Rundown mechanics between 3B & Home

[Dragon29]

Gentlemen,

I have a question about a situation in a game I had on Saturday. Pony Bronco;R1 - less than 2 Out. I'm PU.

Ball is hit to F4 who boots it so R1 continues to 3B as BR, hustling because it was hit right to F4, makes it to and past 1B safely.

Meanwhile, R1 has rounded 3B but is told to get back by his coach a bit late and gets caught in a run-down. Obviously, I'm right there so I take my end of it and my partner takes his; we work the run-down just fine and call the play. ('Safe' at Home) By this time, the BR has moved to 2B and we go on with the game.

In our post-game, my partner asks me why I didn't take the entire run-down from foul territory. He tells me that the correct mechanics on this kind of play would have been for me to take my end as I did, but then tell him, "I've got it all." At this point, I take the entire run-down from foul territory outside the 3B line and he moves back into the infield to keep an eye on the trail runner. When I told him that this was not a mechanic I've ever been taught, he said if I attended a week-long school instead of the several 1-day & 2-day clinics I presently attend, I would get that instruction.

Our conversation about this is cut short as I have another game on the same field almost immediately, and he's heading home. I also don't want to doubt my partner; he did a terrific job and we worked well together and I have not ever attended a week-long camp but, . . . thought I'd come on here to ask.

I can see a big part of the reason we might want to handle it that way, but I can also see the arguments against it.

Is this a mechanic that's taught at the pro-schools?

[UmpJM]

Dragon,

Yep. That's the recommended coverage in the PBUC "red book" and the Evans "Maximizing the Two Umpire System".

JM

[Thunderheads]

Even though I'm a baffoon when it comes to mechanics (compared to most here) but, .... if the trail runner has already moved to second....which will happen with little or no regard because R3 is more dangerous ..... I'm not sure I understand the teaching of this mechanic.

The defense will be focusing on the runner who is in a position to score, yes? Why not team up on a this run down, especially if R1 has moved to second already?

I'm not saying the PBUC or JE way is 'wrong', I"m just thinking out loud....

Does my question at least make a little sense?:shrug:

[SnareDrum]

This one almost bit me a while back. I was BU same situation and R3 was tagged going home about halfway down the line. F1 had the ball at this time and fired to 2B where the trail runner had rounded and had to dive back. It was high throw and the runner was way safe, but I was thinking that I should have held back towards 2B just for this case.

When this mechanic is used, the BU is "keeping an eye on" the runner that's around 2B, but is he also keeping another eye on the rundown just in case thePU is blocked from a tag or needs a "what did you see" on a possible OBS/INT? Also, what are some other scenarios where either umpire in a 2-man would find himself going solo covering a rundown?

[Mr Umpire]

Even though I'm a baffoon when it comes to mechanics (compared to most here) but, .... if the trail runner has already moved to second....which will happen with little or no regard because R3 is more dangerous ..... I'm not sure I understand the teaching of this mechanic.

The defense will be focusing on the runner who is in a position to score, yes? Why not team up on a this run down, especially if R1 has moved to second already?

I'm not saying the PBUC or JE way is 'wrong', I"m just thinking out loud....

Does my question at least make a little sense?

The reason is as Roger's post illustrates. The BU needs to be in position for a possible play at 2B or if a rundown occurs between 2B and 3B now for some reason.

[Mr Umpire]

This one almost bit me a while back. I was BU same situation and R3 was tagged going home about halfway down the line. F1 had the ball at this time and fired to 2B where the trail runner had rounded and had to dive back. It was high throw and the runner was way safe, but I was thinking that I should have held back towards 2B just for this case.

When this mechanic is used, the BU is "keeping an eye on" the runner that's around 2B, but is he also keeping another eye on the rundown just in case thePU is blocked from a tag or needs a "what did you see" on a possible OBS/INT? Also, what are some other scenarios where either umpire in a 2-man would find himself going solo covering a rundown?

Anytime there is more than 1 runner, it could happen for at least the start of the rundown.

For example, R1, R2. Rundown starts on R2 between 2B and 3B. During it, R2 reaches the next base or is retired. Now, R1 gets in a rundown. If R2 is on 3B, BU is solo on the rundown between 1B and 2B. If R2 is retired, BU is solo until PU can get to the 1B end of it.

[Mr Umpire]

Dragon,

As JM says, it is the taught mechanic for reasons above. It allows the BU to get in a better position of a play on any trail runners should one develop very quickly.

[Dragon29]

Guys - Thanks for the replies - I got the mixed bag or responses that I expected, but it seems clear it is a taught mechanic. That being the case, I have a follow-up question.

In this scenario - Once the BU sees there will be no further plays on trailing runners (let's say BR moves up to 2B during this and is watching the action) is he then supposed to join the run-down between 3B & Home? (similar to the way PU joins run-downs involving 2B, "I've got this end!") ?

The reason I ask is that it seems to me that if a play that might take the BU by surprise (as it were) is going to develop at a trailing base, it would most likely occur very early in the rundown as opposed to very late or after it. One that developed late in the run-down or after it should be easier for the BU to cover than those that occur early.

Thanks in advance - I'd really like to nail this one the next time I have a chance.

[yawetag]

In this scenario - Once the BU sees there will be no further plays on trailing runners (let's say BR moves up to 2B during this and is watching the action) is he then supposed to join the run-down between 3B & Home? (similar to the way PU joins run-downs involving 2B, "I've got this end!") ?

You've got to be careful, as the runner at 2B might take a bigger lead toward 3B, causing a throw back to 2B after the rundown is complete. If you bring yourself into the rundown, you're removing yourself from any other play at the bases.

[UmpTTS43]

The only time the BU would rejoin the rundown is when the trailing runner advances to third.

[yawetag]

The only time the BU would rejoin the rundown is when the trailing runner advances to third.

Even then he has to be ready to bounce back out, in case the runner decided to retreat back to 2B.

Let's be honest, though. It's not often a rundown lasts long enough for a R1 (or BR at 1B) to advance all the way to 3B and then decide to go back to 2B.