Message board »Message Board home »Sign-in or register to get started
Online now: 1 member: TABLE SETTER 11; 80 anonymousDiscussion: umpire mechanics for play at home
| Posted | Discussion |
| Aug. 25, 2018 umpire 14 8 posts | umpire mechanics for play at home As an umpire I need a clarification for umpire mechanics for a play at home. What is proper position for the umpire for such a play? It used to be a position on the first base line 8 to 10 feet up the line to make the call. I am now seeing many umpires making the call from first base line extended toward the back fence. I have a good reason to use the first base foul line. On a play that doesn't happen often, but could occur ...ball comes in to the catcher on a bounce. Ball bounces off his body and he does not have control of ball...at the same tine runner crosses the scoring line. If you are behind the catcher toward the fence...you will not be able to call no control of ball. Any thoughts ? |
| Aug. 26, 2018 B.J. 1105 posts | ump14.. you should never be directly behind the catcher.. umpires should start in the slot just behind the batter but many prefer to stand on the opposite side of the batter.. after a hit the norm for the HP ump is to back up at an angle on the 3rd base side in a straight line with scoring line/plate and the pitching strike mat/plate and be about 8 to 10 ft. back.. I have seen umpires on the 1st base side and lined up with both plates but i don't prefer that position if you have multiple runners and a possible play at 3rd .. either way it's can be a tough call trying to focus on runner touching scoring plate/line and fielder catching and touching the strike mat |
| Aug. 26, 2018 Nancy Allen Men's 55 1438 posts | BJ, great explanation as usual amd totally agree. The only thing that I would add is that even though especially in senior softball that it might give a good view on the 1B side that I have seen an umpire clocked before on the out at 1B then throw home. |
| Aug. 26, 2018 mck71 Men's 60 344 posts | Agree with you both. When doing plate/mat I prefer to stand outside the batter off to the side lined up on the line (as opposed to between the C and plate when no plate/mat as most C play back off the plate IMO). When ball is put into play (as a single umpire), I try and run to the area between P mound and plate opposite of where ball is hit (basically an 90 degree angle either side of mound). I also TRY and stay out of line of P and C if at all possible. The throw to home will usually come from INF on that side of the field; though at times an OF will throw to P (if they can reach) and then they are the relay (or 1B covering for P which is the normal baseball rotation). As a P, I prefer to take the cut from OF as most fields are not usually big enough that you need to up C behind the plate. As an umpire, I always feel that if I am positioned in between mound and plate off to the side, I am least likely to be in the line of most any throw (as Nancy stated) and have an unobstructed view of plate and scoring line so I will also be in the best position to make that call but hopefully react to another base if needed. I will add that when doing 2 man games, very important to discuss rotation with your partner. Rambled a little, too much coffee this am! :-) |
| Aug. 26, 2018 B.J. 1105 posts | mck.. yes that would work for 1 man system which I hate.. 2nd base is always a tough call with sliding..and good point always need to have a pre-game meeting with your partner as far as positioning.. when I have the bases I always tell HP umpire i will take the trail/soul runner all the way to 3rd |
| Aug. 26, 2018 SSUSA Staff 3483 posts | Aug. 26, 2018 • umpire 14 (7 posts) Thanks everyone for your input. Since I continue to see umpires call the play at home from behind the catcher near the fence I will bring this topic up during the umpire meeting(s) in Vegas. See you there. |
| Aug. 26, 2018 Nancy Allen Men's 55 1438 posts | Hustle, hustle, hustle. Know your rules. Be approachable At the ISA Worlds this weekend, they addressed one of my number one issues. No cell phones on the diamond. I never take mine on the field except that one time at the Brickyard when we ended up on a Sunday morning with 4 umpires and 6 fields. Thank goodness Skinner was there, and we took the fields. I only used it to call Timmy to light up the scheduler to get us the rest. Honestly, it really makes me mad to see an umpire texting while behind the plate which I see in leagues all the time. |
