Going Foul by Brent McLaren

There are times, for example, when the ball is hit to the right of second base, when going for that perfect ninety and staying fair is impossible. There are times when attempting to stay in fair territory at all creates a situation which brings elements of error into your view of the play that will occur.

When does an umpire take a play at first base in foul territory?

1. The umpire wants to avoid any motion of the head that would have to be sweeping and abrupt. Since the body of the umpire would normally be aligned square to the base, a motion that would swing the head from the right shoulder or beyond would be an example. If the umpire realizes extreme pressure from the fielder would result in this motion then moving into foul territory and keeping a respectable range of motion is the preferred option.

2. The umpire does not want a fielder to come between his position and the tag of the base. This obstructed view regularly occurs on balls that are flipped to the pitcher who is covering first base by the first baseman who is close to the line. Realizing that the fielder has set up in that alignment, the umpire should take the call in foul territory.

3. The umpire does not want to become wedged in the middle of a possible play at first. It is important that the umpire not neglect the ability of the fielders to range, and pull off almost miraculous plays. A ball that bounds close to the right field line into the shallow outfield could be played by a second baseman, the right fielder or a quick footed first baseman. Any combination of factors could lead to an attempted play at first base. The umpire does not want to come between the ball and the base, and so would take the call in foul territory.

It is important to realize the game situation and understand how fielders are instructed. Essentially there are three scenarios to follow:

1. If the pitcher will field the ball at first base then he has been instructed to touch the inside side of the base with his foot. Since his earliest youth coaching he has not been taught to step on the bag, but merely to contact the side of the base and pull away instantly. As the base umpire you must be positioned to see this touch. View the base as something four times higher then it really is. As you take your position ensure that you can see that inside edge of the base. You are mow positioned to make the call.

2. If the play will be made by a fielder other than the pitcher it is likely that it will be taken in a pressure manner. You must read and respond to the pressure. Will you have a foot race to the base, or will you have a simple throw out. Again, position yourself to see the convergence at the imagined taller base. You have a wide range of options available to you, all the way from a hands-on-knees traditional set to a standing lean-and-a-look response.

3. As the play has broken down you become aware that you will have a swipe tag. Now your response must be identical to it would have been in fair territory. Stay up and lean in order to get a look at the tag. The tag will occur close to the base, and often on the back of the runner. Because of the compromises made when you went into foul territory (of which you had no choice) you are probably in the worst position to see this go down unless you adjust but you will have very little time to make any corrections. Read the fielder (usually the pitcher) and lean away from the direction he is going to open up the best angle possible in this situation.

You made the call, you made the signal, now what?

The plate umpire has responsibility for any potential overthrows. If the runner was safe you must prepare to lead that runner to second base as required.

Aggressively enter the diamond by running around first base on the home plate side. Attempting to thread your way through the fielders and runner can be impossible. The path around first base is almost always clear at this time and you can continue to observe the runner's status as you enter the diamond.

In Conclusion

All plays taken in foul territory are pressure plays. The umpire must be prepared to respond instantly to many different scenarios that happen quickly on the baseball diamond. When there are no other options the umpire must be prepared to observe a play from foul territory in a manner which minimizes any inherent chance for error. It takes practice and experience to make it work.

"On the tag ... He's Out!"

.... written August 23, 2000