Introduction

Baseball Umpiring Mechanics is preparation, reading and then reacting to a situation for each umpire causing the umpires to move to a position to cover their area of responsibility and then be set to make a call on a situation. Base coverage is based on the most likely play to happen next. Umpires should not react to unlikely second or third play developments.

The use of three umpires for baseball provides better coverage for fly balls, double plays and other situations that can make the two-umpire system difficult to cover. Players, coaches, fans and administrators feel that by putting three umpires on the field the game will be better covered. We need to prove them right and not look like a three ring circus!

Utlizing three umpires on a field can be difficult if any of the umpires do not have the basic concepts of two-umpire mechanics down cold. Understanding the two-umpire mechanic concepts when the plate umpire covers third and when the plate umpire stays home will make the rotations, reverse rotations, staying put and coverages of three-umpire mechanics easier to remember.

The infomation in this web site assumes the umpire knows the rules and terminology of baseball along with having a solid knowldge of baseball two-umpire mechanics.

This web site covers basic three-umpire mechanics for umpires new to or who occassionally umpire baseball games using three umpires. Umpires that have extensive three-umpire experience should be following the College CCA Manual or the Professional Umpire Manual that uses advance mechanics. However, this site can serve as a good refresher and reminders of the general concepts of three-umpire mechanics.

Written by: Gary G. Frieders

Communication and Partner Awareness

Communication and partner awareness is curcial! You have to know where your partners are - and what they're doing - in order to function as a crew.

Communicate before each new situation by signalling to each partner:

Outs, and
What you are going to do when a batted ball that leaves the infield.
With runners on base, base umpires should also indicate fly ball coverage area.

Communicate during the play:

When plate umpire rotates to 3rd base, communicate to the 3rd base umpire, "Fred, I got third!" (assuming the 3rd base umpire's name is Fred).
When going out to cover a fly ball, communicate "I'm out" to the other two umpires, then go!

Example

Fly Ball coverage - with runners on 1st and 2nd Plate umpire covering fly ball down the left field line. Notice once the plate umpire ruled fair ball he incorrectly starts a rotation. However, he communicates to the 3rd base umpire that he has 3rd and the 3rd base umpire adjusts and the 1st base umpire rotates home. Mistakes are going to occur but with good partner awareness we can cover for each other and only the umpires will notice.

Starting Positions

There are three starting positions for umpires based on runner positions at time of pitch. Instead of trying to remember the seven types of base occupations and where umpires are positioned for each, you will only need to remember these three:

(1) Bases Empty or Runner at 3rd Base Only:

Plate Umpire: At Plate
1st Base Umpire: At 1st Base
3rd Base Umpire: At 3rd Base

When base umpires are at their respective bases on their respective foul ball line they are known as a "wing" umpire.

Examples:

1st Base Umpire Position Bases Empty

3rd Base Umpire Position - Bases Empty

3rd Base Umpire: Move, run, towards 2nd base in case the ball is overthrown at 1st and batter-runner advances to 2nd.

(2) Any Time There is a Runner at 1st Base:

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 the right foot next to the foul line. 1st base umpire will almost 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 next to the foulline about two steps behind the 1st baseman ready for a pick-off from the pitcher or catcher.
3rd Base Umpire:
- Inside the diamond with a runner on 1st base only 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.
- Inside the diamond with runner at 1st and other bases occupied:
  - Middle C position.

Examples:

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 almost be squared up to the pitcher watching for pick-offs and balks. Once the pitch is delivered to home, look home

Pick off attempt at First

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.

(3) 1st Base Empty and a Runner at 2nd Base (Runner at 2nd Base only or Runners at 2nd and 3rd Base):

Plate Umpire: At Plate
1st Base Umpire: Deep B Position. Can be on the dirt inline with the1st/2nd baseline.
3rd Base Umpire: At 3rd Base:
- When 3rd base is empty and 3rd base umpire is at 3rd base position, the 3rd base umpire is 6 to 8 feet behind the 3rd baseman in foul territory on the line so the 3rd base umpire has an angle on a line drive catch by the 3rd baseman.
- When 3rd base is occupied and 3rd base umpire is at 3rd base, the 3rd base umpire is 6 to 8 feet behind the 3rd baseman in FAIR territory on the line. The reason the 3rd base umpire is in FAIR territory on the line is to have a view of home plate and not be blocked out by the runner at 3rd who is normally in foul territory when leadng off.

Note: With 2 outs the 1st Base Umpire should move back to the A position and the third base umpire move to the C position. On a base hit to the outfield the 1st Base Umpire will move inside the diamond take the batter-runner to 2nd base (if he goes to 2nd) pushing the 3rd base umpire to 3rd base. If the batter-runner does go to 2nd base, 3rd base umpire will stay in the area between 2nd and 3rd base.

Examples:

Position of 1st Base Umpire when 1st Base Empty and 2nd Base Occupied (2nd only or 2nd and 3rd base occupied)

Position of 3rd Base Umpire when 1st Base Empty and 2nd Base Occupied (2nd only or 2nd and 3rd base occupied)

3rd Base Umpire Position with Runner at 3rd Base - Notice he is in fair territory

Types of Situations

There are 4 types of situations that occur when the batter puts the ball in play:

Ball Stays in the Infield. Includes grounders and pop-ups.
Fly Ball to Outfield
Batted Ball to the Outfield
Everything Else

We wlll cover each of these situations and what the umpire responsibilites are based on the umpire starting positions above.

Acknowledgment

Thanks to:

Ruben Candelaria - 1st base umpire in the videos - for educating me on the finer points of baseball umpiring including three-umpire mechanics.
Mark Evans - 3rd base umpire in the videos - for doing it right and agreeing to be videotaped.
University of Pacific and Seattle Univiersity baseball teams involved in the game for creating so many situations during the game so I could use the examples.
Gerry Burr for his feedback and recommendations for improving the site and proofing the study guide.
Isaac LaPrada for videotaping the game from various angles to get the various situations.
YouTube for supplying the technology to be able to view videos online without a lot of hassle.

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