Fed Mechanic?

[Guest Fat City]

No runners on, batter hits a gapper that looks like a triple.  Does the Fed Manual now require UIC to take the play at third and U1 cover home if a

play develops there?  Thanks.

 

 

[Richvee]

FED manual has had this mechanic for many years. Why?? Who knows. Maybe they think there's too many HS umpires who can't beat a batter runner from "A" to a decent spot to call a play at 3B? Unless you're being evaluated by a "by the book" assignor/supervisor, this mechanic is often nixed in a pre-game meeting. Also many places use college mechanics in HS games, some associations even have their own mechanics manuals. Actually, the more I think about it, there's probably very few places other than NJ where the FED umpire's manual is followed like it's the law.