covering home plate

Question
I play in a men's church league which is ASA.  I am playing catcher for the first time and enjoy the position.  I do have a question.  When a play is coming home, where should the catcher be postioned?  Behind the plate, in front of the plate, down the 3rd base line on the infield side . . . I am a little confused.  I have been told to make a play I should be in front of home.  Then I was told I should be behind home plate.  Then the ump said I should go up 3rd base line a few feet and wait for the throw there.  HELP!!!

Answer
Hello David

I assume your league is slow pitch and catching techniques are different vs. fastpitch so I did a little research for you.

According to the Zen of softball
http://www.musicman.net/softzen.html

If a play is coming to home, position yourself on the 1st base side of the 3rd base line (where you won't get mowed down by the runner). If it is a force play, keep your foot on the plate (unless you must move to catch ball). If it is a tag play stand a foot or 2 towards 3rd so you can sweep down and tag runner when you catch the ball.


NOTE: Base runners are responsible for avoiding all collisions with fielders anytime the fielder is making a play on the ball.