PBUC Quiz #10 from the Manual for the 2-Umpire System (Red Book)

Section 10 QuizAdditional Procedures  10.1     Position For Plays at the Plate 

1.      What does PBUC recommend for positioning for plays at the plate? 

Answer:  Take the play by starting on the “point” of the plate, then swing to the left (i.e., 1st base line extended) or right (i.e., 3rd base line extended), depending on the direction of the throw to the plate and the anticipated closeness of the play.  The plate umpire must be certain he is completely set for the play.

 

 2.      What is the generally accepted optional position for a swipe tag?  

Answer:  The third base line extended.

 

 3.      What is the preferred position for a blocking the plate tag?  

Answer:  The first base line extended.

 

 4.      Blocking of the plate occurs more often on a throw originating from which side of the infield? 

Answer:  The left side.

 

 5.      Swipe tags usually occur on throws originating from which side of the infield? 

Answer:  The right side.

 

 6.      When taking a throw from the 3rd base line extended, what must the plate umpire guard against? 

Answer:  He must be careful not to have the runner run or slide into him.

 

 

      10.2           Hands-On-Knees Set      

7.   The “ready” position for the base umpire in all of Minor League Baseball is a               -      -                        . 

            Answer:  hands-on-knees set (HOKS)

 

       8.   With no runners on base, the base umpire should be in his HOKS when? 

            Answer:  As the pitcher is preparing to deliver the ball to the batter.

 

       9.   When is it recommended for the base umpire to go into his HOKS with runners on base? 

            Answer:  When the pitcher takes his sign from the catcher.

 

       10. Why does PBUC want the base umpire in the HOKS? 

Answer:  Because of the appearance and image it portrays.  Someone that is truly ready to move into action.  It prevents the appearance of being lazy.  Remember, PERCEPTION IS REALITY.

 

 10.3     Signaling “No Trip”      

11.       What is the signal for no trip? 

Answer:  Waving a closed fist back and forth while verbally telling the opposing manager “No trip!”

 

       12.       Why does the plate umpire have to go with the manager to the mound on a possible injury trip?  

Answer:  To make sure the manager does not abuse his privilege.

 

 10.4     Procedures for Lineup Changes       

13.       Should the plate umpire confirm a lineup change with the manager? 

Answer:  By rule, the plate umpire must confirm the change with the manager.

 

      14. How do you confirm with the manager?

 

Answer:  If it is a batter or runner, just look at the dugout and get a nod from the manager.  If it is a defensive player it is a little more formal.  He probably will point to you and then to the position.

 

      15. Besides making the change on your lineup card, what else should you do?

 

Answer:  As a courtesy to the other manager, you need to inform him.

 

       16.       Who else needs to be informed?  

Answer:  The press box.

 

       17.       How do you inform the press box? 

Answer:  Get the attention of the press box from behind home plate.  Then point at the new batter, runner or defensive substitution.

 

       18.       Do you go to the opposing manager’s dugout? 

Answer:  No.

 

 19.      How far do you go? 

Answer:  Get his attention and point out the substitution to the opposing manager.

 

 20.      When would you confer directly with the opposing manager? 

Answer:  When there are multiple substitutions.

 

 21.      How do you indicate multiple substitutions to the press box? 

Answer:  Procedures for doing this are in Section 2.6 of the PBUC Umpire Manual.  The manual describes how to indicate straight-up changes and flip-flop changes. 

10.5           Procedures for Pitching Changes      

22.       When does a base umpire go toward the bullpen to get the new pitcher? 

Answer:  After the manager has signaled for the new pitcher.

 

       23.       When does the plate umpire go to the mound on a second trip?  

Answer:  If the manager has not indicated the change by the time he reaches the dirt on the mound, the plate umpire will go to the mound and find out what his change will be.  This is not necessarily the same in Federation since there is no second time in an inning limit.  NCAA is the same as pro baseball in this regard.

