NFHS -PIAA Three Umpire Mechanics Developed by Brian Sonak District 6 Rules Interpreter Reviewed and Edited By Dennis Mader Dr. Robert A.

Transcription

1 NFHS -PIAA Three Umpire Mechanics Developed by Brian Sonak District 6 Rules Interpreter Reviewed and Edited By Dennis Mader Dr. Robert A. Lombardi Three Umpire Mechanics Agenda The Basics Responsibilities Positioning Fly ball coverage Rotations Passing the Baton Helpful hints Three Umpire Mechanics Provides coverage for most situations Umpires must be on top of their game The three of you are a crew and each play an important role You must know YOUR responsibility 1

2 Three Umpire Mechanics Currently, the PIAA endorses the three-umpire mechanics provided by the NFHS. This presentation is designed to use all NFHS / PIAA philosophy. The purpose of this presentation is to give you the general ideas and positioning, not map out every scenario. Follow the basics. Deviate you communicate what does this mean? Three Umpire Mechanics Checking equipment Do as a crew, bats, helmets, catcher s equipment, etc. Walk the field spread out, do not walk should Three Umpire Mechanics The Basics Inside / outside theory when the ball is hit outside, you go inside (base umpires) Chase all fly balls that you (BASE UMPIRES) believes will be a difficult call for the Plate Umpire. Starting positions are situational, based on where runner(s) start 2

3 Responsibilities Plate Umpire Pitch balls and strikes Pitcher s hands (for Legal Pitch s) 3 running lane Some plays at home, some plays at third Tag up s: only when an bseumpire chases (standard 2-umpire mechanics) Fly ball coverage Force PASSING THE BATON *BE THE CREW LEADER! Responsibilities Both U1 and U3 have Pitcher s feet on all pitches and from any starting position Fly ball / chasing responsibilities: U1: F8 to Right Fielder to Dead Ball line if on the line,or F7 -F9 if not on line U3: F8 to Left Fielder to Dead Ball if on the line, or F7 -F9 if not on the line Leaving early: U1: all runners on 2 nd ; runner on 1 st if only runner U3: all runners on 3 rd ; runner on 1 st if other runners on base Responsibilities - Shared At all times, umpires must work together as a crew. The crew must communicate, move efficiently and effectively, read the play and each other. No one wants to witness a breakdown. If U1 or U3 chase, you are now a 2-umpire crew (assume Base Umpire / Plate Umpire 2- umpire responsibilities) 3

4 Positioning - Calling and Staring Calling position (Plate Umpire and Base Umpire s): 18 on a force play (angle to see all elements) on a tag play (90 0 from runner) not the throw This is not different, just a reminder No Runners On (Standard) Note: this is also for runner at 3 rd only EXCEPT 3 BU CLOSER 1- to 12 Runner on First (Rotated) right foot should be in line with edge of 2B and square to the plate on the line, square to plate 4

5 Positioning: Rotated U1: from first, you are SQUARE to the plate. You are watching for LEGAL Pitch s and R1 leaving early. U3: 12 from second base, on the extended line connecting third and second. You do not want to be too far back. On a steal attempt, you will want no movement (or slight adjustment). You are also square to the plate You have check swing for Left Hand Batter s) Counter-Rotated (2 nd, 1 st /3 rd, 2 nd /3 rd, 1 st /2 nd /3 rd ) on line square to plate Shade to the side of the lead runner Square to plate Positioning: Countered Rotated Runner combinations of bases loaded, 2 nd only, 2 nd and 3 rd, 1 st and 2 nd, or 1 st and 3 rd Always in a set position pre-pitch U1: Shade to the side that will be your most difficult call (Pre-Pitch), be to the left / right of F4. U3: from third base, on the line with hips square to home. Your primary is a steal of third (runner at 2 nd ) or pick off (runner at 3 rd ). If there is a runner at third, you may step off the line enough for visibility. 5

6 Positioning: Countered Rotated Leaving early responsibilities: U1: Always the runner at second; runner at first only if 1 st and 3 rd. U3: Always the runner at third; runner at 1 st if there is a runner at 2 nd (looking across the infield). Positioning and Movement - Ball In Play When the ball is in play, each umpire will move - either to a calling position or by chasing a fly ball. Movement should quick, efficient and AGGRESSIVE when one vacates, another one fills. Although you may not have to make a call, there is always a job to do, all umpires should be aware of possible plays Movement Chasing a fly ball Know the chase areas: U1: F8 to Right Fielder Dead Ball if on the line; F7 to F9 U3: F8 to Left Fielder Dead Ball if on the line; F7 to F9 Chase parallelto ball or straddling the foul line (if the ball is hit close to the foul line). Don t overrun the ball. STOP and make a good call. Chase anything that you believe will be a difficult call for the plate umpire. When chasing, give a verbal to your partners. GOING and POINT UP PU: when an umpire chases, let the remaining partner know you are in a 2-umpire system. 6

