Blocked View on Tag

[James88]

Just want to see what tips are out there to help me with this mechanic/scenario.

Two man crew, 60' diamond, R1, umpire in the B position.  Second baseman fields a batted ground ball just about the time R1 is in front of him and he reaches out for the tag.  The runner did not interfere or run out of the baseline to avoid a tag. 

From the B position, the second baseman is directly between the umpire and runner, basically straight lining the view so you can't really see if the tag is applied or not.  Some of these are fairly obvious just by the player reactions, but what do you guys suggest when that's not the case.

I had that happen to me today and called the runner out on the tag but wasn't completely sure.  Neither team really cared since it was a hot, blowout game and everyone was hoping for outs, but obviously that won't always be the case.  

Thanks in advance for the help.

[zoops]

These can be tough.  About my only advice would be once you read that a tag attempt is going to happen, try to adjust your position so that you're not straightlined.  These plays can happen fast though.  

[RichMSN]

A quick step up and to the right (which is a bit counterintuitive as it's actually away from the play) opens up that look.  Sometimes you just have to read the players, though.

[Richvee]

Agree with zoops. These can be tough.  You're stepping up with the left foot and turning with the ball. When you see the tag happening, you should have time to get a read step. I would think most often a read step towards 1st might get you a view of a tag on the back. It also puts you a step closer to 1st to get the back half of the DP.

[RichMSN]

Distance towards first is unnecessary.  100% of the effort should go towards the angle on the tag play.

[ElkOil]

After you adjust (or if you don't have time to) you still have trouble, take an extra second to replay it in your head, then make your call authoritatively.  A coach may come out to question it, and you have the option of going to your partner if he had a look.  Otherwise, just tell the coach you called what you saw.  Sometimes this kind of thing happens despite our best efforts.

[maven]

Distance towards first is unnecessary.  100% of the effort should go towards the angle on the tag play.

Although I agree, we can also close the distance AFTER making the call as a way of selling it.

[noumpere]

It the same issue on the big dianond, and with 1,3,4 or 6 umpires. At some point, there's a "straight-line" tag attempt and you're not going to see it.  And, taking a read step might help, but it might also end up putting you in a worse location, depending on the location and timing of the attempt.

[MidAmUmp]

Distance towards first is unnecessary.  100% of the effort should go towards the angle on the tag play.

When did we change the theory of assuming all ground balls on the infield are going to 1st base???

If the ball is hit to your left, step up with your left foot, turn and face the ball, then assume the play will go to 1st and start working that way (staying in the working area). Once you see a tag attempt about to take place take a read step if necessary. Yes, you can and will get screened...sometimes regardless of what you do. In those cases use your other instincts - listen for a tag, watch for elbow movement from the fielder, watch to see the jersey move, watch to see if there is break in the wrist or glove movement; read the initial reaction of the fielder & runner. If you don't see anything like that or nothing tips you off to a tag, call it a no tag and keep the runner in play...it's easier to call him out and take him off a base later than call it a no tag and put him back on if you have to get together. 

[RichMSN]

Small diamond.  Umpire is behind the fielder/runner.  What I'm saying is not what I would say on a 90' diamond.

[MidAmUmp]

Small diamond.  Umpire is behind the fielder/runner.  What I'm saying is not what I would say on a 90' diamond.

If that's the case, then I agree. He says B, which I would assume means he's on the inside.

[RichMSN]

If that's the case, then I agree. He says B, which I would assume means he's on the inside.

We still use A, B, and C when we teach small diamond mechanics.  They're just behind the infield, as long as there are closed bases.

Putting the runner/fielder in the way sometimes means getting an angle counter-intuitively on the small diamond.  Getting the right angle on a play at first from C, for example, might mean taking a few quick steps towards third in order to see a pulled foot.

I'd rather be inside, but I have to see if runners leave early -- also, some umpires would struggle getting out of the way on a 60' diamond.

[James88]

Reading these posts has me thinking a lot about that play and you guys are absolutely right.  I've just got to be aware of that potential play, don't get caught daydreaming, and move as quickly as I can to try to get some sort of angle to help me out a little.  Getting caught flat footed is a big time liability.

Thanks for taking the time to reply.  I'm really glad I happened upon this site because you guys are a big help. 

[Richvee]

My bad..never noticed the 60' diamond. RichMSN is right on.

[Mike Walsh]

Distance towards first is unnecessary.  100% of the effort should go towards the angle on the tag play.

Since the umpire is outside, a step to the left improves the angle and gets him closer to 1st base. Even though the initial tag is the first priority, you can't put 100% of effort into it. Since the BU was in B, it's safe to assume 2-man mechanics. There may be a double play attempt, and even with 2 outs, if the tag is missed, there may be a play at 1st base. You need to be in position for the following play, too.

