"If One Picture Is Worth 1000 Words ...."

Photo's and Comments by Dave Harris

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Each picture includes an extended caption which describes the action and the umpire's position. Hopefully this will help both rookie and veteran alike to better visualize some of the positioning.

	Here you see an umpire working what is commonly called "the slot." Notice he is set up off the catcher's inside (in this case left) shoulder and looking into the strike zone between the hitter and catcher. The picture is, of course, Cal Ripken blasting one, but notice that even though the pitch has been delivered and Cal has already launched it the ump is still in his crouch. He has practiced good mechanics and stayed down for the entire action.
	Here we see another angle of the slot position, again for a right-handed hitter. If the hitter is left-handed the ump would be off the catcher's right shoulder. Notice here that the ump is close, but still gives the catcher plenty of room and does not crowd him.
	Here the umpire is using a different stance - the scissor stance. Note one leg is extended well behind the other as he crouches to see the pitch. Also note his head is up to provide good vision. This is a good stance, though many umps find it tiring. It is purely a personal choice.
	Here is an umpire using the slot stance for a left-handed hitter. Notice that the hitter has already hit the ball (you can just see his bat as he finishes the swing) but the ump is just now rising from his crouch. His head has already come up as he picked up the flight of the batted ball.
	In this shot the ump is using the one-knee stance where he kneels on one knee. I personally use this stance as I feel it gives me the most solid foundation and prevents weaving on my part, as well as placing my eyes at the same level each time. Many umps feel this stance is too tiring and don't feel the have enough mobility to get up quickly. Again it is pure personal choice. NOTE: This ump is giving the catcher PLENTY of room -- in my opinion too much room!
	Here the field ump gets into position to make a call at second base. Notice he is getting a good angle on the play and that he has allowed the ball to pass him. Now as he watches the flight of the ball his vision is drawn naturally to the play.
	The umpire's duties are many and varied, and one of the first before every game is the plate conference. In this shot the umps go over ground rules in a spring training game between the Mets and the Red Sox. This is where a good ump can head off potential trouble spots!
	One of the umpire's more mundance duties is cleaning the plate, but he must do it! Here the ump demonstrates the proper method, turning his back to the pitcher as he cleans the plate with his plate brush.
	In this shot one umpire puts himself between an irate manager and his partner. An umpiring crew is a team and a good ump will always support his partner(s) even if it means putting himself in some jeopardy. A good ump NEVER leaves his partner(s) out to dry!

Well, I hope you enjoyed this little tour of the umpire's duties in pictures and that it was helpful to you. This only scratches the surface of the umpire's duties, of course, but maybe it helps understand those descriptions of the various positions you hear all the time.