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2006 FHSAA State Field Clinic Hosted by Broward Baseball Umpires Association Broward County, Florida

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The Two-Umpire System Starting Positions Starting Positions Fair Foul Responsibilities Fair Foul Responsibilities Coverage of batted balls Coverage of batted balls Coverage of plays on the bases Coverage of plays on the bases Rotations Rotations Crew Communication Crew Communication

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Starting Positions A Position No Runners on Base A Position No Runners on Base Right foot along edge of first base line Right foot along edge of first base line Hands on knees set is recommended Hands on knees set is recommended

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Fair/Foul Responsibilities No Runners on Base Plate Umpire Plate Umpire Base Umpire

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Plays at First Create a 90 degree angle if you can, but stay in fair territory. Create a 90 degree angle if you can, but stay in fair territory.

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Catch/No Catch No Runners on Base Plate Umpire Base Umpire

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Pop-Up Means Pivot! If the pop-up is to the left side of the field, stay out of the line of the potential throw. If the pop-up is to the left side of the field, stay out of the line of the potential throw. If the pop-up is clearly in foul territory, and the first baseman is going to be fielding it, then the base umpire may choose to take the ball. Since there is no chance of the ball becoming fair, the plate umpire will simply observe the play in case help is needed. If the pop-up is clearly in foul territory, and the first baseman is going to be fielding it, then the base umpire may choose to take the ball. Since there is no chance of the ball becoming fair, the plate umpire will simply observe the play in case help is needed.

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Pop-Up Means Pivot! If the pop-up causes the first baseman to turn around and run towards the outfield (fair or foul), the base umpire will take responsibility for the ball. If the pop-up causes the first baseman to turn around and run towards the outfield (fair or foul), the base umpire will take responsibility for the ball. Watch the fielder; dont watch the ball! Watch the fielder; dont watch the ball! Let the first baseman clear you before you start running. Let the first baseman clear you before you start running. You want to be in front of the fielder. You want to be in front of the fielder.

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Pause, Read, React When a fly ball or line drive is hit to the outfield, you have to decide whether to take: When a fly ball or line drive is hit to the outfield, you have to decide whether to take: The Runner The Runner The Ball The Ball If you take the runner, you will pivot If you take the runner, you will pivot

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Pivot Stay ahead of runner Stay ahead of runner Watch the touch of first base. Watch the touch of first base. Make sure the runner clears the first baseman before you look away. Make sure the runner clears the first baseman before you look away. Could be obstruction Could be obstruction

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Pivot If the runner continues on to second base, you have to read where there is likely to be a play: If the runner continues on to second base, you have to read where there is likely to be a play: First Base-runner could retreat First Base-runner could retreat Second Base-attempted double Second Base-attempted double Third Base-attempted triple Third Base-attempted triple Any of these plays is your responsibility, so stay alert Any of these plays is your responsibility, so stay alert

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Taking the Ball There are three reasons you might take the responsibility for the ball when a fly ball or line drive is hit to the right side of the field There are three reasons you might take the responsibility for the ball when a fly ball or line drive is hit to the right side of the field Tough Catch Tough Catch Fair/Foul Decision Fair/Foul Decision Ball potentially leaving the playing field Ball potentially leaving the playing field Fielders Converging Fielders Converging

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Some Helpful Tools Dont watch the ball; watch the fielder Dont watch the ball; watch the fielder If a fielder is running hard, it will likely be a tough catch. If a fielder is running hard, it will likely be a tough catch. If an infielder is running towards the outfield, it will likely be a tough catch If an infielder is running towards the outfield, it will likely be a tough catch If a fielder is running towards the foul line, it will likely be a fair/foul decision If a fielder is running towards the foul line, it will likely be a fair/foul decision

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Rules are Meant to be Broken There is a time that you would not pivot on a ball hit to left field There is a time that you would not pivot on a ball hit to left field If a ball is hit to left field and will likely be a tough catch, or could leave the playing field, do not actually pivot. Just run into the middle of the infield. If a ball is hit to left field and will likely be a tough catch, or could leave the playing field, do not actually pivot. Just run into the middle of the infield. Stay focused on the play as if it was your ball Stay focused on the play as if it was your ball Your partner may need help, and a catch/no decision takes precedence over watching runners touch bases Your partner may need help, and a catch/no decision takes precedence over watching runners touch bases

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Starting Positions B Position Runner on first, or runners on first and third. B Position Runner on first, or runners on first and third. Straight line from edge of mound to homeplate Straight line from edge of mound to homeplate Half-way between 2 nd base and pitchers mound Half-way between 2 nd base and pitchers mound

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Starting Positions C Position Anytime a runner is on second base (e.g. first and second, second only, etc.) C Position Anytime a runner is on second base (e.g. first and second, second only, etc.) Straight line from edge of mound to homeplate Straight line from edge of mound to homeplate Half-way between 2 nd base and pitchers mound Half-way between 2 nd base and pitchers mound

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Catch/No Catch Runner(s) On Base Plate Umpire Base Umpire

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Pause, Read, React When a ball is hit, decide if it will be a tough catch When a ball is hit, decide if it will be a tough catch If not, stay in the working area to observe the play If not, stay in the working area to observe the play You do not have to get set You do not have to get set

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Working Area

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Pause, Read, React If it is going to be a tough catch, go to the edge of the grass and get set for the play If it is going to be a tough catch, go to the edge of the grass and get set for the play Do not leave the infield in 2-man! Do not leave the infield in 2-man!

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Plays on the bases Ideally, try to be at, or near the grass cut-out area for most plays Ideally, try to be at, or near the grass cut-out area for most plays Sacrifice distance for angle Sacrifice distance for angle If you have multiple runners, you cannot commit completely to a base If you have multiple runners, you cannot commit completely to a base

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Plays at the Plate Adjust left for a blocking play Adjust left for a blocking play Adjust right for a swipe tag Adjust right for a swipe tag

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1 st to 3 rd Rotation Tag Up Rotation

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Crew Communication Remind each other of potential plays before they happen Remind each other of potential plays before they happen Things to communicate: Things to communicate: Rotations Rotations Outs Outs Time Play Time Play