Field Coverages

1. Inside-Outside Theory • Rotations • Fly Ball Coverage Field Coverages

2. INSIDE OUTSIDE THEORY Ball on INFIELD – Stay OUTSIDE the Diamond Ball in the OUTFIELD – Move INSIDE the Diamond

3. 3 UMPIRE SYSTEM

4. 3-Umpire Mechanics4 Basic Rules • Rotation is always clockwise. • Once you turn your backto go out, STAYOUT. • When one umpire goes out, revert to the 2 umpire system. • When counter-rotated, there will be no rotation.

5. Only Three Starting Positions • Standard • Rotated • Counter-Rotated • NOTE: ALLU1 & U2 starting positions are taken facing the plate.

6. With runner at 3B only, U2 is positioned 12-15 feet down 3B line in foul territory in a set position. U1 is positioned as with no base runners STANDARD With no base runners U1 and U2 “walk the line” no more than one to two steps ending in a set/ready position. U1 & U2 positioned 18-21 feet down their respective foul lines in foul territory.

7. Starting Position-Rotated • Only occurs with a single runner at 1B. • U1 is positioned 12-15 feet down the 1B line in foul territory in a set position. • U2 is positioned 12-15 feet behind 2B on the baseline extended between 2B & 3B.

8. Counter Rotated Position • U2 down 3B line and U1 in the “B” slot • U1 is always positioned in the “middle 30 feet” between 1B & 2B, exact positioning depends on: ~ Positions of F4 & F9 ~ Visibility of base runner(s) ~ Visibility of pitcher ~ Visibility of action at the plate ~ Proximity to pickoff(s) and/or steal(s) ~ Response to a batted ball • Rule #4 in effect: there will be no rotations

9. Fly Ball Coverage • SPLIT THE FIELD • The V

10. When Do You Go Out?? “A base umpire should go to the outfield on all fly balls within his/her coverage area.” NFHS Umpires Manual - Three-Umpire System

11. U1 U3 P FLY BALL COVERAGE STARTING POSITION

12. U3 U1 P STARTINGPOSITION RUNNER ON 1B FLY BALL COVERAGE

13. U1 U3 P FLY BALL COVERAGE STARTING POSITION BASES LOADED

14. Keying on Your Partner’s Moves ~ If you start to “go out” DON’T change your mind (except if you both go out). ~ It will confuse your partner’s initial reads and likely cause umpires to be out of position. ~ When you “go out” don’t yell “going out.” ~ You can yell “two man” or “going” ~ Or use a visual -Tap chest, raise hand

15. When you do “GO OUT” ~ You might only have time to just turn around. ~ Get a good angle! Chase parallel to the flight of the ball versus directly at the defensive player making the catch. ~ Chase down the line on possible fair/foul balls. ~ Avoid throwing lane(s) after the catch/no catch. ~ Be STOPPED and FACING the play when you make the call. ~ Do NOT come back in to make any calls, BUT… ~ Do turn and face the infield to observe the play, such as: * missed bases * tags/no tags *balls coming loose on tag plays, location of base runner(s) when a thrown ball that goes into dead ball area leaves the fielder’s hand OR the position of runners at the time a ball becomes blocked by loose equipment (offense or defense) .