3 Umpire System & Mechanic Notes 2005 Ver 3

8/13/2019 3 Umpire System & Mechanic Notes 2005 Ver 3

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Ver 3.0 2005

3 UMPIRE SYSTEMincluding mechanics & notes

Please do not modify this document without the approval of the National Umpire in Chief


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Pre Game Procedures - 1The plate umpire leads a

discussion on crew signals,

outfield fly ball coverage, tag

up responsibilities, possible

game issues and post game

issues Introduce yourself to the

official scorer, or team scorers

if applicable.

15 minutes prior to the gamecheck the 1st base team

equipment ~ bats for dents,

grips etc ~ helmets for cracks

and padding. Remove any

defective equipment.


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Pre Game Procedures - 210 minutes before game

time check the 3rd base

team equipment.

Carry out pre-game meetingat the home plate with

coaches. 3rd base umpirenotifies 3rd base coach &1st base umpire notifies the1st base coach that themeeting is about to takeplace.

Introduce yourself and crew,discuss competition and groundrules, pre game issues if necessaryand answer any questions.

Start the game on time.


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Between Innings - 1

13

P

Immediately after the pre-

game meeting the baseumpires will move to thebase lines.

The plate umpire will take aposition on the 3rd base line.

At the start of the gameafter the last warm up pitchand with the catchersthrow over to second, the3rdbase umpire will clean

the pitchers plate ifrequired, the umpires willindicate to each other thatthey are ready and moveinto position.

The plate umpire will

sweep home plate.


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Between Innings - 2After the 3rdout, the closestbase umpire to the pitchersplate will sweep the pitchersplate on the way to the baselines. If there are no runnerson base or they are both thesame distance, U3 will takethe responsibility.

3 1

P

R

The base umpires shouldrun to their positions afterthe last warm up pitch asthe catcher throws over to2nd base.

The plate umpire will sweepthe home plate after the lastwarm up pitch.

3 1


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Outfield Fly Ball Coverage - 1.

13

P

F7

F8

F9

U1 at first

U3 at third

Umpires should turn their backto indicate they have taken thefly ball ~ they may also verbalgoing.

The umpire will run outquickly and establish anangle on the fielder to judgea possible trapped ball.The remaining umpires will

revert to the 2 umpiresystem.Umpires will give the out

signal facing the player takingthe catch.

Home runs will only be signaled

by the umpire in the outfield.


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Outfield Fly Ball Coverage - 2

1

3

P

F7

F8

F9

U3 at thirdU1 at second

The ball going straightto F7 and toward thefoul line is the

responsibility of U3.

F7 moving towardcenterfield is theresponsibility of U1.

When any umpire fromsecond base takes the flycall near the foul line, theplate umpire will signalfair or foul.

R


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Outfield Fly Ball Coverage - 3

1

3

P

F7

F8

F9

U1 at first

U3 at second

Fly balls going to rightfield and toward the baseline are the responsibilityof U1.

F9 moving towardcenterfield is the

responsibility of U3.

R

U3 will button-hook inside.Note: This reduces the possibilityof U1 interfering with a runner from

1st base or the B/R, when cominginside.


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No Runners on BaseNo Umpire Goes Out.Ground Ball Through InfieldRefer Tech Bulletin 1/02, 02/04

PHustle toward the pitchers

circle in the direction of the flightof the ball. If the B/R continues toadvance, release towards 3rdbase for possible call. Glance tohome to make sure U1 is there for

call.

13

P

U3 -Come inside the diamond

for any play at second base.

U1 -Come down outside thediamond, watch B/R touch 1stbase. Bounce inside only ifthere is a possible playback. If

B/R advances to second & thenthird, release and rotate tohome (as runner advances to3rd), for any calls at home plate.


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No Runners on Base - U1 Goes Out

P -Hustle toward the pitcherscircle in the direction of theflight of the ball. Assist inwatching the B/R touch 1stbase. Take possible F9-F3 playat 1st base. Be prepared totake the call at 3rd base if ballnot caught. As U3 brings B/R tothird back away and take theB/R to home.

13

P

U3 -Hustle into thediamond, watch B/R touch1st base. Take B/R into 2ndbase if ball not caught. TakeB/R to 3rd base. Beprepared for plays at 1st, 2nd

and 3rdbases.


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No Runners on Base - U3 Goes Out

P - Hustle toward thepitchers circlein thedirection of the flight ofthe ball. Be prepared totake the call at 3rd base if

ball not caught. As U1brings B/R to 3rd, backaway and take B/R tohome.

13

P

U1 -Come inside thediamond, button-hook andtake B/R to 2nd and 3rdbase if ball not caught.


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Runner on 1st Base - U1 Goes Out

P If a fly ball - hustle towardthe pitchers circlein thedirection of the flight of the ball.If the ball is not caughtrotatetoward 3rd. Be prepared to take

call on R1 at 3rd or home. As U3brings B/R to third, back awayand take the lead runner tohome plate.

1

3

P

R

U3 -Come inside for tag upat 1st base. Watch B/Rtouch 1st base. Make allcalls at first and secondbase. Take B/R to 3rd baseif ball not caught.


