Two-Person Mechanics AOA Baseball Meeting February 19, 2014 presented by Jeff Thunder & Joshua Perry

Communication (before game day) Contact partner a day or two before the game. Contact partner a day or two before the game. (you have contact info, right?) Where will you park? When will you meet? Do you anticipate any transportation issues? (e.g., construction on IL-59) Will one or both of you contact the coach when you arrive?

Communication (pre-game) Try to budget at least minutes. Especially important if either of you is less experienced or you haven't worked a lot together. Discuss mechanics, signals and any special topics (e.g., recent bad blood between teams). It's nice to have a pre-made script so you don't forget anything.

Communication (during game) PU signals situation PU signals situation (rotation, etc.) to BU inside the diamond before pitcher toes the rubber. BU mirrors PU's signal(s) back so you both know you're on the same page. VERBALIZE during the play to let your partner know what you're doing (e.g., I've got the ball! I'm at third if he comes!). Get together between innings if you're having any issues. Don't wait for a disaster to occur.

Field Positions All of these positions may be modified depending where the runners and defense are during various game situations. C B A

BIG VBIG V LibraryLibrary

Summary on when to be in the B position or the C position With runners on base Use the C position only when 3rd base is in imminent danger of being stolen (i.e.. runners at 2nd, or 1st and 2nd). Use the C position only when 3rd base is in imminent danger of being stolen (i.e.. runners at 2nd, or 1st and 2nd). In all other situations (with runners on base), use the B position. In all other situations (with runners on base), use the B position.

Responsibilities (PU) Run the plate meeting and deal with lineups. Put the ball in play (don't neglect this!) Determine when thrown ball is out of play and place runners. All fair/foul except past 1st base when U1 is in A. Most catch/no catch (and ALL pop-ups) in infield when U1 is in A. Many catch/no catch in infield when U1 is in the middle of the diamond.

Responsibilities (PU, cont.) ALL catch/no catch in outfield when U1 comes in from the A position. All catch/no catch in outfield outside the big V when U1 is inside the diamond. All plays at the plate. All touches and tag-ups at 3rd (except BR). All plays on BR when U1 goes out from A. All running lane violations.

Responsibilities (PU, cont.) All plays on BR until about the 45 foot line. Help U1 on possible pulled foot or swipe tag on BR (get up the line with no runners on). Keeping the count and number of outs. Balls and strikes.

Responsibilities (shared) Infield fly Force play slide rule violations Balks Obstruction and interference Calling time Plays on BR in no man's land. Knotty rules questions (check a rulebook if necessary)

Responsibilities (BU) All fair/foul calls past 1st base when in A (unless you must vacate the area) All trouble balls in the outfield from center field to the right field line when in A. (Go out, stay out.) Some catch/no catch in infield when in A. All plays on BR when in A if you don't go out (except at the plate).

Responsibilities (BU, cont.) All catch/no catch in the outfield in the big V when you're in the middle of the diamond. Many catch/no catch in the infield when you're in the middle of the diamond. All plays at 1st, 2nd and 3rd except for certain rotation plays at 3rd. All plays on BR past about the 45 foot line.

Communication (post-game) Discuss tricky and/or important plays that came up. Ask for honest criticism. Give honest criticism (if asked). PU should contact assignor ASAP about any incidents/ejections. Ejecting umpire needs to fill out a report with the IHSA within 24 hours.

Rotations With R1 and a ball batted into the outfield, PU will rotate up to 3rd base and take all plays on R1 there (and at home, if necessary) EXCEPT when he needs to make a fair/foul or catch/no catch call up the right field line. Same as above with R1 and R3 (PU has R3's touch of home, too). With R1 & R2 and less than two outs, PU will rotate up to 3rd base on a fly ball CAUGHT in the outfield, with the same exception as above.

Rotations Never rotate on a ball in the infield, only on a batted ball in the outfield. Don't wait to rotate. Anticipate and go to the library and quickly get into the cutout if needed. Don't go into foul territory. Stay in fair to better take the runner into home if necessary. BU rotates, too! Don't be standing at an empty 2nd base when the BR at 1st is your responsibility.

U1 U2U3 Situation 1 No one on base Ground ball hit to the left side of the infield, from the 2nd baseman to the 3rd base foul line. PLATE BASE Plate move up the 1 st base line. Be prepared to assist Base, if asked, on a swipe tag or pulled foot. Ground ball to the left side of the infield.

U1 U2U3 Situation 1 No one on base Ground ball hit to the left side of the infield, from the 2nd baseman to the 3rd base foul line. PU BU BU can either; 1, take two steps into fair territory or 2, move into the infield to get a 90 o angle on the throw, depending where the ball is fielded. 1 2 Ground ball to the left side of the infield.

U1 U2U3 Situation 1 No one on base Ground ball to the left side of the infield, from 2nd baseman to the 3rd base foul line. On an overthrow. PU OVERTHROW at First. Change in primary coverage.

U1 U2U3 Situation 1 No one on base Ground ball hit to the right side from the 2nd baseman to the 1st base foul line. Pressure from infielders. U1 U2U3 Plate Base Base move in foul territory to get the best angle. This is especially important when the pitcher takes the throw at 1 st, and can be the same coverage on bunts. 2B Pressure Plays P

U1 Situation 8 Runner on 1 st Any base hit to the outfield. Possible play at the plate. U1 U2 Plate R1 Base Plate see R1 touch 3 rd. Quickly retreat home for a possible play at the plate. Let your partner know you are going home. BR Any hit to the outfield, Runners on. Base see batter- runner touch 1 st. Take BR into 2 nd or 3 rd, if necessary.

