THREE UMPIRE MECHANICS FOR NCAA
A Quick Reference
This is a guideline only. No attempt is made to show exact positioning or to detail the exact umpire movements.
(Adapted from www.cactusumpires.com by Emily Alexander)
For specific details on exact umpire movement and positioning, refer to the Softball Umpire Manual
www.sup.arbitersports.com
Starting Positions
There are only three different positions you will ever be in at the start of the pitch
1. Standard position
2. Rotated position
3. Counter-rotated position
1. Standard Starting Position
A. Use when no runners are on
P: Behind the plate
U1 & U3: On the line in foul territory, 18-20 feet from the base, standing, facing
the plate. Walking the line to a set or ready set position.
B. Use when there is a runner on third base only
P: Behind the plate
U1: On the line in foul territory, 18-20 feet from the base, standing, facing the
plate
U3: On the line in foul territory, 6-10 feet from the base, set position, facing the
plate
2. Rotated Starting Position
A. Use when there is a runner on first base only
P: Behind the plate
U1: On the line in foul territory, 6-10 feet from the base, set position,
facing the plate.
U3: On an imaginary line extending from third base through second
base and straight out towards right centerfield, 6-10 feet beyond
second base, set position, facing the plate
2. Counter-rotated Starting Position
A. R1 and R2; R2 and R3; R1 and R3; Bases loaded. (Used in every runner configuration
other than no one on, runner on first only and runner on third only)
30’
15’
P: Behind the plate
U1: Depending on where the runners are, somewhere in
the middle 30 feet between 15 feet from first base and 15 feet
from second base, optimally no more than 15 feet behind
the baseline, set position, facing the plate
U3: Depending on where the runners are 6 feet from
third base, in foul territory, set position, facing the plate
When and How Umpires Rotate
Solid line is Initial Responsibility. Dashed line is Subsequent Responsibility.
Lines represent direction of travel to area of primary and secondary responsibilities. This is not
necessarily the exact path the umpire should take. Read the situation.
1. From the Standard Starting Position
A. No runners on base
P: Responsible for third base.
U1: Initially responsible for first base and subsequently
responsible for home plate
U3: Initially responsible for second base and
subsequently responsible for first and second base
B. Runner on third only , base hit
(if R3 does not commit to home plate, this rotation will not occur)
P: Initially responsible for home plate, subsequently
responsible for third base
U1: Initially responsible for first base and subsequently
responsible for home plate when P rotates to 3b.
U1 may have 2B on an extra base hit and R3 remains at 3B.
U3: Initially responsible for third base, subsequently
responsible for second base and first base.
R3 is “yours until she scores” (or commits hard to the plate with no
possibility of returning to 3B)
2. From the Rotated Starting Position
P: Responsible for third base
U1: Initially responsible for first base and subsequently
responsible for home plate
U3: Initially responsible for second base, subsequently
responsible for first and second base
Fly Ball Coverage – Chasing
1. From the Standard Starting Position
P: All fly balls to outfield, unless a base umpire chases.
U1: Responsible from right field dead ball line to center
Fielder
U3: Responsible from left field dead ball line to center
Fielder
3. From the Rotated Starting Position –“Vee”
R1 only
P: left field dead ball line to the left fielder
U1: right field dead ball line to the right fielder
U3: Responsible from the right fielder to the left fielder (“Vee”
of “Big Piece”)
3. From the Counter-Rotated Starting Position - Wedge
R1 and R2; R2 and R3, R1 and R3, Bases loaded
P: Responsible from the right field dead ball line to the right
fielder
U1: Responsible from the right fielder to the center fielder
“Little Piece” or “Wedge”
U3: Responsible from the left field dead ball line to the center
fielder
Tag Up Responsibilities (on Fly balls)
A. No umpire chases
Runner on First
U1 has Tag at First
Runner on Second
U1 has Tag at Second
Runner on Third
U3 has Tag at Third
Runners on First & Second
U1 has Tag at First & Second
Runners on First & Third
U1 has Tag at First
U3 has Tag at Third
Runners on Second & Third
U1 has Tag at Second
U3 has Tag at Third
Bases Loaded
U1 has Tag at First & Second
U3 has Tag at Third
Tag Up Responsibilities (Fly Balls)
When an umpire chases
Lines indicate the base (s) for which an umpire is responsible.
The lines do not necessarily indicate the exact umpire movement or positioning.
R1, U1 chases, < 2 outs
(New mechanic for 2014)
P: move to a primary position 6-10 feet for a tag play from first base. Take the
tag-up on R1. See R touch first base. Take any play at first base.
U3: move inside or stay outside the diamond to a primary position 6-10 feet
from second base. Take all plays at second base.
Responsibilities for Runners
Leaving Before the Pitch is Released