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Runner on 1st Base - U3 Goes Out

P If a fly ball - hustle towardthe pitchers circlein thedirection of the flight of theball. If the ball is not caughtrotate toward 3rd. Be

prepared to take call on R1 at3rd or home. As U3 bringsB/R to third, back away andtake the lead runner to homeplate.

1

3

P

R

U1 -Come inside thediamond and button hook.Take tag up at 1st base.Make all calls at first and 2ndbase. Take B/R last runner to3rd base if ball not caught.


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R1 on 1stBase - No Umpire Goes Out, Ball HitThrough the Infield Refer Tech Bulletin 1/02, 02/04

P Hustle toward the ball.Release towards 3rd base forpossible call. Glance to home tomake sure U1 is there forpossible call.

1

3

P

R

U3-Come inside thediamond for any play at 2ndbase. Be alert for any

possible calls at 1st base.

U1 -Come down outside thediamond, watch B/R touch1st base and bounce insidefor possible playback, or ifR1 advances toward third,

release and rotate to homefor any calls at home plate.


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Runner on 2nd Base - U1 Goes Out

P -Hustles toward 3rdbase in foul ground. Beprepared to take the callon R1 into 3rd and anycalls at home.

1

3

P

RU3-HUSTLE into thediamond for tag up at

2nd base. Be preparedfor plays at first andsecond base. Take theB/R to 3rd base if theball is not caught.


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Runner on 2nd Base - U3 Goes Out

P -Hustles toward 3rdbase in foul ground. Beprepared to take the callon R1 at 3rd and anycalls at home.

3

P

R

1U1 -Come inside

and take the tag up

at 2nd. Be preparedfor plays at 1st and

2nd base. Take the

B/R to 3rd base if the

ball is not caught.


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Runner on 3rd Base - U1 Goes Out

P -Hustles toward 3rdbase in foul ground, holdand take the tag up atthird. Be alert for anypossible play at 3rd orhome.

13

P

R

U3 -HUSTLEinto thediamond between 2ndand 1st base, watch

the B/R touch 1st base.Be alert for anypossible plays at 1st or2nd base. Take the B/Rinto 3rd base if ball notcaught.


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Runner on 3rd Base - U3 Goes Out

P -Hustles toward 3rdbase in foul ground, holdand take the tag up at 3rd.Be alert for any possibleplay at 3rd or home.

1

3

P

R

U1 -Come inside andbe alert to B/Rtouching 1st base. If

ball not caught takeB/R to 2nd and 3rdbase.


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Runners on 1st & 2nd Base - U1 Goes Out

P - Hustles toward 3rdbase in foul ground, holdand take the tag up at2nd base. Be alert for anypossible play at 3rd or

home.

1

3

P

R

R

U3 -Hustles into thediamond between 1stand 2nd base for tag up

at 1st base. Take callsat first or 2nd and B/Rto third base if the ballis not caught. Beprepared for call at 3rdon R2 if P has call on

R1 at the plate.


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Runners on 1st & 2nd Base - U3 Goes OutP - Hustles toward 3rd

base in foul ground, holdand take the tag up at2nd base. Be alert for anypossible play at 3rd orhome. Release towards3rd base after R1touches home, pick upR2 into 3rd base or homeif B/R becomes runner.Be alert for possible callat home.

1

3

P

R

R

U1 -Come inside for tagup at 1st base. Take callsat 1st or 2nd and B/R tothird base if ball notcaught. Be prepared forcall at 3rd on R2 if P has

call on R1 at the plate.


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Runners on 2nd & 3rd Base - U1 Goes OutP- Hustles toward 3rd

base in foul ground, holdand take the tag up at 3rdbase. Be alert for anypossible play at 3rd orhome. Release towards3rd base after R1 touches

home, pick up R2 into 3rdbase or home if B/Rbecomes runner. Be alertfor possible call at home.

3

P

R

R

1

U3 -Hustles into the

diamond for the tag up at2nd base. Take calls at 1stor 2nd and B/R to 3rd baseif ball not caught. Beprepared for call at 3rd onR2 if P has call on R1 at the

plate.


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Runners on 2nd & 3rd Base - U3 Goes Out

P - Hustles toward 3rdbase in foul ground, holdand take the tag up at 3rdbase. Be alert for anypossible play at third orhome. Release towards

3rd base after R1touches home, pick upR2 into 3rd base or homeif B/R becomes runner.Be alert for possible callat home.

3

P

R

R

1

U1 -Come inside for tagup at 2nd base. Takecalls at 1st or 2nd andB/R to 3rd base if ball notcaught. Be prepared forcall at 3rd on R2 if P has

call on R1 at the plate.


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Runners on 1st & 3rd Base - U1 Goes Out

P -Hustles toward 3rdbase in foul ground, hold

and take the tag up at 3rdbase. Be alert for anypossible play at 3rd orhome on R1 or R2 and ifB/R becomes a runner.

1

3

P

RR

U3 -Hustles into thediamond between 1st and2nd base for tag up at 1stbase. Watch B/R touch

1st base. Take calls at 1stor 2nd and B/R to 3rdbase if ball not caught. Beprepared for call at 3rd onR2 if P has call on R1 at

the plate.


