SITUATION: NO RUNNERS ON BASE

Positioning:
PU: Behind the plate
BU: Position A

Responsibilities:
PU:
-- Move out on all batted balls.
-- Fair/foul on all balls down the 3B/left field foul line.
-- Fair/foul on all balls down the 1B foul line to the front edge of 1B.
-- The dead ball call on an overthrow to 1B.
-- Be prepared to help BU on a swipe tag at 1B or F3 taking his foot of the bag early, when asked.
-- Catch/no catch on all balls to the left side of the infield or fielded by the pitcher or catcher.
-- Catch/no catch on all routine fly balls to the outfield.
-- Catch/no catch on all trouble fly balls from F8 to left field dead ball territory.
-- If BU goes out to cover a trouble ball, you have the Batter-runner on all bases. BU has responsibility if the BR tries to come home.

BU:
-- Fair/foul on all balls down the 1B line from the front edge of 1B to the RF foul pole.
-- Catch/no catch on all balls to the right side if the infield.
-- Catch/no catch on all trouble balls from F8 to dead ball territory on the RF side of the field. When you go out, help PU by calling "I'M ON THE BALL" or "I'M GOING OUT". PU has all plays at the bases. After ball is thrown to the infield move toward home plate in foul territory. You have responsibility if the BR tries to come home.
-- All ground ball plays on the infield. Step up and face the ball, let the ball turn you to 1B. Get set and call out/safe.
-- On a base hit, while following the ball, move to the pivot position in the umpire lane checking that the batter-runner touches 1B. Be prepared to follow the BR to 2B and to 3B if necessary.

---

SITUATION: R1 ON 1B

Positioning:
PU: Behind the plate
BU: Position B

Responsibilities:
PU:
-- Balks.
-- Move out on all batted balls.
-- All fair/foul calls.
-- Catch/no catch on all fly balls fielded by F1, F2, F3, F5 or down either foul line.
-- Catch/no catch on all fly balls from the left of F7 and from the right of F9 (outside the V).
-- Be prepared to cover a play at 3B. The second play in the infield at 3B is your responsibility. In the event that you cover 3B help BU by calling "I'VE GOT 3RD IF HE GOES".
-- In the event you are not covering 3B, help BU by calling "STAYING HOME".
-- Be prepared to help BU on all plays in the infield IF ASKED by BU.
-- On fly balls line up 1B and catch for retouch.

BU:
-- Balks.
-- Pick off play by F1 or F2. A quick step or two towards the plate and then turn with the throw will give you a better angle on the play.
-- Steal attempt at 2B. Step back, let the throw from F2 turn you toward 2B. Get set and call out/safe.
-- Catch/no catch from F7 to F9 (inside the V).
-- Catch/no catch in the center of the infield (F4, F6).
-- The first play in the infield. On a double play watch for the force out at 2B then let the relay throw turn you towards 1B for the second out/safe.
-- On base hits make sure R1 touches 2B and BR touches 1B.

---

Part II - Runner on 2B -- Runner on 3B

All Parts are available here for Printing

---

---

Any member of the AFU that would be interested in writing an article about umpiring and would like to have them published on our web site please contact Dave Mekelburg AFU#9 at: info@americanfederationofumpires.com