Tmac's Teachable Tripp - Tricky Plays at 2B

This video episode of Tmac's Teachable Moments finds 2B Umpire Tripp Gibson officiating a complex play at second base with Houston's ball-bobbling infielder Alex Bregman, who nearly collides with sliding Oakland runner Mark Canha as he flips to teammate Carlos Correa, who throws onto first baseman Yuli Gurriel just as batter Corban Joseph arrives at first base.

Quite often an umpire will clear a player by adjusting his position so that he can see around the player to make a call; this can occur with any infielder, such as a second baseman or shortstop who runs in front of an umpire just as the play occurs at the base.

In this case, Gibson in a Deep B alignment allows Bregman to clear him, as he recognizes that the infielder's momentum will open up an angle up the middle, such that Gibson moves to his left as the play develops at second base, locking into the play and sticking with the action as the Athletics throw onto first base to complete the double play on 1B Umpire Ryan Blakney's out call, which is challenged by Oakland Manager Bob Melvin and upheld via Replay Review.

Video as follows:

Alternate Link: Tmac analyzes Gibson's umpiring during a tricky play at second (CCS)