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Runners on 1st & 3rd Base - U3 Goes Out

P- Hustles toward 3rdbase in foul ground, holdand take the tag up at 3rdbase. Be alert for anypossible play at 3rd or

home if B/R becomes arunner.

1

3

P

RR

U1- Come inside fortag up at 1st base.Take calls at 1st or

2nd and B/R to 3rdbase if ball not caught.Be prepared for call at3rd on R2 if P has callon R1 at the plate.


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Runners on 1st, 2nd & 3rd Base - U1 Goes Out

P-Hustles toward 3rdbase in foul ground, hold

and take the tag up at 3rdbase. Be alert for anypossible play at third orhome. Watch R1 touch

home and release for anyplay at 3rd.

1

3

P

R

R

R

U3-Hustles into thediamond for tag up at 2ndbase and 1st base.

Watch B/R touch 1stbase. Take calls at 1st or2nd and B/R to 3rd baseif ball not caught. Beprepared for call at 3rd onR3 if P has call on R1 or

R2 at the plate.


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Runners on 1st, 2nd & 3rd Base - U3 Goes Out

P-Hustles toward 3rd basein foul ground, hold and

take the tag up at 3rd base.Be alert for any possibleplay at 3rd or home. WatchR1 touch home and release

for any play at 3rd.

1

3

P

R

R

R

U1-Come inside for tagup at 1st base and 2ndbase. Watch B/R touch

1st base. Take calls at 1stor 2nd and B/R to 3rdbase if ball not caught. Beprepared for call at 3rd onR3 if P has call on R1 orR2 at theplate.


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Umpiring Notes - 1

Check swing

Plate umpire:To indicate the batter swung, pointthrough the slot toward the infield (lefthand on a right handed batter & righthand on a left handed batter) sayingyes you went or words to that effect

Check swing assistance:

When required or when requested,the plate umpire should pause, stepout from behind the catcher, removetheir mask, point to the base umpireand request did he/she swing, thebase umpire should verbally returnno or yes he didnt, with a safe

signal for no and a hammer for yes.

Using vocals:As much verbal communication aspossible is preferred. Use umpiresnames, tell them you have it coveredetc. When asking for assistance pointto your crew member use their name &ask for assistance.


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Umpiring Notes - 2 Fair indication on fair/foul and

fly catches.1. The plate umpire, or base umpires

when they have gone out to a fly-ball,must indicate fair or foul on balls closeto the line i.e. 1 meter (considerationshould be taken in regard to fielders,runners and spectators on the oppositeside of the diamond.) Fair balls areindicated by putting the right arm out

pointing inside the diamond on balls upthe left field side, and left arm out upthe right field side. No verbal is given.Foul balls by extending both armsvertically, palms open and verbal foulball.

2. Umpires starting from 2nd base do not

signal fair/foul.3. On fly balls caught on the line, indicateeither fair by extending the arm insidethe diamond, or foul, extending the armaway from the field when the ball isfirst touched.Then give the out signaland verbal if caught, or signal fair or

foul as (1) above if not caught.


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Umpiring Notes - 3 Making changes

When the plate umpire is making

changes in between innings thebase umpires do not run to theirstarting positions. If time, U1 willclean the home plate, when theplate umpire is ready, the baseumpires will move to their startingpositions.

When changes are being madeduring an innings U1 should moveup the base line between 1standhome and U3 should move tobetween 3rdand home base.When a base umpire is at 2ndbase

he will move to a position betweenthe bases in the base path.

This creates a presence andallows the base umpires tomanage any situation on theinfield, includingpreventing a

pitcher pitching the ball while theplate umpire is not in position.


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Umpiring Notes - 4 Count signal.The count should be given by

the plate umpire after threepitches, then when there iseither three balls or twostrikes, or after excessive foulballs and when ever it isrequested.

The arms and fingers should

be above the umpires head infront of the body toward thepitcher, the verbal ball countand signal must be given firstand stikes second, followed byrotation of the fingers and hand180 degrees to enable thesignal to be seen by all players

and coaches.This signal should not be given

to the back of the catchershead or body, there should betime to give this as the catchergoes down and the pitcher istaking the signal.


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Umpiring Notes - 5 Play ball

The play ball verbal and signal should

be given after the batter is in the boxand ready, while the catcher is downand the pitcher is in the circle. This willbe given with the hand and arm on theopen side of the batter and catchermotioning to the pitcher to pitch. Ifnecessary step out from behind the

catcher and signal. Trapped balls.Any umpire may signal safe andverbal safe or no to trapped balls(half volley) into the glove. Theclosest umpire to the play with a side

view should signal this as it happens.

Game time.All umpires should meet together at

the home plate and leave the diamond

together. When there is no separate

gate for the umpires leave thediamond by the wining teams dugout.


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Umpiring Notes - 6

Timed plays.

When there is a play on a non

forced runner and this is the 3rd

out, umpires need to be aware if

a run scores whether the run hasscored prior to the out or not.

Umpires need to advise the

official Scorer.

Documents

3 Umpire System & Mechanic Notes 2005 Ver 3