My 2015 Umpiring Resolutions

[AtlUmpSteve]

Mike, the minimum standard is that (at least) one have the ball and runners in his/her view at all times. That said, Willie's emphasis of BS (ball status) is that IF a situation arises where the person responsible loses any part of the status, the entire crew will suffer from the result.

Major 5 NCAA assignments are pretty lucrative; and replacing/canceling air travel arrangements can be costly. Willie's words to me, as best as I can quote from memory; "Steve, we're friends, and I respect your game. But I'm NOT going to risk MY future assignments, and potential postseason assignments, to you or any other umpire that might lose sight of all the elements. I will ALWAYS move to my next position keeping my eye on the ball, and every possible runner, no matter who my partners are. I strongly recommend that you, and every other umpire do the same."

TeeBob, how close is that to what he told you??

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by AtlUmpSteve

Mike, the minimum standard is that (at least) one have the ball and runners in his/her view at all times. That said, Willie's emphasis of BS (ball status) is that IF a situation arises where the person responsible loses any part of the status, the entire crew will suffer from the result.

Major 5 NCAA assignments are pretty lucrative; and replacing/canceling air travel arrangements can be costly. Willie's words to me, as best as I can quote from memory; "Steve, we're friends, and I respect your game. But I'm NOT going to risk MY future assignments, and potential postseason assignments, to you or any other umpire that might lose sight of all the elements. I will ALWAYS move to my next position keeping my eye on the ball, and every possible runner, no matter who my partners are. I strongly recommend that you, and every other umpire do the same."

TeeBob, how close is that to what he told you??

Know what the "standard" is, just wondering how Mr. Newton approaches it.

OTOH, was once working a major church SP nat in Mobile and had a partner on the plate that was a pure FP umpire. Have no idea how he got assigned to the tournament (well, I do, but let's pass on the politics) who just would not call time at the end of the play. Okay, I get that, but every time his partners checked to see if there was any part of the play still going on so they could move back into position, he was returning to the plate walking back to the field. Just didn't understand how part of his FP mechanics affected part of his SP game, but not the other.

See, if you eliminate the LBR, Willie and his partners wouldn't have a potential issue

[BretMan]

At the ASA national I worked last summer (FP), we were advised to call time if the umpires needed to get back into position between plays.

Yes, that did surprise me!

[teebob21]

Originally Posted by AtlUmpSteve

That said, Willie's emphasis of BS (ball status) is that IF a situation arises where the person responsible loses any part of the status, the entire crew will suffer from the result.

Major 5 NCAA assignments are pretty lucrative; and replacing/canceling air travel arrangements can be costly. Willie's words to me, as best as I can quote from memory; "Steve, we're friends, and I respect your game. But I'm NOT going to risk MY future assignments, and potential postseason assignments, to you or any other umpire that might lose sight of all the elements. I will ALWAYS move to my next position keeping my eye on the ball, and every possible runner, no matter who my partners are. I strongly recommend that you, and every other umpire do the same."

TeeBob, how close is that to what he told you??

The underlined portion of your quote is the reason he gave me. The funny thing is, though: a long time ago on a softball field far far away, my first umpire mentor told me basically the same thing. I'd simply become lazy over time.

Originally Posted by Andy

I will keep this in mind for April 11, 2015.....

Looking forward to working with you again Andy.

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

On the occasions that I've worked FP games, I never seemed to have a problem negotiating movement to the next position and still keeping the ball in my range of vision.

Sounds like what you already do maintains better ball status than I do (did). I think it's less about 100% eye contact on the ball between batters, and more about sustained mental awareness from the first pitch to the last.

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

BTW, is isn't a matter of a ball which could "become" live since that isn't possible without the PU indicating it as such.

The scenario Willie gave me was a pitcher in the circle with the ball who proceeds to drop it (and potentially kick it away) with runners on base. That ball is live without F1 possession and control. If my back is turned as BU, I may not even know there could be a play happening.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by teebob21

The scenario Willie gave me was a pitcher in the circle with the ball who proceeds to drop it (and potentially kick it away) with runners on base. That ball is live without F1 possession and control. If my back is turned as BU, I may not even know there could be a play happening.

My point is the ball is live before anything happens or whatever happened would be irrelevant. But I agree, at least one umpire must be aware of what is happening with the ball.

[AtlUmpSteve]

Originally Posted by BretMan

At the ASA national I worked last summer (FP), we were advised to call time if the umpires needed to get back into position between plays.

Yes, that did surprise me!

It used to be one of those things that varied with the preference of the UIC/clinician, but ONLY when you had the full rotation (P at 3rd, U1 at home). There really isn't any other positioning where it should appear to be necessary. It can speed up the process in that situation.

I'm not sure there is, even now, any ONE absolute there in ASA.

[Andy]

Originally Posted by AtlUmpSteve

It used to be one of those things that varied with the preference of the UIC/clinician, but ONLY when you had the full rotation (P at 3rd, U1 at home). There really isn't any other positioning where it should appear to be necessary. It can speed up the process in that situation.

I'm not sure there is, even now, any ONE absolute there in ASA.

At the National Umpire School that we hosted last year (2014), I learned that it is permissible to call TIME when an umpire chases a fly ball in either the two or three umpire system. This allows the umpire to return from the outfield to position.

I questioned when this started being taught and was told it was at the Schools in 2013! No other communication that I saw regarding this particular mechanic.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by AtlUmpSteve

It used to be one of those things that varied with the preference of the UIC/clinician, but ONLY when you had the full rotation (P at 3rd, U1 at home). There really isn't any other positioning where it should appear to be necessary. It can speed up the process in that situation.

I'm not sure there is, even now, any ONE absolute there in ASA.

Actually, wasn't that mentioned in a rule clarification a few years ago?