3 MAN MECHANICS

3 MAN MECHANICS

GENERAL PRINCIPLES• If you go out on a fly ball, STAY OUT; system reverts

to 2 man;• Check swings appeals go to U1 on right handed

batter and U3 on left handed batter no matter where he is;

• U3 has the interference call at 2nd on a double play;• Move, go out on fly balls; PLATE should rarely stay

planted at the plate;• Cover partners if a rotation is missed;• Communicate a lot;• Have an umpire ahead of the play versus following

the play.

F3

F4

F7

F8

F9

F5

F6

F1

F2

U1

P

BR

R1

R3

R2

DefenseF1 – PitcherF2 – CatcherF3 – 1st BasemanF4 – 2nd BasemanF5 – 3rd BasemanF6 –ShortstopF7 – Left FielderF8 – Center FielderF9 – Right Fielder

OffenseR1 – Lead RunnerR2 – Second RunnerR3 – Last RunnerBR – Batter-Runner

UmpiresPPlate – Home plate (Umpire-in-Chief)U1 – 1st Base UmpireU3 – 3rd Base Umpire

U3

P

U1U3

POSITIONS WITH NO RUNNERSU1 IN A; U3 IN D

U1:

Position A• Both feet in foul territory 10

feet behind the 1st baseman;• Has check swings on right

handed batters;• Has foul/fair responsibility for

all balls past the front edge of the 1st base bag.

U3:

Position D• Both feet In foul territory 10 feet

behind the 3rd baseman;• Has check swings on left handed

batters;• Foul/fair responsibility for all

balls past the front edge of the 3rd base bag.

Plate:• Fair/foul calls up to the

front edge of 1st and 3rd base.

U1

P

U3

U1’s OutfieldU3’s Outfield

FLY BALL/LINE DRIVE COVERAGES

Plate:• F1 and F2.

U1:• F8 going to his left;• F9 all the way to the line;• F3 and F4.

U3:• F8 going back, coming

in, and going to his right;

• F7 all the way to the line;

• F5 and F6.

P

U1U3

FLY BALLU1 HAS THE CATCH/NO CATCH

Plate:• Move out on the batted ball to fill in

behind U1;• Observe the BR’s touch of 1st and take

him back into 1st;• Release the BR to 2nd and move to 3rd

to cover the triple.

U1:• Move out on the fly ball getting the

best possible angle for the call;• Stop before making the call;• Give a visual catch/no catch signal;• DO NOT return to the infield;• Coverage reverts to 2 man

mechanics

U3:• Move into the infield to observe

touches and make calls at 2nd;• DO NOT retreat to 3rd, Plate has

the runner advancing;• Coverage reverts to 2 man

mechanics.

INITIAL MOVEMENT

SECONDARY MOVEMENT

BALL FLIGHT

U1

P

U3

BASE HIT

U3:• Move into the infield to

observe all touches and make all calls at 2nd;

• DO NOT retreat to 3rd, Plate has the runner advancing.

Plate:• Move out on the batted ball

to filling in behind U3;• Be prepared to take the

runner into 3rd.

U1:• Move into the infield and

pivot observing the BR’s touch of 1st;

• Once you have seen that U3 is in position to take the runner into 2nd remain at 1st;

• If the runner goes into 2nd, release him and retreat to home to cover for Plate, telling him, “I’ve got the plate”.

INITIAL MOVEMENT

SECONDARY MOVEMENT

BALL FLIGHT

P

U1U3

GROUND BALL



• If the ball is hit to the left side of the infield, pause to let the infielder field and throw the ball;

• DO NOT retreat to 3rd. U1:• Move in to make the call at 1st;• On an overthrow observe the ball

and determine if it goes out of play;

• Release the runner to 2nd and be ready to cover home for Plate, telling him, “I’ve got the plate!”

Plate:• Move up to the 45’ line trailing

the runner;• Be ready to rule on F3 pulling

his foot or a swipe tag;• On an overthrow be ready to

move to 3rd.

