Any umpire CAN call it but the base umpire is responsible for watching the feet and plate has hands. Usually pretty difficult to watch pitches and see what the feet are doing as well.Hmmm, as I read the article in this thread I am amazed it was the umpire behind the dish calling IP's. WHAT?? That's not his call. IP's are the base umpires call unless it something that happens pre-pitch: not wiping hands on pants, walking up to rubber with hands together, etc.
Believe me, I also played in an era where IP's were called in Men's Fastpitch. It was never the plate ump calling it. It's my understanding it's not his call. We'd have to get an umpire to explain. I truly didn't think plate umps were allowed to call jumping, crow hopping.
Bill, its been a while since i scoured the NCAA umpires manual, but last time I checked (probably 5 years ago) there was no delineation as to "who" could call what. Hope you are well.Hmmm, as I read the article in this thread I am amazed it was the umpire behind the dish calling IP's. WHAT?? That's not his call. IP's are the base umpires call unless it something that happens pre-pitch: not wiping hands on pants, walking up to rubber with hands together, etc.
Believe me, I also played in an era where IP's were called in Men's Fastpitch. It was never the plate ump calling it. It's my understanding it's not his call. We'd have to get an umpire to explain. I truly didn't think plate umps were allowed to call jumping, crow hopping.
I agree, I don't see how someone behind the plate can do both: call pitches and watch for IP's. I've just never seen it done from the guy behind the plate. That sounds like a case of "over umpiring" to me, where he had to insert himself in the game.Any umpire CAN call it but the base umpire is responsible for watching the feet and plate has hands. Usually pretty difficult to watch pitches and see what the feet are doing as well.