North Carolia High School Playoff Game Round 1

[dl1340]

One of my best friends sons high school team got knocked out of the first round on this play last night. His son was the batter that got the hit and drove in 2. Tough way for season to end. This team won State championship 3 -4 years ago with a very good lefty that just got called up to the White Sox. Like to hear thoughts on final play

 

http://t.co/SMmMftaoSh

[noumpere]

Impossible to tell from the video provided.

 

If the umpire had called the runner safe, then we'd have the "opposite" post from a fan for the other side.

[Thunderheads]

doesn't appear he got to the plate .......

poor positioning

[ricka56]

I wouldn't have been in the position that this umpire was in. From the camera position, you can't tell if he got the call right. The only possible "thing" could be that F2 took that blocking step a bit too early. After replaying it several times (which the umpires don't get the chance to do), I doubt that I'd have F2 obstruction.

[dl1340]

I thought umpire got in position late and was at a bad angle

Edited May 14, 2015 by dl1340

[maven]

Like to hear thoughts on final play

​It was close, and the umpire was not in ideal position to rule on it.

[zm1283]

Why do so many umpires insist on going up the third base line when the ball is hit, then only going as far as 1BLX for plays at the plate? Is this an old thing that was the standard before I started umpiring?

[maven]

Why do so many umpires insist on going up the third base line when the ball is hit, then only going as far as 1BLX for plays at the plate? Is this an old thing that was the standard before I started umpiring?

​I think it's just lazy mechanics. Clear F2 to the left, and just drift up the line. Then, remember you might have a play at the plate and drift back. Get only as far as 1BLX. Make a "crack the whip" out mechanic. Lather, rinse, repeat ... for decades ....

[GoodOldGus]

I agree with the previous comments about his positioning, but from the video alone I can't really argue with the call.  The runner makes a nice slide, but the catcher does a good job positioning his leg to disrupt the runner's left arm a direct route to the plate.  I see a tag on the runner's hip as the runner is adjusting his left hand/arm to get to the plate.   The runner quickly jabs/slaps back at the plate which usually means the plate hasn't been touched yet.  Of course, I get the benefit of several replays and slow motion. 

[ZebraStripes]

Best I can tell, the left arm was diverted by the shin guard and the tag came before the runner touched the plate.  

[webspinnre]

The angle on the video is terrible, but he appears to be out to me, and yes, the umpire is in a terrible position.

[grayhawk]

Not only was he in a bad position (should have been on F2's left shoulder), but he was moving when the tag attempt was made.  This is a great video to show what NOT to do when calling plays at the plate.

[HuskerUmp22]

It looks like he got the call right but that is terrible positioning on a play at the plate (especially for varsity high school). I do like his timing on the call and good out signal. If he would have been 3b extended he would have had a great angle, and would have seen it better. As grayhawk mentioned he was moving big time during the call. Maybe he realized he wasn't in a good position and tried to move too late. 

[noumpere]

I am going to disagree with all those who say the positioning is "terrible" for this play.  Unless there's some dispute about whether the runner was tagged, his position was fine.

 

Sure, we'd like to see him in a different spot in case the play turned out differently.  But, here, whether by luck or because he's so good at reading the play he knew, he was in just as god a position to see this play as he would have been had he been 3bX

[Thunderheads]

I am going to disagree with all those who say the positioning is "terrible" for this play.  Unless there's some dispute about whether the runner was tagged, his position was fine.

 

Sure, we'd like to see him in a different spot in case the play turned out differently.  But, here, whether by luck or because he's so good at reading the play he knew, he was in just as god a position to see this play as he would have been had he been 3bX

​maybe .......... but no one is teaching 1blx, correct?

[ricka56]

​maybe .......... but no one is teaching 1blx, correct?

​I don't think anyone is teaching 3BLX either. I think they are teaching "be where you can see a tag/touch".

[noumpere]

Why do so many umpires insist on going up the third base line when the ball is hit, then only going as far as 1BLX for plays at the plate? Is this an old thing that was the standard before I started umpiring?

​Yes.  This is from an old NAPBL:

 

7.23    PLAYS AT THE PLATE:

 

 

 

            The basic position for plays at the plate recommended by the Umpire Development Program for beginning professional umpires is the first base line extended. However, after gaining experience, it is permissible for veteran umpires to use alternative positions to take this play. Specifically, the following two alternatives are acceptable for experienced umpires:

 

 

 

            (1)        Take the play from the third base line extended; or

 

 

 

            (2)        Take the play by starting behind the "point" of home plate, then swing to the left (i.e., first base line extended), or right (i.e., third base line extended), depending on the direction of the throw and the development of the play at the plate. In using this alternative, the plate umpire must be certain that he is completely set and not moving before the play occurs.

 

 

 

            The second alternative above takes into consideration the fact that if the play at the plate is a swipe tag, then the optimal position is generally the third base line extended; and that if the play at the plate results in an actual blocking of home plate, the preferred position is the 1st base line extended. Swipe tags can occur when the catcher must reach out and take the throw from the right side; while blocking of the plate often occurs when the throw is coming from the catcher's left side.

 

 

Edited May 15, 2015 by noumpere

[zm1283]

I am going to disagree with all those who say the positioning is "terrible" for this play.  Unless there's some dispute about whether the runner was tagged, his position was fine.

 

Sure, we'd like to see him in a different spot in case the play turned out differently.  But, here, whether by luck or because he's so good at reading the play he knew, he was in just as god a position to see this play as he would have been had he been 3bX

​He got lucky because he was completely straight-lined when the tag happened. The runner's body was in the way of the glove making the tag.