Monday , April 19, 2004

The Garage: Infield positions

Editor's Note: The garage is a regular NBUA column discussing mechanics. Send your one-, two- and three-man mechanics question to Chris Thomas at csthump@yahoo.com.

By Chris Thomas
Training Staff

Hey Garageman-

I have worked with a few different partners and some of them vary their starting position on the infield as the base umpire. One partner even said that I should stand in different places based on number of outs. I have never heard this before and is very confusing to me. Could you please clarify where to stand and when in different situations?

Ping pong man.


Dear Ping.

I understand your confusion, as I am confused also in this matter. I, too, have partners doing just what you described. I am assuming that you are refering to two umpire mechanics. I will go over them as simple as possible.

The only time you are in the A position (right field line 10-12 feet behind the 1st baseman, completely in FOUL territory) is when there is nobody on base. Reasoning is simple, you are ahead of any runners, and you are able to stay ahead of any runners should there be a double or triple. You also can help out your partner by "going out" on trouble balls.

You start in the B position (1st base side of the pitcher, and between 2nd base and the pitchers rubber. Line up your position with the corner of the plate and the downward slope of the mound.) when there is a runner on first, AND runners on first and third. I repeat, FIRST ONLY, and FIRST AND THIRD. The reason for this is a question of priorities and percentages. Our priority is the pickoff at first, not third, as the pickoff to first happens significantly more times than a pickoff to third.

Seriously, how many times is there actually a throw to third with a runner on first?

The C position (same description as B, but on the third base side of the mound) covers all other base runner situations: 1st and 2nd, 2nd only, 2nd and 3rd, 3rd only, bases loaded.The theory behind this positioning has to do with trying to keep an umpire ahead of the runners. The umpire ahead of the runner at third is the plate umpire. If you keep that in mind, and just stay in front of runners, you should be good on positioning. Your position on the infield as the base umpire NEVER changes due to the number of outs...NEVER.

I hope this clarifies the situation for you.

Keeper