3rd Base Foul Call from Home Plate

[nicshow]

I had some softball games yesterday with hard-hit balls right down the 3rd base line. Balls that stay in the air and land foul aren't too bad, but the ones bouncing down the line are really hard to see especially on the small field where there isn't time to get out from behind the catcher in order to get a good view. Is there any trick to making a good call on those?

 

Nic

[maineump]

Quick step to the right (3B extended). Position your head on the move.

Tough call, but it needs to be made.

[noumpere]

If you are not following the ball all the way from the pitcher, these will be difficult to see.  And, if they are difficult to see, you are not following the ball all the way from the pitcher (NO MATTER WHAT YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING).

[Richvee]

If you are not following the ball all the way from the pitcher, these will be difficult to see.  And, if they are difficult to see, you are not following the ball all the way from the pitcher (NO MATTER WHAT YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING).

​^^^^This^^^^ I noticed this when my tracking became more consistant. When you're tracking the ball all the way, you see the ball hit the bat and you know that much quicker that you need to take that quick step to the right because you know the ball's just been hit down the 3rd base line. 

[catsbackr]

And, if you can't follow the ball on a softball field, you're really going to struggle on a baseball field.

[jpperez14]

I had some softball games yesterday with hard-hit balls right down the 3rd base line. Balls that stay in the air and land foul aren't too bad, but the ones bouncing down the line are really hard to see especially on the small field where there isn't time to get out from behind the catcher in order to get a good view. Is there any trick to making a good call on those?

 

Nic

​Tell the coaches/assigner to pay/charge an extra $40-60 or whatever the pay is, and put another umpire down there.

I found the same as others, if you track the ball all the way, you can typically get a good idea of what it is.

JP