3 Man Umpire Mechanics

1. 3 Man Umpire Mechanics

2. Plate Umpire 1. Call balls and strikes 2. Rule fair foul on any batted ball that is played on or comes to rest in front of the front edge of the base down the first-base line with the first base ump in Position A and down the third-base line with third base ump in position D. If either field ump is in the infield, rule fair/foul all the way to the foul pole on the exposed side. 3. Rule catch/no catch on all foul fly balls behind home plate and up to the first and third base bags, or on any fly balls which are taken by the catcher, and on fly balls or line drives to the pitcher. 4. When the ball is hit, move out from behind the plate in order to be ready to go to cover a base or line up a fly ball when responsible for the touch or tag-up. 5. Signal partners in an infield-fly situation or when a two-out time play is possible. 6. Watch every play as if it were yours to call, both because your partners may appeal to you for help and because as umpire-in-chief you may be required to decide on play situations involving rules. 7. Initiate ALL communication with the base umpires. First base umpire 1. Make calls at first base on plays in the infield. 2. Rule fair/foul on ground balls down the first-base line from the front of the bag, especially on balls bounding over the bag, and on fly balls from the bag to the foul pole if in Position A. Call all foul balls hitting the batter in the batter's box. 3. Rule catch/no catch on fly balls and line drives in the infield that are taken by the first or second basemen. 4. Move with the pitch and lean in so that when the ball is hit, you are ready to move and cover any plays for which you are responsible. 5. Signal partners in an infield-fly situation or when a two-out time play is possible. Third base umpire 1. Move toward Position C on ground balls or base hits in order to cover plays at second base. 2. Rule fair/foul on ground balls down the third-base line from the front of the bag, especially on balls bounding over the bag, and on fly balls from the bag to the foul pole if in Position D. Call all foul balls hitting the batter in the batter's box. 3. Rule catch/no catch on fly balls or line drives in the infield that are handled by the shortstop or third baseman. 4. Move with the pitch and lean in so that when the ball is hit, you are ready to move and cover any plays for which you are responsible. 5. Signal partners in an infield-fly situation or when a two-out time play is possible. 6. Rule on possible interference by runner at second base on an attempted double play. NJSIAA 3 Man Umpire Mechanics General Duties and Responsibilities NOTE: If either field ump goes out, coverage reverts to the two-man system. THE UMPIRE WHO GOES OUT -- STAYS OUT!

3. 1. Move to make all calls at 1st. 2. If 3rd base ump goes out on a fly ball or is pinned at third on fair/foul call – come in and pivot, watch batter-runner touch 1st and be ready to take him into second or to cover throw-back at 1st. Be ready to go home on overthrow at 3rd and stay in foul territory. 3. On base hit – come in and pivot, watch batter-runner touch 1st and be ready to cover throw-back at 1st if 3rd base ump does not go out 4. On extra-base hit - come in and pivot, watch batter-runner touch 1st and be ready to go home if plate ump has gone to 3rd. 5. Call fly balls to center moving to his left or straight back, fly balls to right and fly and liners to 1st or 2nd. Also take foul flys PAST 1st base. 6. Call fair/foul grounders past front edge of bag and fly balls past 1st. 7. Watch for check swings on right-handed batters, answer only if asked by your plate umpire. First base umpire NOBODY on base

4. 1. Set up to watch pick-off and balk. 2. Move to make all calls at first on plays in infield. 3. Watch batter-runner touch 1st on base hit; be ready to move to home if plate ump goes to 3rd and stay in foul territory. 4. Call fair/foul on grounder past front edge of bag. 5. Move to call foul fly past first base. 6. Move to watch tag ups at 1st if not responsible for catch or on routine flys to right. 7. Call catch on flys on which right fielder goes back or is moving toward right-field line. 8. Call fly balls taken by 1st or 2nd. 9. Call all foul flys past the first base bag. 10. Call R1 returning to 1st on rundown – use outside position. 11. Watch for check swings by right-handed hitters, answer only if asked by your plate umpire. First base umpire Runner on 1st only

