Umpire Positioning and Responsibilities

Umpire Positioning and Responsibilities

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(NOTE: This is a GENERAL GUIDELINE. Some umpires use slightly different coverage systems depending on skills level and experience. It is VERY IMPORTANT to hold an umpire conference before the game to make sure both umpires are on the same page as far as coverages on the field is concerned.)

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DEFINITIONS:

Position A: Approximately 10-12 feet behind F3 in a standing set stance in foul territory with right foot on the edge of the foul line.

Position B: Approximately halfway between the pitchers mound and 2B. On a line extended from the plate through the 1B edge of the mound, shoulders squared to home plate.

Position C: Approximately halfway between the pitchers mound and 2B. More or less on a line extended from the plate through the 3B edge of the mound, shoulders squared to home plate.

Trouble ball: Any fly ball that will be caught below the waist of the fielder trying to field the ball.

Inside the V: The part of the outfield from F7 to F9. Outside the V: The part of the outfield from the left of F7 or the right of F9.

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GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

ALL SITUATIONS

PU:

-- Balls and Strikes.

-- Fair/Foul at the batter''s box.

-- Illegal pitch.

-- Catcher''s Interference.

BU:

-- Illegal pitch.

-- Be prepared to help PU with foul ball at the batter''s box.

-- Be prepared to help PU on an appeal of a checked swing, when asked.

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SITUATION: NO RUNNERS ON BASE

Positioning:

PU: Behind the plate

BU: Position A

Responsibilities:

PU:

-- Move out on all batted balls.

-- Fair/foul on all balls down the 3B/left field foul line.

-- Fair/foul on all balls down the 1B foul line to the front edge of 1B.

-- The dead ball call on an overthrow to 1B.

-- Be prepared to help BU on a swipe tag at 1B or F3 taking his foot of the bag early, when asked.

-- Catch/no catch on all balls to the left side of the infield or fielded by the pitcher or catcher.

-- Catch/no catch on all routine fly balls to the outfield.

-- Catch/no catch on all trouble fly balls from F8 to left field dead ball territory.

-- If BU goes out to cover a trouble ball, you have the Batter-runner on all bases. BU has responsibility if the BR tries to come home.

BU:

-- Fair/foul on all balls down the 1B line from the front edge of 1B to the RF foul pole.

-- Catch/no catch on all balls to the right side if the infield.

-- Catch/no catch on all trouble balls from F8 to dead ball territory on the RF side of the field. When you go out, help PU by calling "I''M ON THE BALL" or "I''M GOING OUT". U1 has all plays at the bases. After ball is thrown to the infield move toward home plate in foul territory. You have responsibility if the BR tries to come home.

-- All ground ball plays on the infield. Step up and face the ball, let the ball turn you to 1B. Get set and call out/safe.

-- On a base hit, while following the ball, move to the pivot position in the umpire lane checking that the batter-runner touches 1B. Be prepared to follow the BR to 2B and to 3B if necessary.

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SITUATION: R1 ON 1B

Positioning:

PU: Behind the plate

BU: Position B

Responsibilities:

PU:

-- Balks.

-- Move out on all batted balls.

-- All fair/foul calls.

-- Catch/no catch on all fly balls fielded by F1, F2, F3, F5 or down either foul line.

-- Catch/no catch on all fly balls from the left of F7 and from the right of F9 (outside the V).

-- Be prepared to cover a play at 3B. The second play in the infield at 3B is your responsibility. In the event that you cover 3B help BU by calling "I''VE GOT 3RD IF HE GOES".

-- In the event you are not covering 3B, help BU by calling "STAYING HOME".

-- Be prepared to help BU on all plays in the infield IF ASKED by BU.

-- On fly balls line up 1B and catch for retouch.

BU:

-- Balks.

-- Pick off play by F1 or F2. A quick step or two towards the plate and then turn with the throw will give you a better angle on the play.

-- Steal attempt at 2B. Step back, let the throw from F2 turn you toward 2B. Get set and call out/safe.

