Selecting a starting position is more than reading the CCA Manual and adhering to its mechanics. The Manual indicates general areas and distances from which base umpires may choose their starting position. This article will discuss guidelines so base umpires in the 3-umpire system will select the best starting positon for the most likely scenarios.
Starting on the line
When the base umpires in a 3-umpire system start on the line there are situations for which they will walk the line and situations for which they will be in a set position on the line.
U1 and U3 walking the line
U1 will walk the line with nobody on base or a runner at 3b only. U3 will walk the line only when there is nobody on base.
When walking the line, the options are straight forward:
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No closer than 18 feet down the first base line in foul territory, upright position and walking with the pitch.
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Move forward a maximum of two steps facing home plate, ending in a prepared set or stopped position as the pitch reaches the front of the plate.
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It is recommended that the weight remains mostly on the left foot for U1 and the right foot for U3 when the umpire does the prepared set of stopped position, as this is the “push” foot to begin movement after the ball is hit.
When U1 is walking the line with R3 only, on any pickoff attempt at 3b remain in a standing position and watch any play at 3b to be prepared to give help if requested.
There is a detailed discussion in the article “Selecting a Starting Position, 2-Umpire System” on this Locker Room website which examines the factors for U1 to consider when selecting a starting position when walking the line. If you have not yet read that article, please do so now and then come back to this article.
U1 set on the line
With a runner at 1b only the starting position for U1 is on the line 10’ to 12’ beyond first base, in a set position close to the line, and slightly angled toward the infield.
The major considerations for this position are to watch for leaving early and to get a good position for a quick pickoff play. The factors to consider when choosing the exact spot are:
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Is R1 close to leaving the base early?
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Where are F3 and F4 positioned before the pitch?
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How big of a lead is R1 taking after the pitch is released?
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Has the catcher shown a tendency for pickoffs?
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Is a fielder aggressively moving toward 1b after the pitch is not contacted?
If the runner is very close to leaving early get to a spot within the 10’-12’ area that allows you to line up the runner’s foot on the bag and the pitcher’s release of the pitch. This may move closer to the 10’ position.
The correct Working Between Pitches mechanic for this situation for U1 is:
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Stay in the set position and watch for a possible play or obstruction.
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Do not reset to a standing position until R1 has returned to 1b and the ball is in the circle under the pitcher’s control.
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As soon as U1 sees that the catcher is attempting a pickoff, come out of the set position, read the play as it develops and adjust positioning as necessary to see the applied tag or any play at first base.
While in this starting position U1 must include in the pre-pitch preparation that for any ground ball to the infield the first movement into the diamond (or foul territory if needed) should also involve backing up to attain force play distance.
U3 set on the line
No runners at 3b
It becomes a little more complicated for U3 to choose the optimal spot when starting on the line with a set position. The first consideration is whether there is a runner occupying 3b. If not the set position is in a set stance close to the line at 10’ to 12’ from 3b and slightly angled toward the infield.
Since there is no pickoff possibility with no runner at 3b, for pickoff attempts at 1b or 2b U3 should come out of the set position and move as needed to watch any play at either base. This allows U3 to be prepared to give help if requested. Wait for the play to conclude before heading to the next starting position.
If the runner at 2b is stealing 3b, come out of the set position, read the play as it develops and adjust positioning as necessary to see the applied tag or any play at third base.
Runner on 3b
With a runner on 3b there are more considerations than just the runner leaving early on a squeeze play.
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U3 must be ready to help on a checked swing for a left-handed batter, the batter hit by a pitch, or a batted ball hitting the bat a second time or hitting the batter.
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To do this U3 must be positioned to see the plate area as the ball approaches the plate, and this can be impacted by the type of lead-off R3 is taking.
Some runners will go a few feet into foul ground for their lead. If this is the case then staying close to the line may be the best spot to see the plate area. Other runners will take their lead hugging the line in foul territory. This will probably cause U3 to be looking through the runner to see the plate area. For this lead it may be best to take a starting position a few feet into foul ground to see between the runner and the 3b coach for a clear view of the plate area.
