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| Suggested Three Umpire System Mechanics for Nassau County 2007 The plate umpire should go over procedures that can be easily followed with partners in a pre?game meeting with officials. Techniques that most resemble the usual systems practiced during the regular season of play will help umpires to concentrate on making the correct calls rather than concentrating new positions to be taken or changed responsibilities. The goal is to be comfortable with the system to be used. For 2007 especially when no one is on base, let's GO OUT ON ALL FLY BALLS TO THE OUTFIELD (not on obvious hits to the outfield or line drives that drop well in front of fielders). Get a good angle and try not to run directly at the fielder. The first and third base umpires split the outfield responsibility. Third base umpire takes flies directly to the center fielder and to her left; first base umpire takes flies to the right of the center fielder. The plate umpire will have no "outfield" fly ball responsibility when no one is on base. On a routine catch, although no call or signal is required, it looks professional if we at least raise the fist when the ball is caught. If no catch takes place and you are out there, stay out there. A two-umpire system will handle the sole base runner very well. In NASSAU COUNTY WHEN A RUNNER OR RUNNERS ARE ON BASE, make the choice to go out to the outfield as you would in the regular two umpire system (when you anticipate a difficult catch or for a long fly ball or looping liner down the line). If you definitely go out to the outfield, STAY OUT THERE. You have "catch", "no catch", "fair, 'foul", "live", "dead". Your partners will assume a two-man system. If you don't need to go to the outfield, come into the infield as usual and button hook to watch bases being touched and pick up runners moving or tagging up. Theplate umpire will call and signal the catches in the outfield. |
| In NASSAU COUNTY try to let the plate umpire take tag ups from third base for all occasions since the plate umpire is used to this during regular season play. The third base umpire can judge tag ups from second base and the first base umpire can judge tag-ups from first base if no umpire goes out to the outfield to judge a fly ball catch. Otherwise use standard two man tag up responsibilities when an umpire goes out to the outfield. In NASSAU COUNTY we do not automatically share fair and foul call with balls landing on, bounding over or first landing near but over first or third bases. Occasionally when no one is on, an umpire standing on the foul line might be able to assist, but often he/she must be on the move to be ahead of a possible play. If you choose to share fair/foul coverage, the plate umpire has the call on a ball up to the front edge of the base. Base umpire can have the call on a ball landing on the base, bounding over the base or first falling beyond the base. THE ROTATION SYSTEM used when three umpires officiate a game is ALWAYS CLOCKWISE. The rotation system is in effect whenever the first base umpire is located in the starting position down the foul line at first base prior to the pitch ( as long as he/she or the other umpire doesn't go out on a difficult fly ball situation ). During normal rotation, once the first base umpire has completed his/her responsibilities for a play at first, he/she moves toward home plate and, if need be, usually to the right hand batter's box (first baseline extended position ) for a possible call at the plate. The plate umpire moves out from behind the plate, and then releases and goes up to the third base "holding area' and onto fair ground if a possible call needs to be made there. |
| Obviously, there is NO ROTATION possible when the first base umpire is positioned behind and between the second baseman and second base at the time of the pitch. This is called the counter?rotated position for the first base umpire. When does the first base umpire start at the first base foul line position? When is the rotation possibility in effect? 1. No one on (and no umpire has gone out to the outfield). 2. Runner on first base only (and no umpire has gone out to the outfield). 3. Runner on third base only (and no umpire has gone out to the outfield). When does the third base umpire start in the third base foul line position? I . No one on. 2. Runner on third base only. 3. Basesloaded 4. Anytime second base is occupied. 5. Runners on first base and third base. When does the first base umpire start in the counter rotated or second base position behind and between second base and the second baseman? 1. Anytime second base is occupied. 2. Runners on first base and third base. When does the third base umpire start in the position behind and between the second baseman and second base? 1. Runner on first only. Responsibilities for judging runners leaving the base too soon prior to a pitch release: First Base Umpire: Watch first base with runner on first only or first and third only. Watch second base anytime a runner on second. Third Base Umpire: Watch first base when runners on first and second. Watch third base anytime a runner on third. Watch first and third when bases loaded. Who brushes the pitchers plate? The third base umpire does this as the fielding team exits to their dugout and before the pitcher takes her warm up pitches. Where to stand between innings... First and third base umpires go to the neutral zones in the outfield unless you need to communicate with the plate umpire when he/she is positioned along the foul line. COMMUNICATE with each other while moving into various positions during action. Especially, communicate if you deviate. |
| N.Y.S. suggests several helpful signals that you may or may not choose to incorporate into your particular umpiring crew. 1. Point down to signify no rotation in effect. 2. Circle wrists to signify rotation in effect. 3. Arms extended forward in "V" to signify splitting the outfield coverage on fly balls. 4. Thumbs pointing back over shoulders to signify that an official has fly coverage from left fielder to right fielder. 5. Timed play with two outs by touching wrist where watch would be worn and extending two fingers. 6. Leaving too soon on a pitch release to alert partners that you know who you are in charge of by brushing hip and pointing to base runner. Those doing Regional games in Nassau will want to review these possible techniques with any first base umpire assigned from Suffolk. |