Two-Person Two-Person MechanicsMechanicsAOA Baseball MeetingAOA Baseball Meeting

February 19, 2014February 19, 2014

presented bypresented by

Jeff Thunder Jeff Thunder & Joshua Perry& Joshua Perry

Communication (before game day)

• Contact partner a day or two before the Contact partner a day or two before the game. game. (you have contact info, right?)

• Where will you park?

• When will you meet?

• Do you anticipate any “transportation issues?” (e.g., construction on IL-59)

• Will one or both of you contact the coach when you arrive?

Communication (pre-game)

• Try to budget at least 30-45 minutes.

• Especially important if either of you is less experienced or you haven't worked a lot together.

• Discuss mechanics, signals and any special topics (e.g., recent “bad blood” between teams).

• It's nice to have a pre-made “script” so you don't forget anything.

Communication (during game)

• PU signals situation PU signals situation (rotation, etc.) to BU inside the diamond before pitcher toes the rubber.

• BU mirrors PU's signal(s) back so you both know you're on the “same page.”

• VERBALIZE during the play to let your partner know what you're doing (e.g., “I've got the ball!” “I'm at third if he comes!”).

• Get together between innings if you're having any issues. Don't wait for a disaster to occur.

Field PositionsField Positions

All of these All of these positions may positions may be modified be modified depending depending where the where the

runners and runners and defense are defense are

during various during various game game

situations.situations.

CC BB

AA

““BIG VBIG V””

““LibrarLibraryy ””

Summary on when to be in the Summary on when to be in the BB position or the position or the CC position position

With runners on baseWith runners on base

• Use the Use the CC position only when 3rd base is in imminent position only when 3rd base is in imminent danger of being stolen (i.e.. runners at 2nd, or 1st danger of being stolen (i.e.. runners at 2nd, or 1st

and 2nd).and 2nd).

• In all other situations (with runners on base), use the In all other situations (with runners on base), use the BB position. position.

Responsibilities (PU)• Run the plate meeting and deal with lineups.

• Put the ball in play (don't neglect this!)

• Determine when thrown ball is out of play and place runners.

• All fair/foul except past 1st base when U1 is in A.

• Most catch/no catch (and ALL pop-ups) in infield when U1 is in A.

• Many catch/no catch in infield when U1 is in the middle of the diamond.

Responsibilities (PU, cont.)

• ALL catch/no catch in outfield when U1 comes in from the A position.

• All catch/no catch in outfield outside the “big V” when U1 is inside the diamond.

• All plays at the plate.

• All touches and tag-ups at 3rd (except BR).

• All plays on BR when U1 goes out from A.

• All running lane violations.

Responsibilities (PU, cont.)

• All plays on BR until about the 45 foot line.

• Help U1 on possible pulled foot or swipe tag on BR (get up the line with no runners on).

• Keeping the count and number of outs.

• Balls and strikes.

Responsibilities (shared)

• Infield fly

• Force play slide rule violations

• Balks

• Obstruction and interference

• Calling “time”

• Plays on BR in “no man's land.”

• Knotty rules questions (check a rulebook if necessary)

Responsibilities (BU)• All fair/foul calls past 1st base when in A

(unless you must vacate the area)

• All “trouble balls” in the outfield from center field to the right field line when in A. (“Go out, stay out.”)

• Some catch/no catch in infield when in A.

• All plays on BR when in A if you don't go out (except at the plate).

Responsibilities (BU, cont.)

• All catch/no catch in the outfield in the “big V” when you're in the middle of the diamond.

• Many catch/no catch in the infield when you're in the middle of the diamond.

• All plays at 1st, 2nd and 3rd except for certain rotation plays at 3rd.

• All plays on BR past about the 45 foot line.

Communication(post-game)

• Discuss tricky and/or important plays that came up.

• Ask for honest criticism.

• Give honest criticism (if asked).

• PU should contact assignor ASAP about any incidents/ejections.

• Ejecting umpire needs to fill out a report with the IHSA within 24 hours.

Rotations• With R1 and a ball batted into the outfield, PU

will rotate up to 3rd base and take all plays on R1 there (and at home, if necessary) EXCEPT when he needs to make a fair/foul or catch/no catch call up the right field line.

• Same as above with R1 and R3 (PU has R3's touch of home, too).

