Two-Umpire Mechanics2012 Indiana ASA State Umpire Clinics & Schools

Plate Mechanics

1. Feet should be in a heel-toe stance at least shoulder width apart to have good pelvic alignment

2. Set up in the slot: inside ear on the inside corner of the plate with shoulders squared to the front outside corner; turn head & eyes to see the pitcher

3. Go set when the pitch begins…

FP: when hands separate

SP: when the pitcher makes any motion with the ball after the required stop

4. Set your eyes at the top of the zone

Plate Mechanics

5. Track the ball with a slight head movement to improve your timing

6. Verbal pitch calls are made in the down/set position

7. On a called 3rd strike, there should be 2 verbal calls

8. When the ball goes behind the catcher, the plate umpire should pivot the same way as the catcher

Plate Mechanics

9. Take your mask off with your left hand and exit to the left of the catcher

10. Plate umpire should trail approximately 1/3 of the way to 1B

11. Trail with no runners on base or lone runner at 1B, unless ball takes you elsewhere

12. Move to holding zone once batter-runner approaches 2B and will not come back to 1B

Base Mechanics

1. FP: 18-21’ walk the line with no runners; set position with a runner on base; always shade the lead runner (left shoulder of 2B, left or right shoulder of SS)

2. SP: start off the left shoulder of 2nd baseman with no runners on base or a runner on 1B or 3B; start off right shoulder of 2nd baseman if runner at 2B

3. 90o angle to the throw from the infielder, but not past a 45o angle from 1B (would lose view of swipe tag and/or pulled foot)

Base Mechanics

4. Always attempt to obtain a 90o angle and be about 12-15’ from a tag play

5. Move parallel with the runner on pickoff or steal

6. For pickoff at 3B, move toward the foul line to get an unobstructed view of the play

Base Mechanics

7. FP: When starting behind SS, move toward the pitching circle for force play at 1B; plate umpire is responsible for subsequent throw to 3B or home plate

8. Buttonhook 10-12’ inside the baseline & foul line: plant your right foot, pivot with the runner and watch them touch 1B. Then pick up the ball and move parallel to obtain a 90o angle on a possible tag play

Responsibilities – Plays in Infield

1. Force plays at any base except home

FP: BU has all force plays except home

SP: PU has force plays at 3B or home plate

Responsibilities – Plays in Infield

2. Force play at 1st base on batter-runner followed by a play at 3rd base on a different runner

BU has force play at 1B

PU has subsequent throw to 3B

Responsibilities – Plays in Infield

3. Play at 3rd base followed by a play at 2nd base on a different runner

FP: BU has first throw at 3B and any additional plays on bases

SP: PU has first play at 3B, BU has plays on additional bases

Responsibilities – Plays in Infield

4. Play at home plate followed by a play at 3rd base on a different runner.

PU has play at home plate

BU would have any plays on bases on a subsequent throw

Responsibilities – Plays in Infield

5. Force play at 1st followed by a throw to 2nd base on a different runner

BU has force at 1B and any additional plays at 2B

PU would be responsible for plays at 3B or home plate if the lead runner advances past 2B

Responsibilities – Base Hit to Outfield

1. Play at 3rd base on the trail (last) runner

BU always takes the trail (last) runner to 3B

PU would move back toward home plate from holding zone once throw goes to 3B

Responsibilities – Base Hit to Outfield

2. Play at 3rd base on the runner who started at 2nd base

PU has the first throw at 3B on throw from the outfield

BU would be responsible for plays at 3B with the trail (last) runner

Responsibilities – Base Hit to Outfield

3. No runners on base, fair/foul call down right field line followed by a play on the batter-runner at 2nd base

FP:

Option #1: PU has fly ball & BU would buttonhook and take play at 2B

Option #2: BU chases fly ball & PU would be responsible for all plays in the field

SP: PU has fly ball & BU would buttonhook and take play at 2B

Responsibilities – Base Hit to Outfield

4. Runner on 2nd base, base hit, runner rounds third base, a throw goes home, then she turns around and goes back to 3rd base

PU would move back to home plate from holding zone on the throw

BU would take 3B after a throw goes home

Responsibilities – Base Hit to Outfield

5. With a runner at 3rd base, the left fielder drops the ball, throw goes home, then a pickoff attempt is made at 1st base

PU moves to holding zone for tag up, then moves back to home plate

BU buttonhooks & has pickoff

Questions?