Big Field 3-Man Mechanics
Starting Positions
U1 on the right line about 6-8 ft
behind 1st baseman - A
U2 on the left line about 6-8 ft
behind 3rd baseman -D
D
A
U2
U1
PU
Starting Positions
Runner on 1st
U1 moves forward to a position
where they can see the pitcher
between the runner and 1st
base
U2 moves to the inside and can
be either be in B or C
U2
R1
PU
U1
Outfield Coverage
U2 Inside
U1 has the right fielder toward
the right field line
PU Coverage
U1 Coverage
U2 has the big “V”
PU has leftfielder toward left
field line.
U2
U1
PU
Fair/Foul Coverage
Plate has responsibility up to
the front of the bag on each
line
U1 has from the front of the
bag down the right field line
U2 has from the front of the
bag down the left field line
U2
U1
PU
Working Area
This is the area around the
pitchers mound.
It allows the umpire(s) to float
between bases to get the better
angle over distance
Most umpires would not be
able to outrun a baseball
teenager
You can take a couple steps and
be in proper positioning to
make the call
Working Area
Note:
• Any time there is a runner at first base; U1 will be in foul territory
approx. 6ft behind first base.
• Umpires on the ends will be responsible for picking up any “leaning”
of the pitcher for possible balk.
• Reverse rotation…any time the plate umpire stays “home”
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Runners at 1st and 2nd
Runners at 2nd only
Runners at 2nd and 3rd
Bases loaded
Coverage with No One On:
Fly to right field &U1 goes out
Revert back to two man with U1
going out
U1 goes out with the fly ball. U1
should seek the best possible angle
on the fly. U1 has Fair/foul &
Catch/No Catch. Once out, U1
should not return during play.
U2 comes into 2nd base cut out. U2
has touch & any play at 2nd on BR;
takes runner into third base.
U1
U2
PU follows BR toward 1st, but no
further than 50%. PU has touch &
any throw back to 1st. If BR
continues, when BR reaches 2nd PU
returns to home at 3rd base
extended. PU has any plays on BR at
plate
BR
PU
Coverage with No One On:
Fly to center field &U2 goes out
Revert back to two man with U2
going out
U2
U1 watches touch at first , pivot
and take BR into second and third
base.
U2 goes out with the fly ball. U2
should seek the best angle on
the fly & be stopped & set for
catch. U2 has Catch/No Catch
responsibility. Once out, U2
should not return during play.
U1
PU takes plays at the plate.
Note: PU will help U1 at third
base if needed.
BR
PU
Coverage with runner on 1st:
Fly to right field & U1 goes out
Reverts back to two man rotation
U1 goes out with the fly ball. U1 has
Fair/Foul & Catch/No Catch. Once
out, U1 should not return during
play.
U2 moves to working area watches
the tag up at 1st base but only
assists if asked by PU. If R1
advances to 2nd U2 moves to 2nd
base cut out. U2 has touches & any
plays at 2nd on R1 & BR
U2
PU moves toward 3rd Base into 2nd
base extended for possible play. If
play develops U3 lets the ball take
him left or right for the best
possible view of the tag. Retreat
back to plate for any plays there.
R1
BR
PU
U1
Coverage with runner on 1st:
Fly to left field ...NO one goes
out.
PU move down to 3rd base &
positions at 2nd base extended.
PU has all touches & plays at 3rd
base on R1 & BR
U1 move up toward 1st for the
touch. If BR commits to 2nd, U1
moves to the plate in third base
extended. U1 has all plays at
home on R1 & BR
U2
R1
U2 moves away from the fly ball
into the working area to
increase his/her field of view.
U2 then moves to 2nd base
cutout. U2 has all touches and
all plays at 2nd
BR
PU
U1
Coverage with runner on 2nd:
Fly to right field ;no ONE goes
out.
PU stays home, moving to 3rd
Base Extended. If there is a play
at home PU lets the throw
move him left or right for the
best angle on the tag.
U1 moves to the working area
between 2nd & 1st. U1 has tag
up by R1 at 2nd & any throw
back. U1 has touch at 1st base
by BR. & takes BR to 2nd for
possible play
R1
U1
U2
U2 moves up toward 3rd &
positions at 2nd base extended
BR
PU
Coverage with runner on 2nd
Or 2nd and 3rd:
Fly to left field & U2 goes out
Reverts back to 2 man rotation
PU stays home, moving to 3rd Base
Extended. PU watches R1 touch
3rd base. PU has all touches or
plays at home on R1 & BR
U2 moves into working area
between 1st & 2nd. U1 has
responsibility for R1 including tag
up at 2nd base & any throw backs.