-- Catch/no catch from F7 to F9 (inside the V).

-- Catch/no catch in the center of the infield (F4, F6).

-- The first play in the infield. On a double play watch for the force out at 2B then let the relay throw turn you towards 1B for the second out/safe.

-- On base hits make sure R1 touches 2B and BR touches 1B.

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SITUATION: R2 ON 2B

Positioning:

PU: Behind the plate

BU: Position C

Responsibilities:

PU:

--Balks.

--Move out on all batted balls.

--All fair/foul calls.

--On a base hit you are responsible for the lead runner touching 3B.

--Catch/no catch on all fly balls fielded by F1, F2, F3, F5 or down either foul line.

--Catch/no catch on all fly balls from the left of F7 and from the right of F9 (outside the V).

-- Be prepared to cover a play at 3B. The second play in the infield or tag up play at 3B is your responsibility. In the event that you cover 3B help BU by calling "I''VE GOT 3RD IF HE GOES".

--In the event you are not covering 3B, help BU by calling "STAYING HOME".

--Be prepared to help BU on all plays in the infield IF ASKED by BU.

BU:

--Balks.

--Pick off play by F1 or F2.

--Steal attempt at 3B. Move crisply toward the middle of the 3B foul line between home and 3B. Attempt to gain as many steps as you can. Let the throw from F2 turn you toward 3B. Get set and call out/safe.

--Catch/no catch from F7 to F9 (inside the V).

--Catch/no catch in the center of the infield F4, F6.

--The first play in the infield. The first play might not go to 1B. DON''T ANTICIPATE. Let the ball take you to the appropriate base.

--On base hits make sure BR touches 1B and 2B.

--On a caught fly ball. Line up the catch with the bag for the retouch. If PU has called "I''VE GOT 3RD IF HE GOES" it''s PU''s play otherwise you must cover the play at 3B.

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SITUATION: R3 ON 3B

Positioning:

PU: Behind the plate

BU: Position C

Responsibilities:

PU:

--Balks.

--Movement is limited because of possible play at home. You have all plays at home.

--Be alert for squeeze play or steal of home.

--All fair/foul calls.

--Catch/no catch on all fly balls fielded by F1, F2, F3, F5 or down either foul line.

--Catch/no catch on all fly balls from the left of F7 and from the right of F9 (outside the V).

--With less than 2 outs, on fly balls line up base and catch for retag.

--On base hits be sure R1 touches home plate. Be prepared to cover a play at 3B. In the event that you cover 3B help BU by calling "I''VE GOT 3RD IF HE GOES". In the event you are not covering 3B, help BU by calling "STAYING HOME".

BU:

--Balks.

--Pick off play by F1 or F2.

--Catch/no catch from F7 to F9 (inside the V).

--Catch/no catch in the center of the infield F4, F6.

--A ground ball play in the infield. The play might not go to 1B. DON''T ANTICIPATE.

--On base hits make sure BR touches 1B and 2B.

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SITUATION: R2 ON 2B, R1 at 1B

Positioning:

PU: Behind the plate

BU: Position C

PU:

--Balks.

--Be aware of infield fly situation with less than 2 outs.

--All fair/foul calls.

--Catch/no catch on all fly balls fielded by F1, F2, F3, F5 or down either foul line.

--Catch/no catch on all fly balls from the left of F7 and from the right of F9 (outside the V).

--On fly balls line up base and catch for retouch of R2 at 2B.

--On base hits be sure R1 touches home plate. Be prepared to cover a play at 3B. In the event that you cover 3B help BU by calling "I''VE GOT 3RD". Be prepared to cover home in the event of a play, help BU by calling "GOING HOME".

BU:

--Balks.

--Be aware of infield fly situation with less than 2 outs.

--Pick off play by F1 or F2 at either lB or 2B.

--Steal and double steal situations at 2B and 3B.

--Catch/no catch from F7 to F9 (inside the V).

--Catch/no catch in the center of the infield (F4, F6).

--A ground ball play in the infield. The play might not go to 1B. DON''T ANTICIPATE.

