January 13, 2018

 

 

 

 

 

Play at the Plate

 

The following is an umpire’s mechanics adjustment that I have personally not grown accustomed to — it is the play at the plate. Umpires have previously been taught to set up at first base extended when anticipating a play at the plate. Now the preferred method is referred to as the “wedge”.

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From the bit of research that I have been able to do, the “wedge” position puts you in the best position to see the tag between the runner and the catcher. This position is basically 90 degrees to the line between the catcher and the runner. If you are not in that position you will most-likely be blocked from the play by the catcher or the runner.

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To begin with, the catcher should most often move in front of the plate to receive the throw. If this happens your starting point at point of plate should be adequate distance to analyze the play. As the catcher faces the runner this is when your positioning needs some adjustment.

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Since this relationship is very often a moving and changing target you should be adjusting your positioning as well. This could be as a result of bad positioning of the catcher, the running path of the runner, or the accuracy of the throw to the plate. The best advise I have found is to stay on the catcher’s “plate-side (or inside) pocket”. As the catcher pivots, you should pivot around as well. Another metaphor which could be used is being the catcher’s “back pack”. The main idea is to stay on the catcher’s inside hip to see the triangular area where the catcher, runner, and home plate all converge.

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The following are two good Youtube instructional videos regarding the topic:

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• This video is from EPHSUA presenting their mechanics at the plate

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• Instruction from Robert Brown at an Umpire Clinic

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And here are three Youtube videos with the proper technique in action:

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• Gardner throws out Zobrist at home plate

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• Bautista throws out Holliday at home plate

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• Kiermaier throws out Teixeira at home plate

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