INITIAL MOVEMENT

SECONDARY MOVEMENT

BALL FLIGHT

U1

P

U3

R1

POSITIONS WITH RUNNER AT 1st

U1 A; U3 “DEEP” C

U3:• The basic C Position

but back at the edge of the infield dirt.

U1:• When the runner is being held,

move closer to get a better view of a pickoff;

• Watch for the balk on a pickoff move.

Plate:• Normal position.

P

U1

U3


Plate’s Outfield

R1

FLY BALL/LINE DRIVE COVERAGE

U3:• The “modified” V;• F8 coming in, going back, and

going to his right;• F5, F6, and F4 toward the

center of the infield.

Plate:• F9 toward the line;• F1, F2, and F5 toward 3rd

base.

U1:• F8 going to his left and F9

toward the line;• F3 and F4 toward 1st base.

P

U1

U3

R1


U3:• Move into position to


• Be prepared to make calls at 1st;

• If R1 goes to 3rd, move to cover home telling Plate, “I have home.”


to filling in behind U1;• Observe BR’s touch of 1st;• DO NOT commit to far up

the line;• Be prepared to take R1 into

3rd.

U1:• Move out on the fly ball

getting the best possible angle for the call;

• Stop before making the call;• Give a visual catch/no catch

signal;• DO NOT return to the infield;• Coverage reverts to 2 man

mechanics.

INITIAL MOVEMENT

SECONDARY MOVEMENT

BALL FLIGHT

U1

P

U3

R1


U3:• Move into position to get

the best possible angle for the catch/no catch;

• Give a visual signal of the catch/no catch;

• Verbally let your partners know, “That’s a catch!”;

• DO NOT verbally indicate a no catch;

• Be prepared to take all touches and plays at 2nd and at 1st if U1 covers the plate, let the ball take you to the play.

Plate:• Move up the 3rd baseline to

take the runner into 3rd.

U1:• Line up R1’s tag getting the

best angle possible;• Be prepared to take R1 back

into 1st or the BR into 1st;• Be prepared to release and

cover home.

INITIAL MOVEMENT

SECONDARY MOVEMENT

BALL FLIGHT

R1

U1

U3

P

BASE HIT

U3:• Be in position to observe

touches of 2nd;• Be prepared to take all

plays at 2nd and 1st if U1 covers the plate.

Plate:• Move up the 3rd baseline to

take the runner into 3rd.

U1:• Move into the infield and pivot

observing the BR’s touch of 1st;

• Be prepared to take the runner back into 1st;

• If the runner goes to 3rd move to home telling Plate, “I’ve got the plate.”

INITIAL MOVEMENT

SECONDARY MOVEMENT

BALL FLIGHT

P

U3

U1R1

GROUND BALLPOSSIBLE DP

U3:• Move into position to make the

call on the front end of the possible DP;

• Makes the safe/out call on the runner;

• Watches for interference on an illegal slide by R1.

Plate:• Moves up the 3rd baseline;• Ready to move into position to

cover 3rd.

U1:• Move in to make the call at 1st;• May have to take a couple steps

deeper in order to get the best angle for the play at 1st;

• Make the call on the BR;• On an overthrow observe the ball

and determine if it goes out of play;


INITIAL MOVEMENT

SECONDARY MOVEMENT

BALL FLIGHT

P

R1

U1

U3

POSITIONS RUNNER ON 2ND

U1 IN “DEEP” B; U3 IN D

U3:Position D• Both feet In foul

territory 10 feet behind the 3rd baseman;

• Foul/fair responsibility for all balls past the front edge of the 3rd base bag.

Plate:• Normal position;• Fair/foul calls up to the front

edge of 3rd base bag and all the way to foul pole on the 1st base side.

U1:

Position “Deep” B• The basic B Position but

back at the edge of the infield dirt;

• Fair/foul responsibilities -- NONE.

