1. 3-umpire mechanics

2. 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

3. Field Umpire PositionsC 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

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

5. 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

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

7. 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

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

9. 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”

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

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

12. 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”

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

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

15. 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”

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

17. 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

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

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

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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

23. 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

24. 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

25. 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

26. 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

27. 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”

28. 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

29. 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

30. 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

31. 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

32. 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

33. 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

34. 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

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

36. 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.

37. NO RUNNERS
ON BASE

38. NO RUNNERS
U1 Goes Out

39. NO RUNNERS
U3 Goes Out

40. NO RUNNERS
Base Hit

41. NO RUNNERS
Infield Hit

42. Runner on 1st

43. Runner on 1st
U1’s Responsibility

44. Runner on 1st
U3’s Responsibility

45. Runner on 1st
Fly Ball
PL’s Responsibility

46. Runner on 1st
Base Hit

47. Runner on 1st
Infield Hit
Possible
double play

48. Runner on 1st
Pickoff at First

49. Runner on 1st
Steal of 2nd

50. Runner on 2nd

51. Runner on 2nd
Fly Ball
U1’s Responsibility

52. Runner on 2nd
Fly Ball
U3’s Responsibility

53. Runner on 2nd
Fly Ball
PL’s Responsibility

54. Runner on 2nd
Base Hit

55. Runner on 2nd
Infield Hit

56. Runner on 2nd
Pickoff at Second

57. Runner on 3rd

58. 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

59. Runner on 3rd
Fly Ball
U3’s Responsibility

60. Runner on 3rd
Base Hit

61. Runner on 3rd
Hit to Infield

62. Runner on 3rd
Pickoff at Third

63. Runners on
1st & 2nd

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

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

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

67. Runners on
1st & 2nd
Base hit

68. Runner on
1st & 2nd
Hit to Infield

69. Runners on
1st and 3rd

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

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

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

73. Runners on
1st and 3rd
Base Hit

74. Runners on
1st and 3rd
Infield Hit

75. Runners on
1st and 3rd
Steal & Rundown

76. Runners on
2nd & 3rd

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

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

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

80. Runners on
2nd & 3rd
Base Hit

81. Runners on
2nd & 3rd
Infield Hit

82. Bases
Loaded

83. Bases Loaded
Fly Ball
U1’s Responsibility

84. Bases Loaded
Fly Ball
U3’s Responsibility

85. Bases Loaded
Fly Ball
PL’s Responsibility

86. Bases Loaded
Base Hit

87. Bases Loaded
Infield Hit
Possible Double Play

88. 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