Gentlemen,
Below is a simplified version of 2-man mechanics with no runners on base from Jim Evans Umpire School Manual.
He has this copyrighted so it cannot be used for profit.
I hope this helps keep umpiring simple because it should be as simple as we can make it so we can umpire and not feel confused.
Tomorrow I will send one covering Basic Responsibilities with runners on base.
Fall umpires, let's all come to the yard with the idea that we are going to have as large of a strike zone as we can possibly have and still be fair to the hitters. The U of M coaching staff has asked me to relay this message to you for the games at Siebert and Alimagnet. I am assuming it is true at Nieman also. Be consistent from the beginning of the game to the end of the game but be as big as is legitimately possible.
Peace,LG
BASIC RESPONSIBILITIES
NO RUNNERS ON BASE
PLATE UMPIRE
Fair/Foul
* Any batted ball that settles or is touched before reaching the 1st base bag
* Any slow roller up the 1st base line.
* All batted balls down the 3rd base line.
Catch/No Catch
* All fly balls to outfield that BU does not go out on.
* All pop-ups to infield that BU does not go out on.
* All line drives to infield except those fielded by 1st or 2nd baseman coming straight in or to their left
Touching Bases/Play Coverage
* Batter-runner at all bases when base umpire goes out.
* Batter-runner when tagged before reaching the 45 foot line.
Batter-Runner’s Lane
* Responsible for all interference calls.
* Help on swipe tag near first ONLY if asked by base umpire
Out of Play
* Responsible for any ball going out of play in the outfield when the base umpire has not gone out.
* Responsible for any errant throw back into the infield that goes out of play.
BASE UMPIRE
Fair/Foul
* Any batted ball that bounds past the 1st base bag.
* Any batted ball that touches the 1st base bag and rolls past it (except slow roller)
* Any line drive that touches the ground or is touched near the line beyond the 1st base bag.
Catch/No Catch
* Any fly ball to center, right-center, or right that the BU goes out on.
* Any pop-up on the line directly over head or beyond.
* Any line drive to 1st or 2nd baseman coming straight in or to their left.
Touching Bases/Play Coverage
* Batter-runner at 1st, 2nd, and 3rd bases when base umpire does not go out.
* Batter-runner at home plate if possible after he has gone out and returned.
* Batter-runner when in route to 1st after he has reached the 45 foot-line.
Batter-Runner’s Lane
* Alert at all times for batter-runner interference. Call ONLY if plate umpire fails to do so.
* Full responsibility for swipe tag near 1st (ask plate umpire ONLY as a last resort).
Out of Play
* Responsible for ball out of play when he goes out