R1

U1

U3

P

U3’s Outfield U1’s Outfield

Plate’s Outfield


U3:• F8 coming in, going back,

and going to his right;• F7 toward the line;• F5 and F6.

Plate:• F9 toward the line;• F1, F2, and F3 toward 1st

base.

U1:• The “modified” V;• F8 going to his left;• F3, F4, and F6 toward the

middle of the infield.

R1

U1

U3

P


U3:• Move to observe R1’s tag

at 2nd;• Move to the inside or

outside to call the play at 3rd. Plate:

• Move out a short distance on the batted ball;

• Be alert to return to home for a possible play at the plate.

U1:• Move to get the best angle

on the catch/no catch;• DO NOT cross the infield

dirt;• Give a visual signal of

catch/no catch;• Verbally tell your partners,

“That’s a catch!”

BALL FLIGHT

SECONDARY MOVEMENT

INITIAL MOVEMENT

R1

U1

U3

P


U3:• Move out on the ball getting the

best possible angle for the catch/no catch;

• Give a visual signal of a catch/no catch;

• DO NOT return to the infield;• Coverage reverts to 2 man

mechanics.


to filling in behind U3;• Be prepared to take the

runner into 3rd.

U1:• Observe R1’s tag at 2nd;• Glance at the BR’s touch of

1st;• Be prepared to take R1 back

into 2nd or the BR back into 1st.

INITIAL MOVEMENT

SECONDARY MOVEMENT

BALL FLIGHT

BASE HIT

U1

P

U3

R1

Plate:• Move out from behind the

plate and get into position for a play at home.

U3:• Move down the line;• Observe R1’s touch of 3rd;• Be alert for R1 coming back

into 3rd.

U1:• Move toward 1st to observe

BR’s touch of 1st;• Be alert for BR going to 2nd or

back into 1st.

U3

U1

R1

P

GROUND BALLR1 MOVING TO 3RD

U3:• Move into position for R1

moving to 3rd.

Plate:• Move out with the BR toward

1st;• Be ready to retreat to home.

U1:• Move to make the call on the BR

at 1st;• Be alert for a throw behind R1 at

2nd.

P

R1

U1U3

POSITIONS WITH A RUNNER AT 3RD

U1 IN A; U3 IN D

Fair/Foul Responsibilities• Plate – Up to the front edge of the 1st and 3rd base;• U1 and U3 – From the front edge of their respective

bases to the foul poles.

P

U3

R1

U1




toward the line;• F3 and F4.

U3:• F8 coming in, going back,

and going to his right;• F7 all the way to the line;• F5 and F6.

Plate:• F1 and F2.

P

U3

R1

U1


U3:• Move into the infield;• Observe BR’s touch of 1st;

• Be prepared to take the BR into 2nd.

Plate:• Move to get an angle to

observe R1’s tag at 3rd;• Move into position to make

a call at home.



• Be virtually stopped before making the call;

• Give a visual catch/no catch signal;

• DO NOT return to the infield;

• Coverage reverts to 2 man mechanics

BALL FLIGHT

SECONDARY MOVEMENT

INITIAL MOVEMENT

U3

R1

U1

P


U3:• Move out on the ball

getting the best possible angle for the catch/no catch;

• Stop before making the call;


• DO NOT return to the infield;

• Coverage reverts to 2 man mechanics.

Plate:• Moves to observe the r1’S

tag;• Retreat to home to make

the call;• Be ready to move up the

line for the call at 3rd if no catch.


observing the BR’s touch of 1st;• Be prepared to take the runner

back into 1st or into 2nd;• If no catch and the runner goes

to 3rd retreat toward home telling Plate, “I’ve got the plate.”

BALL FLIGHT

SECONDARY MOVEMENT

INITIAL MOVEMENT

P

U3

R1

U1

BASE HIT

U3:• Move into the infield;• Observe all touches and

make all calls at 2nd.

