BASEBALL
EDITOR: SCOTT TITTRINGTON
stittrington@referee.com
RULES, MECHANICS, TECHNIQUES
Proper positioning for force plays at first base includes being in a location where Jonathan Jackson, Kelso, Wash., can see the completion of the catch, the first baseman’s foot in relation to the bag and the batter-runner hitting the base.
‘FEEL IT’ AT FIRST BASE By Scott Tittrington
W
hile there is still plenty of baseball to be worked during the summer of 2022, it’s also true that for many umpires, camp season is here. That means it’s time to open the eyes and ears, close the mouth and become a sponge to all of the information, insights and instructions you’re dropping your hard-earned money for by attending an umpiring camp or clinic. While this extra education is invaluable for umpires who are dedicated to working on their craft and/or looking to advance to a higher level in their career, it doesn’t come without the occasional obstacle. One of the biggest is deciphering what
you should do when you are given conflicting information about the proper umpiring mechanics of a given play. Case in point: When working the A position, where should you move to take plays at first base following a ground ball that’s hit somewhere in the infield? Go to one camp, and you’ll receive detailed instruction about working hard to obtain a 90-degree angle with the location from where the throw originates. So, if a ball is hit to the third baseman, you are going to take at least two to three additional steps into the infield dirt toward second base than if the throw is coming from the second baseman who is deep into the hole moving toward shallow right field.
Fast forward a couple weeks, and you may find yourself at another camp where you’re taught the 90-degree rule is out of style, and instead all you need to do is to take one or two steps off the foul line for all plays at first base, because this gives you the best angle to see if there is any daylight between the first baseman’s foot and the bag when he catches the throw. Sound familiar? Every good camper knows which mechanic is correct: It’s the one being taught in that moment. You do as the instructor wants you to. Six months later, when you’re lined up for the first pitch of the new season and anticipating that first ball being put in play, your pre-pitch preparation, your
DALE GARVEY
Let the Action Guide You to the Proper Mechanic on Force Plays
64 | REFEREE August 2022
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6/16/2022 11:22:35 AM