A Summary of

by Joel Balberman

In working the two umpire system, it is essential that each umpire know his/her responsibilities, and then execute them. There is a lot of territory to cover out on the diamond. The worst things that can happen are that no one is there to make a call on a play, or, the umpires make two different calls on the same play.

The duties of the plate umpire are described in Rule 10-2. The rule book has little to say about the role of the base umpire; consider the following as an addition to your rule book:

DUTIES OF THE BASE UMPIRE

1. Hustle at all times.
2. Be on top of the play.
3. Watch for lead-offs, tags-ups and touched bases.
4. Call the illegal pitch.
5. Be prepare to provide check swing assistance.
6. Watch for interference and obstruction.
7. Call and signal foul ball on batted balls that hit the batter in the batter's box.

By following the system outlined below, even umpires that have never worked together before will know who is to make the call.

1. The plate umpire moves out from behind the plate when the ball is batted, by exiting to the third base side, and moves down the foul lines. With no runners on, the plate umpire will trail the batter-runner to first base. If the base umpire should happen to go out to the outfield, (perhaps on a ball hit near the outfield fence in a night game, or a possible trapped ball situation) the plate umpire would move into position to make calls on the bases. In order to avoid two calls on the same play, use the following rule-of-thumb: If you go out, stay out. The plate umpire is responsible for the lead runner in a base hit situation, and checks to see that both third base and the plate are touched. Any time there is a runner at first base when the ball is pitched, the plate umpire has the call at 3rd base on that runner.

2. The base umpire is primarily responsible for the bags at first and second, but will take the batter as far as third base, if necessary. If the plate umpire is there, verbal communication to the base umpire will prevent two umpires from converging on the same base.

3. All fly balls, and all decisions about fair and foul are the responsibility of the plate umpire. On some batted balls, the plate umpire may even move out as far as first or third base to watch the catch and signal the out. The base umpire should not be watching the fly balls (except out of the corner of the eye). Watch instead for touched bases and tag-ups. Generally, the plate umpire will take the tag of the lead runner, and the base umpire takes the rest. If you deviate, communicate. This means that if you and your partner decide to do something different, let each other know. The players employ verbal communication all the time, and the umpires as the third team on the field, should do so as well. It is always best to have discussed these possible deviations at your pre-game conference with your partner.

4. Starting positions for the base umpire are very easy to remember if you apply this principle: The umpire is always right. That means in all situations the base umpire is to the right of and behind the nearest infielder looking out from home plate. With no runners on, that would be the first baseman; with a runner at first base only, that would be the second baseman; in all other cases, it would be the shortstop.

5. Base umpires should position themselves on the infield side of all throws from the outfield. In this way, all the elements of the play remain in front of the umpire - the ball, the runner, the fielder, the base. Being on the inside take the umpire out of the way of the fielders and the thrown ball, lets the umpire see the throw all the way, and affords the opportunity to get the best possible angle on any play that may result. There is a simple way to remember this: Ball out, Umpire in. Being positioned near the top of the 8 foot circle means that the base umpire is never any more that 5 or 6 quick steps away from any play that may happen on the bases. Naturally, the converse is also true. If the ball is hit in the infield, the base umpire would stay to the outside.

6. Umpires need to know and use the approved umpire-to-umpire signals as taught in the National Certification Program. In addition, other unofficial signals may be employed, such as pointing to the chest to indicate who will be making the call when you know an appeal is coming. These could be discussed at a pre-game conference by the partners.

7. Nothing happens without the ball. Umpires should not let the ball get behind them, and keep their eyes on the ball at all times. The ball will inevitably take the umpire to the play, so follow it. Umpires must work to avoid the error of looking at a base and waiting for the ball to arrive. It may never get there. An errant throw may even hit an unsuspecting umpire who is not watching the ball. Umpires should let the ball turn them to the play. Follow the throw across the diamond to the base involved, then make the call. Umpires will not get caught flat-footed if they follow the ball.

8. If necessary, the partners may need to get together to discuss a play that has happened, or a coach may ask an umpire to get help from his/her partner. There is nothing wrong with this. Get together, honestly exchange information, and if a call needs to be changed, do so. The umpire that made the call originally will be the one to change it, if required. There is nothing more important than getting the call correct. We owe that to the teams involved.

For complete details on the two-umpire system, see your Certification I and II manuals.

.... submitted on February 4, 1997