Plate:• Move up the 3rd baseline

to take the runner into 3rd;

• Observe R1’s touch of home.


observing the BR’s touch of 1st;• Be alert for the runner going back

into 1st;• If the runner moves to 2nd, move

to cover home for Plate;• Tell Plate, “I’ve got the plate.”

BALL FLIGHT

SECONDARY MOVEMENT

INITIAL MOVEMENT

P

R1

U1

R2

POSITIONS WITH RUNNERS AT 1ST AND 2ND

U1 IN A; U3 IN C

U3

Fair/Foul Responsibilities• Plate – To the front edge of the 1st base bag and all the

way to the left field foul pole;• U1 – From the front edge of the 1st base bag to the

right field foul pole;• U3 -- None.

P

R1

R2

U1

Plate’s Outfield


FLY BALL COVERAGE

U3:• The “modified” V;• F8 coming in, going back,

and going to his right;• F5, F6, and F4 going

toward the middle of the infield.


toward the line.

U3


base.

P

U1

U3

R1


U3:• Move into position to observe

all touches and make all calls at 2nd;

• Be alert to make calls at 1st.

Plate:• Move to observe R1’s tag;• Move into position to make

the call if R1 comes to 3rd;• Retreat to home if the ball

gets by.

INITIAL MOVEMENT

SECONDARY MOVEMENT

BALL FLIGHT

R2



• Stop before making the call;• Give a visual catch/no catch

signal;• DO NOT return to the infield;• Coverage reverts to 2 man

mechanics.

U1

P

U3

R1


U3:• Move into position to get the best

possible angle for the catch/no catch;




• Be prepared to take all touches and plays at 2nd and at 1st if U1 covers the plate, let the ball take you to the play.

Plate:• Move to observe R1’s tag;• Move into position to make the call if

R1 comes to 3rd;• Retreat to home if the ball gets by.

INITIAL MOVEMENT

SECONDARY MOVEMENT

BALL FLIGHT

R2

U1:• Line up R1’s tag getting the best

angle possible;• Be prepared to take R1 back into

1st or the BR into 1st;• Be prepared to release and cover

home.

P

R1

R2U1

BASE HIT

U3:• Move to observe R2’s touch

of 2nd;• Make call on R2 at 2nd;• Be ready to make the call on

R1 going back into 3rd;• Be ready to take R2 into 3rd;

• DO NOT commit to 3rd too soon.




• If U3 has to take R2 to 3rd take the BR into 2nd.

U3

Plate:• Move out to observe R1’s

touch of 3rd;• Move back to home to

observe R1’s touch of home or make the call on R1 at home.

BALL FLIGHT

SECONDARY MOVEMENT

INITIAL MOVEMENT

P

U3

U1

R1


U3:• Move into position to make the call

on the front end of the possible DP whether at 3rd or 2nd;

• Come set, observe the play, make the call;

• Watches for interference on an illegal slide by R1 or R2.

Plate:• Moves up the 3rd baseline;• Ready to move into position to

cover 3rd.

INITIAL MOVEMENT

SECONDARY MOVEMENT

BALL FLIGHT

R2


at 1st;• May have to take a couple steps



• On an overthrow observe the ball and determine if it goes out of play;


P

U3

R1

R2

U1

POSITIONS WITH RUNNERS AT 1ST AND 3RD

U1 IN A; U3 IN “DEEP” C


way to the left field foul pole;• U1 – From the front edge of the 1st base bag to the right

field foul pole;• U3 -- None.

R1

P

R2

U1

U3’s Outfield

Plate’s Outfield

U1’s Outfield

FLY BALL COVERAGE

U3:• The “modified” V;• F8 coming in, going back, and

going to his right;• F5, F6, and F4 toward the middle

of the infield.

U1:• F8 to his left and F9 toward

the line;• F3 and F4.

U3


base.

