Eyes everywhere

[missingleg]

How do umpires deal with the the situation when you need to look for the fair completion of a run (looking for short runs) at the same time the ball is rolling towards the boundary and you ne need to judge if a boundary is scored or if a catch has been made on the boundary behind you? Which bit of information do you have to sacrifice looking out for as you can only look one way?

[sillypoint]

Any time you are confronted with a situation such as this, you have to make a snap decision as to which is more important and give most of your attention to that. For example, if the two events that are coinciding are a short run or a potential catch, then the catch is more important as this could result in an appeal which you will have to answer; if the two events are the ball running to the boundary and a possible short run, then the boundary is more important, as if it is completed it will cancel out a short run anyhow; if the two events are the timing of a throw from the outfield and possible physical contact between one of the running batters and a close fielder, then the possible physical contact is more important to have observed.

Of course, in order to realise that two events may coincide, you need to have been monitoring all the action on the field already
— the location of the ball;
- the fielding of the ball;
- the proximity to the boundary of the ball and any fielders who may have contact with it;
- whether the batter turning at your end touches down correctly;
- when the batters cross;
- whether either batter appears likely to encroach on the pitch;
- whether any fielder appears likely to encroach on the pitch;
- any potential for physical contact between batters and fielders;
- the timing of any throw from the outfield, relative to the position of the running batters;
- whether any catch is taken legally;
- whether you may be in a better position to see any of these situations than you colleague.

It's a long list and there may be more you can think of. Part of the art of umpiring is monitoring all of this as required by the course of play whenever the ball is in the field.

[missingleg]

Thanks silly point this is helpful. Another one is standing at strikers end and judging whether the batsmen crossed at the same time watching the catch to help your colleague with the fairness of the catch if he asks.

[jaybee]

Off-topic parts oif this thread have been moved - to "Foot Faults & Free Hits"