[{"command":"settings","settings":{"basePath":"\/","pathPrefix":"","setHasJsCookie":0,"ajaxPageState":{"theme":"responsive","theme_token":"ekPl1Lz_7h_PGZtpFLrcJgrUqAnkTRXsrxOOGaaFJ6w"}},"merge":true},{"command":"insert","method":"replaceWith","selector":"#node-82","data":"\u003Carticle id=\u0022node-82\u0022 class=\u0022node node-article node-promoted clearfix\u0022 about=\u0022\/optimal-positioning-at-home-plate\u0022 typeof=\u0022sioc:Item foaf:Document\u0022\u003E\n          \u003Cheader\u003E\n\t                  \u003Ch2 class=\u0022title\u0022 \u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022\/optimal-positioning-at-home-plate\u0022\u003EOptimal Positioning at Home Plate\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/h2\u003E\n            \u003Cspan property=\u0022dc:title\u0022 content=\u0022Optimal Positioning at Home Plate\u0022 class=\u0022rdf-meta element-hidden\u0022\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cspan property=\u0022sioc:num_replies\u0022 content=\u00220\u0022 datatype=\u0022xsd:integer\u0022 class=\u0022rdf-meta element-hidden\u0022\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E  \n              \u003Cspan class=\u0022submitted\u0022\u003E\u003Cspan property=\u0022dc:date dc:created\u0022 content=\u00222024-03-28T11:23:18-04:00\u0022 datatype=\u0022xsd:dateTime\u0022 rel=\u0022sioc:has_creator\u0022\u003ESubmitted by \u003Cspan class=\u0022username\u0022 xml:lang=\u0022\u0022 about=\u0022\/user\/1\u0022 typeof=\u0022sioc:UserAccount\u0022 property=\u0022foaf:name\u0022 datatype=\u0022\u0022\u003Ebcua\u003C\/span\u003E on Thu, 03\/28\/2024 - 11:23am\u003C\/span\u003E\u003C\/span\u003E\n      \n          \u003C\/header\u003E\n  \n  \u003Cdiv class=\u0022content node-article\u0022\u003E\n    \u003Cdiv class=\u0022field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden\u0022\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\u0022field-items\u0022\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\u0022field-item even\u0022 property=\u0022content:encoded\u0022\u003E\u003Cp style=\u0022text-align: center;\u0022\u003E\u00a0\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp style=\u0022margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; color: rgb(95, 91, 97); font-size: 14px; line-height: 25px; font-family: open_sansregular, sans-serif; text-align: center;\u0022\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/bcua.info\/optimal-positioning-at-home-plate\u0022\u003E\u003Cimg alt=\u0022\u0022 src=\u0022https:\/\/www.referee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Optimal-Positioning-at-the-Plate-681x511.jpg?width=500\u0026amp;height=478\u0022 style=\u0022max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;\u0022 \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.referee.com\/optimal-positioning-at-home-plate\/\u0022\u003ERepublished from Referee.com\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u00a0\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EThe evolution of the mechanics of calling plays at home plate has been fascinating to observe.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u00a0\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EPlate umpires can make decisions on 250 to 300 pitches in a game, but one call at the plate might decide the outcome of the game. Consequently, the umpire community commits a lot of training to developing the best ways to judge plays at home plate. For many decades, umpires approached plays at the plate using the first-base line extended method, commonly referred to as 1BX. Plate umpires stand at an imaginary line that would extend the first-base foul line into foul territory past home plate.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u00a0\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EAbout 20 years ago, a new technique emerged called third-base line extended known as 3BX. This is the opposite position from 1BX with plate umpires standing on an imaginary line from the third-base foul line.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EOne Call at the Plate Might Determine the Outcome of the Game\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EThe gradual change in this practice recently produced a new tactic called, \u201cThe Wedge.\u201d\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u00a0\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u201cI first learned The Wedge at a camp three years ago in New Jersey,\u201d said Mike Lum, a 20-year umpire who has worked on the college level for the last five years. \u201cI\u2019ve had conversations with minor league and college umps about The Wedge and we all wonder why we are just hearing about this. I think the major league umpires have been using this method for a while, but someone coined the phrase The Wedge only recently.\u201d\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u00a0\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EFrom all accounts, The Wedge has been practiced for 5-7 years in the northern Virginia and Washington, D.C., area before blossoming recently into a hot trend on the East Coast over the last 2-4 years. The other dynamic that has widened the use of this new mechanic is the increased movement of catchers who want to avoid violating new obstruction rules during plays at home. Catchers are now starting several feet in front of home plate as opposed to standing on or near it in the past.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u00a0\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003ESo why is it called The Wedge? Think of a shape of a wedge or a triangle. The two sides of the wedge represent the path of the runner and the flight of the ball. An umpire using The Wedge would be in between those two lines to see the point of the play where the tag is applied.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u00a0\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EChris Marshall is a major advocate of The Wedge. Marshall has worked college baseball for the last 21 years and appeared in his fourth NCAA Division I Super Regional last year at the University of North Carolina.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u00a0\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u201cI\u2019ve completely bought into using The Wedge,\u201d said Marshall, who is the interim president of the New Jersey-based United Collegiate Umpires. \u201cI can remember missing two plays at the plate in a Division I postseason tournament game a few years ago because I was using the old-school thinking. I read the plays correctly but they developed differently than I expected and I got them both wrong. The Wedge now gives me a whole new view of plays at the plate.\u201d\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u00a0\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EThe 1BX and 3BX positions have been commonly taught as places to stand and watch. The Wedge, however, is all about movement and putting umpires in a position to see the play completely and correctly. A key difference between The Wedge and the 1BX-3BX methods is that the home plate umpire is keying off the catcher\u2019s movements to gain a good position to see the play. Using 1BX and 3BX, umpires use the flight of the ball. It is a new mindset.