THREE UMPIRE MECHANICS FOR NCAA

A Quick Reference No attempt is made to show exact positioning or to detail the umpire movements

• Starting PositionsThere are only three different positions you will ever be in at the start of the pitch

1. Standard position2. Rotated position3. Counter-rotated position1. Standard Starting Position

A. Use when no runners are on

P: Behind the plate

U1 & U3: On the line in foul territory, 18-20 feet from the base, standing, facing the plate

B. Use when there is a runner on third base only

P: Behind the plate

U1: On the line in foul territory, 18-20 feet from the base, standing, facing the plate

U3: On the line in foul territory, 8-10 feet from the base, set position, facing the plate

2. Rotated Starting PositionA. Use when there is a runner on first base only

P; Behind the plate

U1: On the line in foul territory, 8-10 feet from the base, set position, facing the plate

U3: On an imaginary line extending from third base through second base and straight out towards right centerfield, 10 feet beyond second base, set position, facing the plate

3. Counter-rotated Starting PositionA. Use in every runner configuration other than no one on, runner on first only and runner on third only

P: Behind the plate

U1: Depending on where the runners are, somewhere in the 30 feet between 15 feet from first base and 15 feet from second base, optimally no more than 15 feet behind the baseline, set position, facing the plate

U3: Depending on where the runners are 8-12 feet from third base, in foul territory, set positon, facing the plate

• When and How Umpires RotateSolid line is Initial Responsibility. Dashed line is Subsequent Responsibility.Lines DO NOT indicate umpire movement path, only umpire base responsibility

1. From the Standard Starting PositonA. No runners on base

P: Responsible for third base.

U1: Initially responsible for first base and subsequently responsible for home plate

U3: Initially responsible for second base and subsequesntly responsible for first and second base

B. Runner on third only - if R3 does not commit to home plate, this rotation will not occur

P: Initially responsible for home plate, subsequently responsible for third base

U1: Initially responsible for first base and subsequently responsible for home plate

U3: Initially responsible for third base, subsequently responsible for second base and first base

2. From the Rotated Starting Position

P: Resonsible for third base

U1: Initially responsible for first base and subsequently responsible for home plate

U3: Initially responsible for second base, subsequently responsible for first and second base

3. From the Counter-Rotated Starting Position with either a runner on second only or runners on second and third only - in either configuration, if R2 does not commit to home plate, this rotation will not occur

P: Responsible for home plate, subsequently responsible for third base if U3 rotates to second base

U1: Responsible for first base, subsequently responsible for second base unless U3 rotates into to second. If U3 rotates into second base, U1 is subsequently responsible for home plate

U3: Responsible for third base, subsequently may be responsible for second base unless U1 is taking second base

• Fly Ball Coverage - Chasing1. From the Standard Starting Position

P: No chase responsibilities unless U1 or U3 do not chase

U1: Responsible from right field dead ball line to center fielder

U3: Responsible from left field dead ball line to center fielder

2. From the Rotated Starting Position - Vee

P: Responsible from the left field dead ball line to the left fielder

U1: Responsible from the right field dead ball line to to the right fielder

U3: Responsible from the right fielder to the left fielder

P: Responsible from the right field dead ball line to the right fielder

U1: Responsible from the right fielder to the center fielder

U3: Responsible from the left field dead ball line to the center fielder

3. From the Counter-Rotated Starting Position - Wedge

• Tag Up ResponsibilitiesLines indicate the base or bases an umpire is responsible for. The lines do not indicate umpire movement or positioning.A. No umpires chases

Runner on First U1 has Tag at First

Runner on Second U1 has Tag at Second

Runner on Third U3 has Tag at Third

Runners on First & Second U1 has Tag at First & Second

Runners on First & Third U1 has Tag at First • U3 has Tag at Third

Runners on Second & Third U1 has Tag at Second • U3 has Tag at Third

Bases Loaded U1 has Tag at First & Second • U3 has Tag at Third

B. When an umpire chases

continuedB. When an umpire chases

• Umpire Responsibilities for Runners Leaving Before the Pitch is Released