• With R1 & R2 and less than two outs, PU will rotate up to 3rd base on a fly ball CAUGHT in the outfield, with the same exception as above.

Rotations• Never rotate on a ball in the infield, only on a

batted ball in the outfield.

• Don't wait to rotate. Anticipate and go to the “library” and quickly get into the cutout if needed.

• Don't go into foul territory. Stay in fair to better take the runner into home if necessary.

• BU rotates, too! Don't be standing at an empty 2nd base when the BR at 1st is your responsibility.

U1

U2 U3

Situation 1

No one on baseNo one on base

Ground ball Ground ball hit to the left hit to the left side of the side of the

infield, from the infield, from the 2nd baseman to 2nd baseman to

the 3rd base the 3rd base foul line.foul line.

PLATEPLATE

BASEBASE

PlatePlate move up the 1move up the 1stst base line. base line.

Be prepared to assist Be prepared to assist BaseBase, , if askedif asked, , on a on a swipe tag or pulled swipe tag or pulled

foot.foot.

Ground ball to the left side of the infield.Ground ball to the left side of the infield.

U1

U2 U3

Situation 1

No one on baseNo one on base

Ground ball hit Ground ball hit to the left side to the left side

of the infield, of the infield, from the 2nd from the 2nd

baseman to the baseman to the 3rd base foul 3rd base foul

line.line.

PU

BUBU

BUBU can either; can either; 11, , take take two steps into fair two steps into fair

territory or territory or 22, , move into move into the infield to get a 90the infield to get a 90oo

angle on the throw, angle on the throw, depending where the depending where the

ball is fielded.ball is fielded.

1122

Ground ball to the left side of the infield.Ground ball to the left side of the infield.

U1

U2 U3

Situation 1

No one on baseNo one on base

Ground ball Ground ball to the left side to the left side of the infield, of the infield,

from 2nd from 2nd baseman to the baseman to the

3rd base foul 3rd base foul line.line.

On an On an overthrow.overthrow.

PUPU

OVERTHROW at First.OVERTHROW at First.

Change in primary coverage.Change in primary coverage.

U1

U2 U3

Situation 1

No one on baseNo one on base

Ground ball hit Ground ball hit to the right side to the right side

from the 2nd from the 2nd baseman to the baseman to the

1st base foul 1st base foul line.line.

““Pressure” Pressure” from infielders.from infielders.

U1

U2 U3

PlatePlate

BaseBaseBaseBase move in move in foulfoul

territory to get the best territory to get the best angle. angle.

This is especially This is especially important when the important when the pitcher takes the pitcher takes the

throw at 1throw at 1stst, and can be , and can be the same coverage on the same coverage on

bunts.bunts.

2B2B““Pressure” PlaysPressure” Plays

PP

U1Situation 8

Runner on 1Runner on 1stst

Any base hit to Any base hit to the outfield.the outfield.

Possible play at Possible play at the plate.the plate.

U1

U2

PlatePlate

R1R1

BaseBase

Plate Plate see see R1R1 touch 3touch 3rdrd. . Quickly Quickly

retreat home retreat home for a possible for a possible

play at the play at the plate. Let plate. Let

your partner your partner know you are know you are going home.going home.

BRBR

Any hit to the outfield, Runners on.Any hit to the outfield, Runners on.

BaseBase seesee batter-batter-runner runner touch 1touch 1stst. .

TakeTake BR BR into 2into 2ndnd or or 33rdrd, if necessary., if necessary.

U1Situation 9

Runner on 2Runner on 2ndnd

U1

U2BaseBase

R2R2

Ground ball in the infield, Runners on.Ground ball in the infield, Runners on.

BaseBase move swiftly to move swiftly to the working area. the working area.

Adjust your position to Adjust your position to not interfere with any not interfere with any

throw.throw.Be ready for a throw-Be ready for a throw-

back to 2back to 2ndnd. .

Pre-game if Pre-game if PUPU will will help on plays at 3help on plays at 3rdrd. . PUPU get up the line to get up the line to help with swipe tagshelp with swipe tags

R1R1

BUBU

PUPU

Runner’s Runner’s Interference:Interference:

Force Play Slide Force Play Slide Rule Rule

Plate Umpire Plate Umpire If a throw If a throw isis made, made,

will make the will make the interference call interference call afterafter BU turns toward first.BU turns toward first.

