Correct Call

[UmpireErnie]

So many SP games are done one man now.. and it's often very hard to get a good look at the tag up without compromising the call of catch/no catch.

Fly ball down 3B line with runner tagging at 1B. Not enough time to move from behind HP to a spot where you can have the runner at 1B in field of vision of catch and besides it's near the foul line.mmIf you glance back at the runner after the ball hits the fielders glove, now glance back and the ball is on the ground.. was it a catch? Did the fielder simply lose it on the transfer?

Priorities.. fair/foul, then catch/no catch, then (and only then) runner tag ups. Or sure I will take a glance while the ball is still on the fly to see if the runner is holding or is off with the hit. But once it comes down I am staying with the catch until I have an out.

I am simply saying that this appeal may have been denied because blue was busy watching what sounds like an amazing play in the outfield and has no clue if the runner left early. "Safe! Didn't see the runner leave first!" was what one old ASA training tape on one man mechanics taught.. it's hard to argue with that.