When the ball stays in the infield, either batted or thrown, is the easiest of the four situations to cover. Umpires just simply cover the base(s) for which they are responsible.
When the batter hits a ground ball or pop-up that stays in the infield, or there is a pick-off by the pitcher or catcher, umpires will move and cover bases based on the following situations.
Bases Empty
Starting Positions:
Plate Umpire: At Plate
1st Base Umpire: At 1st Base
3rd Base Umpire: At 3rd Base
Examples
Position of umpires with Bases Empty or Only 3rd Base Occupied
3rd Base Umpire Position - Bases Empty
Coverage and Movement of the Umpires:
Plate Umpire:
Just like 2-umpire mechanics, move up the 1st base line ready to assist 1st base umpire with:
pulled foots,
swipe tags and
running lane interference.
1st Base Umpire:
Just like 2-umpire mechanics, move to a position to make the call at first.
3rd Base Umpire:
Move, run, towards 2nd base in case the ball is overthrown at 1st and batter-runner advances to 2nd.
Examples
Notice movement of all 3 umpires in this video.
Notice movement of Plate Umpire moving up line. Also notice timing of 1st base umpire's call. He looks to the first baseman and waits until the first baseman voluntary releases the ball before calling the out.
Notice 1st Base Umpire position adjustment on the bad throw to first.
Ground Ball in the infield 3rd Base Umpire: Move, run, towards 2nd base in case the ball is overthrown at 1st and batter-runner advances to 2nd base.
Runner at 3rd Base Only
Starting Positions:
Plate Umpire: At Plate
1st Base Umpire: At 1st Base
3rd Base Umpire: At 3rd Base
Example
3rd Base Umpire Position with Runner at 3rd Base - Notice he is in fair territory with a foot on the line in order to get a view on the action at home plate. Otherwiese the runner would block his view.
Coverage and Movement of the Umpires:
Plate Umpire:
Just like 2-umpire mechanics, must stay at the plate and move back 1st baseline extended watching the runner from 3rd touch home and then ready to assist 1st base umpire with:
pulled foots,
swipe tags and
running lane interference.
1st Base Umpire:
Just like 2-umpire mechanics, move to a position to make the call at first.
3rd Base Umpire:
Just like bases empty - move towards 2nd base in case the ball is overthrown at 1st and batter-runner advances to 2nd base.
However, be ready for a play at 3rd if:
The defense makes a play on the runner at 3rd instead or
The runner at 3rd does not go home and the defense back picks him after making the play at 1st base.
Runner at 1st Base Only
Starting Positions:
Plate Umpire: At Plate
1st Base Umpire: At 1st Base 8 feet from 1st base with a foot touching line.
1st base umpire will be squared up to the pitcher watching for pick-offs and balks. Once the pitch is delivered to home, look home.
3rd Base Umpire: Inside the diamond in either:
Deep B with a right handed batter up or,
Deep C position with a left handed batter up due to check swing responsibilities.
Note: 3rd base umpire can either be squared up to and facing home plate or have shoulders inline with the baseline.
Examples
When 1st baseman is holding runner on, 1st base umpire will be 8 feet from 1st base with a toe touching the line. 1st base umpire will be almost be squared up to the pitcher watching for pick-offs and balks. Once the pitch is delivered to home, look home.
3rd Base Umpire: Inside the diamond in either:
Deep B with a right handed batter up or,
Deep C position with a left handed batter up due to check swing responsibilities
Pick off attempt at 1st Base
Coverage and Movement of the Umpires:
Plate Umpire:
Move up the 1st base line ready to assist 1st base umpire with:
pulled foots,
swipe tags and
running lane interference.
This is different than 2-umpire mechanics since you don't have force play slide rule to rule on at 2nd base.
1st Base Umpire:
Just like 2-umpire mechanics, move to a position to make the call at first.
3rd Base Umpire:
Cover play at 2nd.
If a double play is attempted STAY with runner coming into 2nd and rule on force play slide interference.
If the runner coming into 2nd base is safe, be ready to cover him at 3rd base and the batter-runner coming into 2nd base should there be an over throw at 1st base.
Runner at 1st Base with Other Runners on Base
Starting Positions:
Plate Umpire: At Plate
1st Base Umpire: At 1st Base
If 1st baseman is holding runner on, 1st base umpire will be 8 feet from 1st base with a toe touching the line. 1st base umpire will be squared up to the pitcher watching for pick-offs and balks. Once the pitch is delivered to home, look home.
