the umpire shift ?!?

[Thunderheads]

can anyone explain why this is happening?

[maven]

Looks like an experimental mechanic. Not in the book, so you'd have to ask Hunter.

[JaxRolo]

Runner on 3rd only. Maybe they want another umpire close to have another set of eyes on a possible play.

[maven]

Runner on 3rd only. Maybe they want another umpire close to have another set of eyes on a possible play.

That only sounds dumb, Jax.

My thought was that, on a fly ball down the 3BL, U3 has to go out, and U2 has to cover any play on R3 back into 3B. From where he is in this video, he can get in a much better position; on fly balls to the OF, he can still go out from there.

Even 4-umpire mechanics involves compromises. Now Lance's 13-umpire mechanics... *sigh*

[Thunderheads]

 

@umpschool .... ??????

you could have asked too @maven   

[JaxRolo]

That only sounds dumb, Jax.

My thought was that, on a fly ball down the 3BL, U3 has to go out, and U2 has to cover any play on R3 back into 3B. From where he is in this video, he can get in a much better position; on fly balls to the OF, he can still go out from there.

Even 4-umpire mechanics involves compromises. Now Lance's 13-umpire mechanics... *sigh*

mmm Pretty much what I said in Cuban words!

[noumpere]

From CCA (and, yes, I know this game wasn't under CCA):

 

SECTION 9.12 Runner on third

Initial Positions

The coverage is similar to no runners on (see 9.5.1, pg. 183).

U1: Starts in the “A” position.

U2: Starts in shallow left-center field. With less than two outs, U2 must be able to get to third base for any throws back to third when U3 goes out or any plays at first base if U1 goes out.

U3: Starts in the “D” position

 

Fly Ball to Left Field:  Catch, U3 Goes Out

 

Action on the field: Fly ball caught by the left fielder; U3 goes out; R3 tags up and returns to third base, drawing a throw there

Umpire responsibilities:

PU: Observes R3’s tag up and returns to the plate immediately.

U1: Observes the batter-runner.

U2: Enters the infield and has the throw back on R3 at third base.

U3: Observes the catch.

 

[Jimurray]

I've heard of this sit as the "nightmare scenario" and thus the adjusted positioning. 

[zm1283]

The play on R3 if U3 goes out is exactly the reason he is where he is. Not experimental at all. 

[lawump]

Standard four man mechanic...only U2 was pushed further over toward third base either because of personal preference or, more likely, because F6 was playing deep up the middle and if F6 went hard to his right into the hole, Hunter probably didn't want to be in the way.  (He's not the most nimble ump in MLB.)

[umpschool]

This is standard with R3 and less than two outs. If the third base umpire goes out on a ball down the line, the second base umpire enters the infield near the cutout and assumes responsibilities on R3 at third base. This is often referred to as the "Shaded E" position.

[Thunderheads]

This is standard with R3 and less than two outs. If the third base umpire goes out on a ball down the line, the second base umpire enters the infield near the cutout and assumes responsibilities on R3 at third base. This is often referred to as the "Shaded E" position.

what was Jennings whining about?