R1
U2
U1
BR
PU
U1
Coverage with runner on 3rd:
Fly to right field & U1 goes out
Reverts back to 2 man rotation
PU stays home, but moves to
3rd base extended
U1 goes out with the fly ball. U1
has Fair/Foul & Catch/No Catch.
Once out, U1 should not return
during play.
U1
U2 moves to working area
between 2nd & 3rd. U2 watches
the touch at 1st base & possible
throw back. If BR starts for 2nd
base U1 stays ahead of the BR,
taking any calls at 2nd from the
cutout. If BR returns to 1st U1
has any throw back to 1st.
U2
R1
BR
PU
Coverage with runner on 3rd:
U1 or U2 will go out on fly ball.
Fly to center field; U1 goes out
if centerfielder comes in or to
right field; otherwise U2 goes
out.
PU watches tag up if U2 goes out.
moves toward 3rd base, about 20% of
the way. If the ball is caught PU has
tag-up by R1 at 3rd Base & retreats
home to 3rd base extended. PU has
any plays at home on R1. If the ball is
not caught PU has the touch at the
plate by R1. PU then continues
toward 3rd. If the BR comes to 3rd, PU
can either move to 3rd Base cut-out or
to 2nd Base Extended. Plate has touch
& any play on BR at 3rd
IF U1 goes out on the fly ball; U2 will
cut over into the working area.
U1
U2
R1
If U2 goes out with the fly ball. U1 will
pivot taking the BR into 2nd .
BR
PU
Coverage with runners on 1st
and 2nd:
Fly to left field; no ONE goes
out. Rotation to the right!
PU stays home, moving to 3rd base
extended. PU watches touches at 3rd
but only assists if asked by U2
U1 moves inside … pivots & stays
ahead of BR. For play at 2nd moves to
cut out. If BR retreats to 1st U1 has any
play at 1st
R1
U2
U2 moves to working area between
2nd & 3rd U2 has the tag up by R1 at 2nd
& any throw back. U2 should “hold his
ground” in the working area until BR
commits to 3rd (avoiding getting
sucked into a play at 2nd or 3rd) If BR
commits to third U2 moves to cutout. .
U2 has touches & plays at 3rd on R1,
R2 & BR.
R2
BR
PU
U1
Coverage with runners on 1st &
3rd:
Fly to left field
PU moves toward 3rd base, about 20%
of the way. If the ball is caught PU has
tag-up by R1 at 3rd Base & retreats
home to 3rd base extended. PU has
any plays at home on R1. If the ball is
not caught PU has the touch at the
plate by R1. PU then continues
toward 3rd. If R2 comes to 3rd, PU can
either move to 3rd Base cut-out or to
2nd Base Extended. PU has touch &
any play on R2 & BR at 3rd
U1 observes Touch at 1st Base & has
any throwbacks to 1st. If BR commits
to 2nd U1 continue to plate in 3rd Base
extended. U1 has any plays on R2 or
BR at Plate
U2
R2
R1
U2 moves to the 2nd Base cut out. U2
has touch & any play at 2nd on R2 or
BR
BR
PU
U1
Coverage with runners on 1st
and 3rd:
Fly to right field & U1 goes out
PU moving to 3rd base extended if
possible play; PU should observe tag
up at 3rd . PU has all touches & plays at
plate on R1, on R2 and on BR
U1 goes out on fly, moving up the
right field line. U1 has Fair/Foul &
Catch/No Catch. Once out U1 should
stay out until play is complete.
U2 moves to working area between
2nd & 1st. U2 has tag up by R2 at 1st &
any throw backs on a catch. U2 should
“hold his ground” in the working area
until BR commits to 2nd avoiding
getting sucked into a play at either
base. U2 moves to cut out with BR for
plays at 2nd. U2 will cover 3rd base if
PU needs to return home
U2
R2
R1
BR
PU
U1
Coverage with bases loaded:
Fly to left field & U3 goes out
PU stays home but clears the plate. PU
has tag up by R1 at third. PU moves to
3rd base extended. PU has all touches &
plays at plate on R1, R2 & on BR
U1 will take BR into second.
U2 has tag up at second and fly ball. U2
will take R3 into third.
R2
U2
Reverse rotation
R3
U1
R1
BR
PU
Coverage with bases loaded:
Fly to right field & U1 goes out
Reverts to two man mechanics
PU stays home but clears the plate. PU
has tag up by R1 at third. PU moves to
3rd base extended. PU has all touches &
plays at plate on R1, R2 & on BR
U2 has tag up by R2 at second
(glancing over to R3 tag up).
R2
U2
R3
U1
R1
BR
PU