Crew of 2

Crew of 2 Think ahead, know your responsibilities and anticipate. Don’t just learn the rules, learn the spirit and intent of the rules. Correct individual and crew mechanics are what separates good umpires from average umpires. It ain’t nothing till you say it’s somethin’. Slow down. Crew of 2 mechanics are not perfect. Do not try to improve upon them. Know your responsibilities and stick to them. A good pre-game with your partner is essential. For your judgment to be acceptable your appearance must be acceptable. First impressions last. Good judgment starts with good positioning. Angle over distance. PAUSE, READ & REACT! PRRRRR…. Be completely stopped before the play happens. Hustle don’t hurry. Use the working area.

Position A No Runners On Both feet in foul territory facing home plate; Right foot next to foul line, 12-15 feet behind 1st base or 10-12 feet behind the 1st baseman no further than edge of outfield grass. Main Responsibilities: Check swing, Fair/Foul (1st base to foul pole), Out/Safe No Runners On

Runner on First Or Runners on 1st & 3rd Position B Facing home plate midway between back edge of pitchers mound and 2nd base cutout and on a tangent line between home plate and the right edge of the mound (1st base side). When in the middle stay in the middle, DO NOT cross the dirt. Rule On: All balks (specifically hands & shoulders), pick offs, steals, fly balls in the ”V”, all touches of 1st and 2nd base by runners and 3rd by batter runner. Runner on First Or Runners on 1st & 3rd

Runners on 1st & 2nd, bases loaded, 2nd & 3rd, 3rd only or 2nd only. Position C Facing home plate midway between back edge of pitchers mound and 2nd base cutout and on a tangent line between home plate and the right edge of the mound (3rd base side). Rule On: All balks (specifically hands & shoulders), pick offs, steals, fly balls in the ”V”, all touches of 1st and 2nd base by runners and 3rd by batter runner. Runners on 1st & 2nd, bases loaded, 2nd & 3rd, 3rd only or 2nd only.

Between Innings Plate Umpire Between innings: replenish baseballs, stand 30 - 40 feet from the plate on the foul line of whichever team is entering the field. Mask should be under right or left arm. With two warm ups left step towards the edge of the dirt area surrounding home plate and notify catcher “ 2 more”. After the last warm up pitch move to the plate and while facing the back stop dust off the plate. Base Umpire Between innings position yourself just off the dirt between 1st and 2nd in the right field grass - watch outfielders throw the balls in before the start of the inning. Do not carry on casual conversations with your partner, players or coaches between innings. If you need to discuss something with your partner (positioning, mechanics, etc… ) do it quickly and professionally. NEVER talk with your partner between innings after a controversial play or call.

Working Area The area in the infield grass that is directly behind the mound and in front of the second base cutout. When the base umpire is in the middle he should work primarily in this area on all batted balls. Routine fly ball in left center field. Trouble ball in left center field.

CREW OF 2 Tag-ups and touches of bases. Fair/foul responsibilities. Fly balls, pop-ups and line drives.

Touch Responsibilities. Tag-Ups & touches Touch Responsibilities. The Base Umpire has all touches and tag ups of first and second base by all runners and all touches of third base by the batter runner. If the Base Umpire goes out the Plate Umpire has all touches and tag-ups at all bases. The Plate Umpire has all touches of home plate by all base runners and the batter runner. And all touches and tag-ups of 3rd base by all base runners.

POP-UP PIVOT! Fair/Foul Pop-ups No Runners On Runners On Base Umpire in A Base Umpire in B or C Pop-ups Base umpire in B or C POP-UP PIVOT! No Runners On Runners On

Fair/Foul Base Umpire in A Base Umpire in B or C Pop-ups Runners On

Fair/Foul Base Umpire in A Base Umpire in B or C Pop-ups Line Drives Runners On No Runners

Fly Balls (A) No Runners On Base Umpire Go out on fly balls from the right fielder to the 1st base foul line and trouble balls from centerfield to the 1st base foul line – fair/foul then catch/no catch If the base umpire goes out the plate umpire has the batter runner. Plate Umpire Routine fly balls from right fielder to center fielder & all fly balls from center fielder to 3rd base foul line. No Runners On

Fly Balls (B/C) Runners On Base Umpire Rule on all fly balls from the right fielder to the left fielder – Known as the “V”. When in the middle stay in the middle, DO NOT cross the dirt. Plate Umpire Rule on all fly balls from the right fielder to the 1st base foul line and from the left fielder to the 3rd base foul line. fair/foul then catch/no catch Runners On

Tag-Ups & Touches Ground balls and base hits. Steals and double plays. Rotations. Plays at the plate.

