Comprehensive Guide to Umpire Mechanics and Responsibilities in Baseball
Enhance your umpiring skills by mastering the mechanics and responsibilities crucial for making accurate judgments on the baseball field. From pre-game preparation to positioning during play, understanding the spirit and intent behind the rules is key. Explore tag-ups, fair/foul calls, and touch responsibilities to ensure a smooth game flow. Embrace proper positioning, communication with your partner, and the importance of good judgment in every call.
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A good pre-game with your partner is essential Think ahead, know your responsibilities and anticipate. For your judgment to be acceptable your appearance must be acceptable. First impressions last. the rules. Don t just learn the rules, learn the spirit and intent of Good judgment starts with good positioning. Angle over distance. separates good umpires from average umpires. Correct individual and crew mechanics are what PAUSE, READ & REACT! 2 UMPIRE MECHANICS mechanics are not perfect. Know your responsibilities and stick to them. Come to a complete stop before the play happens. Hustle don t hurry. Use the working area.
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.
Tag-ups and touches of bases. Fair/foul responsibilities. Fly balls, pop-ups and line drives.
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 at all bases. The Plate Umpire has all touches of home plate by all base runners and the batter runner. And all touches of 3rd base by all base runners. The Plate Umpire also has all tag-ups of 3rd base.
Position A Both feet in foul territory facing home No Runners On plate; Right foot next to foul line, 12-15 feet behind 1st base or 3-5 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
Fair/Foul Base Umpire in A No Runners On POP-UP PIVOT! Pop-ups Base Umpire in A
Line Drives Base Umpire in A Plate Umpire No Runners
Fly Balls (A) Base Umpire Go out on fair/foul fly balls down the No Runners On right field foul line. Stay on 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.
Ground balls (A) Base Umpire No Runners On Step into fair territory about 5 ft. from the foul line and establish a good view of first base, in a position to see any potential swipe tag or pulled foot. Be sure to look at the fielder playing on the ball and be sure to see the fielder's release. Do not follow the flight of the ball. Instead focus on first base. See the runner's foot hit the bag and hear the ball hit the glove. Quickly shift your eyes off the bag and foot and look for the ball in the first baseman s glove to confirm a secure catch. Then, make your call. DO NOT GO INTO FOUL TERRITORY TO TAKE A PLAY AT FIRST. DO NOT ASK FOR HELP PRIOR TO MAKING CALL ON PULLED FOOT OR SWIPE TAG
Ground balls (A) Plate Umpire No Runners On 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 Be able to provide help on: Pulled foot by 1st baseman Swipe tag at 1st base
Ground balls (A) Overthrows No Runners On 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 )
Base Hit (A) Base Umpire No Runners On 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.
Position B Facing home plate midway between back Runner on First Or Runners on 1st & 3rd 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.
Fair/Foul Base Umpire does not have any Runners On fair/foul responsibility while in B Pop-ups Base umpire in B
Runners On Line Drive Coverage Base Umpire in B SS and 2B all directions 1B and 3B in and towards U1 Plate umpire has 1B and 3B going towards the line
Fly Balls (B) Base Umpire Runners On Rule on all fly balls from the right fielder to the left fielder Known as the V . Take both right fielder and left fielder when coming in. When in the middle stay in the middle, DO NOT cross the dirt. Plate Umpire Rule on all fly balls when the right fielder is running toward right field foul line and when the left fielder is running toward the left field foul line. fair/foul then catch/no catch
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.
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 ) DO NOT ASK PLATE UMPIRE FOR HELP ON PULLED FOOT OR SWIPE TAG PRIOR TO MAKING THE CALL. 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. If slide is clean swivel for look at play at first to potentially help with pulled foot or swipe tag.
Rotations (B) - Base hit Base Umpire Runners on 1st or 1st & 3rd 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 Tom, I ve got 3rdif he comes (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.
Position C Facing home plate midway between back Runners on 1st & 2nd, bases loaded, 2nd & 3rd, 3rd only or 2nd only. 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.
Fair/Foul Base Umpire does not have any Runners On fair/foul responsibility while in C Pop-ups Base umpire in C
Line Drive Coverage Base Umpire in C Runners On SS and 2B all directions 1B and 3B in and towards U1 Plate umpire has 1B and 3B going towards the line
Fly Balls (C) Base Umpire Runners On 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
Rotations (C) Routine Fly Ball Base Umpire Runners on 1st & 2nd 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 3rdif 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.
Plays at the Plate (C) Base Umpire Runner on 2nd 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
Plays at the Plate (C) Base Umpire Runner on 2nd 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
Between Innings Base Umpire Plate Umpire Between innings position yourself just off Between innings: replenish baseballs, stand the dirt between 1st and 2nd in the right 30 - 40 feet from the plate on the foul line of field grass - watch outfielders throw the balls whichever team is entering the field. Mask in before the start of the inning. should be under right or left arm. Do not carry on casual conversations with With two warm ups left step towards the your partner, players or coaches between edge of the dirt area surrounding home innings. If you need to discuss something plate and notify catcher 2 more . with your partner (positioning, mechanics, etc ) do it quickly and professionally. After the last warm up pitch move to the plate and while facing the back stop dust off NEVER talk with your partner between the plate. innings after a controversial play or call.
