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Two - Man Mechanics - Field Umpire Before the game, Talk to your partner and go over your signals and assignments. Walk onto and leave the field together (if possible). Look sharp. Pre-game, Talk to or meet with the head coaches (meeting is not mandatory in Rec ball). While the pitcher is warming up, help your partner count the pitches; at the sixth pitch, when your partner tells the catcher, "Two More", go to your position. Before the game starts, your partner will ask you if you are ready by pointing to you - point back at him if ready. Your partner should keep the official time, but you may need to - so be prepared. You may need to announce that "We're on the Clock" and give the start time to the scorekeeper and the coaches. Make sure your indicator is clear before the games starts and before each batter. Balls and Strikes, Always remember to advance your indicator after each pitch (say click in your head), to assist your partner. Be confident of the count. If you are not confident or your partner asked you for the count, one of you should use the "What is the Count" sign (point at your indicator, or pat the top of your head, or give the rotation sign with your two index fingers (what ever you two settle on before the game)). If you are giving your partner the count, give it in a hidden fashion, on your shirt or pants (the number two is not a hook'em sign). If you think your partner has the wrong count, don't be afraid to call "Time" and go discuss with him. On a potential dropped 3rd strike, help your partner out by having your right fist clinched down toward the ground for a good catch, or your right index finger pointing down to the ground for a dropped 3rd strike, then you set up for a possible play. Check Swing - On a half/check swing or bunt, your partner will call it like he sees it. If he thinks the batter went, he will point at him with his right hand and say "Yeah, He Went" and give the strike sign and/or out sign. Do not mistake this for his appeal to you. If he does not think the batter went, and he has a question or he is requested to appeal the call to you, he should step out from behind the plate and point his left arm and open palm to you, and ask, "Did he go? You should make the call with the appropriate out signal for a strike and say, "Yes He Went" or the safe signal for a ball and say, "No He Didn't Go". You can usually only tell if he went from the "A" position". If asked while in the "B" or "C" position, you should mirror your partner's call (ball), unless it is extremely obvious (ie., the catcher may have stood up and blocked your partner's view). Don't ever shrug your shoulders and say I Don't Know. It is either a strike or ball, and if you don't know, it is what ever your partner first indicated. Time In, When you call time out, be sure everyone is ready and then you point to your partner to let him know that all is ready for him to call Time In. Fair/Foul, You have the fair/foul calls from first base out to the fence. Your partner has the plate to the bags and down the left field line. Do not ever yell "Fair Ball", only give the signal, with the arm pointing into fair territory. Do not yell "Foul Ball" unless the ball is close to being a fair ball. Usually give the Foul Ball signal (not if it is very obvious, like a ball over the fence) - both hands straight up and then point foul. (Both hands straight up kills play). Watch the Runners, You must watch all the runners touch bases, be ready for appeals. You typically are responsible for tag ups on second. You may even want to give a small point to the bag when a runner touches it. Look for obstruction by the defense (clinched left fist down to the ground - let the play finish and then judge if there really was obstruction - could the runner have acquired another base?). If not, let it go. If so, when the play is over, call time and announce, "I've got obstruction on ____baseman" and then point to the runner and tell him to move up to the next base. Or interference by the offense (stop play immediately, both hands up in the air, ball is dead, no base advancing, runner is out). Infield Fly, With less than two outs and bases loaded or runners on first and second. The Field Umpire is Always in "C" Position, you both should have given each other the "Infield Fly" sign before the first pitch (settled on before the game - maybe, right hand closed to the bill of the hat/mask if no outs or index finger up if one out). You should determine if the ball should be an infield fly and if so, point with your right arm/hand at the ball. The Home Plate Umpire should have the Call (loud - "Infield Fly, Batter's Out"!). If by the time the ball has reached it's apex, and has just started down, the Field Umpire has not heard the call, you should (also) make the call. On a ball near the foul line, the call should be "Infield Fly, if Fair". If the ball is fair, call the batter out, if the ball is foul, call Foul Ball! . Once you are no longer in the Infield Fly situation, give the "Wipe Off" sign - usually the right hand wiping the top of the left forearm. Run Downs, When ever there is a run down, the you have second base side if between first and second or second and third (Home Plate Umpire runs out to cover first or third, yelling, "I've got One/Three"). Or you have third if the rundown is between third and home. Confirm Your Call, When either of you make a call that is close or you may have been blocked from seeing the actual play, or had a bad angle, make the call, then look at your partner for the "Talk to Me" sign (settle on this before the game - typically it is the hand on the belt buckle). If your partner stands there and keeps looking at you or makes that sign to you, you might should call time and go talk to him. If either of you saw the play different, you can discuss it before the coach can intervene, then you can then reverse your own call and make it look like you took the initiative to check your own call. Any change in the call by the Umpire making the original call, after a conference, will minimize opposition. Note, if both umpires are doing their jobs, and there is a call, if the call appears to be right, then the observing umpire should simply turn and go back to his position, if you saw if different, you may want to stand there for a while to let your partner know that you saw it different. Balks, You are mainly responsible for calling balks, when you call it, only say "Balk", do not raise your hands (that kills the play). Let the play finish. Remember, balks are not automatic dead balls - if the batter and the runners all reach the next base safely then the balk is off. Number of Outs, Give each other the "Number of Outs" sign before each batter. Look at each other before each batter every time. The Plate Umpire should initiate the signs and you should mirror them to indicate the you got the sign, or nod yes or pat your thigh.......... When a good rotation or call is made by your partner, give him the