--On fly balls line up the catch and lB for tag-up of R1 at 1B.

--On base hits watch R1 touch 2B and BR touch 1B.

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SITUATION: R3 ON 3B AND R2 ON 2B

Positioning:

PU: Behind the plate

BU: Position C

Responsibilities:

PU:

--Balks.

--Movement is limited because of possible play at home. You have all plays at home.

--Be alert for squeeze play or steal of home.

--All fair/foul calls.

--Catch/no catch on all fly balls fielded by F1, F2, F3, F5 or down either foul line.

--Catch/no catch on all fly balls from the left of F7 and from the right of F9 (outside the V).

--On fly balls line up base and catch for retouch/tag-up.

--With 2 outs be aware of possible timing play.

--On base hits be sure R3 touches home plate.

--Be prepared to cover a play at 3B. In the event that you cover 3B help BU by calling "I''VE GOT 3RD IF HE GOES". In the event you are not covering 3B, help BU by calling "STAYING HOME".

BU:

--Balks.

--Pick off play by F1 or F2 at either 2B or 3B.

--Catch/no catch from F7 to F9 (inside the V).

--Catch/no catch in the center of the infield F4, F6.

--With 2 outs be aware of possible timing play.

--A ground ball play in the infield. The play might not go to 1B. DON''T ANTICIPATE.

--On base hits make sure BR touches 1B and be prepared to take him to 2B.

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SITUATION: R3 ON 3B AND R1 ON 1B

Positioning:

PU: Behind the plate

BU: Position C

Responsibilities:

PU:

--Balks.

--Movement is limited because of possible play at home. You have all plays at home.

--Be alert for squeeze play or steal of home.

--With 2 outs be aware of possible timing play with double steal.

--All fair/foul calls.

--Catch/no catch on all fly balls fielded by F1, F2, F3, F5 or down either foul line.

--Catch/no catch on all fly balls from the left of F7 and from the right of F9 (outside the V).

--On fly balls line up base and catch for retouch/tag-up.

--On any play be sure R3 touches home plate. Be prepared to cover a play at 3B. In the event that you cover 3B help BU by calling "I''VE GOT 3RD IF HE GOES". In the event you are not covering 3B, help BU by calling "STAYING HOME".

BU:

--Balks.

--Pick off play by Fl or F2 at either 1B or 3B.

--Catch/no catch from F7 to F9 (inside the V).

--Catch/no catch in the center of the infield F4, F6.

--With 2 outs be aware of possible timing play with double steal.

--A ground ball play in the infield. The play might not go to 1B. DON''T ANTICIPATE.

--On base hits make sure R1 touches 2B and BR TOUCHES 1B.

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SITUATION: BASES LOADED

Positioning:

PU: Behind the plate

BU: Position C

Responsibilities:

PU:

--Balks.

--Movement is limited because of possible play at home. You have all plays at home.

--Be alert for squeeze play or steal of home.

--With less than 2 out be aware of Infield Fly Situation.

--With 2 outs be aware of possible timing play.

--All fair/foul calls.

--Catch/no catch on all fly balls fielded by F1, F2, F3, F5 or down either foul line.

--Catch/no catch on all fly balls from the left of F7 and from the right of F9 (outside the V).

--On fly balls line up base and catch for retouch/tag-up.

--On any play be sure R3 touches home plate. Be prepared to cover a play at 3B. In the event that you cover 3B help BU by calling "I''VE GOT 3RD IF HE GOES". In the event you are not covering 3B, help BU by calling "STAYING HOME".

BU:

--Balks.

--Pick off play by Fl or F2 at either 1B or 3B.

--Catch/no catch from F7 to F9 (inside the V).

--Catch/no catch in the center of the infield F4, F6.

--With less than 2 out be aware of Infield Fly Situation.

--With 2 outs be aware of possible timing play.

--A ground ball play in the infield. You have all plays except at home. The play might not go to 1B. DON''T ANTICIPATE.

--On base hits make sure R1 touches 2B and BR TOUCHES 1B.