2006 FHSAA 2006 FHSAA State Field ClinicState Field Clinic

Hosted by Broward Baseball Hosted by Broward Baseball Umpires’ AssociationUmpires’ Association

Broward County, FloridaBroward County, Florida

The Two-Umpire SystemThe Two-Umpire System

Starting PositionsStarting Positions Fair Foul ResponsibilitiesFair Foul Responsibilities Coverage of batted ballsCoverage of batted balls Coverage of plays on the basesCoverage of plays on the bases RotationsRotations Crew CommunicationCrew Communication

Starting PositionsStarting Positions

““A” Position – No A” Position – No Runners on BaseRunners on Base Right foot along Right foot along

edge of first base edge of first base lineline

Hands on knees set Hands on knees set is recommendedis recommended

Fair/Foul ResponsibilitiesFair/Foul ResponsibilitiesNo Runners on BaseNo Runners on Base

Plate UmpirePlate Umpire Base Umpire

Plays at FirstPlays at First

Create a 90 degree angle if you can, Create a 90 degree angle if you can, but stay in fair territory.but stay in fair territory.

Catch/No CatchCatch/No CatchNo Runners on BaseNo Runners on Base

Plate UmpirePlate Umpire Base Umpire

Pop-Up Means Pivot!Pop-Up Means Pivot!

If the pop-up is to the left side of the If the pop-up is to the left side of the field, stay out of the line of the potential field, stay out of the line of the potential throw.throw.

If the pop-up is clearly in foul territory, If the pop-up is clearly in foul territory, and the first baseman is going to be and the first baseman is going to be fielding it, then the base umpire may fielding it, then the base umpire may choose to take the ball. Since there is no choose to take the ball. Since there is no chance of the ball becoming fair, the chance of the ball becoming fair, the plate umpire will simply observe the play plate umpire will simply observe the play in case help is needed.in case help is needed.

Pop-Up Means Pivot!Pop-Up Means Pivot!

If the pop-up causes the first If the pop-up causes the first baseman to turn around and run baseman to turn around and run towards the outfield (fair or foul), towards the outfield (fair or foul), the base umpire will take the base umpire will take responsibility for the ball.responsibility for the ball. Watch the fielder; don’t watch the ball!Watch the fielder; don’t watch the ball! Let the first baseman clear you before Let the first baseman clear you before

you start running.you start running. You want to be in front of the fielder.You want to be in front of the fielder.

Pause, Read, ReactPause, Read, React

When a fly ball or line drive is hit to When a fly ball or line drive is hit to the outfield, you have to decide the outfield, you have to decide whether to take:whether to take: The RunnerThe Runner The BallThe Ball

If you take the runner, you will pivotIf you take the runner, you will pivot

PivotPivot

Stay ahead of Stay ahead of runnerrunner

Watch the touch of Watch the touch of first base.first base.

Make sure the Make sure the runner clears the runner clears the first baseman first baseman before you look before you look away.away. Could be obstructionCould be obstruction

PivotPivot

If the runner continues on to second If the runner continues on to second base, you have to read where there base, you have to read where there is likely to be a play:is likely to be a play: First Base-runner could retreatFirst Base-runner could retreat Second Base-attempted doubleSecond Base-attempted double Third Base-attempted tripleThird Base-attempted triple

Any of these plays is your Any of these plays is your responsibility, so stay alertresponsibility, so stay alert

Taking the BallTaking the Ball

There are three reasons you might There are three reasons you might take the responsibility for the ball take the responsibility for the ball when a fly ball or line drive is hit to when a fly ball or line drive is hit to the right side of the fieldthe right side of the field Tough CatchTough Catch Fair/Foul DecisionFair/Foul Decision Ball potentially leaving the playing fieldBall potentially leaving the playing field Fielders ConvergingFielders Converging

Some Helpful ToolsSome Helpful Tools

Don’t watch the ball; watch the fielderDon’t watch the ball; watch the fielder If a fielder is running hard, it will likely If a fielder is running hard, it will likely

be a tough catch.be a tough catch. If an infielder is running towards the If an infielder is running towards the

outfield, it will likely be a tough catchoutfield, it will likely be a tough catch If a fielder is running towards the foul If a fielder is running towards the foul

line, it will likely be a fair/foul decisionline, it will likely be a fair/foul decision

Rules are Meant to be Rules are Meant to be BrokenBroken

There is a time that you would not pivot There is a time that you would not pivot on a ball hit to left fieldon a ball hit to left field If a ball is hit to left field and will likely be a If a ball is hit to left field and will likely be a

tough catch, or could leave the playing field, tough catch, or could leave the playing field, do not actually pivot. Just run into the do not actually pivot. Just run into the middle of the infield.middle of the infield.

Stay focused on the play as if it was your ballStay focused on the play as if it was your ball Your partner may need help, and a catch/no Your partner may need help, and a catch/no

decision takes precedence over watching decision takes precedence over watching runners touch basesrunners touch bases

Starting PositionsStarting Positions

““B” Position – B” Position – Runner on first, or Runner on first, or runners on first runners on first and third.and third. Straight line from Straight line from

edge of mound to edge of mound to homeplatehomeplate

Half-way between Half-way between 22ndnd base and base and pitcher’s moundpitcher’s mound

Starting PositionsStarting Positions

““C” Position – C” Position – Anytime a runner is Anytime a runner is on second base (e.g. on second base (e.g. first and second, first and second, second only, etc.)second only, etc.) Straight line from Straight line from

edge of mound to edge of mound to homeplatehomeplate

Half-way between 2Half-way between 2ndnd base and pitcher’s base and pitcher’s moundmound

Catch/No CatchCatch/No CatchRunner(s) On BaseRunner(s) On Base

Plate Umpire Base Umpire

Pause, Read, ReactPause, Read, React

When a ball is hit, decide if it will be When a ball is hit, decide if it will be a tough catcha tough catch

If not, stay in the working area to If not, stay in the working area to observe the playobserve the play

You do not have to get setYou do not have to get set

Working AreaWorking Area

Pause, Read, ReactPause, Read, React

If it is going to be a tough catch, go If it is going to be a tough catch, go to the edge of the grass and get set to the edge of the grass and get set for the playfor the play

Do not leave the infield in 2-man!Do not leave the infield in 2-man!

Plays on the basesPlays on the bases

Ideally, try to be at, or near the Ideally, try to be at, or near the grass cut-out area for most playsgrass cut-out area for most plays

Sacrifice distance for angleSacrifice distance for angle If you have multiple runners, you If you have multiple runners, you

cannot commit completely to a basecannot commit completely to a base

Plays at the PlatePlays at the Plate

Adjust left for a blocking playAdjust left for a blocking play Adjust right for a swipe tagAdjust right for a swipe tag

11stst to 3 to 3rdrd Rotation RotationTag Up RotationTag Up Rotation

Crew CommunicationCrew Communication

Remind each other of potential plays Remind each other of potential plays before they happenbefore they happen

Things to communicate:Things to communicate: RotationsRotations OutsOuts Time PlayTime Play