Another close play at the plate

[Thunderheads]

Infield play at the plate and he got 3blx ..... another really close one........

 

http://wapc.mlb.com/play/?content_id=30470763&topic_id=9782246

 

http://wapc.mlb.com/play?content_id=30470763&topic_id=9782246

[Haid D' Salaami]

Notice the difference on this play and Doug Edding play.. PU went 3blx..or the catcher hip... and look how much better that looked...IMHO

[UmpJeff]

Notice the difference on this play and Doug Edding play.. PU went 3blx..or the catcher hip... and look how much better that looked...IMHO

Agreed.  This call looked a whole lot better the Edding's call.

[Umpire in Chief]

Look at the stop frame above. 

 

I think this is also due to good situation awareness by the umpire.

 

You have one of the fastest guys in the league on third, and you know on contact he's going to be coming, you know the infield is playing in to defend the run. He was mentally prepared for the play before the pitch was thrown and his preparedness made him look good. 

[Texas Manny]

Notice the difference on this play and Doug Edding play.. PU went 3blx..or the catcher hip... and look how much better that looked...IMHO

That's because the umpire knows taht the 3rd base line extended (3BLX) position is for swipe tags while, 1BLX is for plays where the plate is blocked. The plate umpire must "read" the action and adjust accordingly.

 

Swipe plays generally occur when a player will attempt to allude the catcher, forcing a tag, or a throw comes from the catchers right side. A block play occurs normally on a ground ball, or when the ball has beat the runner by a large margin. Throws from the catcher's left also generally say "block".

 

He was right there on the play, executed good timing, and punched the runner out. Not exactly the ovation that the Pittsburgh player wanted.

 

Of course, I know you knew that already. I just stated it for the benefit of the younger umpires who can learn from this play at the plate.