Three-Umpire Mechanics

2012 Indiana ASA State Umpire Clinics & Schools

1. Starting PositionsNo runners on base

U1: 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 PositionsRunner 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 PositionsRunners 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 PositionsRunners 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 ResponsibilitiesNo 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 ResponsibilitiesCounter-Rotated

PU: infield; right fielder to dead ball territory in right field

U1: left fielder to right fielderU3: left fielder to dead ball territory in left field

Three-Umpire Mechanics #3-63. Communicate: communication is essential so that every umpire understands the situation4. If U1 chases a fly ball, U3 is responsible for all plays at 1st base5. 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 signal6. 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 ANo runners on base, inside the park home runPU: 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 BRunner on 1st, fly ball drops fair down right field line, runner scores and batter-runner attempts 2nd basePU: 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 ballU3: buttonhook, watch for tag up and batter-

runner touching 1B, move parallel for 90o angle on play at 2B

Play CRunner on 2nd, fly ball caught in center field, subsequent play at 3rd basePU: move to holding zone, move back toward

home as throw goes to 3BU1: chase fly ball & obtain 90o angle; signal outU3: move inside for tag up, move parallel for 90o

angle at 3B

Play DRunner on 2nd, fly ball dropped in center field, play made on runner going to 3rd basePU: move up to holding zone, once throw is made

to 3B move inside for 90o angleU1: chase fly ball & obtain 90o angle, make signal

if neededU3: 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 EBases loaded, fly ball caught down right field line, throw home for an out, then throw to 3rd basePU: stay on line for fly ball, give ball status, signal

out, keep 90o angle for play at home plateU1: 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 FNo 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 GRunner on 2nd, base hit through the infield, batter-runner attempts 2nd basePU: stay at home plate for any playsU1: buttonhook and watch batter-runner touch 1B

and move parallel for 90o angle at 2BU3: buttonhook and watch runner touch 3B

Play HRunner 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

playU1: once runner commits to 2B move directly to

home plate and obtain 90o angle for the playU3: wait for play at 2B, once ball goes to the

outfield, buttonhook and observe the rest of the play

Play IRunner 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 pickoffPU: 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 DeviationRunner 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 pickoffPU: 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 JRunner 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?