Thoughts on this?

[umpire_scott]

Worked with a very experienced umpire last weekend.  With a runner on third and my partner in "C", F2 attempts a pickoff at 3rd.  Ball arrives not only at the same time as runner, but F5 literally catches it on the bag.  My partner is in pretty bad position to see this (almost deep "C" as infield was playing in to cut down the run at the plate and very close to 2nd base).  The 3rd baseman yells "he's out" and keeps his glove where it is.  My partner looks at the play and make no signal.  Then proceeds to slowly walk over to the base (keeping his eye on the players the whole time).  He literally gets two feet from the base, looks down, points and calls him safe.  Of course the DC comes out to complain.  I couldn't hear the explanation but it didn't last all that long.  After the game my partner said that when he went and looked the glove was between the bag and the hand but the thumb was touching the base so he called him safe.

 

Would you ever be that deliberate in a situation like that?

[Richvee]

That's a pretty long thumb to get around a glove before any other part of his hand touched his glove....

[KLAH316]

Best answer, NO.

[BuckeyeMike]

I've been told (by a couple MLB umps at the camp I was at this past January) that if the defense is playing in to cut off the run, you just move up closer to the mound in the B or C position.  However, some people are definitely not comfortable being that close should a line drive come their way. 

[Replacematt]

Worked with a very experienced umpire last weekend.  With a runner on third and my partner in "C", F2 attempts a pickoff at 3rd.  Ball arrives not only at the same time as runner, but F5 literally catches it on the bag.  My partner is in pretty bad position to see this (almost deep "C" as infield was playing in to cut down the run at the plate and very close to 2nd base).  The 3rd baseman yells "he's out" and keeps his glove where it is.  My partner looks at the play and make no signal.  Then proceeds to slowly walk over to the base (keeping his eye on the players the whole time).  He literally gets two feet from the base, looks down, points and calls him safe.  Of course the DC comes out to complain.  I couldn't hear the explanation but it didn't last all that long.  After the game my partner said that when he went and looked the glove was between the bag and the hand but the thumb was touching the base so he called him safe.

 

Would you ever be that deliberate in a situation like that?

 

Ask him what he would have done had one or both players moved before he had gotten there.

[Dash Riprock]

 

Would you ever be that deliberate in a situation like that?

Yes, but only if I was going to call the runner out.

[JaxRolo]

Remember you have to make a distinction between an experienced umpire and a good umpire.

[lawump]

I've been told (by a couple MLB umps at the camp I was at this past January) that if the defense is playing in to cut off the run, you just move up closer to the mound in the B or C position.  However, some people are definitely not comfortable being that close should a line drive come their way. 

Exactly.  Show me a mechanics manual that states the base umpire (in a two man crew) should move back when the infield plays in.  I argue over and over with umpires in my association over this very thing.  And I tell them the same thing: you're cutting down your angle to see plays at first and third.

[umpire_scott]

 

I've been told (by a couple MLB umps at the camp I was at this past January) that if the defense is playing in to cut off the run, you just move up closer to the mound in the B or C position.  However, some people are definitely not comfortable being that close should a line drive come their way. 

Exactly.  Show me a mechanics manual that states the base umpire (in a two man crew) should move back when the infield plays in.  I argue over and over with umpires in my association over this very thing.  And I tell them the same thing: you're cutting down your angle to see plays at first and third.

 

Well I do think that not being in the way of a play is equally important.  I have no problem with playing behind the SS in "C".  But I would be closer to 3rd base.

[scrounge]

Just move left and a little deep...I don't want to be in the way either, but I'm not moving towards the mound. There's no fielders behind the runner on 2B so they don't care if you're in their line of vision to home and you're safer from a line drive while still keeping a decent angle to 1B. Plus, if you get hit by a line drive, you're behind the fielders so it's play on...

[Mark Pepper]

As to the question in the OP, HTBT, but what I picture from your description, seems like he was putting on a show.  Fully believe in taking your time, but that feels over the top--especially the "slowly walk".  Maybe he was trying to sneak up on the call....

