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Plays at the Plate Umpire Mechanic 7:10
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Umpire has to judge and rule on ALL of this… it happens fast!
Plays at the Plate Components for Plays at the Plate: Play = ball & runner Catcher cannot block without possession of baseball. He can occupy a position required to field a throw, in the immediate act of fielding (within his reach). Runner = make a legal slide or attempt to avoid contact. He can slide legally on the ground prior to contacting the catcher or if given time, can attempt to avoid contact. Essentially he must be trying to reach the base legally. Types of plays are Collision Play or Swipe Tag Play. Collision plays are when the catcher is blocking the plate and the runner takes a direct approach to the plate. Swipe Tag plays are EITHER when the catcher is not blocking and must reach for the runner OR when the runner attempts to slide around the plate and touch backside. Umpire has to judge and rule on ALL of this… it happens fast! Make sure we have a strong understanding of the components of a Play at the Plate. And a strong understanding of the rules (Obstruction, Legal Slide, Malicious Contact)…… BEFORE WE EVER TAKE A PLAY!
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Read the indicators (Pre Play Snapshot) before the Play happens…..
Plays at the Plate Umpire MENTAL Mechanic: Pre Play Snapshot: we can use this information to position ourselves in the best spot possible….. Where is the throw originating from? Offline throws from leftfield will be swipe plays, off line throws from center or right field towards 3rd base dugout will be Collision plays. Where is the catcher setting up during the developing play? If the catcher is blocking immediately then we have obstruction potential and Collision alert! Where is the catcher setting up in the act of receiving throw? Setting up off / front of plate probably a swipe….lf blocking expect collision. The runner usually adjusts as to where the catcher is and how close they perceive the play. So if runner adjusts then USUALLY a Swipe Play. Read the indicators (Pre Play Snapshot) before the Play happens….. Identify where the ball is and what the catcher is doing…. The play can change from Collision to Swipe or vice versa in an instant. Be ready for the PLAY and ready to adjust to new PLAY! Rule on the LEGALITY of the PLAY (Obstruction, Legal Slide, Malicious Contact)
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Plays at the Plate Immediately to 3rd base line extended – this is going to provide us with the best starting position in most cases. Depth of Starting Position- closer is not always better. Be close enough to see the play clearly but remain in a safe, out of the way distance. Too far and we can possible get blocked out by other things… Other Things- beware of advance runners scoring and running through ahead of the play. Know where the bat is (do NOT clear the bat), know where the On Deck Hitter is and keep him out of your way. Adjust to your Play- recognize what you have and physical move if necessary. Try to be SET when the Tag occurs. Rule on the LEGALITY of the PLAY (Obstruction, Legal Slide, Malicious Contact) Be Proactive if no play or the ball will be arriving too late for a play, talk with your catcher to give up his position if blocking. Prevent bad things from happening if possible. Umpire Physical Mechanic: 3rd Baseline Extended: move immediately to 3rd base line extended and start developing your Pre Play Snapshot. Dirt Circle / Batters Box Line: the is our guide for depth from the play. We will lineup 3rd baseline extended, no deeper than dirt circle edge and no closer than the batters box line (somewhere in between) is our physical positioning. Stationary in an Athletic Stance: we want to be set for our developing play but in a stance that will allow us to move or adjust as needed. Read our Play: if our play reads as collision remain where you are and let the play come to you. If you read Swipe Tag, then adjust by moving (in an arc) towards first base line and on as necessary. You are trying to adjust your angle based on the tag of the runner (so you don’t look through the catchers body) and see through the window created…
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Plays at the Plate Lets put it all together: …Catcher cannot block without possession of baseball… Is the catcher in the immediate act of fielding?
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Plays at the Plate …Runner must make a legal slide or avoid contact…
Lets put it all together: …Runner must make a legal slide or avoid contact… Is the runners slide on the ground prior to contact with the catcher? Is he trying to reach the base or dislodge the ball?
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Plays at the Plate …Collision or Swipe Play?
Lets put it all together: …Collision or Swipe Play? The catcher below is blocking, but the runner is adjusting, and the play turns to Swipe Tag This is all part of our Pre Play Snapshot Combined these plays turn from Collision to Swipe Tag The catcher above is clearly in a position that is going to create a Collision Play.
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Plays at the Plate …Where is the throw originating from ….
Lets put it all together: …Where is the throw originating from …. Below an offline throw from Right field results in a Collision This is all part of our Pre Play Snapshot Above: this throw is offline from left field and results in the catcher moving off the plate. What caused our collision above? The runner? The errant throw? Penalize if the Runner caused the collision, otherwise a baseball play.
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Athletic stance allows him to adjust out of the way safely
Plays at the Plate …Umpire Positioning Athletic stance allows him to adjust out of the way safely These umpires kept the tag in “open window” of sight by proper positioning Umpire is 3rd baseline extended. Between the batters box line and the edge of dirt circle. Remember not to get too close OR too far…use our guidelines… Umpire started 3rd base line extended and read Swipe Tag. He adjusted by moving in an arc towards 1st baseline
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These umpires kept the tag AND the plate in “open window” of sight.
Plays at the Plate …Umpire Positioning Collision Plays These umpires kept the tag AND the plate in “open window” of sight. Umpire is 3rd baseline extended and lets the collision play come to him. Remember not to get too close OR too far…use our guidelines… Collision Play with Umpire 3rd baseline extended, waiting on play to come to him. Great position, great “Open Window” of sight
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Plays at the Plate Questions on Umpire Mechanic for Plays at the Plate? This tutorial on Plays at the Plate is online via AZBOA.org/training
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Go to your assigned breakout Breakouts start in 5 minutes!!
2017 AIA First Pitch Breakout Sessions Go to your assigned breakout Breakouts start in 5 minutes!!
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