[llblue]

There's nothing all the difficult about 6-man mechanics.

RFU and LFU call all the calls on the lines, U2, comes out and takes the V. PU takes all ground balls to the outfield.

BU will pivot inside only when there is a play at his base. U2 if outside will stay outside until the play is over and not make any calls. U3 shall come up and cover any plays at 2nd, PU will cover 3rd.

Ideally, if done right, there should be no confusion and it should look fairly clean.

Umpire covering the line should emulate his line's call. i.e., U1 calls foul or fair, RFU shall emulate but without voice (if foul)

Between innings, RFU and LFU may converge with U2 behind the fielders warming up. It they chose not to do that, they should be in front of the fence in DBT or in fair 35 feet or more from the fences.

It is permitted for U1 to go out and be with RFU and LFU and 2U will converse in the V. PU and U3 may do so.

OF need not echo Infield fly warning however they should call it on their lines in echo with the remainder of the crew.

It's too bad that 6-man crews only get used in LL anyway at the state, regional and WS levels. I called a semi-final in the regionals as U2 and it was strange to go out and have people on the lines.

I don't agree though that it's easier on the PU. He still needs to be moving on all plays to the infield, watching the ground balls, pulled feet and other normal responsibilities.

It requires the entire crew to be alert and move properly. The key really is though for U2 not to come close to coming back in if he goes out. Get in the worst position possible and let U3 make that call.

It is permissible just like in 4man for U3 to go to C if warranted without LFU coming in. The OF umpires will never come in.

It's a little nerve wracking to go from solo or 3 man mechanics to 6 but for tournaments at any level, it's the way to go if you get the coverage.

First time we did in the states last year we had a team from Northern Maine and one from the southern area, the team from the south was used to having 4, maybe 6 in districts but it blew the northerners away. Manager said he'd never seen so much blue in one place.