Who's Call is it anyways?
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REFEREE MAGAZINE – JUNE 2009
Whose Call Is It Anyway?
Seven Plays That Cause Two-Umpire System Confusion
By Rick Woelfel
All umpires should have a thorough knowledge of mechanics. Those of us who have been working for a while have learned where to be and when to be there. But the nature of the game encourages some variations, particularly in the 2-umpire system.While some umpire crews might prefer deviating from the manual, it is rarely a good idea to use a different system of mechanics at the level your crew is working than what is listed in that level’s mechanics manual.Most variations seem to come from when one crew of umpires has worked together for a long time – partners who have worked many games (or possibly all of their games) together may think their way is better. But then when it comes to the playoffs or when a substitute partner is on a game, it can be a recipe for confusion. Following are the most common plays in which umpires seem to think they have a better way. While an argument is made for either option, Referee recommends following the manual in all situations.Regardless of your beliefs, these plays are ones you definitely need to review in your pregame discussions.
Play 1: R1 breaks for 2nd on a steal attempt. The ball is bunted in fair territory and B1 is retired at 1st. R1 continues around 2nd base and heads for 3rd. Who has the call at 3rd base?à
The Base Umpire Makes the Call - Right
The NFHS manual, which was revised for 2009-10, gives the base umpire the responsibility for the play at 3rd base in that situation. That’s a change from the previous philosophy and brings NFHS mechanics in line with those of the CCA and professional baseball.
On a bunt situation, the plate umpire must be concerned with a throw down the 1st-baseline and the possibility of interference in the running lane. He has to be prepared to help out with a swipe tag at 1st base or, in rare circumstances, make a call at the plate if there is an overthrow at 3rd.
The base umpire should have time to make the call at 1st and then move to the working area behind the mound to make a call on the play at 3rd. It’s not an ideal situation but the 2-umpires system is full of compromises.à
The Plate Umpire Makes the Call - Wrong
Crews that prefer the plate umpire making the call argue that he is already accustomed to moving up the 3rd-baseline on a base hit and even after watching for interference in the lane or a swipe tag, he’s still going to be able to be able to get a better look at the play at 3rd than the base umpire can. Additionally, they say that it is not possible for the base umpire to get into a good position for both plays. At higher levels, umpires tend to be in better shape and are taught to get from one place to another quicker. Even though the plate umpire might be able to get a better angle initially, he is taking himself out of position for any play at the plate. The situation is definitely tough for the base umpire, especially if both plays are close. However, the plate umpire must help with the interference, pulled foot or swipe tag possibilities and cannot go to 3rd base when the ball stays in the infield.
Play 2: With R2 at 2nd base, B1 hits a routine grounder in the infield. As the throw leaves the infielder’s hand to retire B1 at 1st, R2 breaks for 3rd. Who makes the call?à
The Base Umpire Makes the Call - Right
Both the NFHS and CCA manuals have that call belonging to the base umpire. He’s already starting in the C position on that play and will still be in the working area when he makes his call at 1st. With the runner on 2nd, he won’t be able to get as close to the play at 1st as usual, but trading off three or four steps of distance is worth it to be able to get a good angle on the tag play at 3rd.
The plate umpire is free to handle the play at the plate, which may develop if there is an overthrow at 3rd. à
The Plate Umpire Makes the Call - Wrong
The argument for that mechanic is that the plate umpire has the entire play in front of him. R2 is likely to break for 3rd before the play at 1st is complete so the plate umpire will likely see the runner break and will be able to move up the line and get a good look at what is likely to be a banger at 3rd.
The problem with that mechanic is that it leaves the plate area uncovered and the base umpire should never rotate home in the 2-umpire system except in the rare case when he has gone out to the outfield and returned.
Play 3: R2 is at 2nd with fewer than 2 outs. A fly ball is hit to the outfield and the runner tags. Who is responsible for the tag-up at 2nd base and the possible play at 3rd?à
The Base Umpire Makes the Call – Right
Both mechanics manuals say the base umpire should be able to take that play. After all, there is only one runner remaining on the play. From the C position, he’s in the ideal spot to line up the outfielder, the ball and the runner, while still having plenty of time to move toward 3rd to get an angle on the tag play.
The plate umpire remains in position for any potential play at the plate, while still being able to help rule on overthrows at 3rd. à
The Plate Umpire Makes the Call – Wrong
Even if the base umpire must watch a trouble ball in the V, he should still be able to get to the working area to make the call at 3rd. The base umpire might not get the best look, but if the plate umpire were to head toward 3rd, that would leave the plate area uncovered.