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u00a0\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u201cIn the past, umpires would choose a pre-determined place to stand, either at the point of the plate or at the first-base or third-base line extended. That puts umpires in a pretty good position to see most plays. But if the play explodes, they will not get the best angle,\u201d Marshall said.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u00a0\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EMarshall cites four specific plays where The Wedge helps umpires get the optimal view at plays at home plate:\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u00a0\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESwipe tags (when the catcher applies a tag using a swipe motion)\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECrash plays (when the catcher and runner collide)\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBlock plays (when the catcher blocks the runner from reaching the plate)\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDropped balls (when the catcher drops the ball)\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u201cI had been using third-base line extended for years until I learned The Wedge at a clinic two years ago in Binghamton (N.Y.),\u201d said Sal Algozzino, a 23-year umpire who has worked two D-II regionals in his career. \u201cThe Wedge allows you to see all types of plays at the plate, but you can\u2019t just stand in one place like we used to do. You must be very aggressive and be ready to move.\u201d\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u00a0\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EWhen using The Wedge, some instructors say umpires should act like backpacks for the catchers while others urge umpires to stay on the catcher\u2019s glove-side hip. Here are the mechanics of working the wedge:\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u00a0\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELocate the ball.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPosition yourself 2-3 feet immediately behind the catcher, lining up with the catcher\u2019s left hip.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMove in-step with the catcher and remain 2-3 feet behind him.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBe prepared to make a final step \u2014 the \u201cRead Step\u201d \u2014 to see the tag applied. Marshall added, \u201cUmpires need to take quiet, purposeful steps as the ball arrives to put themselves into that window to see the play.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003ETwo key parts of The Wedge mechanic contradict traditional thinking about home plate coverage, according to Marshall. First, umpires have been taught to keep 4-8 feet away from the play to have a wider field of vision. Second, umpires have been advised not to go into fair territory to call plays at the plate. Umpires using The Wedge often wind up in fair territory in front of the plate or even up the third -base line.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u00a0\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EMarshall said, \u201cThe Wedge can be difficult to grasp right away but it is worth sticking with it because of the advantages it gives you in seeing the play. The game is changing and we need to change with it. As umpires, we might see a close play at the plate once a month so it may take a while to practice it. I wish we had more bangers at the plate so we could work on it.\u201d\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u00a0\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003ETim Gaiser, a 23-year umpire who has worked college baseball for the last 18 years in upstate New York, is another proponent of The Wedge.\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u00a0\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u201cI learned The Wedge four years ago and I now apply the wedge fundamentals to plays all over the field,\u201d said Gaiser. \u201cThe Wedge has helped me immensely. I look at it this way: I umpire baseball games involving boys ages 15-22. They stay the same age every year but I get one year older every year, so I need to find ways to be more efficient. The Wedge challenges what has been taught for years, but it puts us in the best place to see the play. It makes us better umpires.\u201d\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cp style=\u0022margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; color: rgb(95, 91, 97); font-size: 14px; line-height: 25px; font-family: open_sansregular, sans-serif;\u0022\u003E\u003C!--break--\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\u0022field field-name-field-tags field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-inline clearfix\u0022\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\u0022field-label\u0022\u003ETags:\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\u0022field-items\u0022\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\u0022field-item even\u0022 rel=\u0022dc:subject\u0022\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022\/taxonomy\/term\/5\u0022 typeof=\u0022skos:Concept\u0022 property=\u0022rdfs:label skos:prefLabel\u0022 datatype=\u0022\u0022\u003EBaseball\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\u0022field-item odd\u0022 rel=\u0022dc:subject\u0022\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022\/taxonomy\/term\/4\u0022 typeof=\u0022skos:Concept\u0022 property=\u0022rdfs:label skos:prefLabel\u0022 datatype=\u0022\u0022\u003ESoftball\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\u0022field-item even\u0022 rel=\u0022dc:subject\u0022\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022\/taxonomy\/term\/12\u0022 typeof=\u0022skos:Concept\u0022 property=\u0022rdfs:label skos:prefLabel\u0022 datatype=\u0022\u0022\u003EMechanics\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\u0022field-item odd\u0022 rel=\u0022dc:subject\u0022\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022\/taxonomy\/term\/28\u0022 typeof=\u0022skos:Concept\u0022 property=\u0022rdfs:label skos:prefLabel\u0022 datatype=\u0022\u0022\u003Enfhs\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E  \u003C\/div\u003E\n\n      \u003Cfooter\u003E\n      \u003Cul class=\u0022links inline\u0022\u003E\u003Cli class=\u0022node-readless first last\u0022\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022\/more\/node\/82\/teaser\u0022 class=\u0022use-ajax\u0022\u003ERead less\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\n\u003C\/ul\u003E    \u003C\/footer\u003E\n  \n    \u003C\/article\u003E \u003C!-- \/.node --\u003E","settings":null},{"command":"invoke","selector":"#node-82","method":"addClass","arguments":["more-load node-teaser"]},{"command":"readmore_ajax","speed":"350"}]