TASO - BaseballAustin Chapter

Three – UmpireMechanics

NFHS

1

The objectives of3-umpire mechanics

• Try to keep one umpire AHEAD of thelead runner

• If possible, “box” the runner betweenthe three umpires

DA

C B

Field UmpirePositions

AD

With Runner on 3rd

No Runner on 3rdNo Runner on 1st

With Runner on 1st

Umpire PositionsNO Runners

Umpire PositionsRunner on

1st

Umpire PositionsRunner on

1st & 2nd

Umpire PositionsRunner on

1st & 3rd

2

Umpire PositionsRunner on

1st, 2nd & 3rd

Anytime there is a

RUNNER on 1st

U2 will be in “A”and

U3 will be in “C”

Umpire PositionsRunner on

2nd

Umpire PositionsRunner on2nd & 3rd

Anytime there is a

RUNNER on 2nd, butNO RUNNER on 1st

U2 will be in “B”and

U3 will be in “D”

Umpire PositionsRunner on

3rd

3

Anytime there is a

RUNNER on baseOTHER THAN 1st

U3 will be in “D”

Fly Ball CoverageU2 & U3

On the wings

Fly Ball CoverageU3 IN

Fly Ball CoverageU2 IN

INFIELDCatch / No Catch

(per NFHS)

P

SS

3B

2B

1B

INFIELDCatch / No Catch

U2 & U3On the wings

P

SS

3B

2B

1B

U1U2U3

4

INFIELDCatch / No Catch

U3 In

P

SS

3B

2B

1B

U1U2U3

INFIELDCatch / No Catch

U2 In

P

SS

3B

2B

1B

U1U2U3

Fair / FoulU2 & U3

On the corners

Fair / FoulU3 In

Fair / FoulU2 In

Positioning forcalling plays at

1st Base

When there is apossible play at

1st Base

Clean base hit tooutfield……

watch runner touchfirst, then rotate Home

PickoffPlays

“SLIDE”Come in and make

your pivot

5

Positioning forcalling plays at

2nd Base

Runneradvancing from

1st base

Runnerreturning to

2nd basePickoffPlays

Positioning forcalling plays at

3rd Base Runneradvancing

from 2nd base

PickoffPlays

Runnerreturning to

3rd Base

U3 is the “KEY”for rotation whenU2 and U3 are on

the wings

Think of it like allumpires are connected

by a “string”

If you GO OUT

You STAY OUT

NO RUNNERSU3 Goes Out

6

NO RUNNERSU2 Goes Out

NO RUNNERSInfield Hit

NO RUNNERSBase Hit to Outfield

Runner on 1st

Fly Ball toLeft Field

Runner on 1st

U2 Goes outRunner on 1st

Possibledouble play

7

Runner on 1st

Base Hit toOutfield

Runner on1st & 2nd

Double Steal(Throw to 3rd)

Runner on1st & 2nd

Double Steal(Throw to 2nd)

Runner on1st & 2nd

Double Steal(two throws)

Runner on1st & 2nd

Trouble Ball –Left Field

On a caught flyball and a tag-

up at 2ndOn a caught flyball and a tag-

up at 2nd and U!covers 3rd

Ball Drops inand runner from

2nd advances

Runner on1st & 2nd

Trouble Ball –Right Field

On a tag-up at 2nd

Ball drops In andrunner advances

8

Runner on1st & 2nd

Hit to Infield

Runners 1st & 2ndBase hit to outfield

Bases LoadedBase hit to outfield

Bases LoadedFly ball to right field

Runner 1st and 3rd

Infield HitRunner 1st and 3rd

Base Hit toOutfield

9

Runner 1st and 3rd

Steal & RundownRunner on 2nd

Trouble BallLeft Field

Runner on 2nd

Trouble Ball toRight-Center Field

Runner on 2nd

Infield Hit

Runner on 2nd

Base hit toOutfield

Runner on 3rd

Trouble BallLeft Field

10

Runner on 3rd

Trouble BallRight Field

Runner on 3rd

Hit to Infield

Runners on2nd & 3rd

Fly ballCenter Field

Runners on2nd & 3rd

Infield Hit

The SLIDERunners in scoringposition and U1 is

staying home

No Matter What Happens…..orWho misses a rotation

FILL THE HOLE !!!

We can talk about missedcoverage later……….but

SOMEONE has to MAKE THE CALL