7 Fly Ball / Chase Zones Standard F8 to LFDB F8 to RFDB, first right of refusal Movement Chasing a fly ball What is First right of refusal? When a ball it hit to center field (or any other division line between the base umpire chase zones), U1 has the primary OPTION to chase. U3 needs to read U1 When a base umpire chases, use standard 2-umpire mechanics, including tag-up responsibilities Fly Ball / Chase Zones: Rotated F7 to F9 F9 to RFDB F7 to LFDB 7

8 Fly Ball/Chase Zones: Counter-Rotated F7 to LFDB F7 to F9 F9 to RFDB Positioning and Movement - Rotation Movement should quick and efficient and AGGRESSIVE. From the standard and rotated position, rotate clockwise From a counter-rotated position, there is NO rotation Communication is key Positioning and Movement - Rotation Umpires should move in predictable ways in that one should know the responsibilities of your partner. However, an umpire should never assume the play is covered. Look Ahead of the runner Calling time is NOT always necessary to get back into position after rotation. Plate Umpire is the General 8

9 Rotation Standard This happens when a is hit into the outfield with no base umpire chasing. U1 Buttonhook into the infield (tight to 1 st ). Watch the runner touch, then move to home when she advances past 2 nd. U3 Move to calling position at second, prepare to pick up runner when she comes into second PU Move to inside position at third. Standard rotation Rotation Rotated This happens with a runner on 1 st, a ball hit that no one chased OR fly ball into PU s area. U1 When lead runner advances past second, rotate home (foul territory, 3 rd base side, as there is a runner starting on first). U3 You will have the runner into second, when she moves to third, pick up batter / runner from first PU Inside position at third. 9

10 Rotated Starting Position Responsibilities Tag Up s If an umpire chases, revert to 2-umpire tag up responsibilities. If no umpire chases: U1: Runner on first at all times; U3: Runner on second if only runner, 1 st and 2nd or bases loaded. PU: Runner on third always; or runner on second if 1 st and 2 nd and U3 chases Helpful Hints -PU You are the leader of the crew. You have the vision to see all rotations, never turning your back on the ball. You must be prepared to rotate AGGRESSIVELYto third when U3 vacates. Most rotation breakdown occur when third base is left open. Take an inside position at third, watch for throws from F7 to the plate. With R1 at first, it is typical to see a bunt play. You have responsibilities both on the play at first and at third. Hustle on either 10

11 Helpful Hints U3 When U1 vacates, you must pick up the runner at first. Move to calling position at second with no runners on a base hit. If U1 chases with no one on (hit to F9), YOU are responsible for the play at first (even if this is the Batter Runner) Your path may be more through the circle than to second. If U1 chases with a runner on first, you have the tag and the throw back (think 2-umpire system). Helpful Hints U3 In the counter-rotated starting position, if U1 does not chase, don t feel you have to go anywhere. You don t need happy feet, you can work in foul ground to avoid the runner. In the counter-rotated starting position, if U1 does chase, you must take the runner at second (or coming to second). This includes the tag-up. You must make this move quickly. Good starting position in rotated and counter rotated position, do not be too deep. Helpful Hints U1 When a runner has advanced beyond second, you are needed at home. You can pass the BR while you are in foul territory if you READ extra base hit When you get to the plate, take the position as the PU would DO NOT stop short of the correct calling position unless the play beats you there 11

12 Helpful Hints U1 With a runner on first, your starting distance is 10, do not be too deep. Hips square to the plate. NOTE: when you are in this position, and then a force play happens at first, you will need to give ground at first. Remember-18 to 21 on a force play. Miscellaneous Check swings: Right Hand batters, go to U1; Left Hand batters go to U3. Sweeping the pitchers plate Use this order A -the umpire who doesn t make the last out call. B -if no base umpire makes a call, the umpire not on the line C if both umpires on the line U3 Miscellaneous When the play is finished, base umpires move into position, PU moves when the two are in position. PASSING THE BATON The play isn t over until the runners are on their base and the ball is in the circle. Passing the Baton!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Live or Dead ball appeals Check Swings / going for help Pre-Pitch Preparation (P-P-P) 12

13 Summary Know your starting positions. Move from your starting position to your calling position. Do not forget the Secondary Position Read the play, read your partner, be PATIENT, and then move aggressively. Never be in a hurry to be somewhere, but when you need to be somewhere, GET THERE. Communicate, communicate and communicate QUESTIONS???? Have a good game and post season Be the best umpire you can be! 13