PBUC Quiz #9 from the Manual for the 2-Umpire System (Red Book)

Section 9Bases Loaded – Quiz #9 9.1 Positioning 

1.      What position does the base umpire start in when the bases are loaded? 

Answer:  Position C.

 

 9.2 Fly Balls and Line Drives to the Outfield - Responsibilities      

2.   True     False    The base umpire has all balls hit to the right side of the outfield including the center fielder straight in and straight back.                                                  

            Answer:  False

 2.      Why do the two umpires need to communicate particularly when the ball is hit to the left or right fielder?  

Answer:  So each umpire is certain who has responsibility for any given fly ball or line drive to the outfield.

 9.3 Fly Balls and Line Drives to the Outfield – Coverage and Mechanics      

4.   True     False    The base umpire is responsible for all tag ups at first, second and third base? 

            Answer:  False

 

 5.   Which umpire is responsible for the batter-runner touch of first base on a fly ball to right field?  

      Answer:  The base umpire.

 

 6.   Where should the base umpire go to cover a difficult catch in short, left-center field? 

Answer:  He should go to the edge of the infield grass and get the best angle possible.  Never cross the baseline.

 

 7.   Where does the base umpire go to cover a routine fly ball to left-center field? 

Answer:  He goes to the working area.

 

8.      What communication does the plate umpire say to his partner if the fly ball is hit down the left field line?  

Answer:  “I’ve got the ball!”

 

       9.   True     False    On a fly ball to the right fielder going directly to the foul line, the plate umpire will have responsibility for the catch/no catch, fair/foul and the tag up at third base.                                     

            Answer:  True

 

 10. If the plate umpire has the fly ball catch and the tag up at third base, how can he tell if the runner tags up at third base at the correct time? 

Answer:  He will go up the foul line as far as he knows he can get back to home plate for any possible play there.  He will have to also judge the tag up.  This will be more by a glance and estimation than it is by a for sure thing.  This again is one of the problems with the 2-umpire system.  Again the most important thing is to know the status of the ball and not if someone tagged up on time or too early.

 

 Section 9Bases Loaded 9.4-9.6 9.4 Base Hits to the Outfield 

11. True     False    On a base hit to the outfield the plate umpire is responsible for all touches of home plate and all touches of third base except the batter-runner.                          

      Answer:  True

 

       12.       Describe the working area and what it is used for by the base umpire. 

Answer:  It is a rectangular area behind the mound where the base umpire positions himself to move toward one of the bases based upon where the play develops.  The base umpire can also use it to observe his responsibilities better for touches and tag ups at the bases.

 

       13.       Why is the working area important to use and know? 

Answer:  Because an untrained umpire (happy feet) will tend to go to a possible play too early and take himself out of the real play or another possible play.

 

       14.       On a base hit to the outfield what does the plate umpire do? 

Answer:  He swings out from behind home plate a few feet into foul territory in the direction of third base to watch the runner from second (and first if necessary touch 3rd, watch all runners touch home plate and to observe the play).  He must be ready to move      into position for any play at home plate.  He also should communicate to his partner, “staying home, Bill!”

 

 Fly Balls and Line Drives to the Infield 

15. True     False    The plate umpire has responsibility for all fly balls and line drives to the pitcher and catcher. 

      Answer:  True

 

 16. True     False    The base umpire has responsibility for all fly balls and line drives to any infielder with no exceptions.                     

      Answer:  False      There are exceptions, i.e., any fly ball or line drive that takes the first and/or third baseman toward the foul line.

 

 17.       Where does the plate umpire go to rule on a line drive catch by the first baseman down the first base line? 

Answer:  He takes this play from the first base line extended.

 

       18.       Where does the plate umpire go to rule on a line drive down the third base line? 

Answer:  He takes this play a step or two up the line to make the call unless there are two outs, in which case he should take the play from behind the plate straddling the third base line extended.  He also must be aware of the runner from third blocking his view.  After ruling on a fair ball, the plate umpire must move to get ready for a play at the plate and also watch the touch of third base by any other runners.

 

 Infield Fly Situations      

18.       What is the prearranged signal that this manual suggests for the infield fly situation? 

Answer:  The usual signal is to give the number of outs followed by an open hand with thumb up across the middle of the chest.  Both umpires would signal this to each other.  Either umpire may initiate the signal.

 

       20.       What signal have you used for alerting your partner to the infield fly situation in the past?  

Answer:  The same as this, touching the bill of your cap or something else.  Individual answers may vary.

 

       21.       Which umpire should be the one to call the infield fly first?  

Answer:  There is no restriction on which umpire should initiate the infield fly call except if it is near the line.  If near the line the plate umpire should initiate the call and his partner should then also signal and verbalize the call.  I personally like the idea that the plate umpire initiates the call if the ball is going to be fielded in front of the infielders.  The base umpire would initiate the call if the ball will be fielded behind the infielders.  In my judgment, opinion and experience, the base umpire is closer to the action and can judge if there is ordinary effort on the ball in the outfield.  Likewise, the plate umpire can read the short fly ball better than the base umpire because he has the entire view of the infielders and the base umpire may just be turning at this time.

 

       22.       What is the infield fly verbal call? 

“Infield fly!  Batter is out!”

