper and step into position just prior to the pitch. But as you say, it can be different and based upon almost every element of the environment.

[EsqUmp]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

The statement referred to the starting point with a runner on 1st.

With R1 on 1st base only, the starting distance for both 1BU and 3BU has been cut down from 6-12 feet to 6-10 feet.

That means you are too close if there is a high throw to put out the BR @ 1B.

I would rather stay back and step in AFTER the pitch for a possible play on the runner. Now, maybe the statement was taken out of context and I'm not seeing something, I don't know.

In choosing the starting positions and calling positions, the NCAA concluded the following:

1. It is better to have an umpire in the calling position to start with when there is a potential pickoff or steal. Their reasoning is that the umpire has significantly less time to react than on a typical play in the infield. They feel that even if the umpire only has to take two steps to get into the calling position, the umpire will likely be moving when the play occurs, which is never a good thing.

2. On force plays, the umpire need only drift a step or two back to be in the proper calling distance. The umpire has more time to do this since the runner must travel 60 feet and the umpire only has to drift back and over a few steps. The umpire should not remain in the 6-10 for force plays. That is too close and the umpire won't be able to see the forest through the trees.

By cutting down the maximum starting distance to 10 feet but leaving the minimum distance at 6 feet, my guess is that the SUP thought that too many umpires were probably closer to 15 feet. So, by cutting it to 10 feet, maybe they will only be 12 feet, which is what they found acceptable before.

[KJUmp]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

The statement referred to the starting point with a runner on 1st.


That means you are too close if there is a high throw to put out the BR @ 1B.

That's your opinion, and thats fine. I always enjoy reading your thoughts on mechanics (and rules), whether I agree or disagree, your POV always brings something to the discussion that makes me think of something I haven't taken into consideration.

Where I am in this rotation is where my coordinator's evaluators have 'strongly suggested' I be when I'm on the line as U1 with a runner on first.
They have their reasons, they make sense, and it's worked well for me in games.
I work for them at their pleasure. Being as how I like to see both the quantity and quality of my schedule improve each year, there's not much more to say.

Your point regarding a high throw on throw from an infielder making a play on the BR is a fair one. Except for a throw from F4, I can make the necessary adjustment to a proper calling depth for a force play as I'm moving into the infield. If its coming from F4, I'm taking the call from foul territory where I've got room to adjust to the the proper calling distance.