4 man, normal rotation, U1pivot.

[Jimurray]

In 4 man I've seen, and I think my association requires, a U1 pivot on a normal rotation with no one on and U3/U2 goes out.  It seems to be a backup if U3/U2 does not come in when the other goes out. After the pivot, U1 goes home if needed and I guess, takes 2B if needed and U2/U3 did not make it to 2B. Good idea? Doesn't seem to delay any coverage of HP. Would you not do this if you could see U2/U3 doing what they are supposed to?

[noumpere]

I would just work iot the standard way and rely on U2 / U3 to do his (or her) job.

[maven]

The point of a mechanics manual is to instruct umpires where to go and look. Why would you have a "backup" manual for umpires who don't follow the first one? Why think they'd follow the second one?

[ElkOil]

1 minute ago, maven said:

The point of a mechanics manual is to instruct umpires where to go and look. Why would you have a "backup" manual for umpires who don't follow the first one? Why think they'd follow the second one?

In case they don't follow the first one. Duh.

[Jimurray]

7 minutes ago, maven said:

The point of a mechanics manual is to instruct umpires where to go and look. Why would you have a "backup" manual for umpires who don't follow the first one? Why think they'd follow the second one?

"split crew" presents the problem, or a chapter or members of a chapter that don't prepare or just a brainfart or snake in the grass that tripped the rotating ump.

[Haid D' Salaami]

Not sure your explaining this correct..

 

R1, R2 or R1, R2, R3 or R2, R3 or R1, R3 .. If U3 goes out the base umpire will slide.. and If you read the BR will get a double you can Rim this and stay outside and take the play from the outfield side of 2nd ( this is an advanced Mechanic so becareful.

[Jimurray]

2 hours ago, Haid D' Salaami said:

Not sure your explaining this correct..

 

R1, R2 or R1, R2, R3 or R2, R3 or R1, R3 .. If U3 goes out the base umpire will slide.. and If you read the BR will get a double you can Rim this and stay outside and take the play from the outfield side of 2nd ( this is an advanced Mechanic so becareful.

If you are talking about my OP it's with no one on and U3 or U2 going out. U1 covers 1B and rotates home if necessary. My HS association has U1 pivot to cover 1B before heading home if necessary. 

[maineump]

I think instead of having a back-up plan, you should stress communication between the umpires. Only U2 or U3 should go out, they need to communicate verbally or visually what they are doing. Then the other umpire rotates to 2B. If they both go out, then it effects U1 and PU as well.

As stated above, there is the advanced mechanic to rim, but remember that U! still has plate responsibility and there needs to be even more communication between U1 and PU.

Keep it simple is the best way to go. U1 watches the touch at 1B and looks for the back pick. This is usually done from the outside, and keeping the play in front of you. Either U2 or U3 covers 2B, PU rotates up and U1 slides down. If it doesn't happen, cover the play as you need to, but definitely get together between inning to fix the problem.

[Gfoley4]

1 hour ago, Jimurray said:

If you are talking about my OP it's with no one on and U3 or U2 going out. U1 covers 1B and rotates home if necessary. My HS association has U1 pivot to cover 1B before heading home if necessary. 

what's the reasoning for pivoting instead of just watching the touch in foul territory? Just incase U3 is sleeping and doesn't rotate to second?

[lawump]

This is why...when assigning amateur umpires whose experience in 4-man mechanics are varied...that I assign one of my strongest umpires to second base. 

Too many assignors put their "strongest" umpires at the plate and at first base.  I agree with the former, but not the latter.  The old baseball saying states "to win championships, you have to be strong up the middle (F2, F1, F4, F6 & F8)."  My saying is, "to have a good 4-man crew, you have to be strong up the middle."  I try to assign an experienced, veteran umpire as U2 in a 4-man. When I first started doing this, my umpires would be "let down" by this assignment; they thought they should be on first or the plate.  However, after explaining my reasoning to them over the last couple of years, I now have them buying into my way of thinking.

If you have an experienced, veteran U2, he can sit there all game long and yell at his wing umpires.  When he's on the outside, he can yell, "that's mine!" to a wing guy who might think a fly ball is his responsibility even though its in the "V"; or, if the wing umpire should, in fact, go out, U2 can yell "Go, (insert wing umpire's name), Go!" 

When he's on the inside, an experienced U2 can glance at both wing umpires on fly balls to the outfield and yell out which one should go and which one should stay if they are both "freezing" with panic.  (It happens a lot with amateur umpires when working in a 4-man...even to really good amateur umpires.)  When inside, U2 can also yell at U1 to slide  or rotate when U3 goes out and the crew reverts to 3-man mechanics.

Personally, I take a lot of pride working as U2.  A few weeks ago I had a plate umpire tell me after Game 1 of the state championship series we working that, "its very relaxing to work the plate when you're at second.  When you're at second I know everyone is going to be where they need to be and everything is going to be covered."  It was one of the best compliments I have received in a few years.

[maineump]

1 hour ago, lawump said:

This is why...when assigning amateur umpires whose experience in 4-man mechanics are varied...that I assign one of my strongest umpires to second base. 

Too many assignors put their "strongest" umpires at the plate and at first base.  I agree with the former, but not the latter.  The old baseball saying states "to win championships, you have to be strong up the middle (F2, F1, F4, F6 & F8)."  My saying is, "to have a good 4-man crew, you have to be strong up the middle."  I try to assign an experienced, veteran umpire as U2 in a 4-man. When I first started doing this, my umpires would be "let down" by this assignment; they thought they should be on first or the plate.  However, after explaining my reasoning to them over the last couple of years, I now have them buying into my way of thinking.

If you have an experienced, veteran U2, he can sit there all game long and yell at his wing umpires.  When he's on the outside, he can yell, "that's mine!" to a wing guy who might think a fly ball is his responsibility even though its in the "V"; or, if the wing umpire should, in fact, go out, U2 can yell "Go, (insert wing umpire's name), Go!" 

When he's on the inside, an experienced U2 can glance at both wing umpires on fly balls to the outfield and yell out which one should go and which one should stay if they are both "freezing" with panic.  (It happens a lot with amateur umpires when working in a 4-man...even to really good amateur umpires.)  When inside, U2 can also yell at U1 to slide  or rotate when U3 goes out and the crew reverts to 3-man mechanics.

Personally, I take a lot of pride working as U2.  A few weeks ago I had a plate umpire tell me after Game 1 of the state championship series we working that, "its very relaxing to work the plate when you're at second.  When you're at second I know everyone is going to be where they need to be and everything is going to be covered."  It was one of the best compliments I have received in a few years.

I totally agree - when we used to assign WS championship rounds, U2 was the second choice, as he needs to be the 'field general' out there. This guy needs to have a great feel for the system, the game and always keep his head on a swivel.

U2 is my favorite position in the 4-man, there is always something going on and you seem to always be on the move.