Red Book Quizzes
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Section 6 Runners on First and Second Base, Quiz 6.1 Positioning
1. With runners on first and second base, what position does this manual place the base umpire?
Answer: The C position.
6.2 Fly Balls and Line Drives to the Outfield – Responsibilities
2. What fly ball responsibility does the base umpire have with runners on first and second base?
Answer: The same as with a runner on second base only. The “V” all the way from the left fielder straight in (or straight back) to the right fielder straight in (or straight back).
3. When is it most important to communicate to for the two umpires on fly ball responsibility?
Answer: When the fly ball is hit toward the left or right fielder. The reason here is so that each umpire is certain who has responsibility for any given fly ball or line drive.
6.3 Fly Balls and Line Drives to the Outfield – Coverage and Mechanics
4. Which umpire has the tag-ups at first and second base?
Answer: The base umpire.
5. Which umpire has the play at third base if R2 tags up and advances?
Answer: The plate umpire.
6. What technique should the base umpire use to determine if he should move to the edge of the infield grass or not?
Answer: The Pause-Read-React technique.
7. If the play is a difficult play and the base umpire moves to the edge of the infield grass, what does he do as soon as he recognizes a catch or no catch?
Answer: He sells the call and immediately bounces back to pick up responsibility of the base runners.
8. Again, on all fly ball coverage, what is the first priority?
Answer: The BALL.
9. What words does the plate umpire use to communicate to the base umpire that the plate umpire will be covering third base?
Answer: “I’ve got third, if he tags!”
10. What is necessary for the plate umpire to move into the cutout at third base?
Answer: The ball and the runner. Or in more plain terms, a play.
11. What if the runner from second base doesn’t tag up at second base and come to third?
Answer: The plate umpire should communicate, “Staying home! Staying home!”
12. If the fly ball is down the right field line, the plate umpire communicates, “I’m on the line!” What does this mean?
Answer: The plate umpire will not be covering third base because of other responsibilities.
13. If the fly ball is down the left field line, what does the plate umpire say?
Answer: “I’ve got the ball!”
14. What does “I’ve got the ball!” mean?
Answer: This means the plate umpire has the catch/no catch and fair/foul and he also will follow up with “I’ve got third, if he tags!”
Section 6-4, 6.5 and 6.6Runners on First and Second Base 6.4 Base Hit to the Outfield
15. True False On a base hit to the outfield with runners on first and second base the plate umpire stays at home.
Answer: True
16. The plate umpire has the responsibility for watching all runners including the batter-runner touch third base.
Answer: False – the batter-runner is the base umpire’s responsibility.
17. What plays on the bases does the base umpire have?
Answer: All plays.
18. How does the base umpire decide which play to cover on the bases?
Answer: He lets the ball take him to the play.
19. What should the plate umpire say to the base umpire during a base hit to the outfield with runners on first and second base?
Answer: “Staying home!”
20. Why should he communicate that he is staying home?
Answer: To remind the base umpire that the base umpire has all plays on the bases.
21. Where should the base umpire go and stay if there are no plays on the bases when there are multiple runners?
Answer: The working area.
22. True False Those umpires that go too soon to a play and do not let the ball take him to the play are said to have “happy feet.”
Answer: True, sorry about this one because it is not in the manual. This is what trained umpires call this movement when there really is no place to go but we want to go there anyway.
6.5 There are no questions.6.6 Infield Fly Situations
23.What is the usual infield fly signal used in this manual prior to the pitch?
Answer: The right index finger touching the bill of the cap or top of the mask.
24. What is another pre-signal for the infield fly signal?
Answer: It is an open hand with the thumb up across the middle of the chest.
25. Should both umpires give this signal or just the plate umpire?
Answer: Yes, but I believe the plate umpire should be initiating all signals to alert his partner. The only time that this is not true is if the plate umpire is forgetful or is not very well trained.
26. What does an umpire say and do when he recognizes that the ball that was hit becomes an infield fly?
Answer: “Infield Fly! Batter is out!” while fully extending the right arm with a fist and index fingers
pointing straight up.
27. If it is near a foul line the plate umpire will add what phrase to the above answer?
Answer: “If fair!”
28. What is the purpose of the infield fly rule? This is not found in the mechanics book.
Answer: To prevent a “cheap” double play. This is not found in this manual.
29. When should you declare an infield fly?
Answer: When the umpire sees that the infielder is positioned under the ball and the ball I on its way down
from the top of its apex.
30. What does “ordinary” effort mean?
Answer: When the infielder is facing the infield and after the ball has reached its apex and the skill level of the players is considered and there still is a possible double play at third and second base.
Sections 6.7-6.10Runners on First and Second Base 6.7 Ground Balls to the Infield
31. On most ground balls to the infield the plate umpire will do what?
Answer: He will swing out from behind home plate a few feet into foul territory in the direction of third base but he will stay home for any possible play there.
32. True False The plate umpire is responsible for the touches of third base by R2 and any play at the plate.
Answer: True
33. What is the difference between a double play with a runner on first base only and with runners on first and second base?
Answer: The base umpire is in position B with R1 only and in position C for R1 and R2. Another difference would be that there is no lateral drift necessary in the base umpire’s movement with R1 only and there is a lateral drift with R1 and R2 because of the starting position in C.
34. With R1 and R2 and the ball hit back to the pitcher, what must the base umpire be careful about?
Answer: He should take care not to cross in front of the throw to second base by the pitcher.
