BASEBALL MECHANICS

Why are mechanics important? Consistency Professional appearance Minimize mistakes

Umpiring “Order of Operations” Fair/Foul Catch/No-Catch Safe/Out Ball/Strike

Positions: A, B, & C C B A

The “A” Position No runners on base feet behind 1 st base Always behind 1 st baseman – If he plays in, stay behind the base – If he plays deep, stay behind him

A Fair/Foul & Catch/No-Catch Responsibilities

Fair/Foul Responsibility – “A” “Pane of Glass” – front of base

“Going Out” from “A” Pause, Read, React – Pause to determine whose “coverage area” the ball is in – Read the fielders – Trouble Ball? Fair/Foul decision Fielders converging Catch on the run or diving catch Fly ball at the fence – React to the circumstances

“Going Out” from “A” Communicate with your partner – “I’m going out!” while pointing into the air Err on the side of “going out” Don’t “rim” the diamond Don’t Rim!!

When to go out from “A” What is a “trouble ball”? – Fielders converging – Catch on the run / diving catch – Fly ball at the fence – Fair/Foul decision down 1B foul line

Taking Plays at 1 st Base 90* angle to the play Hands on knees set Watch ball being fielded and thrown to first

GOOD POSITIONING

Taking Plays at 1 st Base Timing – SLOW DOWN!! – Off the bag – No control – No tag – Ball is on the ground

Taking Plays at 1 st Base All plays should be taken in fair territory – Unless FORCED out by first or second baseman

The Pivot When to pivot from the “A” position: – Fly ball hit to the leftfield side of centerfield – Clean base hit to the outfield – Ground ball gets through the infield – ROUTINE catch by an outfielder – Fly ball in the infield Pop up means pivot!

The Pivot Pivot before the batter-runner reaches 1 st Pivot inside the corner of the grass cutout Watch the ball; glance at the runner Always stay ahead of the runner Be stopped to see a play

The “B” & “C” Positions CB Imaginary line from the point of home plate through the edge of the dirt circle. Half way between pitching rubber and 2 nd base.

The “B” & “C” Positions Umpire should be in “B” position: – Runner on 1 st base only Umpire should be in “C” position: – All other scenarios

Taking plays from “B” & “C” Most plays will be taken from the working area; especially with multiple runners on base.

Check-swing Mechanics “U2 should answer truthfully [no matter his position] by saying…” – “Yes he did!” – “No, he didn’t go!”

Double Play Mechanics Square up to the play by stepping towards home plate. Always keep your eyes on the baseball. Keep your chest to the ball; never turn your back to the baseball Anticipate the play going to 1 st base

Double Play Mechanics From the “C” position, hustle across the diamond to the “B” position while the ball is being fielded. “Standing set” for play at 2 nd base – FPSR Interference if ball stays at 2 nd base Pivot to “hands on knees set” for play at 1 st – Don’t try to get any more steps towards 1st!

Rotation Situations Base umpire rotates to home plate: – No runners on base: Batter hits a clean triple to the outfield “Trouble” fly ball to the outfield U2 goes out then rotates home after ball is fielded and thrown in – Runner on 2 nd : Fly ball to the outfield with R1 tagging up. U1 has the play at third, U2 has any subsequent play at the plate (if BR was retired with the catch)

Rotation Situations Runner on 3 rd – BR hits a triple move towards home for any subsequent play at the plate (not in mechanics manual but consistent with no runner on)

Rundown Mechanics Only one runner on base, umpires “box in” the runner With multiple runners on base, the runner involved dictates how the rundown is handled – If the lead runner is in the rundown, both umpires “box in” the runner – If a trailing runner is in the rundown, ONLY the base umpire will work the rundown Only enter a rundown when action is moving away from you – “I have this end!” Remember to watch for obstruction/interference

Rundown Mechanics With multiple runners on base: – Do not over commit to one end of the rundown – Follow the runner up and down the baseline – Stop to see the play happen – Don’t forget about other runners on base – Watch for interference/obstruction – Watch for “out of baseline”

Conclusion HUSTLE, HUSTLE, HUSTLE! COMMUNICATE! Questions??