The plate umpire can only help with the catch/no catch if the ball is down one of the baselines.
Play 4: Bases empty. B1 hits a ball in the gap and tires for a triple. Who takes the play at 3rd?à
The Base Umpire Makes the Call – Right
In the traditional 2-umpire system, the base umpire takes the batter-runner all the way around. That play is no different from any other. With no other runners to worry about, he can cut across the middle of the infield and watch the touches at 1st and 2nd while still getting a good angle at 3rd.à
The Plate Umpire Makes the Call – Wrong
The argument can be made that by moving up the 3rd-baseline, the plate umpire can get to 3rd well ahead of a potential play. He can watch for overthrows just beyond 3rd and be in position to take the lead end of a rundown if the runner is trapped between 2nd and 3rd.
But once again, leaving the plate uncovered is not an acceptable practice with only one runner in play. The plate umpire must be at home to be ready for any potential play there.Even if the plate umpire should have had to take the initial call on the ball, such as a line shot down the left field line or a trouble ball in left field that requires a catch/no catch decision, he must retreat home in order to be in position for the next play.
Play 5: Runners at 2nd and 3rd. Where should the base umpire stand?à
In the C Position – Right
The NFHS and CCA manuals put the base umpire on the 3rd-base side of 2nd. From there he is in ideal position for a pickoff play at 2nd and can get a good look if the pitcher or catcher initiates a pickoff play at 3rd.In the event of a batted ball in the infield, he’s on the same side of the diamond as the 2 runners if there is a bobbled ball, or a runner gets hung up between bases. In the event of a routine play at 1st base, he’ll have time to get in position to get a good look.à
In the B Position – Wrong
Working on the 1st-base side does have advantages, such as being out of the way of a throw from the mound on a comebacker, pickoff try or infield ground ball.
Even though pickoff attempts at 3rd are rare and attempts at 2nd are uncommon in those situations (especially at higher levels), the base umpire must still be on the left side of the field.
But the base umpire cannot sacrifice the potential of a pickoff play just because he would prefer to be in the B position.
Play 6: Runners at 1st and 3rd. Where should the base umpire stand?à
In the B Position – Right
The manuals say the umpire belongs on the B side, for several reasons. From the 1st-base side of the mound, the base umpire can cover the pickoff plays at 1st and be in the ideal spot to handle steals at 2nd. At higher levels, it’s rare for there to be a pickoff try at 3rd base and he’ll have time to get in position if the catcher makes a snap throw.
Also, if a double play is turned, the closer play is likely to be at 1st base and by starting on the B side, the base umpire will be able to be closer and get a better angle on that play.à
In the C Position – Wrong
At one point, the manuals did put the umpire in the C position, because he could get a better look at the runner leaving 1st on a steal attempt. Either side works for getting the steal play correct, but there are more pickoff throws to 1st than to 3rd, so it is important to be in position for those plays, which means being in B.
Play 7: Runner at 1st. Pitcher is left-handed. Who has the responsibility for making the call on the pitcher’s step to 1st?à
The Plate Umpire Makes the Call – Right
The plate umpire has the best look at what the pitcher does with his free foot. He can draw an imaginary line at a 45-degree angle to help him determine whether the pitcher has legally stepped toward 1st on a pickoff attempt. He also has an advantage over his partner because his view isn’t blocked by the mound itself, or the pitcher’s body.à
The Base Umpire Makes the Call – Wrong
Base umpires often move closer to the mound, in an attempt to see this balk. However, he just cannot see the angle correctly from behind the pitcher.
Summary
While most of the verdicts stated agree with what the manuals say, different associations and longtime veterans might have their own way of doing things.
Keep in mind that at lower levels, coaches are more apt to attempt double steals or bizarre pickoff plays that don’t occur as often at higher levels. That requires crews to be more alert to those types of plays and have a plan in place for how they’re going to cover them.
All that underscores the importance of a thorough pregame conference. Regardless of how many games you’ve worked, or been paired with a particular partner, every moment you can spend before game time discussing coverage and play situations is a moment well spent.
It looks really bad for a play to occur and either have 2 umpires making conflicting calls on a play at a base, or worse, have no umpires in position to make the call. The perception of being in position and knowing where you are going on the field will solve a lot of the problems happening during the plays covered.
So even if you only have 5 or 10 minutes to talk with your partner, it will save you a lot of aggravation, and likely sooner rather than later.