BRBR

Situation 5

Runner on 1Runner on 1stst

PUPU

R1R1

BUBU

Base UmpireBase Umpire step step toward the mound; turn to toward the mound; turn to face the ball. Takeface the ball. Take R1R1 into into 22ndnd base; then turn to 1 base; then turn to 1stst for the back end of the for the back end of the double play attempt. double play attempt.

If no play is made at 2If no play is made at 2ndnd, , drift towards 1drift towards 1stst base base

to take the play onto take the play on batter-batter-runnerrunner. .

Situation 23

Runners onRunners on11stst and 3 and 3rdrd

Base hit to Base hit to the outfield.the outfield.

PlatePlate

R1R1

BaseBase

R3R3

BaseBase move into move into “working area.” “working area.” SeeSee

R1R1 touch 2touch 2ndnd..Be prepared for a Be prepared for a

throw-back on throw-back on R1R1 at at 22ndnd or 3 or 3rdrd..

Second play on the Infield.Second play on the Infield.

BRBR

Plate Move up 3Plate Move up 3rdrd base line in case base line in case R1R1 advances. See advances. See R3R3 touch home. Read touch home. Read

your partner.your partner.

U1

U2 U3

Situation 2

No one on baseNo one on base

Fly ball hit down Fly ball hit down the right field the right field

line, or possible line, or possible trap play from trap play from

short center field short center field to the right field to the right field

line.line.

U1

U2 U3

PlatePlatePlatePlate

BaseBase

Fly or Trouble Ball down the RF line.Fly or Trouble Ball down the RF line.

Base:Base: Read Read Fielder(s) get as Fielder(s) get as far as possible – far as possible – stop and make stop and make

call.call.Plate:Plate: Read Read BaseBase, , take B-R to the take B-R to the

base.base.Base: Base: When out, When out,

stay out.stay out.

U1

U2 U3

Situation 3

No one on baseNo one on baseNo one on baseNo one on base

Fly ball hit to Fly ball hit to the outfield the outfield other than other than

down right field down right field line, or in short line, or in short right or center right or center

field.field.

U1

U2 U3

PlatePlate

BUBUBase Base come into the come into the infield and make pivot infield and make pivot to see to see batter-runner batter-runner touch 1touch 1stst base. Take base. Take batter-runner batter-runner into 2into 2ndnd

and 3and 3rdrd base. base. PlatePlate get out as far as get out as far as can to make call. PUcan to make call. PU

will have plate will have plate coverage, if necessary.coverage, if necessary.

Fly Ball to All other fields.Fly Ball to All other fields.

U1Situation 6

Runner on 1Runner on 1stst

Fly balls Fly balls outside outside the “V,” from thethe “V,” from the

Right FielderRight Fielderto the right field to the right field

foul line, and foul line, and the Left Fielder the Left Fielder to the left field to the left field

foul line.foul line.

PUPU

BUBU

RFRFLFLF

R1R1

Fly Balls from LF or RF to the foul lines: Base Umpire.Base Umpire.

BRBR

U1Situation 6

Runner on 1Runner on 1stst

Fly balls Fly balls outside outside the “V,” from thethe “V,” from the

Right FielderRight Fielderto the right field to the right field

foul line, and foul line, and the Left Fielder the Left Fielder to the left field to the left field

foul line.foul line.

PlatePlate

BUBU

RFRFLFLF

Plate: Plate: Hustle to get Hustle to get good look at catch/no good look at catch/no

catch, fair/foul. catch, fair/foul. Be set when making Be set when making

the call.the call.Be ready to take Be ready to take R1R1 into 3 into 3rdrd or home if no catch is made.or home if no catch is made.

R1R1

Fly Balls from LF or RF to the foul lines: Plate UmpirePlate Umpire

BRBR

U1Situation 7

Runner on 1Runner on 1stst

Fly ball to theFly ball to theoutfield outfield insideinside

the “V,”the “V,”from thefrom the

Left Fielder to Left Fielder to the Right the Right Fielder.Fielder.

U1

U2

U1

U2

U3

PlatePlate

RFLF

BaseBase Read the Read the outfielders; take the outfielders; take the

ball if they move ball if they move straight in or toward straight in or toward

centerfield. centerfield. Move into “Move into “the the working areaworking area”. ”.

