1. 3.1 Positioning. True - False. R1 only. The position of the base umpire is midway between the back edge of the grass of the pitcher's mound and the second base cutout, on the third base side of the field.
Answer: False, since the runner is on first base only, there would be little sense to being
on the 3rd base side or in the C position. So, you should be in the B position instead.
2. 3.1 Positioning. True - False. R1 only. The base umpire should be squared to the front edge of home plate.
Answer: True, because of the variety of things he has to do as the only base umpire. In 3-umpire mechanics the base umpire in many situations may be able to be in the deep B or C position because his responsibilities are reduced. In 2-umpire mechanics, you have the following priorities, balk, pick-off at 1st by the pitcher, check-swing by the batter, steal of 2nd base, batted ball, pick-off after the pitch by the catcher at first base. This is why you have to not only be in the ½ way position between the mound and 2nd base and on the tangent line but you need to be square to the plate and not to the baseline or the pitcher.
3. Why is it important that the base umpire is not too deep towards second base when he assumes his initial position?
Answer: If he is too deep he will have a bad angle for the pickoff at first base and also it will be more difficult to get a good angle on the play at first base on the back end of a double play.
4. 3.2 Fly balls and line drives to the outfield - responsibilities. R1 only. True or False. The base umpire is responsible for all fly balls and line drives between the left and right fielder.
Answer: True and this will be the same no matter what runner configuration we have after this. This is the standard operating procedure in all 2-umpire mechanics manuals.
5. 3.3 Fly balls and line drives to the outfield - coverage's and mechanics. True - False. R1 only. On difficult plays (trouble balls) in the outfield that belong to the base umpire, he should move to the edge of the infield grass in the direction the ball is hit to make the call.
Answer: True, this will help him sell the call by being 15-20 feet closer to the play.
6. Which umpire has the responsibility for the fly balls that take the right fielder straight back toward the fence?
Answer: The base umpire.
7. Why is it important to communicate after the ball is hit on a fly ball directly at the left fielder?
Answer: Because each umpire is then certain who has responsibility for any given fly ball or line drive to the outfield.
8. 3.3 Fly balls and line drives to the outfield - coverage's and mechanics. True - False. R1 only. The base umpire will assume the "working area: on routine fly balls.
Answer: True, because this opens up the field of play for the base umpire and he can concern himself with all of his responsibilities besides just the catch or no catch. He will be able to observe R1 touching 2nd or tagging up at 1st base and also the batter-runner touching 1st base. He will be able to observe obstruction by the 1st baseman on the batter-runner or R1.
9. 3.3 Fly balls and line drives to the outfield - coverage's and mechanics. True - False. R1 only. The working area is a triangular area directly behind the mound.
Answer: False - rectangular
10. What is the significance of the "working area?"
Answer: From the working area, the base umpire is in good position for observing his responsibilities and for moving into proper position as plays develop. The working area is like a staging area for the base umpire. He waits in the working area to determine if he needs to go anywhere else. If there is no play anywhere else, he does not move at all. Only when the umpire anticipated a potential play should he move out of the "working area" and into position for his play. This is an important concept with multiple runners. If there is only one runner for the base umpire, the base umpire will move toward that runner or "shade" that play.
11. 3.3 Fly balls and line drives to the outfield - coverage's and mechanics. Short answer. R1 only. If the ball is on the right field line the plate umpire will communicate, "I'm on the line!" What does this indicate to his partner?
Answer: This indicates that the plate umpire will not have the normal 1st-to-3rd responsibility on this play and it lets the base umpire know that he does not have any responsibility for the catch/no catch or fair/foul.
12. 3.3 Fly balls and line drives to the outfield - coverage's and mechanics. Short answer. R1 only. If the fly ball is down the left field line, what does the plate umpire communicate to his partner?
Answer: "I've got the ball!" or "That's my ball!"
13. 3.3 Fly balls and line drives to the outfield - coverage's and mechanics. True - False. R1 only. If the ball is not caught in a ball down the left field line, which umpire would cover third?
Answer: The plate umpire.
14. 3.3 Fly balls and line drives to the outfield - coverage's and mechanics. True - False. R1 only. Which umpire has responsibility of the batter-runner passing R1 near first base on a fly ball to center field?
Answer: The plate umpire.
3.4 Base Hits to the Outfield; First-to-Third Responsibilities
15. What should the base umpire do on a single to right field with R1?
Answer: Step up, turn with the ball and back up only 2 or 3 steps towards the mound to open up the playing field.
16. What is the area behind the mound called?
Answer: The working area.
17. What should the base umpire do in this area?
Answer: Maintain his position in the working area and not be drawn unnecessarily towards a base without a potential play developing there. In other words, don't get "happy feet."
18. What responsibilities does the base umpire have?
Answer: He has to watch the touch of second by R1, touch of first by the BR, the status of the ball, and any play at first or second. He also must listen for communication from the plate umpire and if no communication, check why not and maybe cover a play at third base if his partner has not started for third.
19. Since the plate umpire has the responsibility for covering third on a single, what path does the plate umpire take on the way to third base?
Answer: He should approach third base in foul territory at least three to six feet off the line.
20. What communication does the plate umpire say to his partner?
Answer: "I've got third, if he comes!"
21. If the plate umpire reads a play at third base, what does he do and say?
Answer: He busts into the cutout at 3rd and says, "I've got third! I've got third!"
22. When the base umpire hears his partner's communication, he releases the responsibility of R1 to the plate umpire and then has responsibility for only the batter. What does he do now?
Answer: He checks over his shoulder to see what B1 is doing. If B1 is trying for second base, the base umpire will move toward the second base cutout, if B1 rounds first and holds there, the base umpire will slide closer to the first base cutout.
23. What if there is no play at third base because R1 makes it without a throw?
Answer: The plate umpire communicates with his partner, "Going home! Going home!"
24. If R1 is out at third base, how does the plate umpire get back home?
Answer: The plate umpire will pivot out of the cutout and head back to home in foul territory, keeping the ball in front of him and his eyes on the ball.
25. If R1 is safe at third base and the ball is back to the pitcher, how does the plate umpire return to the plate?
Answer: He keeps his eye on the ball and after it is thrown to the pitcher, he should pivot out of the cutout, come across the third base line into foul territory, and head back to home plate using a cross step. He should also communicate to his partner, "You've got the runners!"
26. If R1 is safe and the ball is overthrown and R1 gets up and starts home, how does the plate umpire get home?
Answer: The plate umpire will stay in fair territory and take R1 back to third or home. He should pivot out of the cutout with his left leg opening towards home and move in fair territory in the direction of the home plate cutout. He makes sure to stay off the foul line so as to avoid interfering with the runner. He should keep his eye on the ball as he moves in fair territory toward the home plate cutout. There could be runner interference, obstruction, fan interference, base coach interference or the ball may go into dead ball territory. Take the play at the plate in the cutout if possible and try to get the best angle and distance for the play.