P

U1

U3

R1


INITIAL MOVEMENT

SECONDARY MOVEMENT

BALL FLIGHT

R2

U1:• Move out on the fly ball getting the best

possible angle for the call;• Stop before making the call;• Give a visual catch/no catch signal;• DO NOT return to the infield;• Coverage reverts to 2 man mechanics.

U3:• Move into position to observe

R2’s tag at 1st;• Take R2 into 2nd;• Be alert to make calls at 1st.

Plate:• Move to observe R1’s tag;• Retreat to home to make the

call on R1 coming home.

U1

P

U3

R1


INITIAL MOVEMENT

SECONDARY MOVEMENT

BALL FLIGHT

R2

U1:• Line up R2’s tag getting the

best angle possible;• Be prepared to take R2 back

into 1st or the BR into 1st;• Take the BR into 2nd if U3 goes

to 3rd.



U3:• Move into position to get the

best possible angle for the catch/no catch;




• Be prepared to take all touches and plays at 2nd and at 3rd .

R1

P

R2

U1

BASE HIT

U3:• Move into position to

observe touches at 2nd;

• Be prepared to take all plays at 2nd;

• If U1 covers the plate, move to cover plays at 1st.




• Be prepared to move to cover home telling Plate, “I’ve got the plate.”

U3

Plate:• Observe R1’s touch of home;• Move up the baseline to make

calls on R2 coming into 3rd.

BALL FLIGHT

SECONDARY MOVEMENT

INITIAL MOVEMENT

P

U3

U1

R1



on the front end of the possible DP;• Come set, observe the play, make

the call;• Watch for interference on an illegal

slide by R2.

Plate:• Remain close to home for a

possible play on R1;• Glances at R1’s touch of home;• If no play on R1, move up the 3rd

base line;• Be alert to move into position to

cover 3rd.

INITIAL MOVEMENT

SECONDARY MOVEMENT

BALL FLIGHT

R2

U1:• Move in to make the call at

1st;• May have to take a couple

steps deeper in order to get the best angle for the play at 1st;


• On an overthrow observe the ball and determine if it goes out of play.

R1

P

U3

R2

U1

POSITIONS WITH RUNNERS AT 2ND AND 3RD

U1 IN “DEEP” B; U3 IN POSITION D

Fair/Foul Responsibilities• Plate – To the front edge of the 3rd base bag and all the

way to the right field foul pole;• U1 – None;• U3 – From the front edge of the 3rd base bag to the left

field foul pole.

P

R1

R2

U1

U3


Plate’s Outfield

FLY BALL COVERAGE

U3:• F8 coming in, going

back, and going to his right;

• F5 and F6.

Plate:• F9 toward the line;• F1, F2, and F3 toward 1st

base.

U1:• The “modified” V;• F8 going to toward right

field;• F3, F4, and F6 toward

the middle of the infield.

INITIAL MOVEMENT

SECONDARY MOVEMENT

BALL FLIGHT

R1

U1

U3

P


U3:• Move to observe R1’s tag at

2nd;• Move to the inside or outside

to call the play at 3rd.

Plate:• Move out a short distance to

get an angle in order to observe R1’s tag;

• Retreat to home for a play.

BALL FLIGHT

SECONDARY MOVEMENT

INITIAL MOVEMENT

R2

U1:• Move to get the best angle on the

catch/no catch;• DO NOT cross the infield dirt;• Give a visual signal of catch/no

catch;• Verbally tell your partners, “That’s

a catch!”• Be alert for a throw behind R2 at

2nd.

R1

U1

U3

P


U3:• Move out on the ball getting the best

possible angle for the catch/no catch;

• Give a visual signal of a catch/no catch;

• DO NOT return to the infield;• Coverage reverts to 2 man

mechanics.

Plate:• Move out a short distance to

get an angle in order to observe R1’s tag;

• Retreat to home for a play

INITIAL MOVEMENT

SECONDARY MOVEMENT

BALL FLIGHT

R2

U1:• Observe R2’s tag at 2nd;• Glance at the BR’s touch of

1st;• Be prepared to take R2 to 3rd

or back into 2nd.

