Section 7.1-7.3Runners on First and Third – Quiz #7 Runners on first and third. Positioning
1. True False There is a difference between the pro mechanics and the NCAA positioning with runners on first or third.
Answer: False There is no difference. The National Federation mechanics place U1 in position C with runners on first and third.
2. Where does the base umpire position himself with R1 and R3 in the pro mechanics?
Answer: In position B.
Runners on First and third. Fly Ball and Line Drive to the Outfield – Responsibilities
3. Describe what the responsibilities are for the base umpire for fly balls with R1 and R3?
Answer: The same as with R1 only or the “V.” The base umpire has any fly ball or line drive from the left fielder straight in (and straight back) and all the way to the right fielder straight in (and straight back).
4. True False The base umpire is responsible for the catch, fair/foul at first base on any fly ball with runners on first and third.
Answer. False – he is not responsible for the fair/foul. That is the plate umpire’s responsibility.
5. True False The base umpire must watch the R1 tag up and the batter-runner touch first base.
Answer: True
6. What should the base umpire do if there is a difficult play on a short fly ball in center field and the shortstop, second baseman and center fielder are trying to catch it?
Answer: The base umpire must move to the edge of the infield grass in the direction the ball is hit in order to cover this play.
7. After the base umpire sells the call in question #6 on the diving catch/no catch, what should the base umpire do next?
Answer: He will immediately bounce back to pick up responsibilities of the base runners.
8. If the fly ball is routine, the base umpire should assume the .
Answer: working area
9. On a fly ball to right-center field with runners on first and third, describe the plate umpires movement and responsibility.
Answer: The plate umpire will swing out several steps to his left in order to line up the tag at third base. After the tag-up, the plate umpire will immediately bounce back home for a possible play at the plate.
10. What is the technique called that the base umpire should use every time the ball is hit?
Answer: Pause, read and react.
11. Why will the base umpire possibly miss a runner or the batter-runner touch a base or tag up?
Answer: Because the base umpire’s first priority is the ball.
12. What should the plate umpire communicate to the base umpire when the plate umpire has the responsibility for the catch with runners on first and third base?
Answer: a) “I’m on the line!” if the ball is hit toward the right field line.
b) “I’ve got the ball!” if the ball is hit toward the left field line.
13. How far up the right field line should the plate umpire go on a fly ball catch near the right field line with runners on first and third base with only 1 out?
Answer: Only so far as he is CERTAIN he will have time to get back to home for any play there on R3.
This technique of going up the line should be done only if you have properly trained yourself to do it. If not, back off toward the backstop and line up the foul line, the ball, the fielder and R3 leaving the 3rd base. This is safer and an easier technique to do. However, in professional baseball, they expect the trained umpire to go up the line some distance and then get back to the plate for any possible play there.
I was able to observe Brad Wilkinson of NW Umpires do this correctly in the MSHSL Consolation Championship game about 4 or 5 years ago as good as it can be done.
14. True False If the ball is dropped on a fly ball down the left field line, the plate umpire would be covering third base for the play on the runner from first base.
Answer: True
15. How does the plate umpire check on the runner from third touching home plate if the ball is dropped in the outfield?
Answer: He glances over his right shoulder at the runner from third base touching home plate and then continues toward third base for a potential play at third base. This is basically just like a base hit with runners on 1st and third. It is almost the same technique. The only difference might be is that the plate umpire should communicate, "I've got third if the ball is dropped!" or something similar to that.
Section Seven7.4-7.8Runners on First and Third Base Base Hits to the Outfield
16. True False With runners on first and third base and single to center field, the plate umpire has the responsibility for covering a play on R1 at third base.
Answer: True
17. The plate umpire has which touches and tag ups?
Answer: He has all touches and tag ups of third and touches at home plate.
18. The base umpire is responsible for all touches at which bases?
Answer: All runners at first and second base plus the batter-runner at third base.
19. What path does the plate umpire take on his way to cover third base?
Answer: He runs approximately three to six feet into foul territory as he moves down the third base line.
20. Why does the plate umpire glance over his right shoulder as he proceeds toward third base?
Answer: To watch R3 touch home plate.
21. What does the plate umpire communicate to his partner when he is leaving the plate cutout area?
Answer: “I’ve got third, if he comes!”
22. What does the plate umpire say when he is ready to move into the cutout at third base?
Answer: I’ve got third! I’ve got third!”
23. On a single to center, what did the base umpire do?
Answer: He stepped up, turned with the ball and backed up two-three steps toward the mound (into the working area).
24. What is the purpose of the umpire moving into the working area?
Answer: To open up the playing field to his vision and to be able to better take care of his responsibilities.
Runners on First and Third Base – Fly Balls and Line Drives to the Infield 23. Which umpire has responsibility for the shortstop making a diving catch moving toward second base?
Answer: The base umpire.
Runners on First and Third Base – Ground Balls to the Infield
26. True False The base umpire has responsibility for all plays at 1st, 2nd and 3rd base?
Answer: True
27. Are there any exceptions for question number 11? If yes, what are they?
Answer: Yes, the plate umpire is usually responsible for a subsequent play at third base on the runner advancing from first base.
28. With runners on third and a ground ball is hit to the infield, and R3 is scoring without a play, which umpire has the responsibility for the play at third base on the runner originally on first base (R1)?
Answer: The plate umpire.
29. R1 and R3. Ground ball to the shortstop and he begins to start a double play. R1 is out at second base and the relay goes to first base. Describe the actions of the plate umpire.
Answer: The plate umpire will swing out from behind the plate a few feet into foul territory in the direction of third base. When the base umpire signals the out at second base, the plate umpire will stop and retreat towards home plate and help out with pulled foot, swipe tag on the batter-runner at first base.
30. R1 and R3. On a ground ball up the first base line, the plate umpire will take the fair/foul decision from behind the plate straddling the first base line extended. What does this prevent the plate umpire from doing?
Answer: He will not be taking the first to third coverage.
31. What are at least two possibilities other than a second to first double play that could happen on a ground ball to the infield?
Answer: 1) A play directly to third base. 2) A play at third base followed by a rundown. 4) A play only at first base. 5) A play at first followed by a play at third base on the runner from first. Plus a few others.
Runners on First and Third Base – Steals With Runners at First and Third Base
32. Why should the base umpire react carefully to the development of the play?
Answer: Because the catcher may not throw to second base on the steal. He may make a snap throw to third base. He may make a throw to the shortstop or second baseman who comes in to cut off the throw attempting to catch R3 off guard.
Runners on First and Third Base – Pickoffs and Rundowns
33. True False A rundown between third and home is a shared responsibility.
Answer: True
34. True False A rundown between first and second base is a shared responsibility.
Answer: False
35. How does the base umpire communicate he is helping on the rundown between third and home?
Answer: “I’ve got this half! I’ve got this half!”