Good
Play/Call sign (open palm slapping down on the top of a closed fist
[variations], or pat your thigh a couple times, or top of your fist into
your
belt................) Bases Empty - Field Umpire in "A" Position Before each batter, give each other the correct "Number of Outs" sign to your partner. A Walk - While moving to the B position, keep eye on batter-runner touching first, play at first after rounding or coming off bag, interaction with first baseman, etc. Clear your indicator. Infield Play - In general, you want to position yourself at a 90N angle to the infield throw. You want to watch the ball and the infielder's play, when he throws to first, then quickly turn your head and key on the bag. Watch the first baseman's foot (on the bag or not), see the batter-runner's foot hit the bag while listening for the ball hitting the first baseman's glove. Wait until you are sure that the ball was caught, foot is on the bag, first baseman didn't drop the ball, and then make the call. Delay your call every time. Home Plate Umpire should be 1/3 the way down the inside of the first base line (has the first baseman's foot and all overthrow calls). Clear your indicator. If the ball is just out in front of the plate or short to the pitcher or first baseman, the 90N angle may best be achieved in foul territory. This will keep you from possibly getting in the way of the second baseman coming over to cover. Home Plate Umpire has the batter-runner and first base line interference call. Clear your indicator. Outfield Play - ground ball, Watch the ball through the infield, but Do not watch the ball in the outfield! You should run in toward the pitcher's plate, once in the infield grass, pivot to the first base line to watch the batter-runner touch first base and ensure there is no defensive obstruction (clinched left fist down to side - let the play end and then determine if there was obstruction). Then, while watching the runner and checking the ball play in the outfield, complete the pivot, run to the inside of second base position or the sweet spot (behind the pitcher's mound, at least half way to second base), as necessary. If batter-runner continues to third, Home Plate Umpire should be covering third (having yelled, "I've got 3, I've got 3"), take a quick look, and if so, then point at him and rotate to the plate , going by the mound on the first base side (if there is no possible play at second). Clear your indicator. On a fly ball, You have primary call for the foul call down the Right Filed foul line, turning and moving toward the ball (yelling, "Foul Ball" with hand signal and pointing foul, or if fair, pointing fair) and a fly ball to the Right Fielder, or trouble ball (a difficult to get to ball between Center and Right), checking to see if caught or not - loudly yell, "I've Got a Catch/Out" call so your partner will know, with hand signal for out, or yell, It's Down or No, No, No" if dropped or close but not caught, and give the safe signal. If you have to go out, then your partner would have to move up and take the action at first (did he touch the bag, was there obstruction?). With a fly ball to any other part of the out field, your partner has the primary call and the foul call down the Left Field foul line (yelling, "Foul Ball" with hand signal up and pointing or if fair, pointing fair; or if a catch, yell, "I Got a Catch/Out", so you will know). With a fly ball to the other parts of the out field, You will be coming in toward the pitcher's plate and pivoting and taking the runner to second, just as done with a ground ball to the outfield. Clear your indicator.
Runner on First - Field Umpire in "B" Position Infield Play - Position yourself to stay out of the throwing lane to second or first. Subsequent plays at third base will be covered by the Home Plate Umpire, with Field Umpire rotating home, once there are no plays on the trailing runner. Field Umpire also has the calls on a pick off attempt at first and a steal attempt of second, and runners touching bases (once there is a steal, your position and signs will change). Home Plate Umpire always watches the play at first, even while moving toward third. Clear your indicator. Outfield Play - ground ball, Watch the ball through the infield, Do not watch the ball in the outfield! You should move to the sweet spot (on the grass behind and at the edge of the pitcher's mound dirt) and watch the runner touch second and the batter-runner touch first, all the while checking the outfield play to see where the incoming play will be, noting any defensive obstruction, and be prepared to make the call at any base. If the runners advance more than one base, rotate home if the Home Plate Umpire covers third, once there are no plays on the trailing runner. Clear your indicator. On a fly ball - You have the call on a fly ball in the "V", from the left fielder to the right fielder (move to be in best position), and you have the tag up at second. Make the Catch/Out call loud. The Home Plate Umpire moves out and has the left/right fielder to the foul line calls and the tag up at first base (you may have to help on the tag up at first if the ball is down the left field line - back up to see it). Based on the plays, the Field Umpire may need to rotate home if the Home Plate Umpire covers third. Note: before the first pitch, the Home Plate Umpire could give the "I Got the Tag at First" signal - left hand fist on top of the right hand fist with the left hand index finger pointing at first. Clear your indicator.
