3-umpire mechanics

The objectives of 3-umpire mechanics Try to keep one umpire AHEAD of the lead runner If possible, “box” the runner between the three umpires Objectives Keep one umpire ahead of the lead runner Ideally “Box” the runner between the three umpires One behind him One with him One ahead of him

Field Umpire Positions C B A D C B A D DEEP A No runner on first or second SHALLOW A With a runner on first Need to see the pitcher, runner, and base You are there for the pickoff play or throwback by the catcher SHALLOW B Not generally used DEEP B Position for U1 with a Runner on 2nd, but not on 1st SHALLOW C Used by U3 with a runner on 1st and 2nd DEEP C Used by U3 with runners on 1st, 1st and 3rd, or bases loaded DEEP D Used by U3 when there are no runners or a runner on 2nd base only SHALLOW D Used by U3 when there is a runner on third, but not 1st You are there for the pickoff or throwback by the catcher

Umpire Positions NO Runners U1 in DEEP A U3 in DEEP D

U3 can be in Deep B or Deep C Umpire Positions Runner on 1st U3 can be in Deep B or Deep C U1 in SHALLOW A Best positioning for the pickoff or throwback by the catcher U3 in DEEP C Best positioning for the steal of second

Umpire Positions Runner on 1st & 2nd U1 in SHALLOW A U3 in SHALLOW C Best position for the steal of third

Umpire Positions Runner on 1st & 3rd U1 ins SHALLOW A U3 in DEEP C Best position for the steal of second, pickoff at third, or throwback to third by the catcher

Umpire Positions Runner on 1st, 2nd & 3rd U1 in SHALLOW A U3 in DEEP C

Anytime there is a RUNNER on 1st U3 will be in “C” Do you see a pattern here? Anytime there is a runner on 1st, U3 is in “C”

Umpire Positions Runner on 2nd U1 in DEEP B Best position for the pickoff at 2nd U3 in DEEP C

Umpire Positions Runner on 2nd & 3rd U2 in DEEP B U3 in SHALLOW D

With LESS than 2 Outs Anytime there is a RUNNER on 2nd, but NO RUNNER on 1st U2 will be in “B” Here’s another “pattern” Anytime there is a runner on 2nd, but NOT on 1st, U2 will be in “B”

Umpire Positions Runners on 2nd WITH 2 Outs (OPTIONAL)

Umpire Positions Runners on 2nd & 3rd WITH 2 Outs (Optional)

RUNNER on 2nd, but NO RUNNER on 1st U2 will be in “A” WITH 2 Outs As a CREW OPTION RUNNER on 2nd, but NO RUNNER on 1st U2 will be in “A”

Umpire Positions Runner on 3rd U1 in DEEP A U3 in SHALLOW D

Quick Guide for knowing when to be “inside” versus “outside” Anytime there is a RUNNER on 2nd, but NO RUNNER on 1st U1 will be in “B” (except for Crew Option with 2 out and runner(s) on 2nd or 2nd and 3rd) OTHERWISE U1 will always be in “A” Anytime there is a RUNNER on 1st U3 will be in “C” OTHERWISE U3 will always be in “D” (except for Crew Option with 2 outs and runner(s) on 2nd or 2nd and 3rd) This is an easy way to remember where you should be in 3-umpire mechanics. Forget everything else (trying to remember all of the different runner configurations). It all boils down to this

Positioning for Plays at 3rd With all umpires “IN” Optional (U3 ONLY) Preferred

Positioning for Plays at 3rd With U1 or U3 “Out”

CHECK SWINGS Go to the “Open” umpire U1 for RIGHT handed batters U3 for LEFT handed batters Check swings PL will go the “open” umpire U1 at 1st or in “B” for RIGHT handed batters U3 at 3rd or in “C” for LEFT handed batters

INFIELD Catch / No Catch U2 & U3 On the corners This is not as complicated as it looks Who has the best look at the play? Let him make the call

INFIELD Catch / No Catch U3 In This is not as complicated as it looks Who has the best look at the play? Let him make the call

INFIELD Catch / No Catch U1 In This is not as complicated as it looks Who has the best look at the play? Let him make the call

Fair / Foul U2 & U3 On the corners With U1 and U3 “on the wings” PL has responsibility up to the front edge of first or third base U1 has from the front edge of first base to the fence U3 has from the front edge of third base to the fence

Fair / Foul U3 In With U3 “in” PL has responsibility up to the front edge of first and everything on the third base side U1 has from the front edge of first base to the fence

Fair / Foul U2 In With U1 “in” PL has responsibility up to the front edge of third and everything on the first base side U3 has from the front edge of third base to the fence

