Survival Weekend

[Andy]

Originally Posted by SWFLguy

Improvised a Modified Base Mechanic - fuggetabout starting in "A". Start in "B" and just shuttle back and forth with "C".

Not to hijack the reason for this thread, but could you give more information on this. In my declining years, I'm interested in conservation of energy. The idea seems to allow the base umpire to do just that. I feel I waste a lot of energy just running around to get into position for what are mostly routine calls. Might work at the high school level. Have you tried this? Anyone else?

Yes, as Steve said....I have used this starting position before. When I was assigned 6 games in a row at a tournament due to some out of town umpires not showing up. It does save steps, but you do give up the best view of the pitcher's feet to judge the illegal pitch.

If I recall correctly, an ASA NUS member was pushing for FP umpires to start in the B position with no runners on about 15 years ago. That particular person is no longer involved with ASA. I believe he even went so far as to requiring this at a National Tournament he was the UIC for.

[tcannizzo]

It is really simple, and combined it with the advanced mechanic of rimming.
And the first time a speedster hits a gapper and you watch her round 1B take 3-4 more steps before you have to move, you really appreciate it. Not to mention the 4th time.

No other changes to standard mechanics.
For plays at 1B, you are not exactly in the standard calling position you would be in from "A", but you are in the exact same position you would have been in had there been R on 1B and the play was made at 1B.
No calls were any harder to make because of it.

True, you don't get the best view of F1's feet, but if you suspect something is going on, just slide back to "A" for a pitch or two.

[BretMan]

I started in "B", with no runners on, for part of a game one time, due to some unusual circumstances.

We were on a field that was laid out so the setting sun was in a direct line down the first base foul line, right behind the plate. I struggled with it a couple of innings, but was having a hard time even seeing the batter swing, let alone the ball coming off the bat.

Then a batter hit a line drive right at me. I had absolutely no idea where the ball was. It could been heading right for my face for all I knew. That was enough to convince me that for self-preservation maybe I should be standing somewhere else! So I slid over to "B" for the rest of the game.

I actually liked it over there and thought that it presented no real disadvantage. Made me kind of envy the slow pitch guys!

[MDUmp]

Originally Posted by BretMan

Made me kind of envy the slow pitch guys!

Plus we get to wear shorts.

[SWFLguy]

Forgot about the sun. There are a few fields I work that the sun is brutal in the A slot for most of the game. Will definitely try it next year. Might bring it up at our training sessions. I can imagine the response.