three umpire mechanics for ncaa

THREE UMPIRE MECHANICS FOR NCAA
A Quick Reference
No attempt is made to show exact positioning or to detail the umpire movements
• Starting Positions
There are only three different positions you will ever be in at the start of the pitch
1. Standard position
2. Rotated position
3. Counter-rotated position
1. Standard Starting Position
A. Use when no runners are on
P: Behind the plate
U1 & U3: On the line in foul territory, 18-20 feet from the
base, standing, facing the plate
B. Use when there is a runner on third base only
P: Behind the plate
U1: On the line in foul territory, 18-20 feet from the base,
standing, facing the plate
U3: On the line in foul territory, 8-10 feet from the base, set
position, facing the plate
2. Rotated Starting Position
A. Use when there is a runner on first base only
P; Behind the plate
U1: On the line in foul territory, 8-10 feet from the base, set
position, facing the plate
U3: On an imaginary line extending from third base
through second base and straight out towards right
centerfield, 10 feet beyond second base, set position,
facing the plate
3. Counter-rotated Starting Position
A. Use in every runner configuration other than no one on, runner on first only and
runner on third only
P: Behind the plate
U1: Depending on where the runners are, somewhere in
the 30 feet between 15 feet from first base and 15 feet
from second base, optimally no more than 15 feet behind
the baseline, set position, facing the plate
U3: Depending on where the runners are 8-12 feet from
third base, in foul territory, set positon, facing the plate
• When and How Umpires Rotate
Solid line is Initial Responsibility. Dashed line is Subsequent Responsibility.
Lines DO NOT indicate umpire movement path, only umpire base responsibility
1. From the Standard Starting Positon
A. No runners on base
P: Responsible for third base.
U1: Initially responsible for first base and subsequently
responsible for home plate
U3: Initially responsible for second base and
subsequesntly responsible for first and second base
B. Runner on third only - if R3 does not commit to home plate, this rotation will not
occur
P: Initially responsible for home plate, subsequently
responsible for third base
U1: Initially responsible for first base and subsequently
responsible for home plate
U3: Initially responsible for third base, subsequently
responsible for second base and first base
2. From the Rotated Starting Position
P: Resonsible for third base
U1: Initially responsible for first base and subsequently
responsible for home plate
U3: Initially responsible for second base, subsequently
responsible for first and second base
3. From the Counter-Rotated Starting Position with either a runner on second only
or runners on second and third only - in either configuration, if R2 does not
commit to home plate, this rotation will not occur
P: Responsible for home plate, subsequently responsible
for third base if U3 rotates to second base
U1: Responsible for first base, subsequently responsible
for second base unless U3 rotates into to second. If U3
rotates into second base, U1 is subsequently responsible
for home plate
U3: Responsible for third base, subsequently may be
responsible for second base unless U1 is taking second
base
• Fly Ball Coverage - Chasing
1. From the Standard Starting Position
P: No chase responsibilities unless U1 or U3 do not chase
U1: Responsible from right field dead ball line to center
fielder
U3: Responsible from left field dead ball line to center
fielder
2. From the Rotated Starting Position - Vee
P: Responsible from the left field dead ball line to the left
fielder
U1: Responsible from the right field dead ball line to to the
right fielder
U3: Responsible from the right fielder to the left fielder
3. From the Counter-Rotated Starting Position - Wedge
P: Responsible from the right field dead ball line to the
right fielder
U1: Responsible from the right fielder to the center fielder
U3: Responsible from the left field dead ball line to the
center fielder
• Tag Up Responsibilities
Lines indicate the base or bases an umpire is responsible for. The lines do not
indicate umpire movement or positioning.
A. No umpires chases
Runner on First
U1 has Tag at First
Runner on Second
U1 has Tag at Second
Runner on Third
U3 has Tag at Third
Runners on First & Second
U1 has Tag at First & Second
Runners on First & Third
U1 has Tag at First • U3 has Tag at Third
Runners on Second & Third
U1 has Tag at Second • U3 has Tag at Third
Bases Loaded
U1 has Tag at First & Second • U3 has Tag at Third
B. When an umpire chases
continued
B. When an umpire chases
• Umpire Responsibilities for Runners Leaving Before the Pitch is Released