Fly Ball Coverage U2 & U3 On the corners When U1 and U3 are “on the wings”, PL has no fly ball responsibility in the outfield U1 has right field and the center fielder moving toward right field U3 has left field and the center fielder moving straight forward, backward or toward left field If there is a question who has the ball on a hit to the center fielder, U3 has precedence….he is the “key”

for rotation when U1 and U3 are on the corners U1 is the “KEY” for rotation when U1 and U3 are on the corners With U1 and U3 “on the wings’ U3 is the “KEY” to rotation Even if he is wrong…he is RIGHT If U3 goes out, even if error, he is the only one to go out If U3 does NOT go out, the U1 goes out on a fly ball in his are of responsibility If any umpire “goes out” COVERAGE REVERTS TO 2-UMPIRE MECHANICS

Think of it like all umpires are connected by a “string” Think of it like all umpires are tied together. If one goes out, he “pulls” all of the other with him

Fly Ball Coverage U3 IN With U3 “inside” PL has the right fielder moving toward the foul line U3 has the center fielder moving straight forward or backward and toward left field -- His half of the “V” (third base side) U1 has the right fielder and the center fielder moving toward right field

Fly Ball Coverage U1 IN With U1 “inside” PL has the right fielder moving toward the foul line U1 has the Right fielder moving forward or backward and toward center field and the center fielder moving toward right field – His half of the “V” (first base side of the “V”) U3 has left field and the center fielder moving straight forward and backward or toward left field

If you GO OUT You STAY OUT Don’t come back in and get everyone confused Stay in the outfield and observe playing action in case something happens and the crew needs to get together to get a call right When playing action is over, go back to your position

Coverage in infield reverts to If U1 or U3 “goes out” Coverage in infield reverts to 2-Umpire Mechanics Coverage reverts to 2-umpire mechanics That’s why you stay in the outfield – let the other two umpires do their job

Rotations in 3-Umpire Mechanics Rotations are generally to your LEFT as you face the mound EXCEPTION: The “Slide” Rotation When in doubt…face the mound and go LEFT The EXCEPTION is what we call the “slide” rotation

Rotation anytime there Is a runner(s) On 2nd and/or 3rd

Runners in scoring position and U1 is staying home The SLIDE Rotation Runners in scoring position and U1 is staying home Slide rotation is used when there are runners in scoring position and PL is staying home U1 and U3 must move in a counter-clockwise rotation to cover plays at 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. As U1 comes into the infield, he “pushes” U3 toward 3rd base, U3 then “slides” to cover plays at 3rd.

NO RUNNERS ON BASE

NO RUNNERS U1 Goes Out

NO RUNNERS U3 Goes Out

NO RUNNERS Base Hit

NO RUNNERS Infield Hit

Runner on 1st

Runner on 1st U1’s Responsibility

Runner on 1st U3’s Responsibility

Runner on 1st Fly Ball PL’s Responsibility

Runner on 1st Base Hit

Runner on 1st Infield Hit Possible double play

Runner on 1st Pickoff at First

Runner on 1st Steal of 2nd

Runner on 2nd

Runner on 2nd Fly Ball U1’s Responsibility

Runner on 2nd Fly Ball U3’s Responsibility

Runner on 2nd Fly Ball PL’s Responsibility

Runner on 2nd Base Hit

Runner on 2nd Infield Hit

Runner on 2nd Pickoff at Second

Runner on 3rd

MOST OFTEN MISSED ROTATION in 3-umpire mechanics Runner on 3rd Fly Ball U1’s Responsibility This is the MOST OFTEN MISSED ROTATION in 3-umpire mechanics

Runner on 3rd Fly Ball U3’s Responsibility

Runner on 3rd Base Hit

Runner on 3rd Hit to Infield

Runner on 3rd Pickoff at Third

Runners on 1st & 2nd

Runners on 1st & 2nd Fly Ball U1’s Responsibility

Fly Ball U3’s Responsibility Runners on 1st & 2nd Fly Ball U3’s Responsibility

Fly Ball PL’s Responsibility Runners on 1st & 2nd Fly Ball PL’s Responsibility

Runners on 1st & 2nd Base hit

Runner on 1st & 2nd Hit to Infield

Runners on 1st and 3rd

Runners on 1st and 3rd Fly Ball U1’s Responsibility

Runners on 1st and 3rd Fly Ball U3’s Responsibility

Runners on 1st and 3rd Fly Ball PL’s Responsibility

Runners on 1st and 3rd Base Hit

Runners on 1st and 3rd Infield Hit

Runners on 1st and 3rd Steal & Rundown

Runners on 2nd & 3rd

Runners on 2nd & 3rd Fly ball U1’s Responsibility

Runners on 2nd & 3rd Fly ball U3’s Responsibility

Runners on 2nd & 3rd Fly ball PL’s Responsibility

Runners on 2nd & 3rd Base Hit

Runners on 2nd & 3rd Infield Hit

Bases Loaded

Bases Loaded Fly Ball U1’s Responsibility

Bases Loaded Fly Ball U3’s Responsibility

Bases Loaded Fly Ball PL’s Responsibility

Bases Loaded Base Hit

Bases Loaded Infield Hit Possible Double Play

FILL THE HOLE !!! No Matter What Happens…..or Who misses a rotation We can talk about missed coverage later……….but SOMEONE has to MAKE THE CALL