Proper Run Down Coverage

[John S.]

Hey everyone,

 

I've had my fair share of run downs so far this spring/summer, but I'm not 100% sure on the proper way to cover the situation working a two man system. I understand where the PU should go, and when he should go inside and announce to his/her partner that he/she has the side covered, but as far as tags in the middle of the bases I'm unsure. 

 

I remember hearing, and it makes sense, that a play going away from you, it is easier for you to call as far as seeing the tag. But obviously, if the play is at the base, it is the call for the umpire who has that base covered. 

 

Sorry if my wording is a little confusing, but I hope you all understand what I'm saying.

 

Thanks in advance

[noumpere]

In general:

 

1) The umpire that the play is going toward will have the call.

2)  The umpire on whose side the tag attempt is made will have the call.

 

 

Obviously, those can conflict so:

 

3) ALWAYS make eye contact and a little shake / nod of the head and a chest tap to determine who will take the call.

[maven]

Recently, I saw 2 different PU's leave the plate to help with a rundown of R1 between 1B and 2B.

 

That would have been wonderful, except there was R3....

[Replacematt]

Recently, I saw 2 different PU's leave the plate to help with a rundown of R1 between 1B and 2B.

That would have been wonderful, except there was R3....

How do you do games with two PUs?

[John S.]

Recently, I saw 2 different PU's leave the plate to help with a rundown of R1 between 1B and 2B.

 

That would have been wonderful, except there was R3....

That's interesting. 

@Matttwo separate games?

@noumpere that's what I had originally thought. Thankfully, knock on wood, I've never had any problems with such a play. I would definitely go over that in my pre-game with my partener

[FleasOf1000Camels]

 Of course you can avoid this entire issue if you just stay camped at the plate all day.

[btw]

At a tournament a couple of years ago that I was at, PU left to help cover a rundown between first and second... with R3 and 2 outs. R3 crossed the plate at some point around the time the tag was applied to R1. Since neither umpire had any idea if R3 crossed the plate before the tag or not, they (not kidding) flipped a coin to determine if the run counted or not. Somehow, both coaches agreed to this. (The offensive team won the flip and the run counted).