Two man crew- appeal mechanics

There are two things here:
1) Sounds as if the base umpire "might" have been out of position. If so, he immediately should have gone to his partner for help and asked specifically "did he tag him?" That takes the questioning out of the coaches minds.

2) He did do the right thing, eventually. However, he put himself in a position to take a lot of grief unnecessarily had he asked for assistance initially.

Federation rules have a point of emphasis this year on "getting it right". Years ago, it would have been specifically the BU's call and his alone. Case closed. Personally, I want to get it right. I've always instructed my partner that if I go to him on a specific question answer truthfully. Don't offer unsolicited help, however.

quote:

Originally posted by therefump:
There are two things here:
1) Sounds as if the base umpire "might" have been out of position. If so, he immediately should have gone to his partner for help and asked specifically "did he tag him?" That takes the questioning out of the coaches minds.

That's one school of thought. The other is for the BU to make a call first, and get help later, IF appropriate.

Where do you think BU should have positioned himself for the swipe tag? A step off the line is about as good as you can get on that play (errant throw from F6). It's the best place to see "air" between F3's glove and the B/R.

1. With a throw coming from the left side of the diamond, the umpire was in the wrong position. With a throw taking F3 down the line, even in the proper position, BU should NOT have come set. He should have adjusted with a step and a lean to see the tag.

2. The current philosophy utilized by most upper level umpires and instructed at the pro level is that BU needs to make his call first. Then if an "appeal" is made for him to get help, he may do so. The theory goes: Until a call is made, no "appeal" to a partner should be made.

If the offensive coach doesn't like the mechanic, tough. This is one of the calls that by tradition and training umpires may ask for help. Others include: Check swing, GRD vs HR, ball on the ground on tag play at home.

The BU does HAVE to get help on this. If he knows he had the right position and clearly saw the play, no help is needed. There is nothing that guarantees his partner saw it any better. Sometimes the call is changed from the right call to the wrong call.

If I get fooled and get out of position on a call like this, I make my call while checking to see where my partner is. If he has trailed the runner and is looking at the play, I know I can go to him. If on the other hand, he has his own duties that require him to be looking elsewhere, or just screwed up, I won't be going to him.

quote:

Originally posted by Jimmy03:
1. With a throw coming from the left side of the diamond, the umpire was in the wrong position. With a throw taking F3 down the line, even in the proper position, BU should NOT have come set. He should have adjusted with a step and a lean to see the tag.

I agree BU was not in the proper play position, but I think his adjusted position was proper for a swipe tag. Sounds like he didn't make any adjustment, so he got to the right place via the wrong route. Like you said - a step or two and a lean once he reads no true throw gets him looking more or less down the line.

This video although not really showing the mechanic, talks about this exact play.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...uOEw&feature=channel