R2 Only

Less Than 2 Outs

Starting Positions & Fly Ball Coverage

Please note: Baseball Canada has U1 be in a traditional P3 position. However, there is no advantage to using regular P3. We recommend using the positioning as described in the video.

Batted Balls (No Umpire Goes Out)

With R2 only and less than 2 out, U1 will move into the middle of the infield and assume a position on the 1B side of the infield. When the ball is hit, PU will remain at the point of the plate (PoP). If it is a ground ball to the infield, should the play go to 1B and R2 advance to 3B, PU will assume Third Baseline Extended (3BLEx) as soon as R2 touches 3B, as a subsequent play at the plate will almost certainly be a swipe tag, and PU will not have time to adjust with the throw coming from only 90 feet away. With U1 in the infield, PU is responsible for all fair / foul decisions to the right side of the field. On balls to RF, he must only go as far as the play will allow, so as to be able to return to the plate in ample time for a potential play on R2. The final clip depicts PU ruling on a pole-bending HR to RF.

U3 meanwhile, will either go out on a fly ball, or simply move towards 3B in foul territory to observe R2’s touch of 3B. They are responsible for any play at 3B on any runner.

U1 is therefore left with all calls at 1B and 2B. U1 should attempt to stay on the grass of the infield for all calls at 1B, moving towards the pitcher’s mound to get “under” the throwing lane to 1B on any ground ball at or to the left of the short stop. On a base hit, U1 should drift into a position between 1B and 2B shading the B-R appropriately, being cognizant of remaining out of any potential throwing lane to the plate, should the defense attempt to make a play on R2 at home. U1 must also be aware of which corner infielder will serve as the cut-off man on a potential throw to home. In clips 2 and 3, it is the first baseman, which means there is no fielder at 1B, and therefore it is highly improbable that there will be a play on the B-R at 1B. U1’s position is therefore acceptable. However, should the third baseman be the cutoff, or the second baseman moves to 1B for a potential back-door play, U1 must anticipate the potential for a play, and leave the working area in order to shade the B-R closer to 1B.

U3 Goes Out

From the middle of the infield, it is acceptable for U1 to cross the dirt and go out on any potential HR / GRD in their coverage area. Should this occur, U3 must react by coming into the working area from their position behind 3B. See “Infield Umpire Going Out from Middle” on the Advanced Mechanics page for more.

2 Outs

Starting Positions & Fly Ball Coverage

Batted Balls (No Umpire Goes Out)

With 2 outs, U3 has all calls at 2B and 3B. On a base hit, they shall remain in the working area and react accordingly. R2 will likely attempt to score, so U3 must also remember to stay out of a throwing lane to the plate.U1 will take all plays at 1B as normal on ground balls to the infield. On a base hit, U1 will simply move toward 1B in foul territory to observe the B-R’s touch of 3B. In the event of an obvious extra base hit, U1 can come into the middle of the infield, assuming responsibility for the B-R at 1B and 2B, allowing U3 to release to behind 3B, in order to set up for a potential play at 3B on the B-R.

PU meanwhile, will always drop to the point of the plate, unless responsible for a fair / foul call. Any fair / foul call down the LF line should see PU progressing only as far as the play will allow, so as to be able to return for a potential play at home on R2. Should the batter hit a ground ball to the infield and be ruled safe at 1B, PU must not forget to immediately move to 3BLEx in preparation for a subsequent play on R2 at home.

U1 Goes Out

U3 Goes Out

From the middle of the infield, it is acceptable for U3 to cross the dirt and go out on any potential HR / GRD in their coverage area. Should this occur, U1 must react by coming into the working area from their position behind 1B. See “Infield Umpire Going Out from Middle” on the Advanced Mechanics page for more.