Re-thinking the A position (2-man)

[SeeingEyeDog]

I worked with a partner today and in post-game we talked about my positioning in A and he gave me the following...

"Imagine an 8 foot circle around F3. U1 in A wants to always be outside this circle. If F3 is at standard depth or shifted to his right, U1 is on the line, one step in front of F3. If F3 is in, U1 remains one step in front of him on the line until he gets to the front edge of the grass at which point U1 goes no further forward. If F3 is deep, U1 remains one step in front of him on the line until he gets to the back edge of the grass at which point U1 goes no further back. If F3 is playing on the line, then U1 while also remaining on the line should move towards the plate such that they are still outside of that 8 foot circle."

Thoughts on this?

~Dawg 

[DevildogUmp]

Is he saying "one step in front of F3" as in closer to the plate? If so, that doesn't sound very safe, I want F3 in front of me so I know where he is going once the ball is in play. I would think U1 in front of F3 is a recipe for collisions with hot shots, heck even a routine grounder where U1 is stepping out and F3 is moving to the base could result in a collision. I may move up even with him if he is way off the line, but any chance that he can lay out for a line shot, I want that in front of me.

[BLWizzRanger]

Sure a lot of MLB, D1, D2, D3, etc guys that are playing the A position wrong if they are supposed to be one step in front of F3.

[SeeingEyeDog]

That was my thinking too. I was taught to be one step behind F3, too. This is the first guy who has ever said anything about this to me...ok, thank you.

~Dawg

[grayhawk]

Being in front of F3 is insane. I was taught to be close enough to see his shoelaces, but it depends on how close to the line he is. The closer to the line, the further back you have to be. I hardly even think about it anymore. My body just seems to position myself where I'm supposed to be. Same with working the D position.

[JSam21]

I was reading this thinking, everything sounds like some pretty good advice/guidance… then I got to the “one step in front”, and now I think someone misunderstood what they were told.

 

It is really odd how something goes off the rails like that.

[834k3r]

4 hours ago, DevildogUmp said:

Is he saying "one step in front of F3" as in closer to the plate? If so, that doesn't sound very safe, I want F3 in front of me so I know where he is going once the ball is in play. I would think U1 in front of F3 is a recipe for collisions with hot shots, heck even a routine grounder where U1 is stepping out and F3 is moving to the base could result in a collision. I may move up even with him if he is way off the line, but any chance that he can lay out for a line shot, I want that in front of me.

This, 100%. Never, no way, no how will I ever be in front of F3. 

[urout17]

Always been taught 8-10' BEHIND (outfield side) where F3 sets up.  If F3 is playing in (closer to HP), we should be 8-10' BEHIND the bag.

[JSam21]

On 1/25/2025 at 10:58 PM, 834k3r said:

This, 100%. Never, no way, no how will I ever be in front of F3. 

I'm going to work to almost even with F3 (or F5 in the 3/4 umpire system) if they are off the line, but never in front.

[grayhawk]

As always, we must ask WHY we do what we do.

Our first oath must be, "Do no harm." We never want to get in the way of the players playing the game. This is why we work in a position that first ensures we will not get in F3's way when he's making a play. If we position in front of F3, there is no way we can ensure that we won't hinder F3 (a) from making a diving catch on a line drive, (b) from running into foul territory to make a catch (c) from reaching the bag after fielding a batted ball.

Second, we have to be sure we are positioned best to be able to judge (a) fair/foul (b) catch/no catch by F3. Being positioned behind F3 ensures that we won't have to turn with the ball to make either of these judgments when the ball is hit to him at his initial position.