This is from Ref mag.
Two Umpires: Pressure Cooker
An apparent routine ground ball to the second baseman with no runners on base can present several far-from routine situations for a two-umpire crew.
For the base umpire, moving to a normal position to judge the play at first base actually creates a bad angle. Movement into fair territory reduces the angle as opposed to expanding it and can result in having to turn quickly to pick up the action at the base after the second baseman releases the throw.
As a result, a lot of base umpires choose to take that ball in foul territory. That is especially true when the second baseman moves to his left (toward the first-base foul line) in order to field the batted ball.
When that occurs, several responsibilities are flipped between the plate and base umpires. If the ball is overthrown, the base umpire assumes responsibility since he is already in foul territory. When the batter-runner attempts to advance to second, the plate umpire must cut in and take that play into either second or third base.
The two-umpire system requires that the plate and base umpires work together and that switch of responsibilities is just one example of great teamwork. The base umpire should resist trying to take the ball in fair territory just so his partner might not have to rotate to second base. And the plate umpire must move toward the 45-foot line on the ground ball. Not only does that put him in position for the swipe tag and pulled foot responsibilities, but if the rotation is required, he’s already moving forward.
ANY THOUGHTS???
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