[Richvee]

 

I've been told (by a couple MLB umps at the camp I was at this past January) that if the defense is playing in to cut off the run, you just move up closer to the mound in the B or C position.  However, some people are definitely not comfortable being that close should a line drive come their way. 

Exactly.  Show me a mechanics manual that states the base umpire (in a two man crew) should move back when the infield plays in.  I argue over and over with umpires in my association over this very thing.  And I tell them the same thing: you're cutting down your angle to see plays at first and third.

 

FED wants you in deep "B"

[BuckeyeMike]

Richvee, for the OP, I agree.    But not when the D is playing in to cut off the run.     Can you give me a place to go read about it / is what you're saying written anywhere ?

 

Thanks.

[ALStripes17]

I've been told (by a couple MLB umps at the camp I was at this past January) that if the defense is playing in to cut off the run, you just move up closer to the mound in the B or C position. However, some people are definitely not comfortable being that close should a line drive come their way.

Exactly. Show me a mechanics manual that states the base umpire (in a two man crew) should move back when the infield plays in. I argue over and over with umpires in my association over this very thing. And I tell them the same thing: you're cutting down your angle to see plays at first and third.

FED wants you in deep "B"

Deep "B" with just R3?

[noumpere]

I go to deep B when the infield is in with R3.  I dont' think you give up an angle at third (but you do give up distance) and you have plenty of time to move for an angle at first if the ball is hit.

[lawump]

Richvee: I read the FED manual about 15-years ago and came to the conclusion that it is worthless, and we (South Carolina) do not use it.  However, with that said, if you use it and it says that...then I give you credit for the example (no sarcasm intended).  However, I hope you can agree that the FED manual is not held in very high regard by most umpires (at least in the three states I have umpired FED baseball in  my career:  MD, NC & SC; nor is it held in high regard by most posters on the internet message boards I frequent (here and umpire.org).)

 

To everyone else:  By way of example:  If you don't move up and closer to the mound with runners on base and the infielders playing "in", you will be marked down on your evaluation in PBUC.  I was in pro ball during the height of the steroid era.  I did it...even with some seriously huge dudes batting.  It is where you are supposed to be for the reasons set forth above in this thread.  [i'm not saying that a lot of umpires don't go behind the middle infielders when they play in with runners on base; I'm just saying that that is not "by the book" (except, apparently, in the FED manual.) 

[Richvee]

Richvee: I read the FED manual about 15-years ago and came to the conclusion that it is worthless, and we (South Carolina) do not use it.  However, with that said, if you use it and it says that...then I give you credit for the example (no sarcasm intended).  However, I hope you can agree that the FED manual is not held in very high regard by most umpires (at least in the three states I have umpired FED baseball in  my career:  MD, NC & SC; nor is it held in high regard by most posters on the internet message boards I frequent (here and umpire.org).)

 

To everyone else:  By way of example:  If you don't move up and closer to the mound with runners on base and the infielders playing "in", you will be marked down on your evaluation in PBUC.  I was in pro ball during the height of the steroid era.  I did it...even with some seriously huge dudes batting.  It is where you are supposed to be for the reasons set forth above in this thread.  [i'm not saying that a lot of umpires don't go behind the middle infielders when they play in with runners on base; I'm just saying that that is not "by the book" (except, apparently, in the FED manual.) 

I completely understand about the FED manual. However, here in NJ, we're expected to follow it. Of all the wacky stuff in the FED manual, I think the change to deep B whenever the infield is in was one good thing they changed recently. Like I said, there's plenty crazy stuff in the FED manual, but I personally don't mind this one.

[Richvee]

 

 

 

I've been told (by a couple MLB umps at the camp I was at this past January) that if the defense is playing in to cut off the run, you just move up closer to the mound in the B or C position. However, some people are definitely not comfortable being that close should a line drive come their way.

Exactly. Show me a mechanics manual that states the base umpire (in a two man crew) should move back when the infield plays in. I argue over and over with umpires in my association over this very thing. And I tell them the same thing: you're cutting down your angle to see plays at first and third.

 

FED wants you in deep "B"

 

Deep "B" with just R3?

 

If the infield is in..yes.