My 2015 Umpiring Resolutions

[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