TWO UMPIRE SYSTEM POSITIONING AND MECHANICS

WHY CLASSROOM? When building a house, office building, bridge, etc., you first have to have a plan, written directions, etc. This lays the foundation / ground rules that everyone knows to follow. Then you proceed to building it, putting the pieces together, field or gym activity.

THINGS TO REMEMBER – PRE-GAME Plate umpire stands behind home and the base umpire will face the plate umpire positioned just outside the batters boxes. Have a good pre-game coaches, captains and umpires meeting. Only review what needs to be reviewed. No ground rule can supersede a book rule. Remember to READ the Sportsmanship statement. The HEAD coach and team captain(s) MUST be at the pre-game meeting.

THINGS TO REMEMBER Base umpire - always keep the pitching rubber clean between innings. –As soon as the last out is made. Base umpire – watch the pitcher for illegal pitches. If she is illegal – YOU MUST CALL IT immediately! Be prepared to explain your call. Do not attempt to explain it unless as asked.

THINGS TO REMEMBER Watch for obstruction / interference. Award accordingly. Does not matter if the runner would not have made the next base. POE – watch 1 st baseman standing on inside of corner of the base, not allowing the batter-runner that inside corner of the base.

THINGS TO REMEMBER If you deviate - communicate!!! Both umpires have equal authority to call leaving a base too soon on the pitch. –NOTE – Plate umpire has to be 100%+ sure. The base umpire is in the down / set position when there are runner(s) on base.

THINGS TO REMEMBER GOING FOR HELP – when to go for help. Check swing –Call time –Step out to the side the partner is on, remove mask and with the left hand, point the partner and ask, DID SHE GO? –Partner responses verbally and with a signal Pulled foot Swipe tag

Ball Rotation The pitcher has a choice of balls at the start of each ½ inning. In the event a 2 nd new ball did not get into the game in the top of the first inning, then rotate a new one in. If a ball is hit or thrown into dead ball territory rotate another ball into the game, NO EXCEPTION! Review the rule for more details of the rule.

Button-Hook Technique With no runners on base and there is a clean base hit to the outfield, the base umpire needs to come and “button-hook”. With moving into the infield, watching the batter- runner touches the base, you observe the BR movement, if so moves back towards first base, you move back with her to get the 90 degree angle in the event of a throw. If the BR advances to 2 nd base, you stay inside the infield and advance to 2 nd paralleling the base path.

TERMS TO REMEMBER 90 DEGREE ANGLE (TAG) – the path of the runner into a base or tag not involving a base together with the umpire’s line of vision, form a 90 degree angle. 90 DEGREE ANGLE (THROW) – the location on force plays. The path of the ball (throw) to a base together with the umpire’s line of vision form a 90 degree angle. ALWAYS WORK FOR A 90 DEGREE ANGLE!

TERMS TO REMEMBER PASSING THE BATON – this occurs between plays. One umpire MUST always be aware of the situation so runners never leave a base and violate leaving a base while the ball is in the circle being held by the pitcher. Once all play has ended, the plate umpire will signal for the base umpire to move to their next calling position. Once the base umpire reaches their next calling position, they signal to the plate umpire that they have the base runner(s) for leaving early before the next pitch. The plate umpire then moves into their position behind the catcher for the next pitch. EXAMPLES OF PASSING THE BATON!

TERMS TO REMEMBER HOLDING POSITION – an area from which you can choose a position for an impending play or a variety of plays. A holding position is NEVER a calling position.

TERMS TO REMEMBER WORKING BETWEEN PITCHES - Preparatory movement toward a possible play after a pitch is not hit. If there is no immediate play to a base by the catcher on a pitch not hit, you should move toward a position for a possible delayed play on the lead runner

TERMS TO REMEMBER PRIMARY POSITION – the initial location assumed by an umpire. CALLING POSITION – the subsequent movement or adjustment, usually one or two steps from the PRIMARY POSITION. SECONDARY POSITION – the subsequent location assumed after the initial play or after a runner has obtained a base.

BETWEEN INNING MECHANICS Base umpire comes into the infield to clean the pitcher’s plate as soon as the last out is recorded. Remember “butt to center field”. Then move to a position on the edge of the grass about 15’ inside the 1 st base foul line. Plate umpire moves to the side of the team taking the field. Watching the on- deck batter.

SIX TIMES A BASE UMPIRE HAS CALLS AT 3 RD BASE. Batter-runner on a triple. Trail runner(s) to 3 rd base. Steal to 3 rd base. Return throw from plate or cut off player. Throw back by the catcher on a pick-off attempt. First play in the infield.

TAG-UP RESPONSIBILITIES The PLATE umpire has the following duties: All runners at 3 rd base. The runner at 2 nd base with runners on 1 st and 2 nd. The lead runner when there are multiple runners on base. The BASE umpire is responsible for: All runners at 1 st. The runner at 2 nd with runners at 2 nd and 3 rd. Runner at 2 nd base only. Runners at 1 st and 2 nd when bases are loaded.

NO ONE ON - MOVEMENT WITH PITCH The base umpire starts between ft behind their base. Watching the pitcher, step forward a step when the pitch “is about to be released”. Go in to the ready position as the pitch is released and be ready to react.

NO ONE ON - MOVEMENT WITH PITCH

STANDARD MOVEMENT WITH BASE HIT THROUGH THE INFIELD The base umpire button hooks into the infield. Is responsible for the batter-runner all the way to 3 rd base. Base umpire also must watch for any trail runner(s) touching their bases. Plate umpire comes into the infield, always from around the right hand batters box, following the play and then moves to the holding zone between 3 rd and home. Plate umpire watches the lead runner(s) touching their base(s).

