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With
no
runners on base,
the
base umpire
shall
position
himself/herself
approximately 10 to 12 feet behind the 1st baseman with both feet in
foul territory. The base umpire's
right foot should be just off the foul line, and his/her body should
be squared to home plate.
Legs should be spread just over shoulder width apart. The base
umpire should be in a
"ready" set position with both hands on his/her knees as
the pitcher is preparing to deliver the ball to the batter.
Should the
1st baseman
position
himself/herself deeper than
normal, the base umpire
will similarly back up onto the outfield
grass a bit, although the 10 to
12 foot distance may be cut
back somewhat so that a proper
pivot is still possible on a ball
hit to the outfield.
Likewise, should the 1st baseman be playing in
(shallow), the base umpire will
also move up with the 1st
baseman, never coming closer than
10 to 12 feet from the 1st base bag. The idea in
each of these positions is to have
the base umpire in a good
position for help on the
catch/no catch and fair/foul decisions involving
the 1st baseman, while at the same time allowing
the fielder adequate room should he/she dive for a ball in the
direction of the umpire.
This positioning also gives the base umpire room to "recover" and
get into position for a
play at 1st base
should the 1st baseman dive towards the umpire while fielding
the ball with a play then
following at 1st base. The base umpire must be conscious
about these positions so that he/she is never too close nor too far
back from the 1st baseman when no
one is on base.
When the pitcher is in possession of the ball, the base umpire must
keep his/her
eyes on the pitcher for any violations of the pitching rules that
the pitcher may commit.
Then, when the pitcher is into his/her windup and is about ready to
deliver the ball, the
umpire's head should turn towards the plate, and he/she should then
focus on the plate
area, being ready to help the home plate umpire with any check swing
possibilities, helping with the possibility of the batter being
struck by a batted ball and to help the plate
umpire with any balls that go out of play that the plate umpire may
have trouble locating or tracking. |