5. 1. Move to make all calls on the batter-runner at first. Be alert for runner at second being caught in rundown. 2. Make all calls on runner at second. 3. Call fly balls to the outfield between left and right. 4. Call fly balls taken by first or second basemen unless potentially foul/fair. 5. Line up tag of runner at second advancing to third after catch and straight line the base and catch. 6. If third base ump goes out, coverage reverts to two-man system. 7. Watch for check swings by right-handed hitters, answer only if asked by your plate umpire. First base umpire Runner on 2nd only

6. 1. Move to make all calls at 1st on plays in the infield. 2. If ump at 3rd goes out on fly or is pinned at third – come in, pivot, watch batter-runner touch 1st and be ready to take him to second or be ready to cover throw-back to first. 3. On base hit, come in, pivot and watch touch at 1st. 4. On extra-base hit, come in, pivot, watch touch at first. Release batter-runner when he reaches second if 3rd base umpire did not go out. If not take batter runner to 3rd. 5. Call fly balls to center in which he moves to his left or straight back or flys to right or any flys taken by 1st or 2nd. 6. Call fair/foul on grounder past front edge of bag. 7. Call foul flys past first base bag. 8. Watch for check swings by right-handed hitters, answer only if asked by your plate umpire. First base umpire Runner on 3rd only

7. 1. Set up to see pick-off and watch for balk. Line up 6’-8’ behind 1st base in foul territory and angle so you can see the pitcher and batter at the same time. 2. On a base hit, watch batter-runner touch 1st. Be ready to cover home if plate ump goes to 3rd. 3. Make all calls at 1st 4. Call flys in which right fielder goes back or toward line. 5. Call flys to 1st or 2nd. 6. Watch tag-up at 1st if you don’t go out. Straight line the base and catch for a tag up. 7. Be alert to fair/foul call down first base line. 8. Signal “timing play” with 2 outs and also infield fly. 9. Watch for check swings by right-handed hitters, answer only if asked by your plate umpire. First base umpire Runners on 1st and 2nd

8. 1. Be alert to see pick-off at second. 2. Make all calls at 1st and 2nd. 3. On base hit, watch batter-runner touch 1st and make call on him if he advances to 2nd or returns to 1st. 4. Call flys from left to right and flys to 1st or 2nd. 5. Watch tag-up at 2nd on fly and be ready to make call on runner advancing to third if third base ump goes out. 6. Signal “timing play” with two outs. 7. Watch for check swings by right-handed hitters, answer only if asked by your plate umpire. 8. It is OK to move onto the infield dirt if the play from the 3rd baseman or shortstop brings excessive pressure on you by being in the infield grass. First base umpire Runners on 2nd & 3rd

9. 1. Set up to see pick-off and watch for balk. 2. Move to watch tag-up at 1st on fly ball. 3. Watch for tag of base by batter-runner and be prepared to go to plate if plate ump goes to third. 4. Call flys in which right fielder goes back or toward line. 5. Call flys to 1st or 2nd. Call fair/foul on balls past front of bag. 6. Watch tag-up at 1st if you don’t go out. 7. Be alert to fair/foul call down first base line. 8. Watch for check swings by right-handed hitters, answer only if asked by your plate umpire. First base umpire Runners on 1st & 3rd

10. 1. Be alert to see pick-off at first. 2. Make all calls at 1st. 3. On base hit, come in, pivot and watch batter-runner touch first and be ready to make call at second if third base ump goes to cover third. 4. Call flys to right and all foul flys past first base bag. 5. Watch tag-up at 1st if not responsible for fly catch. 6. Signal “timing play” with two outs. 7. Signal infield fly. 8. Watch for check swings by right-handed hitters, answer only if asked by your plate umpire. First base umpire bases loaded

11. 1.Move to position C on all grounders or base hits in order to make calls at 2nd. (Do not return to third when first base ump has batter runner all the way to third.) 2. If first base ump goes out on a fly ball go to position C. 3. Call fly balls to center moving to his right or straight in, fly balls to left and flys and liners to SS or 3rd. Also take foul flys past 3rd base. 4. Call fair/foul grounders past front edge of bag and fly balls past 3rd. If pinned at third on a fair/foul call – STAY with the 3rd base line! 1st base umpire will take play at 2nd. 5. Watch for check swings on left-handed batters, answer only if asked by your plate umpire. 6. On a dropped 3rd strike, move into the C position. Third base umpire Nobody on base C

