Odd C

[moblue]

I went to an "Advanced A" ballgame while I was in Myrtle Beach and got to watch a professional 2-man crew work. It impressed me how much they bust their tails to make it to where they need to be. One thing I wondered about though was the BU's position with R3. The infield was playing in and he was even with F6. To make a call on a pickoff attempt he had to run back and over behind F6 to see the play. Any idea why he was standing in that position instead of at a different angle? It would seem to make more sense to stand either farther forward or back of the defense to get a good angle and not have to move on the pickoff.

[Mr Umpire]

I would be slightly behind F6. The reasoning is to be out of the play. All he has to do is be about a foot behind the fielder. The reason is the fielder is either going to be going toward the plate or only have enough time to dive to the side. Anything hit hard and requiring him to move will be beyond him before he knows it. And, anything in the air will give the umpire plenty of time to move out of the way.

This also allows him to be as close as possible to 1B for a close play. He is to set up on the fielder's left shoulder in this case so he has to take a step back and over to 3B to see that play.

Sometimes, 2 man crews make certain situations hard to cover. But, that is my reasoning for him to be so close to F6 and not worry about being in the play.

[BrianC14]

I've been taught (by DI umpires) that for 2-man, with the infield playing in, go to Deep B and stay at least one step behind F4; sometimes that means being onto the dirt a step or two.

[mstaylor]

I agree with Brian. You have to be deeper than the infielders and it can put you in a bad place for a pick-off. Usually you have all the infielders in so there isn't any throws to a base.

[moblue]

It isn't a position I intend to mimick. Had I been in his situation at the time I probably would have moved up in front of the defense so I could see. They were playing in, but not so far in that I would have been okay being behind them. I probably would have taken a step forward and been a little shallow. Of course it's a HTBT for me because I've never called games with adults playing. Anything 15U I wouldn't need to adjust my C position too much because they are easier to see over/around.

[mstaylor]

It's usual to move back so there are no colisions between you and the middle infielders. It isn't a matter of seeing it is the same thought as being deeper than the first baseman.

[Dragon29]

One other comment no-one seems to have picked up on.

. . . and not have to move on the pickoff.

Even in 'standard' B or C, I've been taught to move (at least a step in) on pick-offs to 1B or 3B. Anyone else? Is this only my association?

[BrianC14]

One other comment no-one seems to have picked up on.

Even in 'standard' B or C, I've been taught to move (at least a step in) on pick-offs to 1B or 3B. Anyone else? Is this only my association?

For a pick at 1B, take one step in (toward mound), and swing around 90 degrees on the left foot. You're now in position.

For a pick at 3B, same thing, except to wheel 90 degrees on the right foot.

But in this situation, with the infield playing in, I've been taught to go over to Deep B - and place yourself a step or two deeper than F4 is playing. If he's at the edge of the grass, you're on the dirt. That of course changes the way you'd look at a pick at 3B. HOWEVER, with 'big boys' playing, there's very little likelihood that F1 is going to try a pick at 3B in this case.

The bottom line is, two man has its limits.

[Dragon29]

Brian,

Right - I wasn't actually referring to the sitch in the OP - I was referring to his general comment about not having to move. My association will ding a guy who just pivots on a pick-off to 1B or 3B.

[mstaylor]

I agree that you need to take a step and pivot, however I work shallower than most so my step is part of my pivot. I end up at the same place just in my own way. Since I'm the trainer I won't get dinged. With a R3 I generally in B anyway buut whichever side I'm on I will be deeper or even with a pulled in infield. The likelihood of a throw to third is very very slim. If there is one, F5 is going to telegraph it and you can react accordingly.

[BrianC14]

Brian,

Right - I wasn't actually referring to the sitch in the OP - I was referring to his general comment about not having to move. My association will ding a guy who just pivots on a pick-off to 1B or 3B.

Dinged? They should be whacked.

How else could you possibly get into the proper position with just a pivot? (Unless of course, you start out in the wrong spot to begin with... then that deserves a double whack.)

:)

[PeteBooth]

I went to an "Advanced A" ballgame while I was in Myrtle Beach and got to watch a professional 2-man crew work. It impressed me how much they bust their tails to make it to where they need to be. One thing I wondered about though was the BU's position with R3. The infield was playing in and he was even with F6. To make a call on a pickoff attempt he had to run back and over behind F6 to see the play. Any idea why he was standing in that position instead of at a different angle? It would seem to make more sense to stand either farther forward or back of the defense to get a good angle and not have to move on the pickoff.

Was there R1 also?

RE: I agree with others. With R3 only and infield playing in go to Deep B. Other then "kiddie ball" you will NOT see a pick off of R3 when the infield is in UNLESS R3 is REAL daring.

Pete Booth