 

 24.  What does this manual say that a Minor League Baseball umpire should not do to get a new pitcher?  

Answer:  He should not wave his cap to indicate the change.

 

 25.  How should the base umpire go toward the bullpen? 

Answer:  He should jog until it is apparent the new pitcher has stopped warming up and is preparing to enter the playing field.  

 

26.  What should the base umpire do once the new pitcher has started toward the field? 

 

 

Answer:  He should stop jogging momentarily and make sure the new pitcher is actually leaving the bullpen.  Once the pitcher is on his way, the base umpire will jog back to the infield.

 

 27.  Where should the base umpire go during the new pitcher’s warm-up?  

Answer:  There are no suggestions for this but I have a suggestion.  Make sure you are aware of what is happening and probably be in a position close to where you will be when play commences.  Position B or C in most cases.  Sometimes you will go to Position A.  This is especially true after a home run.  Count the warm-up pitches in case your partner is distracted.  This is definitely not the time to engage in conversation with players, coaches or managers.  Be professional.  Some umpires will jog to the outfield behind the B or C positions.  I don't think this is necessary but it is what some umpires do to avoid any possible confrontation with the coach/manager on the mound.

 

 28.  What should the plate umpire do after recording the lineup changes and having it announced to those concerned? 

Answer:  It is recommended he watch some pitches from the new pitcher but it is not required.

 

 29.  How many pitches does the new pitcher get? 

Answer:  Eight

 

 30.  What would allow you to give him more than eight?  

Answer:  Injury, illness, ejection or some other sudden emergency.

 

  31.  If the manager is making a double-switch and he goes directly to the plate umpire, what should the plate umpire do?  

Answer:  He should signal the base umpire immediately regarding the new pitcher so that the pitching change can be expedited.

 

 10.6           Position Between Innings  

1.      Where can you find the proper position for the plate umpire and base umpire between innings?            

Answer:  See Section 7.11 of the PBUC Umpire Manual.  This is a Black book as opposed to the Red book that is the 2-umpire system. 

             7.11     Proper position between innings      The proper position for base umpires between innings is a few steps onto the outfield grass, approximately midway between first and second (or between second and third).  Umpires should not stand in a position between innings, which prompts conversation with players, managers, or coaches.      The proper position for the plate umpire between innings is on the first or third base foul line, one-fourth to one-half the way up the line from home plate.      The idea in each of these positions is for the umpire to be in a “neutral” position between innings, one which does not prompt conversations or confrontations with players, coaches, or managers.      If the plate umpire is having trouble during a particular inning, he is to go to the opposite foul line from the team’s dugout between innings.  The same holds true for base umpires.  That is, if trouble can be expected from a player coming onto the field to take his position between innings, the base umpire should not station himself in an area, which prompts a confrontation with that player.  I believe you should usually be going to the opposite side of the team that just finished batting because this will avoid confrontation with anyone that you may have called a strike on in that inning that he did not agree with you.  Especially if you are a pitcher’s umpire go to the side of the pitcher coming off the field.  This is LG’s idea and not necessarily the consensus idea of all umpires. 

2.      What is this position called? 

Answer:  It is known as the “neutral” position.

 

 3.      Where is the base umpire’s neutral position? 

A few steps onto the outfield grass, approximately midway between first and second base.

Why?  Because we are trying to avoid any conversations and confrontations with players, coaches or managers.

 

 4.      How is the base umpire supposed to get to his neutral position at the end of an inning? 

Answer:  Base umpires are to jog (not sprint) to their position at the start and the end of each inning.

 

 5.      What is the proper position for the plate umpire between innings?  

Answer:  First or third foul line about 1/3 to ½ the way up the line from home plate.  My suggestion is to most of the time go to the opposite side of the last out in order to avoid confrontation with anyone that may have been called out on strikes.  However, common sense should rule here.  If there was a pitcher that was not happy that inning, you might want to go away from his dugout that ½ inning.

 

 

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