12. 1. Call steal play at 2nd. 2. If first base ump goes out on a fly ball, cover batter-runner and R1. 3. Make all calls at second. 4.Be alert for interference/illegal slides at second on double plays. Stay with the play @ 2nd! 5. Call fly balls between left and right field and fair flys by SS and third baseman unless it’s potentially fair or foul. Do NOT leave the infield! 6. Call R1 advancing to second on rundown; use inside position. 7. Watch for check swings on left-handed batters, answer only if asked by your plate umpire. Third base umpire Runner on 1st only

13. 1. Move to make all calls at third on plays in the infield, or on R1 advancing to third after tagging up on fly ball. 2. Call fly balls in which left fielder moves toward left foul line or moves straight in and flys by SS and third baseman and all foul flys past the bag. Go out on all fly balls when the left fielder goes straight back. 3. Call fair/foul on grounders past the front edge of the bag or bounding over the bag and all flys past the bag. 4. Watch for check swings on left-handed batters, answer only if asked by your plate umpire. 5. Line up the play. Meaning if the throw is coming from left field, angle in foul territory, if from right field angle in fair territory to get the best angles. Third base umpire runner on 2nd only

14. 1. Move to get angle on pickoff plays and hold position for fair/foul call if no pick off. 2. Move to line up tag at third on flys to center or right. (On fly to left, call the catch since the plate ump will take the tag). 3. Make call on runner returning to third in rundown. 4. On base hit, move to C position to make call at second. 5. Call flys to left and center and any flys to SS or third and all foul flys past third. 6. Watch for check swings on left-handed batters, answer only if asked by your plate umpire. Third base umpire runner on 3rd only C

15. 1. Be alert for pickoff at second or steal at third. (Don’t commit too early because throw may be to second on double steal). 2. Call all plays at second and watch interference at second on double play. 3. Call play at third if it is the first play in the infield or on runner from first if it is a base hit by the batter. 4. On fly balls to outfield, take tag at second. Be alert for runner from first attempting to go to second on a throw. 5. Call flys between left and right and any flys to SS or third (if not a potential fair/foul ball). 6. Take tags at BOTH 2nd and 1st if first base ump goes out. 7. Signal “timing play” and infield fly. 8. Watch for check swings on left-handed batters, answer only if asked by your plate umpire. 3rd base umpire runners on 1st and 2nd

16. 1. Be alert for steal at 2nd. 2. Call all plays at second and watch for interference at second on double play. 3. Call flys between left and right and any flys to SS or third (if not a potential fair/foul ball). 4. Make call on runner returning to third after caught fly (this is NOT the tag up – the plate ump has that call.) 5. If 1st base ump goes out, move to get tag at first and touch by batter runner and be prepared to make call on him advancing to 2nd or returning to 1st. 6. Watch for check swings on left-handed batters, answer only if asked by your plate umpire. 3rd base umpire runners on 1st & 3rd

17. 1. Be alert for pickoff at 3rd by either pitcher or catcher. 2. Call all plays at third. 3. Take tag at third if fly ball is hit to center or right. 4. Call flys in which left fielder moves toward line and any fly to SS or third. 5. Call fair/foul on balls hit past the front edge of the bag. 6. Watch for check swings on left-handed batters, answer only if asked by your plate umpire. 3rd base umpire runners on 2nd and 3rd

18. 1. Be alert for pickoff at 2nd or 3rd by either pitcher or catcher. 2. Call all force plays at second and third. Watch for interference by runners breaking up double plays. 3. Make call on runner at third returning and returning runner at second and then any other runner advancing or retreating to third after a base hit. 4. Line up tag-up at second. 5. Call flys between left and right field and balls taken by SS or third. 6. Signal “timing play” and infield fly. 7. Watch for check swings on left-handed batters, answer only if asked by your plate umpire. Third base umpire bases loaded

