Has anyone ever seen the base umpire goes out, then makes a call at the plate mechanic get used in a game?

[orangebird]

So I'm going through my HS training which includes more details on mechanics and they recommended the CCA manual for us. I've been browsing that and found this mechanic which makes sense, but also seems like a pretty wild-looking play for umps

So, has anyone seen a clip of this scenario being correctly executed by the umps and/or personally done this? Because it seems like a hell of a situation and I'm curious how often it has come up in any level of baseball with 2-man crews.

[Velho]

I've been part of it once. I went out, PU ran the loop, and RF gunned BR at 3B.

It was awesome.

[Jay R.]

No play, but I did have it happen in a game last year. I was PU, rotated to second and then third, saw it was going to be a stand-up triple and glanced home in time to see my partner busting back and yelling, "I'm here, Jay!"

After the game we both bemoaned the fact that he stopped at third.

[SeeingEyeDog]

Brother @orangebird, there are three types of plays for an umpire on a baseball field. There are plays that you have seen and executed. There are plays that you are aware of as a possibility that you have not yet seen and executed.

This rotation play that you mentioned here is a CAT-2 for most newer umpires. I average SEEING this play and having to rotate about once per season over the course of about 190-ish 2-man games. I have only ever had to make the play on the plate as U1 one time. Statistically, none of this is anyone's concern. The question is...do you AND your partner KNOW exactly what to do on this play? Have you fully pre-gamed this? Because here's the concern with this rotation...and it's an enormous concern. This is potentially a scoring play. You might have an inside the park home run here...or even an attempt. The Game cannot have a play at the plate with no umpire...cannot have that.

The keys are...knowing the 4 trouble balls you go out on from A in 2-man. Ball down the line, ball to the fence, converging fielders AND OR (and this is the tough one) ball below the waist. As the ball is hit, open up so your shoulders are parallel to the foul line and stay in A. Pause, read, and react...if you have a trouble ball, go out. Right fielder running to the foul line? That's a ball down the line. Ball in the gap that's bounding/rolling with velocity? Ball to the fence. Converging fielders IN THE OUTFIELD (which could be any combination of CF, RF, 2nd-baseman and or 1st baseman)? And finally, fielder running in the outfield with his glove out face up? Ball below the waist. When you go out, call your partner's name, tell him you are going out and point to the ball. From there, it's very easy...once you have that ball down fair AND no spectator interference? Get in foul territory and then get to the plate and tell your partner, "[NAME], I have the plate!" Do not say that until you are in position to make a call. Finally, be ready to adjust your wedge positioning as the catcher moves AND be ready for a possible run down if the batter/runner is pickled between 3B and home plate.

Plate, read your partner. Yes, he should tell you he is going out but read your partner. If he slashes in, he has the batter/runner and the touch at 1B and you have the baseball. If he turns his back to you and goes out, you need to be on your horse and moving into the infield. You now have the batter/runner and their touches all the way around to all 4 bases unless U1 gets to the plate and tells you they have the plate. If you do not hear them say they have the plate, you take them all the way to the plate, if necessary. Once U1 has the plate, you can whoa up at 3B and lock down that end for a possible rundown and or pickoff play. As always, both umpires should also be looking out for obstruction, interference and or malicious contact.

Both umpires...KNOW who the speedsters are on each team. You don't have to write them down but, pay attention so you know who might be a threat on an AB with no runners on. Generally, your leadoff hitters are leadoff hitters because they have some wheels and are looking to take extra bases. There may be others, too. And U1 watch your route into 3B. Most batter/runners are looking for a triple on a ball hit to RF or down the RF line, especially if it's deep in the corner. U1 wants to avoid being in the throwing lane from RF to 3B so be mindful of the vector where the ball is retrieved in the outfield and the vector where that throw into 3B is coming from. Take peaks when you can but, don't lose sight of your base touches and or interference or obstruction.

Oh...the CAT-3? Those are the plays that you never imagined were possible or could happen but, you have now experienced. Remember our priorities...fair/foul, catch/no-catch, plays with the ball and plays without the ball. Stay chest to ball and let the ball take you to play. Don't guess where the play is going. Hustle at all times to get angle and then close distance. Being in the right place is half the battle. See each play fully to its conclusion and execute proper timing with sharp, decisive mechanics. If we stick with our fundamentals, they help us on the unusual or irregular play or the CAT-3 we haven't seen before.

~Dawg

P.S. This rotation, if executed properly, is a rock star play for the umpires whether there's a play at the plate or not. Once the dust is settled and you have R3, an out or a run, you will hear the tell-tale line you got it right because a fan will say something like, "WOW! Did you see the umpires on that play?!?! How did they know to do that?!?!" And whatever else has happened or will happen for the rest of that game, that's a great feeling to be on a crew that nails that rotation.