CCA vs pro mechanics

[Pete Peterson Sr]

 

 

 

They just want the PU to park at home now to extend their careers. They no longer have to go to 3rd base for anything other than this one play (triple which requires no hustle whatsoever, they can crawl on down or use their cane or wheelchair) which happens very rarely. BU is on his own on the bases and PU is on his own at home but PU is allowed to watch and make sure the BR does not try to cut through the cutout on the way to second like they did in the 1800's. Wouldn't want to miss that play to justify never going down to 3rd to help out anymore.

I'm confused. Other than FED, the other codes, triple, no runners, BU takes it all the way to 3B. Otherwise, in every code on a hit to the outfield with an R1 only (with an R3 also your mileage may vary) the PU covers 3B. Tag ups the PU covers 3B with R1 and R2 but maybe FED does R2 without R1.

 

Jim's right on U1's coverages of 3rd. . U1 is not "parked" in FED. For what it's worth, FED changed tag ups at 3rd with R2 only. BU now has that. 

 

Thanks for the clarity. So do they still rotate to 3rd with a runner on R1 on first and a base hit no matter the number of outs. They go to 3rd on a tag up with runners at 1st and 2nd. Are there any other times they would rotate to 3rd? Just trying to clarify more.

And my comment was more towards the side of the HS games I am able to catch. Once inside at B or C a large number of umpires in my area just park in that spot and make all their calls without moving. Yes, they pivot or twirl around but moving seems to be out of the question. And no, they are not handicapped that I can tell. The most they move is when they have to come in on a ball hit to 3rd base where they have to get a 90% angle. That is the most taxing distance they move all day, oops, or to come in a base hit. And majority of times PU just stays behind the plate, maybe removing the mask, maybe not and just gets as far as the plate as far as moving up the line or taking a fly ball out. Oh yes, and to their credit, many times they work a very good game as far as the fact they do not miss any calls whatsoever when those plays that could prove how this lack of movement is just plain wrong to sit in one spot, never develop. Just a nice walk in the park, never break a sweat.

 

 

 This type of "umpiring" is not tolerated in my association. If you work, you WORK. We don't keep lazy umpires, slackers, or those who take shortcuts. If myself, or either of our other evaluators were to find one of our guys working in such a manner, he would likely be suspended. If you are seeing HS umpires working that way, then I blame the association, because if they do not outright condone it, they are complicit for allowing it to continue.

[Magic]

 

 

 

 

With the exception of the NFHS 2-man mechanics (which should be ignored at all cost), there's not much difference in 2-man in any other mechanics manual.  It's pretty much been perfected.  3-man is a different story.

 

Deep B and Deep C in 2-man is really only talking about moving back if the infield is playing in.  It's really an "unwritten" mechanic.

 

We've always used CCA since I have been in my HS association.  What are the significant differences between Fed and CCA for 2-man?  I ask because I hear we are being forced to move back to Fed mechanics this year or we lose our playoff assignments from the CBUA (California Baseball Umpires Association).

 

I guess the biggest one is FED's insistence on PU covering 3rd on the bases empty triple even if BU didn't go out. 

 

 

What the hell else does BU have to do on this play?  If there's an overthrow at third, who covers the play at home?

 

Just a heads up. There is a new instructional chairman and he is a fantastic instructor. Knows umpiring like you wouldn't believe. He just stepped down from our unit in the Coachella Valley as there just isn't enough time in the day for him to be able to accomplish what he needs to get done. That means he has a job. I've umpired with him since 1998. I'm sure he may shake up some things in the CBUA as he's not a huge fan of the Fed mechanics.

 

The new instructional chairman was the one who said we were going to use the Fed manual exclusively. 

[mstaylor]

I have no idea why Fed ever came up with the PU taking third on a triple, and then have the BU rotate behind him. The only thing I can figure is a LCD, thinking that the PU isn't doing anything, might as well help. Another example of wrong thinking. 

[MidAmUmp]

I have no idea why Fed ever came up with the PU taking third on a triple, and then have the BU rotate behind him. The only thing I can figure is a LCD, thinking that the PU isn't doing anything, might as well help. Another example of wrong thinking. 

Has anyone ever contacted the NFHS headquarters for an explanation?  Hmmmm.....I guess I can do that next week and see if they can give me some reasoning. 

[Richvee]

 

I have no idea why Fed ever came up with the PU taking third on a triple, and then have the BU rotate behind him. The only thing I can figure is a LCD, thinking that the PU isn't doing anything, might as well help. Another example of wrong thinking. 

Has anyone ever contacted the NFHS headquarters for an explanation?  Hmmmm.....I guess I can do that next week and see if they can give me some reasoning. 

 

I'd love to hear the reasoning!

[jkumpire]

Men,

 

I have had this disucssion with people involved in the FED Rules committee over the years, and Grayhawk's quote:

 

"I initially thought that it was to relieve a BU with poor mobility from the need to beat a fast BR to third, be in position and set for the call there."

 

Is the reason I've been told why this is in the book.

 

Please don't be surprised if this changes in the fairly near future, but it has been in the manual for years and years and will be a standard Fed mechanic until a lot of people think a change is needed. The 2013 change in putting the BU in B with R3/R1 came from a few members of the committee who want to see CCA and FED mechaincs the same. Maybe this change will continue to happen in the future.

 

As an aside, I think it has has a little bit to do with SB, where this is a normal Fed and ASA mechanic (I believe). But this is my opinion alone and I have not heard it from a current or former member of the Rules Committee. 

 

 

 

[Richvee]

 The 2013 change in putting the BU in B with R3/R1 came from a few members of the committee who want to see CCA and FEDmechaincs the same. Maybe this change will continue to happen in the future.

 

 

 

That's a promising statement right there!

[UMP45]

Guys this C to B is not new. Last worked college ball in 2001. Several years prior to that we were told to be in B when there was a chance for a double play or there were 2 outs. Had nothing to do with mobility or lazy.

[MidAmUmp]

My guess would be there are several reasons for these antiquated mechanics...

1. The mechanics manual has always been an after thought in baseball.

2. No umpires on the committee (this is simply a guess. I couldn't even tell you who's on the committee).

3. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

4. People set in their ways.  "It's just how it's always been done."

 

You would hope that with more and more training options out there and the prominence and access to the CCA manual for not just college umpires, but ALL umpires, we will start to see NFHS either just accept the CCA manual as the standard in mechanics, or adopt the standard mechanics and adjust where necessary to fit NFHS specific rules.