On a long caught fly On a long caught fly ball, see ball, see R1R1 re-tag 2 re-tag 2ndnd before returning to 1before returning to 1st st

base. base.

BUBUR1R1

Fly Balls inside the “V”Fly Balls inside the “V”

PlatePlate Observe Observe action. Peek at BR action. Peek at BR

touching 1touching 1stst. Be . Be ready to take ready to take R1R1

into 3into 3rdrd if if necessary.necessary.

Situation 22

Runners onRunners on11stst and 3 and 3rdrd

Fly ball to Fly ball to the outfield the outfield insideinside the the

““V.” V.” From the Left From the Left Fielder to the Fielder to the Right Fielder.Right Fielder.

PlatePlatePlatePlate

R1R1

BaseBaseBaseBase

R3R3BaseBase Move to Move to “working area” “working area”

to get best to get best angle on catch angle on catch and and R2’sR2’s tag-tag-up. Get best up. Get best

look at look at R1’sR1’s tag tag up. Let ball take up. Let ball take you to a base.you to a base.

R2R2

Tag Ups

PlatePlate Move to get Move to get best angle on best angle on R3’s R3’s

tag up. Be ready for tag up. Be ready for play at home. Pre-play at home. Pre-game when PU will game when PU will have play on have play on R2.R2.

U1Situation 32

Bases LoadedBases Loaded

U1U1 Move to get the best possible line on the fly ball and still Move to get the best possible line on the fly ball and still observe observe R3R3 at 3 at 3rdrd. Rule on fair/foul, catch/no-catch. See . Rule on fair/foul, catch/no-catch. See R3R3’s ’s

tag-up 3tag-up 3rdrd, and be prepared for a play at the plate. , and be prepared for a play at the plate. Advise Advise U2 U2 that you have the ball.that you have the ball.

Fly balls Fly balls outsideoutsidethe “V,” the “V,”

From the From the Right FielderRight Fielder

to the right field to the right field foul line.foul line.

U1

U2

RFRF

R3R3

PlatePlate

BaseBase

R2R2

R1R1

Trouble Ball TagsTrouble Ball Tags

Base Base peek at peek at other runners as other runners as can. Stick to your can. Stick to your primary coverage.primary coverage.

Plate Get as far Plate Get as far as can to rule as can to rule

on ball and see on ball and see tag tag andand make make it back for play it back for play

at home. at home. Fun, yes?Fun, yes?

U1U1 move quickly up 3 move quickly up 3rdrd base line -in foul ground- to assist base line -in foul ground- to assist U2U2. Move into fair territory when action moves toward 2. Move into fair territory when action moves toward 2ndnd

base. Tell base. Tell U2U2, “I’m here.” Assist with obstruction or , “I’m here.” Assist with obstruction or interference. Take the call when it’s in your area.interference. Take the call when it’s in your area.

RundownsRundowns

Single RunnerSingle Runner

Situation 36

PlatePlate

BaseBaseR2R2

Rundowns, Single Runner.Rundowns, Single Runner.

PlatePlate moves up the line moves up the line in foul territory. Step in foul territory. Step

into fair when action is into fair when action is going away. Say “I’m going away. Say “I’m here. I have this half.”here. I have this half.”

BothBoth: Take the call : Take the call when tag is on your when tag is on your side of the runner.side of the runner.

Foul Pop upsFoul Pop ups

When When U2U2 is in is in Position APosition A, , both both umpires should cover foul pop-ups umpires should cover foul pop-ups in the 1in the 1stst base dugout area. Communicate who has the call base dugout area. Communicate who has the call

(usually the umpire facing the ball.)(usually the umpire facing the ball.)In all other situations, In all other situations, U1U1 has all coverage. has all coverage.

U2 in U2 in Position APosition A

Situation 38

PlatePlate

U2U2

Foul Pop-UpsFoul Pop-Ups

Move!Move!

Get the Call RightGet the Call Right

Pre-game a signal for when one umpire has information Pre-game a signal for when one umpire has information for the other.for the other.

If the If the “Dugouts Are Burning Down,” “Dugouts Are Burning Down,” get together, away get together, away from players and coaches.from players and coaches.

Give information: “Did you see …?”Give information: “Did you see …?”

Umpire who made original call gives corrected call.Umpire who made original call gives corrected call.