35. The base umpire should not over-commit on any ground ball with R1 and R2. Why?
Answer: Because there is more than one possibility for the fielder to make on the play. He could go to 3rd first or first instead of second base.
36. What technique can the base umpire use to prevent from over-committing to any one play?
Answer: He uses the technique of letting the ball take him to the play.
37. Another technique he can use after the initial first play would be to do what?
Answer: Bounce back toward the other possible plays.
6.8 Steals With Runners at First and Second Base
38. What two possibilities exist that the base umpire must be aware of on a steal with R1 and R2?
Answer: The throw could go to third base or second base. It could even go to first base for a pickoff.
6.9 Pickoffs and Rundowns
39. True False If R1 gets in a rundown between first and second, the plate umpire should help out at the first base end.
Answer: False, he can only help out at third base on the lead runner and the base umpire must take the rundown between first and second base by himself.
6.10 Time Plays
40. What time play signal is mentioned in this manual.
Answer: Indicate 2 out and then point down to home plate.
41. What signal do we generally use for a time play in our area of the country.
Answer: Two fingers of the right hand on the back of our left wrist and pointing where we would usually wear a wristwatch. Again this is not found in this manual.
42. Why do we need a time play signal?
Answer: To alert each other that the plate umpire must stay at home to rule if a run scores or not after a third out is recorded on the bases. Again this is not found in the manual.
43. What would the plate umpire say during the play to remind his partner?
Answer: “Staying home, Bill! Staying home!”
44. What does the plate umpire say and do if the run scores before the third out on the bases?
Answer: After the third out is recorded on the bases, the plate umpire would step out in front of the plate and point at the plate twice and say, “That run scores! That run scores! Score that run!” He makes sure the press box sees him do this.
45. What does the plate umpire say and do when the third out is recorded on the bases before the runner touches the plate?
Answer: After the third out is recorded on the bases, the plate umpire would step out in front of the plate and facing the press box, he would wave his arms in a cross-wise fashion in front of his upper body above head level and say, “No run scores! No run scores!”
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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!”
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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.
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Section 8 Quiz - Runners on Second and Third Base
8.1 Positioning
1. Which position does the base umpire begin with runners on second and third base?
Answer: Position C.
8.2 Fly Balls and Line Drives to the Outfield – Responsibilities
2. On a fly ball or line drive directly at the right fielder, which umpire is responsible for the catch?
Answer: The base umpire.
3. Why is it important to communicate in play number two above?
Answer: So that each umpire is certain who has responsibility for any given fly ball to the outfield.
8.3 Fly Balls and Line Drives to the Outfield – Coverage and Mechanics
4. The tag-up at second base belongs to which umpire?
Answer: The base umpire.
5. Which umpire has the play at third base on a tag-up at second and third base?
Answer: The base umpire.
6. What does the base umpire do if it is a difficult catch by the center fielder?
Answer: He moves to the edge of the infield grass and observes the catch/no catch.
7. What technique does the base umpire use on a routine fly ball?
Answer: Step up, turn and face the ball. Then move into the working area.
8. On a fly ball to left-center field with runners on second and third base, what does the plate umpire do?
Answer: The plate umpire will swing out several steps to his left (in the general direction of the third-base dugout) in order to line up the tag at third base. After the catch he immediately moves back home, setting up for a possible play at the plate on the runner from third.
9. What does the plate umpire say to his partner if the ball is down the right field line?
Answer: “I’m on the line!”
10. How far up the first base line does the plate umpire go?
Answer: Only so far that he is CERTAIN that he will have time to get back to home plate for every possible play there on the runner coming from third base.
8.4 Base Hits to the Outfield
11. Describe the plate umpire’s responsibilities on an obvious base hit.
Answer: The plate umpire will stay home and is responsible for all plays at home. The plate umpire also has responsibility for all touches at home plate and for all touches of third except for the batter-runner.
12. What technique does the base umpire use when the ball is hit to the outfield?
Answer: He will step up, turn with the ball and back up only 2 or 3 steps toward the mound to open up the playing field.
13. What are the responsibilities of the base umpire on a base hit to the outfield?
Answer: The base umpire has responsibility for all plays on the bases. He also has responsibility of all touches at first and second base and the batter-runner touching third base.
14. How does the base umpire decide where the play will occur on the bases?
Answer: By observing where the throw is going and letting the ball take him to the play.
15. What communication can the plate umpire say to put his partner’s mind at ease?
Answer: “Staying home, Bill!” as a reminder that the base umpire has all plays on the bases and that the plate umpire will remain at home.
8.5 Fly Balls and Line Drives to the Infield
16. True False The base umpire has all catches at the third baseman all the way to the first baseman.
Answer: True
8.6 Ground Balls to the Infield
17. On a ground ball to the shortstop, what are the possible type plays?
Answer: Tag play at home plate on R3, tag play at third base on R3, tag play at third base on R2, tag play at second base on R2 and a force play at first base on the batter-runner.
8.7 Rundowns
18. Yes No Can the base umpire help on a rundown between third base and home plate?
Answer: Yes
19. True False The plate umpire should help the base umpire in a rundown between second and third base.
Answer: False
8.8 Time Play
20. What is the prearranged “time play” signal used in the PBUC manual that we have been studying?
Answer: The umpire indicates that there are two outs and then points down at home plate.
- Details
- Parent Category: Larry's Corner
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.
