2006 FHSAA State Field Clinic Hosted by Broward Baseball
Umpires Association Broward County, Florida
Slide 2
The Two-Umpire System Starting Positions Starting Positions
Fair Foul Responsibilities Fair Foul Responsibilities Coverage of
batted balls Coverage of batted balls Coverage of plays on the
bases Coverage of plays on the bases Rotations Rotations Crew
Communication Crew Communication
Slide 3
Starting Positions A Position No Runners on Base A Position No
Runners on Base Right foot along edge of first base line Right foot
along edge of first base line Hands on knees set is recommended
Hands on knees set is recommended
Slide 4
Fair/Foul Responsibilities No Runners on Base Plate Umpire
Plate Umpire Base Umpire
Slide 5
Plays at First Create a 90 degree angle if you can, but stay in
fair territory. Create a 90 degree angle if you can, but stay in
fair territory.
Slide 6
Catch/No Catch No Runners on Base Plate Umpire Base Umpire
Slide 7
Pop-Up Means Pivot! If the pop-up is to the left side of the
field, stay out of the line of the potential throw. If the pop-up
is to the left side of the field, stay out of the line of the
potential throw. If the pop-up is clearly in foul territory, and
the first baseman is going to be fielding it, then the base umpire
may choose to take the ball. Since there is no chance of the ball
becoming fair, the plate umpire will simply observe the play in
case help is needed. If the pop-up is clearly in foul territory,
and the first baseman is going to be fielding it, then the base
umpire may choose to take the ball. Since there is no chance of the
ball becoming fair, the plate umpire will simply observe the play
in case help is needed.
Slide 8
Pop-Up Means Pivot! If the pop-up causes the first baseman to
turn around and run towards the outfield (fair or foul), the base
umpire will take responsibility for the ball. If the pop-up causes
the first baseman to turn around and run towards the outfield (fair
or foul), the base umpire will take responsibility for the ball.
Watch the fielder; dont watch the ball! Watch the fielder; dont
watch the ball! Let the first baseman clear you before you start
running. Let the first baseman clear you before you start running.
You want to be in front of the fielder. You want to be in front of
the fielder.
Slide 9
Pause, Read, React When a fly ball or line drive is hit to the
outfield, you have to decide whether to take: When a fly ball or
line drive is hit to the outfield, you have to decide whether to
take: The Runner The Runner The Ball The Ball If you take the
runner, you will pivot If you take the runner, you will pivot
Slide 10
Pivot Stay ahead of runner Stay ahead of runner Watch the touch
of first base. Watch the touch of first base. Make sure the runner
clears the first baseman before you look away. Make sure the runner
clears the first baseman before you look away. Could be obstruction
Could be obstruction
Slide 11
Pivot If the runner continues on to second base, you have to
read where there is likely to be a play: If the runner continues on
to second base, you have to read where there is likely to be a
play: First Base-runner could retreat First Base-runner could
retreat Second Base-attempted double Second Base-attempted double
Third Base-attempted triple Third Base-attempted triple Any of
these plays is your responsibility, so stay alert Any of these
plays is your responsibility, so stay alert
Slide 12
Taking the Ball There are three reasons you might take the
responsibility for the ball when a fly ball or line drive is hit to
the right side of the field There are three reasons you might take
the responsibility for the ball when a fly ball or line drive is
hit to the right side of the field Tough Catch Tough Catch
Fair/Foul Decision Fair/Foul Decision Ball potentially leaving the
playing field Ball potentially leaving the playing field Fielders
Converging Fielders Converging
Slide 13
Some Helpful Tools Dont watch the ball; watch the fielder Dont
watch the ball; watch the fielder If a fielder is running hard, it
will likely be a tough catch. If a fielder is running hard, it will
likely be a tough catch. If an infielder is running towards the
outfield, it will likely be a tough catch If an infielder is
running towards the outfield, it will likely be a tough catch If a
fielder is running towards the foul line, it will likely be a
fair/foul decision If a fielder is running towards the foul line,
it will likely be a fair/foul decision
Slide 14
Rules are Meant to be Broken There is a time that you would not
pivot on a ball hit to left field There is a time that you would
not pivot on a ball hit to left field If a ball is hit to left
field and will likely be a tough catch, or could leave the playing
field, do not actually pivot. Just run into the middle of the
infield. If a ball is hit to left field and will likely be a tough
catch, or could leave the playing field, do not actually pivot.
Just run into the middle of the infield. Stay focused on the play
as if it was your ball Stay focused on the play as if it was your
ball Your partner may need help, and a catch/no decision takes
precedence over watching runners touch bases Your partner may need
help, and a catch/no decision takes precedence over watching
runners touch bases
Slide 15
Starting Positions B Position Runner on first, or runners on
first and third. B Position Runner on first, or runners on first
and third. Straight line from edge of mound to homeplate Straight
line from edge of mound to homeplate Half-way between 2 nd base and
pitchers mound Half-way between 2 nd base and pitchers mound
Slide 16
Starting Positions C Position Anytime a runner is on second
base (e.g. first and second, second only, etc.) C Position Anytime
a runner is on second base (e.g. first and second, second only,
etc.) Straight line from edge of mound to homeplate Straight line
from edge of mound to homeplate Half-way between 2 nd base and
pitchers mound Half-way between 2 nd base and pitchers mound
Slide 17
Catch/No Catch Runner(s) On Base Plate Umpire Base Umpire
Slide 18
Pause, Read, React When a ball is hit, decide if it will be a
tough catch When a ball is hit, decide if it will be a tough catch
If not, stay in the working area to observe the play If not, stay
in the working area to observe the play You do not have to get set
You do not have to get set
Slide 19
Working Area
Slide 20
Pause, Read, React If it is going to be a tough catch, go to
the edge of the grass and get set for the play If it is going to be
a tough catch, go to the edge of the grass and get set for the play
Do not leave the infield in 2-man! Do not leave the infield in
2-man!
Slide 21
Plays on the bases Ideally, try to be at, or near the grass
cut-out area for most plays Ideally, try to be at, or near the
grass cut-out area for most plays Sacrifice distance for angle
Sacrifice distance for angle If you have multiple runners, you
cannot commit completely to a base If you have multiple runners,
you cannot commit completely to a base
Slide 22
Plays at the Plate Adjust left for a blocking play Adjust left
for a blocking play Adjust right for a swipe tag Adjust right for a
swipe tag
Slide 23
1 st to 3 rd Rotation Tag Up Rotation
Slide 24
Crew Communication Remind each other of potential plays before
they happen Remind each other of potential plays before they happen
Things to communicate: Things to communicate: Rotations Rotations
Outs Outs Time Play Time Play