Plate Meeting at CDP

[Scratch Franzeo]

For me it comes down to our "pre-game" discussion and "in-game" communication.

If I'm PU, part of my pre-game is to discuss situations where I may have to cover the bases, i.e., if BU goes out from A for a fair/foul situation. We also will discuss odd situations where BU may get "tied-up" at first base. In situations as described above, the BU and PU news to communicate. For example, as PU, I may tell BU, "I've got 2!!"

This is how I look at this "odd rotation." Ron, the UIC at CDP, asked that we rotate this way during his pre-game. He prefaced this request by stating that its not typical, and shouldn't be done elsewhere.

I don't believe that any of the umpires that went to CDP will adopt this rotation as their own. It was simply something that was asked of each of us calling games on their fields.

[blue23ll]

I see the PU covering the BR when the BU is in A and reacting to a pressure situation. Just communicate that as it occurs. In the play you described, from A, you would just pivot in on the overthrow, and hustle your bustle and cover the BR.

[MadMax]

@blue23ll, I'm not arguing with you... I'm agreeing with you about the "haul @$$" cue that the BU has to take to get the possible play at 2B. As Franzeo illustrated (and I worked alongside Shawn all that week, but unfortunately didn't work a game with him), though, with a grounder to F3 with F1 covering... BU would take a few steps in off the line (into fair territory) to get that angle (angle trumps distance) to make the call of the F1 receiving the ball. F1 mishandles and commits the error, and the BR bolts off towards 2B...

So you're saying the BU has to read the mishandle as well, and then haul @$$ towards 2B? Is the BU to stay on the outfield side of the basepath or cross the basepath into the infield? I see two variables to deal with: 1) Where's the ball? Being retrieved by the F1 (or a zealous F2), who will probably throw it towards 2B, putting the BU in the firing line if he's to cross into the infield, and 2) Some of these kids can run, and they're running away from the BU, who will probably be coming upon the play from behind, whether he's on the outfield or infield side of the basepath.

Your last post does provide the solution – "Just communicate that as it occurs". I have to point out, though, that there are times when either (or both) the PU and the BU lack the awareness and reaction time to be on top of situations like this. In the case of some PU's, you need a depth charge to dislodge them from behind the plate, whereas there are some BU's who put too much focus on the "read" and don't "react", and suddenly there's no one on top of the play at 2B. When you work with the same guys in your locals or associations, communication becomes easier and more effective. When you're thrown together in a tournament, such as CDP, communication is far less effective.

I worked a 6-man crew game with a 1U who, on just about every play to the outfield – grounder, liner or fly – would pivot in... I was the 2U, and I was just stupified by it, because I kept mumbling that he was going to get himself killed. I couldn't communicate enough to him that he not only didn't have to be pivoting, but he shouldn't be pivoting in the first place. He just looked at me oddly, smiled a puzzled sort of smile, and kept right on doing it.

[MadMax]

 

 

They should not teach weird mechanics. Good umpires will know how to read and adapt to these plays.

That's the thing. You know as well as I do that CDP has umpires of widely varying abilities and experience.

 

Yes. But the website says they are "professionally" trained!

 

 

My dog is professionally trained, but it still craps when and where it wants to. 

[Scratch Franzeo]

They should not teach weird mechanics. Good umpires will know how to read and adapt to these plays.

That's the thing. You know as well as I do that CDP has umpires of widely varying abilities and experience.

Yes. But the website says they are "professionally" trained!

 

My dog is professionally trained, but it still craps when and where it wants to. 

^^^^^hahahahahahaha^^^^^