Thanks to Dan Cowan for this article. Its intent to help umpires who bounce back and forth between 2 Crew games and 3 crew games.
Plate Umpire
• Checked swing Request help from the open umpire.
• Fly ball coverage area All fly balls when no base umpire covers. Left fielder to left field dead ball line when rotated. Right fielder to right field dead ball line when counter-rotated.
• First base coverage All plays on BR if U1 covers with no runners on base regardless of number of outs, or R1 only with less than two outs.
• Third base coverage All plays on R1 advancing with U3 rotated whether U1 covers or not. All plays on R2 with the initial play at third base when an umpire covers on a fly ball (see page 17 of CCA Manual).
• Home plate coverage All plays with multiple runners or runners in scoring position when the initial play is at home.
• Tag-up responsibilities R1 when U1 covers on a fly ball with less than two outs.
• Over the fence homerun-PU covers fly ball Signal home run and move to a position to watch BR touch third base. With R1 only, watch R1 and BR touch third base. With R3 only, watch R3 touch home plate, then move to a position to watch BR touch third base.
First Base Umpire (U1)
• Checked swing Responsible for right-handed batters.
No runners on base or R3 only
• Before the pitch Start no closer than 18 feet beyond first base and close to the line, completely in foul territory either standing upright or in a set position.
• On the pitch Stay in a set position or move forward a maximum of 2 steps facing home plate, ending in a prepared set or stopped position as the pitch reaches the front of the plate.
• Fly ball coverage area Center fielder to the right field dead ball line. First right of refusal on balls hit to the center fielder.
• Home plate coverage Watch BR touch first base, then rotate to point of plate as BR commits to third base on a triple.
• Over the fence homerun-PU covers fly ball Watch BR touch first base, then rotate to a position in fair territory in front of home plate and watch BR touch home plate.
Runner on first base only
• Before the pitch Start in a set position, slightly angled towards the infield (opposite baseline between home and first base) completely in foul territory, close to the line, 6-12 feet beyond first base.
• On the pitch Responsible for watching R1 for leaving the base before the pitch is released.
• Fly ball coverage area Right fielder to the right field dead ball line.
• Home plate coverage If R1 advances to third base, mirror the advancement by moving all the way to the point of plate holding area. Communicate with U3 and the PU on the advancement. If there is a high potential for a play on the BR at first base, stay with the play until U3 can take over the responsibility. If U1 is unable to rotate home, communicate with both PU and U3 that you are pinned at first base.
• Over the fence homerun-PU covers fly ball Move straight into the diamond to watch BR touch second base
Counter-Rotated (runners in scoring position)
• Before the pitch Come set prior to the pitch, remain standing during the pitch, or take a step with the pitch.
• On the pitch Responsible for watching R2 for leaving the base before the pitch is released. Responsible for watching R1 (with R3/R1 only) for leaving the base before the pitch is released.
• Fly ball coverage area Center fielder to right fielder.
• Tag-up responsibilities R2 when PU covers on a fly ball from the center fielder to the left field dead ball line (see page 17 of CCA Manual). R1 when PU covers on a fly ball.
• Base coverage Make all calls at first and second base.
• Over the fence homerun-PU covers fly ball Watch R1 and BR touch first and second base.
Third Base Umpire (U3)
• Checked swing Responsible for left-handed batters.
No runners on base
• Before the pitch Start no closer than 18 feet beyond third base and close to the line, completely in foul territory either standing upright or in a set position.
• On the pitch Stay in a set position or move forward a maximum of 2 steps facing home plate, ending in a prepared set or stopped position as the pitch reaches the front of the plate.
• Fly ball coverage area Center fielder to the left field dead ball line.
• Second base coverage Move straight into the diamond to a primary position for a tag play at second base.
• Over the fence homerun-PU covers fly ball Move straight into the diamond to watch BR touch second base.
Runner on first base only
• Before the pitch Start in a set position, squared to home plate, 10-18 feet from second base between the first and third baseline extended.
• Fly ball coverage area Right fielder to the left fielder.
• First base coverage On a routine hit, if R1 advances to third base, make all calls on BR at second base or communicate with U1 if BR returns to first base if U1 has rotated to the plate. If PU is stuck with the ball (bunt-fair/foul) be prepared to communicate with PU and U1 that you are taking R1 into third base.
• Over the fence homerun-PU covers fly ball Watch R1 and BR touch second base.
Counter-Rotated (on the line with runners in scoring position)
• Before the pitch Start in a set position, slightly angled towards the infield (opposite baseline between home and first base) completely in foul territory, close to the line, 6-12 feet beyond third base.
• On the pitch Responsible for watching R3 for leaving the base before the pitch is released. Responsible for watching R3 and R1 for leaving the base before the pitch is released with bases loaded only.
• Fly ball coverage area Center fielder to left field dead ball line.
• Tag-up responsibilities R3 when PU covers on a fly ball. R2 when PU covers on a fly ball from the center fielder to the right field dead ball line (see page 17 of CCA Manual).
• Base coverage Make all calls at third base. Communicate with U1 before moving straight into the diamond to a primary position for a tag play at second base on BR only after all other runners have scored or committed fully to home plate and BR is retreating to or stopped at first base.
• Over the fence homerun-PU covers fly ball Watch all runners touch third base.