 

       23.       What does the plate umpire say if it is near a foul line? 

Answer:  “Infield fly if fair!”

 

       24.       When should you decide if it is an infield fly? 

Answer:  When the umpire has seen the infielder is positioned under the ball and after the ball has reached its apex.

 

       25.       By rule state the infield fly conditions that must be met. 

Answer:  2.00 Definition of Infield Fly – An infield fly is a fair fly ball (not including a line drive nor an attempted bunt), which can be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort, when first and second, or first, second, & third bases are occupied before two are out.  The pitcher, catcher and any outfielder who stations himself in the infield on the play shall be considered infielders for the purpose of the rule.

      The ball is alive and runners may advance at the risk of the ball being caught, or retouch and advance after the ball is touched, the same as any fly ball.  If it becomes a foul ball, it is treated the same as any foul.

      If a declared Infield Fly is allowed to fall untouched to the ground, and bounces foul before passing first or third base, it is a foul ball.  If a declared Infield Fly falls untouched to the ground outside the baseline, and bounces fair before passing first or third base, it is an Infield Fly.

      On the infield fly rule the umpire is to rule whether the ball could ordinarily have been handled by an infielder – not by some arbitrary limitation such as the grass, or the base lines.  The umpire must rule also that a ball is an infield fly, even if handled by an outfielder, if, in the umpire’s judgment, the ball could have been easily handled by an infielder.  The infield fly is in no sense to be considered an appeal play.  The umpire’s judgment must govern, and the decision should be made immediately.

      When an infield fly rule is called, runners may advance at their own risk.  If on an infield fly rule, the infielder intentionally drops a fair ball, the ball remains in play despite the provisions of Rule 6.05 (L).  the infield fly rule takes precedence.

   Section 9Bases Loaded – Sections 9.7-9.9 9.7 Ground Balls to the Infield     

Multiple-choice      26.       a    b    c    d          The plate umpire will                                              

                                          a. stay home.    

                                          b. swing out a few feet in foul territory in the direction of third base. 

                                          c. quickly return to home plate for a possible force or tag play.   

                                          d. all of the above. 

            Answer:  d

 

       27. Where does the plate umpire make the fair/foul call on a ball hit down the third base line? 

            Answer:  From behind the plate, straddling the third base line extended.

 

 28. Where does the plate umpire make the fair/foul call on a ball hit down the first base line?           

            Answer:  From behind the plate, straddling the first base line extended.

 

 29. If the ball is thrown to first base for a play on the batter-runner, what three items does the plate umpire have responsibility?  

      Answer:  1) overthrows at first base (dead ball territory), 2) interference by the batter-runner for being out of the 3-foot lane.

      3) help on a swipe tag for the base umpire.

     

 

       30.       On a second to first double play attempt, describe the base umpire’s footwork.  

Answer:  The base umpire will step up, turn with the ball and take several steps toward position B (lateral drift).  As the ball is released toward second base, he will face the play, come to a complete stop and be in a standing set position for the call at second base.  He will be making the call at second base as he is moving toward the 45-foot line.  He will then turn and take 2 or 3 steps toward the 45-foot line on the first base line to establish an angle for the play at first base.  He will go into the hands-on-knees set for the play at first base.

 

       31.       Because there are a variety of possible plays other than the second to first base double play attempt it is extremely important the base umpire does not do what? 

Answer:  Over-commit prematurely to any one possible play.

 

       32.       What other things must the base umpire do in this in this setting?  

Answer:  1) He must show good reactions to the development of the play.  2) He must let the ball take him to the play. 

3) He must bounce back towards the other runners after any initial play on the bases.

 

       34.       On the reverse-force double play, what habit should the base umpire develop? \ 

Answer:  Calling the front end of the reverse-force double play loudly and clearly so everyone is alerted of the initial force play which in turn removes the force on preceding runners, making a tag necessary on those runners.

 

 9.8 Pickoffs and Rundowns     

35.       Which umpire covers the initial throw on a rundown between third and home? 

            Answer:  The base umpire.

 

 36. Does this umpire keep this rundown the entire time? 

Answer:  No.

       37.       How does the plate umpire let the base umpire know he has the third to home rundown? 

Answer:  The plate umpire says, “I’ve got it all, Bill!  I’ve got it all.”

 

       38.       Which umpire has the rundown between first and second base? 

Answer:  The base umpire.

 

       39.       Can the base umpire expect any help on the rundown between first and second base?  

Answer:  No.

 

 9.10  Time Plays      

40.       What is a time play? 

Answer:  Any play that starts with two outs and a runner configuration that includes a runner on second base.

 

       41.       Why is a time play important? 

Answer:  If you know what you are doing and you are alert, you will be able to communicate to everyone very easily if a run scores before or after the third out of the inning.

 

       42.       Does a time play always start with two outs? 

Answer:  No, but that is the definition.

 

       43.       Give me an example of a time play that starts with one out. 

Answer:  Runners on first and third.  R3 tags up on a fly ball to centerfield and R1 was stealing on the pitch and is around second base when the ball is caught in center field.  R1 is trying to get back to first base before the ball gets there ahead of him.  If he is out at first base on the appeal and R3 has scored before he is out at first, the run scores.  If he is out at first occurs before R3 touches home plate, no run scores.