PUBLISHED WITH REFEREE AND THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SPORTS OFFICIALS
CONTENTS Introduction ..................................................................................................... 7 Mechanics Points of Emphasis for Two- and Three-Person Crews ....................................................................................... 8 Definition of Terms .......................................................................................... 9 General Requirements and Suggestions ������������������������������������������������������ 15 Philosophy of Positioning .............................................................................. 16 Communication ............................................................................................. 18 Signals ........................................................................................................... 20 Umpire-to-Umpire Signals............................................................................. 29 Pregame Outline Two-Person or Three-Person Crews ������������������������������� 223 Postgame Two-Person or Three-Person Crews ����������������������������������������� 224
CREW OF TWO Chapter 1: Two-Umpire System.................................................................... 34 Chapter 2: No Runners On Base................................................................... 38 Chapter 3: Runner On First Base.................................................................. 48 Chapter 4: Runners On First and Second ���������������������������������������������������� 63 Chapter 5: Runners On First and Third......................................................... 74 Chapter 6: Runners On Second and Third ��������������������������������������������������� 85 Chapter 7: Runner On Second...................................................................... 95 Chapter 8: Runner On Third........................................................................ 108 Chapter 9: Runners On First, Second and Third ���������������������������������������� 120
CREW OF THREE Chapter 10: Three-Umpire Philosophy........................................................ 130 Chapter 11: Three-Umpire System............................................................. 132 Chapter 12: No Runners On Base .............................................................. 143 Chapter 13: Runner On First Base.............................................................. 153 Chapter 14: Runner On Second.................................................................. 163 Chapter 15: Runner On Third...................................................................... 173 Chapter 16: Runners On First and Second ����������������������������������������������� 183 Chapter 17: Runners On First and Third..................................................... 193 Chapter 18: Runners On Second and Third ���������������������������������������������� 203 Chapter 19: Runners On First, Second and Third ������������������������������������� 213
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Two-Umpire System • ESSENTIAL CONCEPTS P. 35 • PLATE UMPIRE RESPONSIBILITIES P. 35 • BASE UMPIRE RESPONSIBILITIES P. 36 • TAG-UP RESPONSIBILITIES P. 36 • CHASE RESPONSIBILITIES P. 37
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Two-Umpire System
Umpires must know where they would like to be on any given play and why one position is more desirable than another. There can be a lot of different situations because of the action, so it’s best to apply the essential concepts of mechanics while figuring out the best way of obtaining the best position. A good knowledge and understanding of the two-umpire system maximize the odds of making a great call. Essential Concepts • Work ahead of the play • Keep the elements of the play in front of you • Adjust to individual play • Efficient movement • Pre-pitch preparation • Wait — Interpret — Choose
• All concepts and philosophies — Angle • Distance • Primary Positions • Calling Positions • Secondary Positions • Parallel Movement • Efficient Movement • Professionalism • Commitment to the Play • Body Language • Signals • Crewness • Handling Conflict • Game Management Plate Umpire Responsibilities • All plays at home plate. • Seeing runners touch third base and home plate. • With multiple runners, all plays on the lead runner at third base except if the first play on the batted ball is by an infielder is at third. • All fair or foul calls except on the first base line when the base
A B
MECHANICS ILLUSTRATED /// 35
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P
Two-Umpire System
umpire chases a fly ball behind him or her. • All catch/no-catch on fly balls unless the base umpire chases the ball. • Seeing all runners touch all bases when the base umpire has chased. Base Umpire Responsibilities • All plays at first and second base, unless he or she has chased. • Seeing runners touch first and second base. • The first play in the infield by an infielder at first, second, or third base. • Plays on the batter-runner at third base. • Steal plays at first, second or third. • All pick-off attempts.
• All runners leaving before the pitch is released. Tag-Up Responsibilities If the base umpire does not chase: Plate: All tag-ups at third base and the runner at second base with runners on first and second base. Base: All tag-ups at first base and the runner at second base with runners on second and third bases or second base only. Runners at first and second base when the bases are full. If the base umpire chases: Plate: All tag-ups at first, second, and third Base: No tag-ups.
B B
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B
P
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Two-Umpire System
Chase Responsibilities The plate umpire has from the center fielder to the left field dead-ball line. If the base umpire does not chase, the plate umpire is responsible for all fly balls and all fair or foul decisions. In MechaniGram A, the base umpire has from the center fielder to the right field dead-ball line. B should chase any fly ball in his or her area that could be a difficult call for the plate umpire, no matter how many outs there are or how many runners are on base. From the B or C starting positions (see MechaniGram B on next page), do not chase fly balls between the right fielder and the dead ball line or between the left fielder and the dead ball line. Those
might involve a fair/foul judgment that cannot be made accurately when starting from positions B or C. When chasing with runners on base, the base umpire should return to the infield. • Never return for the initial play (for example, you chase with a runner on first and the right fielder tries to throw out the batter-runner at first). • Return for a play at second base when the plate umpire has a play at the plate. • Let the plate umpire know where you are. • Do not return to home plate. • Do not return to the infield, but be prepared to do so.
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NO Runners on Base • GROUND BALL IN THE INFIELD P. 41 • BASE HIT TO THE OUTFIELD P. 42 • FLY BALL TO THE OUTFIELD P. 43 B Does Not Chase • FLY BALL TO THE OUTFIELD, BALL IS NOT CAUGHT P. 44 B Does Not Chase • FLY BALL TO RIGHT FIELD, BALL IS CAUGHT P. 45 B Chases • “TROUBLE” BALL NEAR RIGHT-FIELD LINE, BALL IS NOT CAUGHT P. 46 B Chases • BUNT OR BOUNCING BALL FIELDED IN FRONT OF HOME PLATE P. 47
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