If 1st baseman is NOT holding runner on, 1st base umpire will be on the line about two steps behind the 1st baseman ready for a pick-off from the pitcher or catcher
3rd Base Umpire: Inside the diamond in Deep C position
Examples
Runner at 1st Base with Other Runners on Base
Runner at 1st base being held.
If 1st baseman is NOT holding runner on, 1st base umpire will be on the line about two steps behind the 1st baseman ready for a pick-off from the pitcher or catcher.
3rd Base Umpire position with runner at 1st and other bases occupied.
Coverage and Movement of the Umpires:
Plate Umpire:
Must stay at the plate and move back 1st baseline extended:
Watch the runner from 3rd touch home and runners touching 3rd or force play slide interference at 3rd.
Then ready to assist 1st base umpire with:
pulled foots,
swipe tags and
running lane interference.
1st Base Umpire:
Just like 2-umpire mechanics, move to a position to make the call at first.
3rd Base Umpire:
Cover plays at 2nd and 3rd.
If a double play is attempted STAY with runner coming into that base and rule on force play slide interference, once ok...
Move to cover other runner on base at 2nd or 3rd.
1st Base Empty and Runner at 2nd Base (2nd only or 2nd and 3rd base occupied)
Starting Positions:
Plate Umpire: At Plate
1st Base Umpire: Deep B Position. Can be on the dirt inline with 1st/2nd baseline.
3rd Base Umpire: At 3rd Base
Example
Position of umpires when 1st Base Empty and 2nd Base Occupied (2nd only or 2nd and 3rd base occupied)
Coverage and Movement of the Umpires:
Plate Umpire:
Just like 2-umpire mechanics, must stay at the plate and move back 1st baseline extended watching the runner from 3rd touch home and then ready to assist 1st base umpire with:
pulled foots,
swipe tags and
running lane interference.
1st Base Umpire:
Cover plays at 2nd and 1st base.
If the ball is hit towards the right (short stop and 3rd baseman) move back and towards right field positioning yourself for a call at 1st base.
If the ball is hit towards you or the left (2nd or 1st baseman) move in towards the working area and positioning yourself for a call at 1st base.
Don't assume the play is going to be made at 1st and take your eyes off the fielder with the ball. Be ready for a play at 2nd base if the defensive player changes his mind and makes a play on the runner at 2nd base.
3rd Base Umpire:
DO NOT move into the diamond.
Instead move to a position OUTSIDE the diamond near 3rd base to observe runner at 3rd and/or runners touching 3rd.
Make any calls at 3rd.
Example
Infield Catch Coverage
Coverage of Pop-ups or Line Drives in the infield is a simple concept. If you have angle and view of the catch/no catch - rule on it!
Both Base Umpires on the wing at their bases:
Plate Umpire has catches:
By the pitcher moving in, left or right.
By the first and third baseman moving toward home plate or toward the middle of the infield.
1st Base Umpire has catches:
By the second baseman moving in, out or toward first base.
By the shortstop moving toward second base.
By the first baseman moving back or toward the line.
3rd Base Umpire has catches:
By the shortstop moving in, back or toward third base.
By the second baseman moving toward second base.
by the third baseman moving back or toward the line.
When 3rd Base Umpire is inside the diamond:
Plate Umpire has catches:
By the pitcher moving in, left or right.
By first baseman moving in.
By the third baseman moving in, back or toward the foul line.
1st Base Umpire has catches:
By the first baseman moving out or toward the foul line.
By the second baseman moving back or toward first base.
3rd Base Umpire:
By all fielders moving toward the middle of the field.
By the pitcher moving back.
By the shortstop moving in all directions.
By the second baseman moving in.
When 1st Base Umpire is inside the diamond:
Plate Umpire has catches:
By the pitcher moving in, left or right.
By the first baseman moving in, back or toward the foul line.
By the third baseman moving in.
1st Base Umpire has catches:
By all fielders moving toward the middle of the field.
By the second baseman moving in or back.
By the shortstop moving in.
3rd Base Umpire has catches:
By the third baseman moving back or toward the foul line.
By the shortstop moving back or toward third base.
