B or C position on steal

[Sayhey]

Texas Tech vs Ole Miss. Bottom 8. 1 out.

4 man. Steal of 2nd base. 2nd base umpire Sets up in deep C position. R-1 slides head first and is safe. Tag is on lower leg. Easy call. Umpire makes snappy call. Looks good. Why C position

The camera does a great job of showing the shortstop's body between the umpire and the ball

The B position creates a better "window " to look through. Is he in the B position because the batter is left handed? I had a PAC 12 umpire tell a whole group that anyone in the C position is being stubborn. The new mechanic is everyone in the B position. This Omaha umpire did a great job from the B position. The fact that he did a great job does not change the fact that the shortstop's body is between him and the ball as the catch and tag happen

[UMP45]

Where the umpires works is based on 3 things. 1) Where he feels comfortable, 2) whether it is a right handed or left handed batter, and 3) what they decide as a crew.

[noumpere]

Where the umpires works is based on 3 things. 1) Where he feels comfortable, 2) whether it is a right handed or left handed batter, and 3) what they decide as a crew.

Less important in 4 man than in 3.

 

Also, some conferences have (or had) a specific requirement.

 

I personally use B -- I think you can get the banger at the base just as well, and you have a better look at a swipe tag.

 

Heck, some would say with 4-man that U2 should be outside -- I have some sympathy for that position.

[grayhawk]

I think for guys that mostly work 2 man, but are working a few 4 man games, B is the better position because we are used to being there and calling the play from there.

[Sayhey]

In the situation U-2 made a strong safe call

The call was not difficult. What about a banger?

The "window" to look through from C is not as good as B. Don't you agree? There is no doubt that the shortstop partially blocks your view from C. I had a PAC 12- regional umpire tell me that anyone at any level still using C position is being stubborn. Umpire positioning is always evolving and there is more than 1 way to umpire but it seems obvious that when a shortstop covers he is blocking the umpires view from C. You can take a step forward from C and then turn. That helps, but why not start from a better position from the start?

[noumpere]

Now you're just repeating yourself.  Sure, you can get blocked from C.  But, you can get blocked from B as well.

 

I happen to agree that B is better, but others prefer C and as long as they get the call right I don't really care.

 

Try them both and use what works for you.

[umpstu]

In the situation U-2 made a strong safe call

The call was not difficult. What about a banger?

The "window" to look through from C is not as good as B. Don't you agree? There is no doubt that the shortstop partially blocks your view from C. I had a PAC 12- regional umpire tell me that anyone at any level still using C position is being stubborn. Umpire positioning is always evolving and there is more than 1 way to umpire but it seems obvious that when a shortstop covers he is blocking the umpires view from C. You can take a step forward from C and then turn. That helps, but why not start from a better position from the start?

Gotta agree with you on this one.  I think b is a much better position on this one.