I’ll admit, one of my favorite comebacks when I’ve got a coach who’s upset about a call is, “Coach, I’m in the best position possible to make that call in a 2 man system”. It’s an argument that the coach really can’t argue with (usually because, even if I was out of position, they don’t know it).
It’s my belief that in a 2 man system we put far too much pressure on the Home Plate Umpire. In 3 man and 4 man mechanics, the HP umpire’s job is a lot easier and they use a lot less energy running all over the field.
Here are two plays that I picked out for you that call into question just how “involved” the HP should be.
Play 1: what’s HP’s responsibility to help out? There are three significant plays here (and for 2 of them, U1 is absolutely in the WRONG position to be able to make them). In a 2 man crew, can we fault either umpire for being out of position?
Play 2: should the call be the HP’s? What do you think that argument is going to be like with the coach? I would imagine it would go something like this: “You’re making that call from 90 feet away when your partner is all over it? And you cost me a run? You’re horses#!t.”
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First situation is all BU. The OBS at first with F3 hitting the BR with an empty glove is not PU’s call. He has to watch R1 hit third AND is responsible for the ball against the fence over by first.
As for the “out of the baseline” situation at the end of the first video that is all BU as well. Especially since there was no attempted tag… thus no OOTB.
Second clip the PU nails the crap out of this play. At least if it was a HS game. BR is definitely not running within his allotted area. If the game is played under OBR or NCAA then he got the call wrong. However whether it is 1man, 2man, all the way to 6man, running lane infractions are 110% PU’s call.
Excellent video to show the weaknesses of a 2-man system! That is probably the worst case scenario and thankfully, not seen very often!
I agree with Arik that running lane infractions are PU’s responsibility and that he nailed this call. Arik, can you expound how he got the call wrong under OBR? I umpire Babe Ruth (OBR) and I would’ve called interference there, also.
@Nathan: sorry it has taken so long to get back to you. The reason I do not have a lane violation here in OBR is because the rule requires the defenestration’s to make a “quality throw”. F2 chucking the ball over F3′s head does not a quality throw make. In high school you do not need a quality throw. Just a throw in the vicinity of the bag to get the lane violation.