U1 Situation 9 Runner on 2 nd U1 U2 Base R2 Ground ball in the infield, Runners on. Base move swiftly to the working area. Adjust your position to not interfere with any throw. Be ready for a throw- back to 2 nd. Pre-game if PU will help on plays at 3 rd. PU get up the line to help with swipe tags

R1 BU PU Runners Interference: Force Play Slide Rule Plate Umpire If a throw is made, will make the interference call after BU turns toward first. BR

Situation 5 Runner on 1 st PU R1 BU Base Umpire step toward the mound; turn to face the ball. Take R1 into 2 nd base; then turn to 1 st for the back end of the double play attempt. If no play is made at 2 nd, drift towards 1 st base to take the play on batter- runner.

Situation 23 Runners on 1 st and 3 rd Base hit to the outfield. Plate R1 Base R3 Base move into working area. See R1 touch 2 nd. Be prepared for a throw-back on R1 at 2 nd or 3 rd. Second play on the Infield. BR Plate Move up 3 rd base line in case R1 advances. See R3 touch home. Read your partner.

U1 U2U3 Situation 2 No one on base Fly ball hit down the right field line, or possible trap play from short center field to the right field line. U1 U2U3 PlatePlate Base Fly or Trouble Ball down the RF line. Base: Read Fielder(s) get as far as possible – stop and make call. Plate: Read Base, take B-R to the base. Base: When out, stay out.

U1 U2U3 Situation 3 No one on base Fly ball hit to the outfield other than down right field line, or in short right or center field. U1 U2 U3 Plate BU Base come into the infield and make pivot to see batter-runner touch 1 st base. Take batter-runner into 2 nd and 3 rd base. Plate get out as far as can to make call. PU will have plate coverage, if necessary. Fly Ball to All other fields.

U1 Situation 6 Runner on 1 st Fly balls outside the V, from the Right Fielder to the right field foul line, and the Left Fielder to the left field foul line. PU BU RF LF R1 Base Umpire. Fly Balls from LF or RF to the foul lines: Base Umpire. BR

U1 Situation 6 Runner on 1 st Fly balls outside the V, from the Right Fielder to the right field foul line, and the Left Fielder to the left field foul line. Plate BU RF LF Plate: Hustle to get good look at catch/no catch, fair/foul. Be set when making the call. Be ready to take R1 into 3 rd or home if no catch is made. R1 Plate Umpire Fly Balls from LF or RF to the foul lines: Plate Umpire BR

U1 Situation 7 Runner on 1 st Fly ball to the outfield inside the V, from the Left Fielder to the Right Fielder. U1 U2 U1 U2 U3 Plate RF LF Base Read the outfielders; take the ball if they move straight in or toward centerfield. Move into the working area. On a long caught fly ball, see R1 re-tag 2 nd before returning to 1 st base. BU R1 Fly Balls inside the V PlateObserve action. Peek at BR touching 1 st. Be ready to take R1 into 3 rd if necessary. Plate Observe action. Peek at BR touching 1 st. Be ready to take R1 into 3 rd if necessary.

Situation 22 Runners on 1 st and 3 rd Fly ball to the outfield inside the V. From the Left Fielder to the Right Fielder. PlatePlate R1 BaseBase R3 Base Move to working area to get best angle on catch and R2s tag- up. Get best look at R1s tag up. Let ball take you to a base. R2 Tag Ups Plate Move to get best angle on R3s tag up. Be ready for play at home. Pre-game when PU will have play on R2.

U1 Situation 32 Bases Loaded U1 Move to get the best possible line on the fly ball and still observe R3 at 3 rd. Rule on fair/foul, catch/no-catch. See R3s observe R3 at 3 rd. Rule on fair/foul, catch/no-catch. See R3s tag-up 3 rd, and be prepared for a play at the plate. tag-up 3 rd, and be prepared for a play at the plate. Advise U2 that you have the ball. Advise U2 that you have the ball. Fly balls outside the V, From the Right Fielder to the right field foul line. U1 U2RFR3 Plate Base R2 R1 Trouble Ball Tags Base peek at other runners as can. Stick to your primary coverage. Plate Get as far as can to rule on ball and see tag and make it back for play at home. Fun, yes?

U1 move quickly up 3 rd base line -in foul ground- to assist U2. Move into fair territory when action moves toward 2 nd U2. Move into fair territory when action moves toward 2 nd base. Tell U2, Im here. Assist with obstruction or base. Tell U2, Im here. Assist with obstruction or interference. Take the call when its in your area. interference. Take the call when its in your area. Rundowns Single Runner Situation 36 Plate Base R2 Rundowns, Single Runner. Plate moves up the line in foul territory. Step into fair when action is going away. Say Im here. I have this half. Both: Take the call when tag is on your side of the runner.

Foul Pop ups When U2 is in Position A, both umpires should cover foul pop-ups in the 1 st base dugout area. Communicate who has the call (usually the umpire facing the ball.) In all other situations, U1 has all coverage. U2 in Position A Situation 38 Plate U2 Foul Pop-Ups Move!

Get the Call Right Pre-game a signal for when one umpire has information for the other. If the Dugouts Are Burning Down, get together, away from players and coaches. Give information: Did you see …? Umpire who made original call gives corrected call.