STANDARD MOVEMENT WITH BASE HIT THROUGH INFIELD

FLY BALL - NO ONE ON BASE Base umpire button hooks into the infield watching the batter-runner touch 1 st base. Be prepared to take this runner to 3 rd base if the ball is dropped. Plate umpire, on fly balls not down either line, move to the center of the infield in the direction of the batted ball. Help base umpire on runner touching 1 st base. Plate umpire on balls hit near the lines, hold the line and make the call.

FLY BALL - NO ONE ON BASE

RUNNER ON 1 ST – GROUND BALL IN THE INFIELD Base umpire starts 1 step behind and to the left of the 2 nd baseman. On a double play, take one step toward 2 nd, follow the ball, and move back towards 1 st letting the ball take you there. Plate umpire trails batter-runner towards 1 st and then moves to holding zone if need be.

RUNNER ON FIRST - GROUND BALL INFIELD

RUNNER ON 1 ST - FLY BALL Plate umpire moves in the direction of the fly ball, then to the holding zone between 3 rd and home. Base umpire has the tag at 1 st and takes the runner all the way to 3 rd after the catch.

RUNNER ON FIRST - FLY BALL

RUNNER On 2 nd – GROUND BALL TO THE INFIELD Base umpire takes position 1 step behind and to the left of the shortstop. Takes first throw in the infield. Plate umpire follow the batter-runner a couple of steps towards 1 st, then move towards 3 rd for the possible play.

RUNNER ON SECOND - GROUND BALL IN THE INFIELD

RUNNER ON 2 ND - FLY BALL Base umpire starts 1 step behind and to the left of the shortstop. Base umpire moves into the infield and in position for the tag up at 2 nd base. Base umpire is also responsible for batter-runner tagging 1 st base in the event the fly ball is not caught. Plate umpire has the catch / no catch on the fly ball. Plate umpire moves to the holding area between home and third. Be prepared for a possible play at third.

RUNNER ON SECOND - FLY BALL

RUNNER ON 3 RD – GROUND BALL TO THE INFIELD Base umpire starts 1 step behind and to the right of the shortstop. Base umpire read the play for moving to your next position. Base umpire keep in mind that if the first throw is to 3 rd, you have that call. Plate umpire moves to the holding zone, watching the runner and react depending on where the play goes.

RUNNER ON THIRD - INFIELD GROUND BALL

RUNNER ON 3 RD - FLY BALL Base umpire starts 1 step behind and to the right of the shortstop. Base umpire has the batter-runner touching 1 st. And the batter-runner all the way to third if the fly ball is dropped. Plate umpire moves to the holding zone to watch the fly ball, if caught, watch the tag and move to the calling position either at 3 rd base or home.

RUNNER ON THIRD - FLY BALL RIGHT CENTER FIELD

RUNNERS ON 1 ST AND 2 ND – GROUND BALL TO THE INFIELD Base umpire is positioned one step behind and to the left of the shortstop. Base umpire has any call involving the first throw in the infield. Plate umpire moves to the holding zone between 3 rd and home. Plate umpire has calls at 3 rd for any runner other than the first throw.

RUNNERS ON FIRST AND SECOND - GROUND BALL INFIELD

RUNNERS ON 1 ST AND 2 ND - FLY BALL Base umpire starts 1 step behind and to the left of the shortstop. Base umpire moves to a position to watch for the tag up at 1 st. Base umpire has any possible play at 2 nd base. Plate umpire moves in a position to line-up the lead runner watching for the tag up and has any possible call at 3 rd base.

RUNNERS ON FIRST AND SECOND - FLY BALL

RUNNERS ON 1 ST AND 3 RD - INFIELD GROUND BALL The base umpire is positioned one step behind and to the right of the shortstop. The base umpire has the first throw in the infield. If play is to 1 st base, the plate umpire watches the lead runner touch home and then moves to the holding zone between the home and 3 rd for a possible play on the second runner.

RUNNERS ON FIRST AND THIRD - INFIELD GROUND BALL

RUNNERS ON 1 ST AND 3 RD - FLY BALL The base umpire is positioned one step behind and to the right of the shortstop. Base umpire moves into the infield in position for the tag up at 1 st base. Be prepared to take her into 2 nd base. Plate umpire moves to holding zone. Has tag at 3 rd and possible play at the plate.

RUNNERS ON FIRST AND THIRD - FLY BALL

RUNNERS ON 2 ND AND 3 RD – INFIELD GROUND BALL. Base umpire is positioned one step behind and to the right of the shortstop. Base umpire has the first throw in the infield. Plate umpire if the play is at 1 st base, watch the lead runner touch home, then move to holding zone for any possible play at 3 rd in the runner on 2 nd advances.

RUNNERS ON SECOND AND THIRD - INFIELD GROUND BALL

RUNNERS ON 2 ND AND 3 RD - FLY BALL Base umpire is positioned one step behind and to the right of the shortstop. Base umpire gets inside of the infield, getting in position to watch the tag up at 2 nd base. Takes that runner to 3 rd base. Plate umpire goes to holding zone and has tag at 3 rd and that runner to the plate.

RUNNERS ON SECOND AND THIRD - FLY BALL

BASES LOADED – INFIELD GROUND BALL Base umpire is positioned one step behind and to the right of the shortstop. Has first throw in the infield, other than the plate. If the first throw goes somewhere other than the plate, the plate umpire watches the runner touch home and then moves to the holding zone for a possible play on a second runner.

BASES LOADED - INFIELD GROUND BALL

BASES LOADED - FLY BALL Base umpire is positioned one step behind and to the right of the shortstop. Base umpire comes into the infield and watches the tags at 2 nd and 1 st. Be prepared for a possible play at 2 nd base. Plate umpire goes to holding zone, has tag at 3 rd and possible play at the plate.

. BASES LOADED. FLY BALL

Have a great game