What's the Rotation?

[ElkOil]

What's the rotation like on this play?  The ump who made the call looks like he was at a disadvantage.

 

[Lindsay]

This is a bases loaded situation, infield fairly normal, so U2 is inside. Fly ball to left-center, so we have U3 going out.

PU: Stays home. Has tag-up at 3rd base and all plays at home plate.

U1: Moves into the infield between 1st and 2nd. Has tag-up at 1st base and touch of 1st by BR. Has R1 and BR into 1st and BR into 2nd.

U2: Drops back towards the mound between 2nd and 3rd. Has tag-up at 2nd. Has plays at 2nd and 3rd: R3 back to 3rd, R2 back to 2nd, R2 to into 3rd, R1 into 2nd, R1 into 3rd, and BR into 3rd.

U3: Has the play in the outfield.

So this play is an R2 going back to 2nd situation, which falls under U2's purview.

[smckin]

Good Call Gil

[Thunderheads]

This is a bases loaded situation, infield fairly normal, so U2 is inside. Fly ball to left-center, so we have U3 going out.

PU: Stays home. Has tag-up at 3rd base and all plays at home plate.

U1: Moves into the infield between 1st and 2nd. Has tag-up at 1st base and touch of 1st by BR. Has R1 and BR into 1st and BR into 2nd.

U2: Drops back towards the mound between 2nd and 3rd. Has tag-up at 2nd. Has plays at 2nd and 3rd: R3 back to 3rd, R2 back to 2nd, R2 to into 3rd, R1 into 2nd, R1 into 3rd, and BR into 3rd.

U3: Has the play in the outfield.

So this play is an R2 going back to 2nd situation, which falls under U2's purview.

BAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  

[noumpere]

This is a bases loaded situation, infield fairly normal, so U2 is inside. Fly ball to left-center, so we have U3 going out.

 

Does U3 go out on all fly balls in his area under MLB mechanics?  Since it was routine, I would think he could stay in and U2 could just hang out by second.

 

(Pretty sure under CCA that U3 reads the ball before going out)

[Mizzou2016]

In 4-man someone goes out on every fly ball I believe - they stay in if they read it as a routine base hit.

[noumpere]

This is from CCA (4-man overview section):

 

A. With no runners on base, an umpire is required to go out on all fly balls. The remaining three umpires will cover the play if the ball is not caught.

B. With runners on base, the wing umpires (U1 and U3) will cover fly balls as if they were working the three-umpire system. U1 dictates coverage. It is not mandatory to go out on every fly ball. Make certain to pause, read and react. Then if you go out, go hard and get a good angle. Be stopped when the play occurs.

C. Four conditions that require an umpire to go to the outfield from the “A” and “D” positions:

1. The outfielder turns and begins to run toward the outfield fence (possible home run)

2. Multiple players converging on a fly ball

3. A catch being made below the waist

4. Outfielder moving toward the foul line and possible fair/foul decision

D. If in doubt, go out on fly balls in your coverage area.

1. If you are going out — go out hard.

2. Leave no doubt in your partners’ mind about whether or not you are going out.

3. Signal your partner by raising your arm if you are going out.

4. If you are not going out, hold your arm out to your partner with your palm facing him.

5. If you do not go out, you still maintain responsibility for the catch.

6. Once you go out, do not return until the play is complete.

7. U2 positioned within the infield should never cross the base path to observe a catch/no catch.

[maven]

In 4-man someone goes out on every fly ball I believe - they stay in if they read it as a routine base hit.

MLB 4-man is different from CCA 4-man, but what you describe is correct for MLB 4-man.

MLBUM §III, General Principles, #2:

"One umpire will go out on ALL fly balls and line drives to the outfield, as well as on all batted balls that have potential for trouble (out-of-play areas, spectator interference, etc.). Outfield coverage is not required on line drives in the gap that are immediately read as non-catchable and are not susceptible to trouble such as spectator interference or a ground rule double."

[noumpere]

Thank you for that.

 

Just an example of no matter what you do, there's some play that will cause problems.

[Jimurray]

This is a bases loaded situation, infield fairly normal, so U2 is inside. Fly ball to left-center, so we have U3 going out.

PU: Stays home. Has tag-up at 3rd base and all plays at home plate.

U1: Moves into the infield between 1st and 2nd. Has tag-up at 1st base and touch of 1st by BR. Has R1 and BR into 1st and BR into 2nd.

U2: Drops back towards the mound between 2nd and 3rd. Has tag-up at 2nd. Has plays at 2nd and 3rd: R3 back to 3rd, R2 back to 2nd, R2 to into 3rd, R1 into 2nd, R1 into 3rd, and BR into 3rd.

U3: Has the play in the outfield.

So this play is an R2 going back to 2nd situation, which falls under U2's purview.

Can't see if U1 came in normally. If this crew uses the rim and slide Marquez might have started to slide to 3B thinking R2 was going. Dammed if you do and dammed if you don't.