DD's team was recently playing in the D3 conference championships when this play happened. A friend and I were watching as our daughter's were playing against each other. We have coached together for 4 years, and tend to talk a lot about various situations. This play occurred and confused both of us.
Situation: Runner on second with one out. Batter hits a shallow pop up that is caught by a diving right fielder. Runner on second tags and advances to third. Pretty routine... Here is where we were confused. Since it was conference playoffs, they were using a 3 man umpire crew. In this situation one was behind the plate, one was between 2nd and 3rd base, and one was behind first base. When the ball was in the air, the umpire near first base had his back turned to the infield and was watching the fielder dive for the ball, presumably to ensure that the catch was made. It was. No argument there. After the runner advanced to 3rd, the opposing team challenged that the runner had left 2nd base early. The call was challenged to and answered by the umpire behind first base. He confirmed that there was no foul and the runner advanced successfully. How is it possible for this umpire to make the call? His back was turned to the infield. The diving catch was made very close to the foul line in right field. There is no way he can watch the catch AND confirm that the runner did not leave early at the same time. At least I don't see how. And under those circumstances, what is the 3rd umpire's role in the play (the one standing between 2nd and 3rd). It would have made more sense to us that the umpire near first is watching the catch while the umpire between 2nd and 3rd is confirming that the runner leaves at the proper time.
By the way, we both feel that the correct call was made. Just thought it should have been made by a different umpire.
Situation: Runner on second with one out. Batter hits a shallow pop up that is caught by a diving right fielder. Runner on second tags and advances to third. Pretty routine... Here is where we were confused. Since it was conference playoffs, they were using a 3 man umpire crew. In this situation one was behind the plate, one was between 2nd and 3rd base, and one was behind first base. When the ball was in the air, the umpire near first base had his back turned to the infield and was watching the fielder dive for the ball, presumably to ensure that the catch was made. It was. No argument there. After the runner advanced to 3rd, the opposing team challenged that the runner had left 2nd base early. The call was challenged to and answered by the umpire behind first base. He confirmed that there was no foul and the runner advanced successfully. How is it possible for this umpire to make the call? His back was turned to the infield. The diving catch was made very close to the foul line in right field. There is no way he can watch the catch AND confirm that the runner did not leave early at the same time. At least I don't see how. And under those circumstances, what is the 3rd umpire's role in the play (the one standing between 2nd and 3rd). It would have made more sense to us that the umpire near first is watching the catch while the umpire between 2nd and 3rd is confirming that the runner leaves at the proper time.
By the way, we both feel that the correct call was made. Just thought it should have been made by a different umpire.