TWO UMPIRE CREWS for BEGINNERS | Umpire Training

What do you do when there are two umpires on a game? This video will help beginner umpires understand some two-man mechanics, as well as how to communicate well with the other umpire in your crew.
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00:00 - Intro
00:22 - Before the Game
01:28 - Responsibilities of Each Umpire
01:59 - General Positioning
03:06 - The "A" Position
06:25 - The "B" Position
07:59 - The "C" Position
09:25 - A Few Signs and Signals
11:20 - Conclusion

[@cus9298]

Overall a great video but a few mechanics that are not correct. Starting in A and waiting for the batter/runner to clear 1st before cutting in is an old mechanic that should be abandoned. You should cut in on any play to the outfield then button hook to see the batter/runner tag first and then you are in front of the batter/runner and inside them to quickly be able to get to all bases. If you wait until after they reach 1st you may not be able to catch them if there is a close play at 2nd.

[@DavidEmerling79]

At 5:11 You talk about U1's responsibility on a double/triple when there are no runners on base. You say, "As the runner rounds 1st base, you'll want to cut behind him." If there is a play at 2nd, U1 will be 'chasing' the runner from behind and will never get a good angle on the play. Once U1 sees that the ball has been hit into the outfield, he should immediately leave position A and move toward the infield grass *before* the batter-runner even gets to 1st base. You want to cut in *front* of him!

[@1969EType]

Great video! I would add the following: I prefer NOT to discuss shirt colors or plate/base assignments prior to arrival. I have showed up for games with a shirt color pre-discussed...and then my partner forgets that shirt and we're forced to take the field in 2 colors. Keep ALL your shirts cleaned and in your vehicle and then choose a matching color at the ballpark during pre-game. Same for plate/base assignments...if you decide this prior to arrival and then someone is late leaving the office or hits traffic or has a problem...it creates a bit of chaos. Decide on assignments once your crew is assembled for pre-game. Obviously, if it's 20 minutes before game time and you are the only umpire present, you'll want to dress for the plate. The tradition is for the crew chief to decide on plate/base assignments and then the plate umpire chooses shirt colors. But, check with your association or league as you may have a different custom. Absolutely make contact with your game partners no later than 24 hours prior to game time! But, all you need to clarify at that time is game date, game time, field location, parking location (vehicle types and colors) and pre-game meeting time.

[@alldaydizcounts3692]

Thanks for these videos. They help a lot.

[@ymcairedellbball]

Overall, good video, but I (and most mechanics manuals) disagree with you on the extended play with nobody on. For a solo runner (BR), U1 has him all the way to third. The PU has no baserunner responsibilities on a solo BR on a double or triple. PU stays at home that entire play. The one and only time U1 ever covers home is when he goes out from A on a trouble ball down the right field line; once the ball is established fair and will not be interfered with, he sprints in foul territory to home because PU has the BR (solo) runner all the way to third. These mechanics have been in the MiLB, NFHS, and NCAA mechanics manuals for years and are common practice.

[@johnveselka6921]

Thank you for this. Very helpful

[@itsi-man7213]

Great video, i start tonight 😃. Loved the diagram showing everything you're saying/describing. Thank you!

[@sleepymonkeybear]

Great video. Thanks.

[@TheSpeyfisher]

Your videos are excellent! You articulate very well!!!!! Thanks

[@terrywilson6584]

Excellent. The review of positions for various situations was prefect. A quick summary slide for me to print would be helpful.

[@eastonaskew5308]

This is one of the most helpful videos ever

[@xyz321123]

This is for older kids, I think LL likes you just in the grass but in the same positions.

[@DavidEmerling79]

At 6:33, with U1 in B and R1 at 1st, you say that he should face 1st base. No! U1 should face the batter and only pivot to face 1st base when he needs to. This is especially true with R1 and R3. You never want to have your back to a runner (e.g. R3).

[@mptr1783]

he didnt say to face 1st base with runners on 1st and 3rd, only if a runner is on 1st, which isnt a terrible suggestion

[@Caderic]

Um...That's what he said!

[@DavidEmerling79]

@@mptr1783 U1 should also be watching the pitcher for possible balks. He has other responsibilities other than plays made on R1. He is also responsible to rule on any check swing appeals or if a batted ball hits the batter while in the box. Facing 1st base would make it difficult to fulfill his other responsibilities. It's highly unusual to face 1st base. I'm not sure I've ever seen an umpire position himself like that.

[@mptr1783]

@@DavidEmerling79 did you freeze the video at the 6:40 mark? Ive seen a ton of umpires line up like that with a single runner on 1st base. Slightly facing 1st base. And yes, you can still do all the other aspects of the job while in that position IMO

[@therakster101]

Thank you for your videos! When in positions B/C is the FU no longer supposed to help with the check swing calls?

[@negativej3144]

Where does U1 have to stand with a runner on 2nd?

[@XerxesLlewellins]

concur with @cus9298 - you should be in front of runner on double or triple - (Read the play!) Button hooking has also been outdated. Simply, swivel head back around behind you to see batter/runner touch 1st. (Avoid knee sprains/injuries.)

[@cgrizz33]

He doesn’t cover where the base umpire should be when runners on 2nd and third. Also, if there are runners on AND 2 outs, do you always revert to position B?

[@ymcairedellbball]

Also, completely disagree with the B position facing first base. This is completely wrong. U1's proper positioning is hands on knees and squared off toward home plate. U1's primary responsibilities begin with watching the pitcher for balks, then home plate for check swing appeals and foul balls off the batter's foot. His tertiary responsibility is for pickoffs. The pitcher's throw will take him to that play when it occurs.

[@JRBefort]

What position do you go to when there is a runner only on 2nd

[@Caderic]

I was wondering the same. That wasn't covered.

[@ES-iz4wf]

Bases umpire is in C position when there’s a runner on 2nd

[@TheJohnnyBaseball]

These are not standard mechanics. When in position A you have the runner all the way to 3rd. When a ball hit to outfield Base umpire in A should get inside before runner touches first. Its not true that Plate umpire should have all outfield calls.. When in B or C the field umpire has catches in the cone.

[@mptr1783]

please show me anywhere that states a base umpire in baseball takes the batter-runner to 3rd base on a triple? Maybe Little League field?

[@bmxbobby1]

Damn Good Video

[@standyer7482]

I have never seen that mechanic used to communicate a potential infield fly between partners. It's not in any mechanics book I've read - neither PBUC, nor NFHS. I do not recommend it. The mechanic more often taught is touching the bill of the hat with the right index finger. That's all that is ever needed. Distinguishing between "0," or "1" out isn't necessary.

[@Caderic]

Maybe that His (or yours) is a regional thing. I have definitely seen it from little league, select/tournament, up to high school and JCo. That is good to know, you haven't see it though. That really says it might be regional.

[@standyer7482]

@@Caderic That's one reason why pregame is so important. The mechanic given is definitely not NFHS, and not PBUC. I cannot comment on Little League, but I can say that I believe I would understand what my partner meant if he used that mechanic. Thanks for your input. For me, I'm really not a mechanics "nazi." I try to work with my partner, and I often tell them to use any mechanic they feel comfortable with. If I don't understand it, or it is confusing, I'll ask about it between innings. No matter how they do it, it is important for partners to work together well.

[@derekhoule3357]

Why wouldn’t an umpire be in “C” with an R2?

[@AnADHDThing]

They would be

[@timhobbs1229]

What is tightening up mean