Runner Misses Home Plate and Catcher Misses Tag Mechanic

[scumpire]

I know this topic has been discussed all over this forum so here is a good video from a MLB game that shows you the correct mechanic for when a runner misses home plate and the catcher misses the tag.

http://mlb.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?content_id=5890811

[Ozzy]

Yes, this has been discussed numerous times before and yes, this is the correct mechanic for the umpire.

[Richard_Siegel]

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Originally Posted by scumpire

I know this topic has been discussed all over this forum so here is a good video from a MLB game that shows you the correct mechanic for when a runner misses home plate and the catcher misses the tag.

http://mlb.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?content_id=5890811

Another benefit of seeing this video is that this is a typical swipe tag play where the only way to see the missed home plate and the missed tag is from the third baseline extended. The plate umpire in this clip is standing at the point of the plate which is the next best place to be, but it is not quite as good as being at the third baseline extended. But note that he leaned to his right just as the tag was attempted to improve his 3BLE angle. I bet he was saying to himself right then, "I should have been more on the 3BLE!") Only at the 3BLE can you see the daylight between the mitt and the runner, and the foot miss the plate.

If the umpire were to be standing at the FIRST base line extended, or worse, farther up the line towards third base (behind the play) where many amateur umpires seem to end up seeing plays at home plate he would have no clue if the runner touched home plate or if the catcher actually touched the runner because the runner's body would be blocking the umpire's view of the tag.

[heyblue26]

Originally Posted by Richard_Siegel

Another benefit of seeing this video is that this is a typical swipe tag play where the only way to see the missed home plate and the missed tag is from the third baseline extended. The plate umpire in this clip is standing at the point of the plate which is the next best place to be, but it is not quite as good as being at the third baseline extended where you can see the daylight between the mitt and the runner, and the foot miss the plate.

If the umpire were to be standing at the FIRST base line extended, or worse, farther up the line towards third base (behind the play) where many amateur umpires seem to end up seeing plays at home plate he would have no clue if the runner touched home plate or if the catcher actually touched the runner because the runner's body would be blocking the umpire's view of the tag.

Yes Richard this video was real good and you have given a great example and explaination of were the plate umpire should be on a play of this type. I think he made a nice call and didn't give any advantage to either team in his call. He called it as he saw it take place and waited for the play to end then made the call.

[umpgent]

The late great John McSherry also discusses these optimum positions in his very short (30 min), but very enlightening video that he did with Steve Yeager.

This video is well worth studying, if for no other reason, but for the humor factor. The two of them working together is hilarious. It's as good for catchers to view as it is for umpires.

[BrianC14]

Originally Posted by Richard_Siegel

.

Another benefit of seeing this video is that this is a typical swipe tag play where the only way to see the missed home plate and the missed tag is from the third baseline extended. The plate umpire in this clip is standing at the point of the plate which is the next best place to be, but it is not quite as good as being at the third baseline extended. But note that he leaned to his right just as the tag was attempted to improve his 3BLE angle. I bet he was saying to himself right then, "I should have been more on the 3BLE!") Only at the 3BLE can you see the daylight between the mitt and the runner, and the foot miss the plate.

If the umpire were to be standing at the FIRST base line extended, or worse, farther up the line towards third base (behind the play) where many amateur umpires seem to end up seeing plays at home plate he would have no clue if the runner touched home plate or if the catcher actually touched the runner because the runner's body would be blocking the umpire's view of the tag.

Looks to me as though he leaned LEFT as F2 tries to tag the runner.

[robbyrudd455]

One of the biggest mistakes by newer (and some veteran) umpires is they always want to get to 1BLX on everything. This is a great reason why you should get to 3BLX.

[Richard_Siegel]

Originally Posted by robbyrudd455

One of the biggest mistakes by newer (and some veteran) umpires is they always want to get to 1BLX on everything. This is a great reason why you should get to 3BLX.

The mistake that new umpires make is what I call getting "sucked up the 3B line." New and untrained umpires know that have have the responsibility to see a runner touch 3B as he advances. For some reason, the umpire will mistakenly decide that he better can see the runner touch 3B if he gets closer to 3B by slipping up the 3B line about 20 feet. Then as the runner continues to HP the umpire realizes he has to make a call at HP. Since the runner is coming in very fast the umpire will realize he has no time to get to better position to see the play at HP. So the umpire will simply stay right where he is and "lock in" on his view of HP from that position and hope he can get a good look at the play.

This why so many umpire end up standing about 15 or 20 feet up the 3B line on the foul side of the line to make a call on a play at HP. This is about the worst place to be to make a call at HP. Ironically, about 50% of the time you can see the tag OK from that position, so these umpires will get a false sense of security that they are getting to a good place to see plays at HP. But, as the clip shows, plays that involve swipe tags can not be seen from the position when the umpire is sucked up the 3B line.