Mike

[RichMSN]

It's a 60-foot diamond.  How could taking a step to the right put you out of position?  Distance isn't an issue on the second play.

[Aging_Arbiter]

HTBT.  I'm thinking that a step in either direction depending on EXACTLY where the B position was set up and EXACTLY where the ball was fielded (so as to remove the "straight line" effect) would be productive in this instance.  As mentioned, it's a 60' diamond and you call runners out at 1st from C position (R2, batted ball to F5 or F6, look back runner) routinely, so the positioning for the call on the "double play attempt" point is mute I think.  I NEVER guess a player out.  Understanding the circumstances above, I realize why nobody complained.  But, under better conditions.............. avoid the straight line tag and you have a leg to stand on.

[stl_ump]

WOW!  I had this exact situation last night but on the "big field" 90'  Just had time to take a step or 2 towards the play and had zero angle.  F4 is reaching out to make the tag but no sound of a tag, no abnormal arm or glove movement from F4..  I emphatically signal safe while verbalizing no tag.  I can't call what I don't see.  Defensive coach is asking (as usual) F4 "did you tag him?"  Of course F4 says yes.  I ignore them and the game goes on.  It is Fall Ball and nothing is on the line...

I should have asked the 1st Base Coach if there was a tag. ;-)

[Out&UglyToo]

It is the GIANT BLACK HOLE of 1-man mechanics. I had one that was impossible to call. A steal of second on a swing and miss. I ran out to second to see if the footprints would reveal more info - they indicated it had to be very close. But it was the facial expressions of the players a few minutes into the resulting argument clinic, and my experience playing poker that gave me my answer. The second baseman was behaving naturally as though he knew he'd tagged the runner. The runner had "that look" that set off my Bravo Sierra detector. I called him out, but way, way too late for the home team fans, who were furious.

I should have BS'd a call and sold it right away like I had seen it clearly. I just was not in a habit of that because I was very, very quick on my feet, and always hustled. I had never had to fake a call before, and I was 6 years into umpiring. I'd never had a play that I was out of position nor hadn't seen the play.

The umpire organization heard that it was "the worst umpiring I've ever seen" according to the coach. I got called out on the carpet for that, and they thought I'd looked really bad. All because I would not be rattled into making a call until I decided it. That coach never got any benefit from me or any of the umpires who understood my position ever again. Several of my buddies zinged him whenever he got mouthy. Fortunately, the next season, my evaluations revealed me to be in the top 5%. I'd done 300+ games that year, so my umpiring was pretty crisp.

After that, if I was working alone, I'd tell the teams at the plate meeting that I would hustle, but that on a remote tag play on the bases, if the ball is there first first and the tag is down, I'm calling him out if I see it or not. Gotta live with it. If the runner is there first, I'm calling him safe. My judgement, I'll own it. No do-overs. Usually gets a good laugh.

[maven]

I get that you're new, but there's really little value in reviving months- or years-old threads so that you can have your say. Feel free to read, and to jump in on current discussions.

[johnnyg08]

12 hours ago, Out&UglyToo said:

It is the GIANT BLACK HOLE of 1-man mechanics. I had one that was impossible to call. A steal of second on a swing and miss. I ran out to second to see if the footprints would reveal more info - they indicated it had to be very close. But it was the facial expressions of the players a few minutes into the resulting argument clinic, and my experience playing poker that gave me my answer. The second baseman was behaving naturally as though he knew he'd tagged the runner. The runner had "that look" that set off my Bravo Sierra detector. I called him out, but way, way too late for the home team fans, who were furious.

I should have BS'd a call and sold it right away like I had seen it clearly. I just was not in a habit of that because I was very, very quick on my feet, and always hustled. I had never had to fake a call before, and I was 6 years into umpiring. I'd never had a play that I was out of position nor hadn't seen the play.

The umpire organization heard that it was "the worst umpiring I've ever seen" according to the coach. I got called out on the carpet for that, and they thought I'd looked really bad. All because I would not be rattled into making a call until I decided it. That coach never got any benefit from me or any of the umpires who understood my position ever again. Several of my buddies zinged him whenever he got mouthy. Fortunately, the next season, my evaluations revealed me to be in the top 5%. I'd done 300+ games that year, so my umpiring was pretty crisp.

After that, if I was working alone, I'd tell the teams at the plate meeting that I would hustle, but that on a remote tag play on the bases, if the ball is there first first and the tag is down, I'm calling him out if I see it or not. Gotta live with it. If the runner is there first, I'm calling him safe. My judgement, I'll own it. No do-overs. Usually gets a good laugh.

I'd advise you to avoid those comments at the plate meeting and just make your calls on those types of plays.

They all know it and get it. 

Don't sweat it...just be crisp, confident, and move on.