Runners in all other positions - Field Umpire in "C" Position Before each batter, give each other the correct "Number of Outs" sign and the appropriate sign below, based on where the runners are and the play will be. Runners at first and second or bases loaded - 1. If there are less than two outs: a) In addition to the "Number of Outs"sign, or in conjunction with, you should give each other the "Infield Fly" sign (Number of Outs sign to the bill of the cap or up in the air, maybe even at the waist with a fist for no outs and thumb up for one out). Your partner has the call. You should point up at the ball if you think it is an Infield Fly, in case your partner has trouble finding it. He must yell as loud as he can "Infield Fly, Batter's Out"! If the ball is near a foul line, he must yell "Infield Fly, if Fair"! If you don't hear him make the call, then you have to call it; And b) you should also give each other the "Second Play" sign (bump closed fists, right on top of left, with the right index finger pointing toward third). This tells you to take the first infield play, where ever it is and he will get the second play at third (stay out of the throwing lane to all bases), you should be rotating home, if necessary. 2. If there are two outs: DO NOT give the Infield Fly sign - Give each other the "Timing Play" sign (first two fingers of the right hand on your watch - this says Two Outs and Timing play) to your partner. This says that there are two outs and if you call a non-force out, you will call it out loud when the out is made, so your partner can judge if the run at home counts. Instead of the "Second Play" sign, your partner may give the "I've got the Plate" sign (pat his chest with his right hand and then point down to the plate), this says that he has the plate and you have everything in the field. Runners at first and third - Before the first pitch, give each other the "Number of Outs" sign, regardless of the number of outs, and give each other the "Rotation" sign. This tells you that he will watch the runner from third touch the plate as he moves up to take the play at third. You have the runners to first and second and will take the trailing play on the bases or rotate home, if necessary. Runner at second only - Before the first pitch, give each other the "Number of Outs" sign, with less than two outs, you should give each other the "Second Play" sign (your sign should be, bump closed fists, left on top of right, with the left index finger pointing toward third). This makes you responsible for the first play in the infield, where ever it is, and he will get the second play at third (stay out of the throwing lane), you may have to rotating home, if necessary. With two outs, your partner should give you the "I've got the Plate" sign and the "Timing Play" sign. (He should float up the third base line to help if needed, then back to cover home). Then you have all infield plays and call "Out" on a non-force 3rd out. Runner at second and third or runner at third only - Before the first pitch, give each other the "Number of Outs" sign, regardless of the number of outs, and your partner should give you the "I've got the Plate" sign. This tells you that he has the plate (he will be up the third base line a little) and you have all the calls in the infield - your partner should watch the runner from second touch third. With two outs, don't forget to give the "Timing Play" sign. Walk - Keep eye on batter-runner touching first, play at first after rounding or coming off bag, interaction with first baseman, and the runner to second and third. Clear your indicator. Infield Play - Position yourself to stay out of the throwing lanes. Field Umpire also has the calls on a pick off attempt at any base and a steal attempt of second or third. Watch the runners touch the bases and for any interference/obstruction. Your partner may have to stay at home or cover third, depending on where the runners are - be prepared to take all infield calls and/or rotate home. Clear your indicator. Outfield Play - ground ball, Watch the ball through the infield. Do not watch the ball in the outfield! You should move to the sweet spot and watch the runners touch third and second and the batter-runner touch first, all the while checking the outfield play to see where the incoming play will be, noting any defensive obstruction, and be prepared to make the call at any base. Based on the number of runners and the number of bases advancing, you may need to rotate home if Home Plate Umpire covers third. Clear your indicator. On a fly ball - You have the call on a fly ball in the
"V"
(move to be in best position). Make the Catch/Out call loud. If there is
a
runner at second, line up the catch with the second base bag to see the
catch
and tag up. The Home Plate Umpire moves out and has the foul line calls
and the
tag up at first and third base (having gave the "I Got the Tag at First
and/or
Third" sign). If the fly ball is down the third base line, you may need
to help
with the tag up at first base. Based on the plays, you may need to
rotate home
if the Home Plate Umpire covers third. Clear your
indicator. |