19. 1. Move out on all plays and be ready to cover batter-runner to third. 2. If first base ump goes out on a fly ball, move to watch batter-runner touch first and cover play on returning runner. 3. Call fly balls to catcher or pitcher and all flys between home and the first or third bags. 4. Call fair/foul grounders up to front edge of first and third base bags. Follow all bunted balls all the way. 5. Appeal checked swings on right-handed batters to first base umpire and checked swings on left-handed batter to third base umpire. Always ask for help if a coach or catcher asks you! There may have been something that you did not see. Plate umpire nobody on base

20. 1. Be ready to move to cover play at third. 2. Call catches to pitcher/catcher. 3. Call fly balls between home or first base bags. 4. Call fly balls down the line when third baseman moves to the foul line. 5. Call fair/foul up to the front edge of first base and all the way down the third base line. 6. If first base ump goes out, watch the tag of runner at first and the touch by the batter-runner at first. 7. Always be aware of the positioning of your base umpires. Move them to the proper position if needed at this time. Plate umpire runner on 1st only

21. 1. Call fair/foul on grounders from home to front edge of third base bag and all the way at first base line. 2. Be ready to make call on runner on second coming into home. 3. If third base ump goes out, watch runner from second touch third and be in position to make call on him if he returns to third. 4. On an extra base hit, move up to make the call on the batter-runner at third. 5. On a grounder to infield, watch the batter-runner touch first if the runner at second is caught in a rundown. 6. Call fair flys taken by pitcher or catcher. 7. Call fly balls to right field if fielder moves to the foul line. 8. Call fly balls between home and first or third base bags or down the right field line. 9. Make all calls on runners advancing to home. Plate umpire runner on 2nd only

22. 1. Make call on runner advancing from third to home. 2. Be alert for attempted steal at home. 3. Be alert for squeeze play. 4. Be alert for passed ball. 5. Make sure pitch is legal then call the play. 6. Call fly balls to pitcher or catcher. 7. Call fair/foul on grounder up to front edge of first and third. 8. Call foul flys to front of first and third bags. Plate umpire runner on 3rd only

23. 1. Move out on all batted balls and be in position to watch touch of third base by runner from second on a base hit. Be ready to retreat to home to cover play on runner from second. 2. Move to third base to make call on runner from second advancing to third after tagging on a fly ball. Hold the position at third – first base ump will cover home. 3. Call flys in which left fielder moves toward line. 4. Call foul flys down third base line. 5. Call flys taken by pitcher or catcher. 6. Call fair/foul up to front of bag at first and all the way down the line at third. 7. Follow bunted balls all the way. 8. Watch out if pitcher is moving to back up play at third – don’t run into him. Always keep all players in front of you. Plate umpire runners on 1st and 2nd

24. 1. Make call on runner advancing home. Be alert for steal, passed ball or squeeze play; call pitch first then play on runner. 2. Line up tag at 3rd on fly ball. 3. Take all fly balls to left field when the left fielder moves toward the line. 4. Call flys taken by pitcher/catcher. 5. Take all foul fly balls down the third base line. 6. Watch runner tag home and move to cover runner going to third or batter-runner going to third. 7. Call fair/foul on batted balls up to the front edge of the first base bag and all the way down the third base line. Make the call from base line extended to keep position for call advancing to home. Plate umpire runners on 1st and 3rd

25. 1. Be alert to steal, passed ball, squeeze play and play on runners coming to plate. 2. Move to line up tag on runner at third during catch by left fielder. 3. Call fly balls on which the right fielder moves to foul line. 4. Call flys taken by catcher/pitcher and foul balls past the first base bag. 5. Call fair/foul to front of third base bag and all the way down the first base line. Plate umpire runners on 2nd and 3rd

26. 1. Be alert for steal, passed ball or squeeze play; call pitch first then play on runner. 2. Hold position on balls in play in infield or outfield in order to be ready to make call on runners advancing home. 3. Make all calls on play at home. 4. Move to line up tag at third on fly balls. 5. Take all fly balls by pitcher or catcher. 6. Take all fly balls to left field when the left fielder moves toward the line. 7. Take all foul fly balls between home and first or third and ALL foul fly balls down the third base line. 8. Call fair/foul on batted balls up to the front edge of the first base bag and all the way down the third base line. Plate umpire with bases loaded