There is no place you can stand to see plays at HP with 100% success. Even at the 3BLE you can get blocked out of a swipe tag on a runner's back. But the vast majority of tag plays at HP can be seen best from the 3BLE. I think it is the best place for 95% of tag plays at HP.

Force plays at HP should be taken at the 1BLE so you can be in position to look up the 1B line when F2 throws the ball to F3 for a DP.

[chuck1]

Originally Posted by Richard_Siegel

.

Another benefit of seeing this video is that this is a typical swipe tag play where the only way to see the missed home plate and the missed tag is from the third baseline extended. The plate umpire in this clip is standing at the point of the plate which is the next best place to be, but it is not quite as good as being at the third baseline extended. But note that he leaned to his right just as the tag was attempted to improve his 3BLE angle. I bet he was saying to himself right then, "I should have been more on the 3BLE!") Only at the 3BLE can you see the daylight between the mitt and the runner, and the foot miss the plate.

If the umpire were to be standing at the FIRST base line extended, or worse, farther up the line towards third base (behind the play) where many amateur umpires seem to end up seeing plays at home plate he would have no clue if the runner touched home plate or if the catcher actually touched the runner because the runner's body would be blocking the umpire's view of the tag.

And as you well know Richard, many runners do not try to touch the plate with their foot on this play. They sneak their left hand in on the plate as they go by with their feet. You will not see the left hand touch from 1BLE either.

[chuck1]

Originally Posted by Richard_Siegel

The mistake that new umpires make is what I call getting "sucked up the 3B line." New and untrained umpires know that have have the responsibility to see a runner touch 3B as he advances. For some reason, the umpire will mistakenly decide that he better can see the runner touch 3B if he gets closer to 3B by slipping up the 3B line about 20 feet. Then as the runner continues to HP the umpire realizes he has to make a call at HP. Since the runner is coming in very fast the umpire will realize he has no time to get to better position to see the play at HP. So the umpire will simply stay right where he is and "lock in" on his view of HP from that position and hope he can get a good look at the play.

This why so many umpire end up standing about 15 or 20 feet up the 3B line on the foul side of the line to make a call on a play at HP. This is about the worst place to be to make a call at HP. Ironically, about 50% of the time you can see the tag OK from that position, so these umpires will get a false sense of security that they are getting to a good place to see plays at HP. But, as the clip shows, plays that involve swipe tags can not be seen from the position when the umpire is sucked up the 3B line.

There is no place you can stand to see plays at HP with 100% success. Even at the 3BLE you can get blocked out of a swipe tag on a runner's back. But the vast majority of tag plays at HP can be seen best from the 3BLE. I think it is the best place for 95% of tag plays at HP.

Force plays at HP should be taken at the 1BLE so you can be in position to look up the 1B line when F2 throws the ball to F3 for a DP.

Hell, they might as well just go into "fair territory" up the line and then take the play at home like they would a steal at second base. (off the subject a bit and at a different base, but did you see Crawford take the back end of a double play the other night from the cutout inside the diamond at first?. Not too many use that technique any more, but it will work).

[Richard_Siegel]

Originally Posted by chuck1

Hell, they might as well just go into "fair territory" up the line and then take the play at home like they would a steal at second base. ....

Why? Is that supposed to be better than the 3BLE?

[chuck1]

Originally Posted by Richard_Siegel

Why? Is that supposed to be better than the 3BLE?

"This why so many umpire end up standing about 15 or 20 feet up the 3B line on the foul side of the line to make a call on a play at HP. This is about the worst place to be to make a call at HP."

No----Sorry Richard, my response was mainly in reply to the 2 lines above. Sorry I did not edit out the rest. Your original full post was right on the money.

[DP]

As was said, this has been discussed many many times here BUT for what its worth, I believe this trend toward going up the 3rd baseline is an example of another flaw in the 2 man system. During the HS season, I had this play. Runner at first, batter hits a gapper. As PU I have to get up the line as I am responsible for the runner from first coming 1B to 3rd. Ball gets past outfielder but he quickly picks it up and relays to SS who sees runner is coming home. Now I am in a footrace to get back to 3B line extended in time for the play at the plate. Ain't going to happen, so you make the call from 1st baseline extended, actually up the third base line a little. Years ago, that was where you went if you expected a collision play and 3B ext if you expected a swipe tag. You just get yourselfed parked and make the best call you can. Another problem with going 3B ext is preceeding runners, they want to run you down or get in front of you to coach the next runner's slide. You wind up shoving people out of the way etc. The trend today is away from the old collision play(however I do work in an adult league where it is still in vogue) so 3B ext is probably better but, it isn't written in stone as the only place to be.