Part 1 - The Base Umpire
Position "A"
1. Position yourself for a play at first.
2. Run into right field for a fly ball.
3. Move "outside-in" and pivot-turn on the infield grass to see the batter-runner touch first.
We will look at each of these possibilities in detail.
Plays at first can happen in numerous ways and at numerous angles. For routine ground balls hit to third, shortstop and second, you should take three or four good steps into fair territory onto the dirt. (see fig. 2) Make sure you're 10-15 feet away from the first base bag. Keep your eye on the ball to be sure that the infielder makes a play. Then, after the fielder throws the ball to first and you are absolutely positive that the ball is on a true path to first base, stop looking at the ball and focus on the first base bag. If you have the correct angle, you should be able to see if the first baseman pulls his foot from the bag or not. Now it is impossible to see both the batter-runner's foot hit the bag and the first baseman catch the ball at the same time. However, we should use all of our senses and abilities to make the call. Not only hearing the sound of the ball hitting the glove, but hearing the sound of the foot hitting the bag, seeing the foot hit the bag and sensing the ball arriving at the first baseman in our peripheral vision. Then pause for a moment, making sure the first baseman hasn't bobbled or dropped the ball, then make your call. Sometimes the play at first develops in a different way. Either a ground ball to the first baseman or second baseman moving toward first can make the above position treachorous. This is called a "pressure play". When this happens, simply take one step into fair territory, remaining a good 20 feet away from the first base bag. Additionally, a throw to first could come from the catcher or a fielder in the area of the plate. Just take two more steps into fair territory, keeping the same 20 foot distance between you and the bag. But keep on your toes, an errant throw could nail you.
In this section we will first discuss what is referred to as "catch coverage". When the ball sails into the air, there could possibly be a catch. It may be an easy catch, above the waist, with little doubt or question. However, there can also be trouble balls. Imagine a line drive that a player catches close to the ground. Did he catch it? Did he trap it? If both umpires see the play differently it is possible for two umpires to make two different calls at the same time. That is to be avoided at all costs. It looks awful to see umpires with conflicting calls. It's embarassing. Therefore it is in your best interest that you know which catches you will call and which catches your partner will call.
There are many different systems for catch coverage. The one we've listed here is our recommendation. But as long as you and your partner know who's calling what, the specifics are irrelevant. It is vital that you talk this over with your partner during your pre-game conference. While you are in position "A", you have all catches in right field moving toward the line. That means that the only time you call a catch in "A" is when the out occurs in right field, or in foul territory on the right field side. (see fig. 3) All other catches while you are in position "A" (right-center, center, left and the infield) will be handled by the plate umpire. The reason we recommend base umpires cover catches in such a small area is two-fold. Firstly, with the skill level of Little League there tends to be a high rate of missed bases and obstructions, and we feel it is more important that the base umpire be on top of any possible calls in the first base area. Secondly, the Little League field is small enough where a catch call is not difficult to make from the infield grass, where a plate umpire would be. It is also important to mention that the base umpire has it in his sole discretion whether or not to go out into right field. And whatever he decides, the plate umpire must act accordingly. This eliminates any doubt for balls that may be on the borderline of coverage. Just be sure to commit either to going out to cover a fly ball, or coming in and pivot-turning for the touch at first (see section 3) When you move onto positions "B" and "C", in those sections we will discuss catch coverage for each of those positions.
In this section we discuss what is called the "outside-in" style of base coverage. It is the preferred method for base coverage in Little League, Softball and the 60' diamond in general. The basic idea behind the method is that when the ball crosses the base path anywhere on the diamond, we should cross the base path to the inside of the diamond. That is, when the ball goes "outside" the base path, we should go "inside" the base path. This should occur any time there is a batted ball that goes into the outfield that is either on the ground or that is not within your area of coverage.
As far as position "A" goes, the only time you do not move inside the diamond on a batted ball to the outfield is when the batted ball is hit into right field, your area of coverage. For every other batted ball hit into the outfield, you should run onto the infield grass between the pitcher's mound and first base. (see fig. 5) As soon as you get there, pivot-turn so that you see the batter-runner touch first base then get ready for any possible plays at first or second base.
We cannot stress enough the importance of a pre-game conference with your partner. Make a list of areas which need to be covered during the conference. We supply a recommended list for pre-game conference under "General Instructions to All Umpires". Leave no stone unturned and make sure you and your partner are on the same page for every possibility. Nothing looks worse than two umpires calling two different games.
To continue, please move on to Position "B".
Or you can go back to the Table of Contents.