The Wedge

[kstrunk]

I'm looking for more information on 'the wedge' concept. It came up in another post, so I thought I'd ask here. 

I saw a COG video that was somewhat helpful, but perhaps incomplete (it was short). Is it as simple as playing  off the catcher's hip, and if so, which one?

Also, does this replace the old 3BX and 1BX 'rules'? Thanks. 

[ScubaUmp]

Left hip. or mitt side hip. I have only seen two left handed catchers in 13 years, it was weird working with them. Doubt that they went any further than the small field. Didn't know they made a mitt for south paws, must have cost dad a fortune.

Can you post the COG video

After reading the posts below PLATE Side of the hip makes more sense

[noumpere]

It replaces the old 3BX and 1BX only if you have interpreted that as "go to this spot and stand there.  Don't move."  That was never (?) what it was meant to be -- they were only starting positions.

[kstrunk]

7 minutes ago, ScubaUmp said:

Can you post the COG video

I'll try. I'm technologically challenged. 

[ricka56]

The wedge concept is being in the best spot to be able to see the tag. You are 90 degrees to a line between the runner and the fielder tagging him. If you're not in that position, there is a good chance that either the runner or the fielder will block your view of the tag. 

Often you have to work to get in that wedge position because players moving will change where that optimum wedge position is (i.e. the tag at HP). Check out the adjustment PU made to stay in the wedge. 

[ALStripes17]

The wedge concept is being in the best spot to be able to see the tag. You are 90 degrees to a line between the runner and the fielder tagging him. If you're not in that position, there is a good chance that either the runner or the fielder will block your view of the tag. 

Often you have to work to get in that wedge position because players moving will change where that optimum wedge position is (i.e. the tag at

 

Great positioning!!

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

[kstrunk]

14 minutes ago, ricka56 said:

The wedge concept is being in the best spot to be able to see the tag. You are 90 degrees from a line between the runner and the fielder tagging him. If you're not in that position, there is a good chance that either the runner or the fielder will block your view of the tag. 

Often you have to work to be in that wedge position because players moving will change where that optimum wedge position is (i.e. the tag at HP). Check out the adjustment PU made to stay in the wedge. 

That's a tremendous example, thanks. It's clear that  anticipation of the play is fairly important to this. I'm guessing that umpires with heavy (stuck) feet will struggle with this, but the importance of it is clear too. Thanks again. 

[maven]

3 hours ago, ALStripes17 said:

Great positioning!!

I just showed that video Monday night at our association meeting. His angle and rotation with the play are perfect.

I'd like to see our guys a step or two farther from the plate: in amateur ball plays at the plate can blow up on us, and being so close is risky. A step back means moving our feet an additional step to keep our angle, but it's worth it.

A bunch of our old timers were impressed with 3BLX based on the videos we saw: 3 amateur umpires out of position getting blocked out and guessing, vs 3 pro umpires having a great look at some bang-bang plays.

[johnpatrick]

The wedge concept is that there is always two wedges available to to have an unobstructed (neither the fielder nor the runner is in the way) view of the tag.  You can't always get to both wedges.  For instance, a straight swipe tag with the catcher standing in fair territory.  One clear wedge is 3BLE.  The other would be on the foul line which is clearly not available because the runner is using that wedge.

It's not always the catcher's left hip pocket.  If the catcher moves into foul territory you should move with him and stay on the runner's side hip pocket (the right one in this situation).

[Richvee]

6 hours ago, johnpatrick said:

 

It's not always the catcher's left hip pocket.  If the catcher moves into foul territory you should move with him and stay on the runner's side hip pocket (the right one in this situation).

We talked about this at a recent clinic. Another way to think of it is the "plate side hip".  Think of a play where F2 needs to go to his left, (foul side of the 3BL). You certainly wouldn't want to go out on his left hip.

[ricka56]

This F2's left or right hip pocket concept has never made any sense to me (sounds like I am close enough to pick F2's pocket...that's too close, IMO). I just go to 90 degree angle to where I anticipate the tag to be (the wedge).

[Richvee]

19 minutes ago, ricka56 said:

This F2's left or right hip pocket concept has never made any sense to me (sounds like I am close enough to pick F2's pocket...that's too close, IMO). I just go to 90 degree angle to where I anticipate the tag to be (the wedge).

One of the instructors told us you don't need to think about it as staying on a hip, but more like being  a pack pack on F2. (obviously not that close)...Just move with F2. Just don't get "outside"him if he moves left or right. Then, of course, adjust to get the best look at the tag.

[ricka56]

2 minutes ago, Richvee said:

One of the instructors told us you don't need to think about it as staying on a hip, but more like being  a pack pack on F2. (obviously not that close)...Just move with F2. Just don't get "outside"him if he moves left or right. Then, of course, adjust to get the best look at the tag.

yeah ... I can't picture any of that. If you know of a video demonstrating it, I'd be interested in seeing it.

[Richvee]

7 minutes ago, ricka56 said:

yeah ... I can't picture any of that. If you know of a video demonstrating it, I'd be interested in seeing it.

It's just a starting point. On a possible play at the plate developing, F2 usually takes a few steps up in front of HP.  So just stay behind him to start. There's no reason to go 3BLX at this point. Just stay with F2. Move with him. Yes, there's a good chance on a typical swipe tag where F2 fields the ball just out in front of the plate, you'll end up 3BLX or even on the 1BL (rotating right), but there's also the chance of the ball beating the runner, and F2 waiting to apply the tag. For this, you want to be more 1BLX to see the tag/secure possession as the runner tries to maybe slide under a tag with F2 positioned in front of the plate with the ball , so it's an easier adjustment than trying to get there from a 3BLX starting point. Or worse yet, planting yourself 3BLX when the former happens...and you're completely blocked out by the catcher and have no idea if he still has the ball after the slide. 

You sound like you agree on getting to the wedge for the call...All the "hip pocket" or "Be the catcher's pack pack"  is saying is don't assume a spot to make the call...Read the catcher, read the throw, get in that wedge.

[ricka56]

23 minutes ago, Richvee said:

Read the catcher, read the throw, get in that wedge.

Exactly

[celt62]

I went to a COG camp that taught the wedge.   You get a view of plays that you have never seen before.  That being said, without repetition it is very uncomfortable.  You are so used to being extended and with the wedge you are just a few feet away.  You feel like you're too close but in actuality you are at the perfect distance and angle.  It really is the best view for all tags.

[Kevin_K]

Here's how I think of it:

• Stay behind the plate where you call pitches; read the play, and follow F2 to play

• Mimic F2’s actions as though you are connected by a 6’-8’ spacer

• Stay on F2’s inside hip to see the triangular area where F2, runner and HP all converge

 

Some links that show the wedge in action

 

 

[kstrunk]

38 minutes ago, Kevin_K said:

Some links that show the wedge in action

Thank you for the effort to put those up, I'm very grateful. They are extremely helpful! Thanks again. 

[johnpatrick]

The other plays at the plate concept that was new to me at The Umpire School was that Point of Plate (POP) was much shallower than what I had been used to using.  It's just a step back from where you call your balls and strikes.  The theory being that you have much less distance to cover from your POP to get to that wedge, usually 3BLE or further.  That's why you see MLB and MiLB umpires much closer to the plays at the plate than what I was taught in the past.