PBUC Quiz #5 from Manual for the 2-Umpire System (red Book)
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- Parent Category: Larry's Corner
Section 5 Quiz Runner on Third Base Only
1. 5.1 Positioning – Runner on Third Base Only What position do you start in with a runner on third base?
Answer: In C position or ½ way between the back edge of the mound and 2nd base, straddling a line from home plate that runs through the outside edge of the pitcher’s mound. However, with the infield playing in for a possible play at the plate, the base umpire should position himself slightly behind the shortstop and 8-10 feet to the shortstop’s left. This position will afford the base umpire ample space to avoid interference if the ball is hit to the shortstop or to his left. There is some problematic situations that would arise if the play goes to 1st base after the SS fields the ball in front of you. To get into the best possible position you may have to adjust either by going toward the mound and toward the SS’s right or by going toward the 1st to 2nd baseline and in fact, you may have to go past that baseline to get a good angle and not get straight-lined.
2. 5.2 Fly Balls and Line Drives to the Outfield – Responsibilities – Runner on Third Base OnlyAre there any different responsibilities with R3 as opposed to R2 or R1 on fly balls or line drives to the outfield with a runner on third base only?
Answer: No, they are exactly the same.
3. Why is it important the two umpires communicate after the ball is hit on a fly ball or line drive to the outfield?
Answer: So each umpire is certain who has responsibility for any fly ball or line drive.
4. 5.3 Fly Balls and Line Drives to the Outfield – Coverage and Mechanics – Runner on Third Base Only
Which umpire is responsible for R3 tagging up?
Answer: The plate umpire.
5. When should the base umpire move to the edge of the infield grass on a fly ball or line drive to the outfield with a runner on third base?
Answer: When it is his responsibility for a catch and it looks like it will be a difficult play (trouble ball).
6. Once the base umpire sells his call on the catch/no catch, what should he do?
Answer: He will immediately bounce back to pick up responsibility of the base runner(s).
7. Which umpire has the responsibility of the batter-runner touching first base?
Answer: The base umpire.
8. On fly balls or line drives to the outfield, what is always the first priority?
Answer: The first priority is always the BALL.
9. If the base umpire has the catch/no catch with a runner on third base only, what does the plate umpire do?
Answer: He swings out from the plate several steps into foul territory to his left (usually in the general direction of the third base dugout) in order to line up the ball and tag-up at third base.
10. After the tag-up, what should the plate umpire do?
Answer: Break back home, setting up for any possible play at the plate on R3. He mentally will decide if
R3 broke early or not.
11. If the fly ball or line drive belongs to the plate umpire, he must communicate that he has responsibility for the ball. What does he communicate on a fly ball or line drive down the first base line?
Answer: “I’m on the line!”
12. How far up the first base line should the plate umpire go?
Answer: Only so far that he is CERTAIN that he will be able to get back to home plate for any play there.
13. How does he check R3 on his tag-up?
Answer: He takes a quick glance over his left shoulder at third base after the ball is touched.
14. Is this a difficult mechanic to learn?
Answer: Yes.
15. What is your first priority as the plate umpire on this fly ball or line drive toward the right field line?
Answer: Your first priority is the ball. Fair/foul, catch/no catch are more important than the tag-up at 3rd base.
16. What is your second priority on a line drive down the right field line?
Answer: The runner tagging up at third base.
17. What do you communicate to your partner if the ball moves the left fielder toward the left field line?
Answer: “I’ve got the ball=!” or “That’s my ball!”
18. How far do you go up the third base line on this fly ball?
Answer: Only as far as you can easily get back for a possible play at home.
19. What is a very important thing to be aware of if you are straddling the third base line on this type of play?
Answer: Be careful that you do not get in the way of the runner from third base trying to score.
20. After the catch/no catch, what does the plate umpire have to do in this play?
Answer: He must bust back home for any possible play there. He also must keep his eye on the ball as he back tracks to home plate. He should use a drop step followed by cross steps and not back pedal.
Section 5.4-5.5 Runner on Third Base Only
21. 5.4 Base Hits to the Outfield – R3 only True False The base umpire has all responsibility for touches of first, second and third.
Answer: True
22. True False The plate umpire has the responsibility for the touch of R3 at home plate.
Answer: True
23. True False The base umpire has responsibility for only one runner because the base umpire has scored.
Answer: True
24. Describe the term shading for me.
Answer: It is sliding closer to the umpire’s sole runner. Since it is your only responsibility shading makes
sense.
25. 5.5 Fly balls and Line Drives to the Infield Which umpire has the catches of fly balls and line drives to the pitcher and catcher?
Answer: The plate umpire.
26. Which umpire has the fly balls and line drives to the shortstop?
Answer: The base umpire.
27. How should the plate umpire cover a fly ball near the third base line?
Answer: The plate umpire should straddle a step or two up the line.
28. How should the plate umpire take a fly ball or line drive near first base?
Answer: The plate umpire should straddle a step or two up the line.
29. On fly balls in the infield what must the base umpire guard against?
Answer: He must guard against taking himself completely out of position in case the ball should be dropped.
Section 5.6-5.7Runner on Third Base Only
30. 5.6 Ground ball to the infield with R3 only. True False The plate umpire must stay at home on a ground ball to the infield with a runner on third.
Answer: True
31. Yes No Is it an absolute necessity to stay at home with two out?
Answer: No. This is a Robin Johnson technique. It is not taught at the umpire schools or in this PBUC manual. It makes sense. The only thing that you will miss is if R3 touches or misses the plate and at lower levels you might get some fielder throwing the ball home. You can follow the BR up the 1st baseline just as if there are no runners on base at all. In most situations there is no play at the plate and you can be better used as helping your partner you are still responsible for R3 touching the plate but you can listen for it or look over your shoulder at the appropriate time.
32. Where does the plate umpire take the fair/foul on a ground ball up the first base line with a runner on third base?
Answer: He will take the fair/foul a step or two up the line, being prepared to bounce back into position
immediately for any play at the plate. This is not an easy technique to master. Especially since it was
taught differently in the past.
33. Why shouldn’t the plate umpire take the fair foul a step or two up the third base line with a runner on third base?
Answer: When there is a suicide squeeze or any play where R3 is trying to score.
34. True False The plate umpire is responsible to help at first base on overthrows, interference and swipe tags.
Answer: True
35. The base umpire normally drifts a few steps in the direction of the 45-foot line, anticipating a play at first base, but with R3 he must react with ___________________ _____________________ in case the play could be at third base.
Answer: Good anticipation
36. True False The base umpire must get exceptionally close to the play at first base with a runner on third base only.
Answer: False
37. 5.7 Pickoff at Third Base; Rundowns There are two possible methods to handle pickoffs at third base. Describe the most simple of the two.
Answer: The umpire will take a quick step forward with his right foot, moving in the direction of an imaginary 45-foot line along the third base line. After taking this initial step forward, the umpire will turn (pivot on his right foot), face the play and set for the call.
38. What is the most basic difference between these two techniques?
Answer: The starting foot.
39. What is the recommended method of set position for these pickoff plays?
Answer: The hands-on-knees set (HOKS).
40. How do the umpires cover a rundown between home and third with only that runner to be concerned with?
Answer: “Half and half.”
41. Is “half and half” different from how a rundown between first and second? Yes or No. If yes, in what way?
Answer: Yes, because between first and second the plate umpire only gets the area near the cutout at first base. Also, the base umpire probably can always help on a rundown between third and home but the plate umpire may not be able to help on a rundown between first and second.