Ground balls (A) No Runners On Base Umpire Move into a position approximately 15-20 feet from the base and approximately at a right angle from the fielders throw. As ball is about to reach the fielder stop and get in ready position – chest square to first base, head and eyes on the ball, turn your head with the throw. LISTEN for catch watch for BR foot on bag. (Drill: Close eyes listen for catch vs. foot) 
 Pause, stand, then make the call. No Runners On

Ground balls (A) No Runners On Plate Umpire Clear the catcher on the left side while removing mask (left hand) keep eyes on ball and hustle (don’t hurry) up the 1st base foul line no further than the 45 ft. line. Follow ball to base. Rule on: Tags before the 45 ft. line / Running lane violation / Overthrows Help on: Puled foot by 1st baseman Swipe tag at 1st base No Runners On

Ground balls (A) No Runners On Overthrows Base umpire busts in to stay ahead of the runner. Has all calls at 1st base ( i.e. obstruction, malicious contact, missed base, etc…) Plate umpire move quickly to his right and rule on the ball. ( i.e. dead ball, lodged ball, interference, etc…) No Runners On

Base Hit (A) No Runners On Base Umpire All base hits, routine fly balls from right fielder to center fielder & all fly balls from center fielder to 3rd base foul line – come into infield pivot and take the runner to second (if he goes) – watch him touch first then find the ball – rule on legal touch and/or obstruction. Plate Umpire Clear catcher on the left and hustle into the infield in the direction of the ball. No further than an imaginary line between 1st and 3rd. No Runners On

Steals B Runner on First Base Umpire Know the count and number of outs. Don’t move until ball crosses the plate. Then with your eyes on the catcher make a drop step towards second. As the catcher makes his throw, continue towards second turning with the ball. Assume the ready position with chest square to second base — Stand, make the call. Plate Umpire After catcher’s throw, move to your left and back, while removing your mask. Watch developing play and be prepared for overthrow at third and play at plate. Runner on First

Double Plays B Runner on First Base Umpire Step up and turn with the ball (no more than 1 or 2 steps). Turn with the throw to second and be set for the play at 2nd. Make the call at second and then turn and set up for the call at 1st by taking 2-3 steps towards the 45 ft. line. Be set before the play happens. Make the call. (Do not drift towards first on the initial play at 2nd as there could be problems – i.e. bobbled or dropped ball, close play, illegal slide, etc…) Plate Umpire Swing out from behind home plate on 3rd base foul line and continue into the infield (unless the batted ball is down one of the foul lines). Come set before the play at 2nd. Watch for illegal slide after or during the throw to 1st. Runner on First

Runners on 1st or 1st & 3rd Rotations (B) - Base hit Base Umpire Open up to the ball and move back (towards mound) and to the middle of the working area. Watch R1 touch 2nd then glance back to see BR touch 1st. If R1 commits to 3rd slide over to B and BR back into 1st or into 2nd. Keep your eye on the ball and feel the runner. Plate Umpire Remove your mask and move down the 3rd base line in foul territory while loudly telling your partner “I’ve got 3rd if he comes, Bill!” (if runner on third, glance over your shoulder and watch him touch home plate). If a play develops at 3rd, step into the field and make the call. If not, after playing action stops, tell your partner “ I’m going home, Bill” and hustle back to the plate. Runners on 1st or 1st & 3rd

Rotations (B) – Routine Fly Ball Base Umpire Open up to the ball and move back (towards mound) and to the middle of the working area. Watch R2 and R1 tag up. Then move forward to the right side of the cut out. Keep your eye on the ball. Plate Umpire Remove your mask and move down the 3rd base line in foul territory while loudly telling your partner “I’ve got 3rd if he comes, Bill!”. If R2 and the throw come to 3rd, step into the field and make the call. If not, after playing action stops, tell your partner “ I’m going home, Bill” and hustle back to the plate. Runners on 1st & 2nd

Plays at the Plate (C) Runner on 2nd Base Umpire Open up to the ball and move towards 1st base to pick up batter runner. Plate Umpire Remove your mask and move back to the edge of the dirt behind the point of the plate. Watch the play develop and decide whether there will be a swipe tag or if the catcher will block the plate. Swipe tag – 3rd baseline extended Runner on 2nd

Plays at the Plate (C) Runner on 2nd Base Umpire Open up to the ball and move towards 1st base to pick up batter runner. Plate Umpire Remove your mask and move back to the edge of the dirt behind the point of the plate. Watch the play develop and decide whether there will be a swipe tag or if the catcher will block the plate. Swipe tag – 3rd baseline extended Blocked plate – 1st baseline extended Runner on 2nd

Crew of 2