1 UMPIRE MECHANICS

RESPONSIBILITIES OF A SINGLE UMPIRE (Rule 10, Section 4) If only one umpire is assigned, his duties and jurisdictions will extend to all points. The umpire's starting position for each pitch should be from behind the plate. On each batted ball or play that develops, the umpire must move out from behind the plate and into the infield to obtain the best position for any play that develops. O - Only YOU are calling the game N - Nobody is there to help E - Every call must be yours U - Understand the players and the game M - Mechanics and Hustle P - Priorities ….. Always Work in Priorities I - Infield is where the calls are made R - Read the players to help make the call E - Every play needs your best call!

BASE MECHANICS  WHERE IS THE BALL?  GET THE PROPER ANGLE !!  PROPER DISTANCE !!  Get the correct angle FIRST…  Then adjust your distance and get closer!

POSITIONING ALL ABOUT ANGLES AND UNDERSTANDING WHERE YOU NEED TO BE TO SEE THE PLAY LEARN TO ADAPT TO THE PLAY--HUSTLE THE BALL AND POSITION OF THE DEFENSIVE AND OFFENSIVE PLAYER DICTATE POSITION BASE MECHANICS  Is it a FORCE Play, or is it a TAG Play?  You CANNOT call the game from behind the plate!!  These Three Things Are ALWAYS Moving – YOU NEED To Move Also So YOU Can Make The Best Call!!

90 DEGREES TO THE THROW MAINTAIN DEPTH – Getting TOO Close Can Cause You To Miss Something. WATCH THE FIELDER FIELD THE BALL SQUARE TO THE PLAY WATCH THE BALL – LET THE BALL TAKE YOU INTO THE PLAY LISTEN FOR THE SOUNDS Watch The Players Reactions FORCE PLAY’S - “FAIR GROUND THEORY”

WHEN CAN YOU GO? PROPER POSITIONING? WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? FORCE PLAY’S - “FOUL GROUND THEORY”

PRINCIPLES – TAG PLAYS 90 DEGREE ANGLE WITH PATH OF RUNNER LEADING EDGE OF THE BASE

NO RUNNER SINGLE UMPIRE - GROUND BALL TO INFIELD

RUNNER ON FIRST SINGLE UMPIRE - GROUND BALL TO INFIELD NOTE: On all base hit situations, umpire must watch runner tag bases and be aware of position of the ball.

RUNNERS ON FIRST & SECOND SINGLE UMPIRE - GROUND BALL TO INFIELD

BASES LOADED SINGLE UMPIRE - GROUND BALL TO INFIELD

SINGLE UMPIRE - BASE HIT NOTE: On all base hit situations, umpire must watch runner tag bases and be aware of position of the ball.

SINGLE UMPIRE - double NOTE: On all base hit situations, umpire must watch runner tag bases and be aware of position of the ball.

SINGLE UMPIRE - triple NOTE: On all base hit situations, umpire must watch runner tag bases and be aware of position of the ball.

RUNNERS ON 1ST & 3RD SINGLE UMPIRE - FLY BALL SITUATIONS NOTE: On all fly ball situations, where the ball is near the foul line, the umpire must stay on the foul line to determine whether the ball is fair or foul - then move into the infield to pick up runners and plays.

No Runners - Fly ball to infield or outfield and not near the foul line OR Runner on 1st Base, OR Runners on 1st or 2nd or 2nd Base only, move to a possible call at 3rd Base or to foul territory ahead of the lead runner for a possible play at home if necessary after the catch, OR Runners on 2nd and 3rd, or 1st and 3rd SINGLE UMPIRE - FLY BALL SITUATIONS YOU HAVE TO HUSTLE AND BE IN POSITION IT IS ONLY YOU ON THE DIAMOND

PRIORITIES SINGLE UMPIRE - BALL NEAR LINE