Three-Umpire Mechanics

2012 Indiana ASA State Umpire Clinics & Schools

1. Starting Positions

No runners on baseU1: 18-21’; walk the lineU3: 18-21’; walk the line

Runner on 1st

U1: 12-15’ on line; set positionU3: in line with 2B-3B; set position

1. Starting Positions

Runner on 2nd

U1: behind right shoulder of 2nd baseman; set position

U3: 12-15’ on line; set position

Runner on 3rd U1: 12-15’ on line; set positionU3: 12-15’ on line; set position

1. Starting Positions

Runners on 1st & 2nd

U1: behind right shoulder of 2nd baseman; set position

U3: 12-15’ on line; set position

Runners on 2nd & 3rd U1: behind right shoulder of 2nd baseman; set

positionU3: 12-15’ on line; set position

1. Starting Positions

Runners on 1st & 3rd

U1: behind left shoulder of 2nd baseman; set positionU3: 12-15’ on line; set position

Bases LoadedU1: behind right shoulder of 2nd baseman; set

positionU3: 12-15’ on line; set position

2. Fly Ball Responsibilities

No runners on base; runner on 3rd

PU: infieldU1: center fielder to dead ball territory in right fieldU3: center fielder to dead ball territory in left field

RotatedPU: infield; left fielder to dead ball territory in left

fieldU1: right fielder to dead ball territory in right fieldU3: left fielder to right fielder

2. Fly Ball Responsibilities

Counter-RotatedPU: infield; right fielder to dead ball territory in right

fieldU1: left fielder to right fielderU3: left fielder to dead ball territory in left field

Three-Umpire Mechanics #3-6

3. Communicate: communication is essential so that every umpire understands the situation

4. If U1 chases a fly ball, U3 is responsible for all plays at 1st base

5. When chasing a fly ball, base umpires should move parallel to obtain a 90o angle to the catch; if ball is near foul line, stay on line; give ball’s status followed by an appropriate signal

6. There is no holding zone in a 3-umpire system if all umpires stay inside the diamond

Before we move ahead…

Umpires must communicate during the play using “2-man” or “going”; PU should also communicate when everyone stays in or an umpire chases

Umpires must communicate and check to see if their partners have rotated before stopping on the playU1 should check to make sure U3 has moved to 2BU3 should check to make sure PU is at 3BPU should check to make sure U1 has rotated home

If someone has not rotated, be ready to move to cover the play

Play A

No runners on base, inside the park home run

PU: trail 1/3 to 1B; move directly to 3B as batter-runner approaches 2B and will not come back to 1B

U1: buttonhook at 1B; as runner approaches 2B and will not come back to 1B, rotate home (keep head up & watch the action; run in foul territory around plate for 90o angle)

U3: run directly to 2B to obtain 90o angle for possible play

Play B

Runner on 1st, fly ball drops fair down right field line, runner scores and batter-runner attempts 2nd base

PU: trail 1/3 to 1B, once runner on 1st commits to 2B move to holding zone until a throw takes you to 3B or home plate

U1: chase ball staying on line, signal fair ball

U3: buttonhook, watch for tag up and batter-runner touching 1B, move parallel for 90o angle on play at 2B

Play C

Runner on 2nd, fly ball caught in center field, subsequent play at 3rd base

PU: move to holding zone, move back toward home as throw goes to 3B

U1: chase fly ball & obtain 90o angle; signal out

U3: move inside for tag up, move parallel for 90o angle at 3B

Play D

Runner on 2nd, fly ball dropped in center field, play made on runner going to 3rd base

PU: move up to holding zone, once throw is made to 3B move inside for 90o angle

U1: chase fly ball & obtain 90o angle, make signal if needed

U3: move inside for tag up, once ball is dropped release runner at 2B to PU once she commits to 3B; watch batter-runner touch 1B, move parallel with her if she continues

Play E

Bases loaded, fly ball caught down right field line, throw home for an out, then throw to 3rd base

PU: stay on line for fly ball, give ball status, signal out, keep 90o angle for play at home plate

U1: buttonhook, take tag up at 1B & 2B, move parallel to obtain 90o angle for any plays at 1B or 2B

U3: buttonhook, take tag up at 3B, obtain 900 angle for play at 3B

Play F

No runners on base, fly ball to left field, play at 2nd base

PU: trail 1/3 to 1B; move to holding zone when batter-runner approaches 2B and will not come back to 1B

U1: buttonhook at 1B, watch batter-runner touch 1B, move parallel for play at 2B

U3: chase fly ball & obtain 90o angle, make signal if needed

Play G

Runner on 2nd, base hit through the infield, batter-runner attempts 2nd base

PU: stay at home plate for any plays

U1: buttonhook and watch batter-runner touch 1B and move parallel for 90o angle at 2B

U3: buttonhook and watch runner touch 3B

Play H

Runner on 1st steals 2nd, ball is overthrown to the outfield and runner attempts for home plate

PU: move to 3B and obtain 90o angle for possible play

U1: once runner commits to 2B move directly to home plate and obtain 90o angle for the play

U3: wait for play at 2B, once ball goes to the outfield, buttonhook and observe the rest of the play

Play I

Runner on 1st, base hit through the infield, runner attempts for 3rd base, then a subsequent play is made on batter-runner at 1st base on a pickoff

PU: trail batter-runner to 1B; once runner at 1st commits to 2nd and will not return to 1B, move directly to 3B obtaining a 90o angle to the play

U1: buttonhook; stay with batter-runner and move parallel to 1B to obtain 90o angle to possible play

U3: buttonhook & watch runner touch 2B;

Play I – Possible Deviation

Runner on 1st, base hit through the infield, runner attempts for 3rd base, then a subsequent play is made on batter-runner at 1st base on a pickoff

PU: trail batter-runner to 1B; once runner at 1st commits to 2nd and will not return to 1B, move directly to 3B obtaining a 90o angle to the play

U1: buttonhook; watch batter-runner touch 1B; once lead runner approaches 2B and will not come back to 1B, move directly to home plate obtaining 90o angle to possible play

U3: buttonhook & watch runner touch 2B; push U1 to home plate and take pickoff of batter-runner at 1B (obtain a 90o angle)

Play J

Runner on 2nd, fly ball to center field is dropped, runner scores but a pickoff throw is made at 1st

PU: move to holding zone; observe play until a throw takes you to 3B or home plate

U1: chase fly ball & obtain 90o angle; make call if needed

U3: move inside for tag up at 2B; release runner once ball is dropped and she commits to 3B; watch batter-runner touch 1B and move parallel back to obtain 90o angle on pickoff at 1B

Questions?