NCAA Check Swing Mechanic
 

3-man, with R1. U3 in position behind 2b. U1 on line. Check swing (either R or L handed batter). Is the new NCAA mechanic to go to the "open" umpire mean go to U3 in the middle???

I may be wrong, but I believe the "old" way was to always go to the umpire on the line. So in your situation, the PU would go to U1, even for a left-handed batter. Similarly, with U3 on the line and U1 behind 2B, U3 would take all check swings, regardless of the batter's handedness.

The "new" way would have U3 taking a lefty's checked swing in your sitch. But U1 would still have the call for a righty. I cannot imagine going to U3 for a righty when U1 is on the line.

Correct. Umpires have been told to go to the open umpire even if they are rotated/counter-rotated.

U1 has a tough job!
 

Thx for the replies. U1 must look for illegal pitch, runner leaving early & check swing on righties.....tough job! This "new" mechanic (U3 check swing on lefties) must have been slipped in since the 2012/2013 mechanics book. Any reference to where it is in print?

I thought that someone had posted earlier this year that they switched back to the "old" way again. Or was it that the "old-old" way was always go to the open-side umpire, then they switched to going to the umpire on the line, which became the "new" way, but now it's the "old" way since the "new-new" way is now the same as the "old-old" way (open side)? :confused:

oldadmark - You may try the Arbiter website. It is a post-publishing change.

BretMan - Have you ever rearranged living room furniture for your wife? Exactly!

As noted, it is a change made after the publication of the 2013 CCA Manual.

From the SUP Central Hub:

The second change is on a check swing request. The plate umpire by rule when asked to get help or if there is any doubt about a swing attempt shall ask for help from the open umpire. The open umpire must remain with the swing or action (bunt/slap) long enough to give help when asked even if a runner is attempting to steal.

Restated in another way for those having issues visualizing.

No matter where they are on the field, you always go to U1 for a right handed batter, you always go to U3 for a left handed batter.

That is what they mean by "open"; on the open side of the batter.

And that is only half the list for BU in general.

Did any runner leave early?
Was the pitch legal?
Did it hit the batter?
Did the batter swing/offer?
Did the bat contact the ball?
Was the pitch caught?
Was it a foul tip?
If batted, did the ball hit the BR?

And you have about 1.5 seconds to check the list.

No, that was the new way.

Read Steve's explanation. This is the way it used to be and still is for most organizations other than NCAA.

I'm pleased that NCAA changed it back.

Last year, I worked some playoff games in our JC league (3 umpire), then the following weekend, worked an ASA qualifier tournament. We were late in the ASA tournament and using a 3 umpire system.

I am PU, R1 on first, left handed batter checks her swing, I actually had to pause for a second to remember which umpire to go to for the check swing help.