2013 CCA Umpire Manual

[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.