P

R1

R2

U1

U3

BASE HIT

U3:• Observe touches of 3rd;• Make all calls at 3rd.

Plate:• Observe touches of

home;• Make all calls at home.

U1:• Make all calls at 2nd;• Observe touches of 1st;• Move into position to

make calls at 1st.

BALL FLIGHT

SECONDARY MOVEMENT

INITIAL MOVEMENT

U3

U1

R1

P

GROUND BALL

U3:• Move into position for R2

moving to 3rd.

Plate:• Move into position for a play

at the plate.


on the BR at 1st being carefully not to get into the line of the throw;


• Be alert for a throw behind R2 at 2nd.

R2

P

R1

R2

U1U3

R3

POSITIONS WITH BASES LOADEDU1 IN A; U3 IN C


way to the left field foul pole;• U1 – From the front edge of the 1st base bag to the right

field foul pole;• U3 -- None.

P

R1

R2

U1U3

R3


Plate’s Outfield

FLY BALL COVERAGE

U3:• The “modified” V;• F8 coming in, going back,

and going to his right;• F5, F6, and F4 toward the

middle of the infield.

Plate:• F7 toward the line;• F1, F2, and F5 toward

3rd base.


toward the line;• F3 and F4.

P

U1

U3

R1


INITIAL MOVEMENT

SECONDARY MOVEMENT

BALL FLIGHT

R2

U1:• Move out on the fly ball getting the best

possible angle for the call;• Stop before making the call;• Give a visual catch/no catch signal;• DO NOT return to the infield;• Coverage reverts to 2 man mechanics.

U3:• Move into position to observe R2’s

tag at 2nd;• Glance at R3’s tag at 1st;• Take R2 into 3rd;• Be alert for R3 moving to 2nd;• Be alert for throws behind R2 and

R3;• Let the throw take you to the play.

Plate:• Move to observe R1’s

tag;• Retreat to home to make

the call on R1 coming home.

R3

U1

P

U3

R1


INITIAL MOVEMENT

SECONDARY MOVEMENT

BALL FLIGHT

U1:• Line up R3’s tag getting the best

angle possible;• Be prepared to take R2 back into

1st;• Take R3 into 2nd if U3 goes to 3rd.

R2

R3

U3:• Move into position to get the best

possible angle for the catch/no catch;• Give a visual signal of the catch/no

catch;• Verbally let your partners know,

“That’s a catch!”;• DO NOT verbally indicate a no catch;• Glance at R2’s tag at 2nd;• Take R2 into 3rd.



P

R1

R2

R3

U3U1

BASE HIT

U3:• Observe touches at 2nd and

make all calls on plays at 2nd;

• Take R3 into 3rd;• Move into position to make

all calls on plays at 3rd;

• Be in position to make all calls on plays at 2nd and 3rd on R2 and R3.

Plate:• Observe touches of 3rd

home;• Make all calls on plays

at the home.


observing the BR’s touch of 1st;• Be prepared to take the runner

back into 1st;• If U3 takes R3 into 3rd, take the BR

into 2nd.

BALL FLIGHT

SECONDARY MOVEMENT

INITIAL MOVEMENT

P

U3

U1

R1


INITIAL MOVEMENT

SECONDARY MOVEMENT

BALL FLIGHT

R2

R3

U1:• Move in to make the call at 1st;• May have to take a couple steps



• On an overthrow observe the ball and determine if it goes out of play.

U3:• Move into position to make the first

call in the infield at 3rd or 2nd;• Come set, observe the play, make

the call;• Watch for interference on an illegal

slide by R2 or R3;• Let the second throw take you to

the play if at 3rd or 2nd.

Plate:• Remain close to home to rule R1

coming home;• Watch for interference on an illegal

slide by R1;• If no play on R1, glance at his touch

of home and move up the 3rd base line;

• Be alert for a time play.

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3 MAN MECHANICS