The correct Working Between Pitches mechanic for this situation for U3 us:
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Stay in the set position and watch for a possible play or obstruction.
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Do not reset to a standing position until R3 has returned to 3b and the ball is in the circle under the pitcher’s control.
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As soon as U3 sees that the catcher is attempting a pickoff, come out of the set position, read the play as it develops and adjust positioning as necessary to see the applied tag or any play at first base.
With runners at 2b and 3b, or bases loaded and R3 steals home or advances to the plate on a passed ball or wild pitch, move out of the set position and move as needed to watch any play at home plate. If a runner is also advancing to 3b read the play as it develops and adjust positioning as necessary to see the tag.
Starting off the line
U1 Counter-Rotated
In a 3-umpire system U1 is in the counter-rotated starting position between 1b and 2b base on five out of the possible eight runner configurations. Sometimes U1 will have the middle 30 feet for selecting the starting position and sometimes will be limited to a 15 foot area.
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When the runner on 2b is the only pickoff responsibility for U1 (R2, R2R3), the correct starting position is between 15’ from 2b and the 30’ midpoint between 1b and 2b.
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When the runner on 1b is the only pickoff responsibility for U1 (R1R3) the correct starting position is between 15’ from 1b and the 30’ midpoint between 1b and 2b.
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In the other runner configurations with U1 counter-rotated (R2R3 and bases loaded), U1 has the middle 30’ between 1b and 2b to choose a starting position.
Working Between Pitches and Pickoffs – runner on 2b only or R2R3
U1 always comes out of the set and moves toward the primary position for a possible pickoff. This primary position, as shown in the 2016 CCA Manual on page 124, is inside the diamond toward the leading edge which faces 3b.
Although there is no longer an alternate position shown on this page (moving parallel to the 1b/2b baseline and outside the diamond), an email from Vavrinec on 11/3/2015 clarifies this somewhat: “… there is no alternate position….I don’t want people going back side just to go, the play will dictate.”
To paraphrase and supported by the Manual’s wording – read the play as it develops. Do not go by default to the primary or the old alternate position. Go toward a position which will allow you to see the tag applied to the runner. By observing the runner’s lead-off and which fielder is covering, choose the best position for the most probable play. Some examples of real-game situations:
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R2 is leading off directly on the baseline and F6 is coming in behind her for the throw
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Tag will be made close to the leading edge on the 3b side so come inside to the primary positon
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R2 is leading off 2b wide toward left field and F4 is coming over for the pickoff throw
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Will probably result in a swipe tag applied between F4 and the runner’s position on the outfield side of the baseline so move to the old alternate position.
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The primary position would put you in a position where you are blocked by F4’s body from seeing the tag.
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Note: This old alternate position is still shown on pages 180, 238 and 268 so it can still be used as appropriate. The key point here – do not go to the primary or alternate position automatically; have a reason for selecting one or the other.
Working Between Pitches and Pickoffs – runners at both 1b and 2b (R1R2 or bases loaded)
U1 should come out of the set position and move forward a few steps, anticipating a pickoff at either 1b or 2b. For any pickoff attempt at 1b or 2b come out of the set position and move to a primary position, read the play as it develops and adjust positioning as necessary to watch the applied tag.
Working Between Pitches and Pickoffs – runners at 1b and 3b (R1R3)
U1 always comes out of the set and moves toward the primary position for a possible pickoff at 1b, watching for the possible play or obstruction.
Pickoff attempt at 3b
Move out of the set position as needed to watch the play and be prepared to give help if requested. Wait for the play to conclude before heading to the next starting position.
U3 Rotated
In a 3-umpire system U3 is in the rotated starting position near 2b base on only one runner configuration – runner at 1b only. U3 should be in a set position squared to the plate and 10’ to 12’ beyond 2b, several strides toward center field, as long as U3 has a clear view of the right-handed batter. If there is no clear view, move towards first base no more than the imaginary straight line from third base to second base line extended.
Working Between Pitches for U3 in this situation is:
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Stay in the set position and watch for a possible play or obstruction at 1b.
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Do not reset to a standing position until R1 has returned to 1b and the ball is in the circle under the pitcher’s control.