I see no smiley face, so I'm not sure if you were trying to joke.
If not - he didn't say anything about F3's shoulder.

You are correct. I have a tendency to use right and left when designating a shoulder. I misread it.....probably because I see so many umpires, FP & SP that hang near F3 instead of getting their ass over where it belongs, near F4.

And I see some doing the opposite, too lazy to hustle on the steal/PB and in no position to call a pickoff at 1st.

Seen both ... sometimes the same guy at different points in the game or day.

That is why it is stupid to use SHOULDERS as a factor in starting position. Just use 20-30 feet.

From where? BTW, the shoulder is a focal point, not a specific origin from which one measures.

How about 1/2 way between bases, 12-15 feet beyond base line, then adjust to runners & fielders.

It has always been my feeling that the ASA standard training of being on the left or right shoulder of F4 or F6 is assuming that those fielders are playing in the "normal" spot on the field.

As we have all seen, especially in the SP game, those two fielders can be pretty much anywhere but those "normal" positions.

When I train Base Umpire Mechanics, I refer to the standard training, but advise that it may be better to pick a spot, somewhere between 1/2 to 2/3 of the way between bases as a starting point and adjust from there.

I always suggest staying near and behind the infielder when possible, which should be just about always in the FP game. Something I picked up from HP & BS years ago, if you stand in the hole, you become the target. I also find it easier to avoid a moving fielder if you are within 5-6 feet of the fielder.

Just as with a catcher, just watch the fielder's direction, swing open and let them pass. You don't need to have a fielder start running in your direction and then you both choose to move into each other's path. Or even worse, getting run over by fielder while trying to dodge a batted ball.

The parking lot. :rolleyes:

THE BASE. Obviously it varies depending which runners are on.