I still do a lot of JV ball, so I use one-man mechanics all the time. I will describe the system I use, which has a basis in something I read from the internet once. Of course, all that has been said already are necessary. The fundamentals of umpiring are even more important in one-man: Hustle, but do not over-commit yourself and get caught. Go for a better angle before a close distance. Sell the close calls hard and deemphasize the easy call. Keep the ball alive as much as possible, but do not allow your back to be turned on a live ball. When a play occurs, you should be stopped and set, not running at it.
Remember the priorities of an umpire:
1. Ball/Strike
2. Fair/Foul
3. Catch/No catch
4. Safe/Out
5. Touch/no touch of a base by a runner
The main mechanic that I use is called the "sliding line" theory. When runners are advancing or returning, draw an imaginary line through the lead runner and parallel to the third base line. As the lead runner advances or returns, that line "slides" around, but it is always parallel to the third base line. You must always be on the "foul side" of that line. Run out as hard and as far as you can into the infield, but always allow yourself to run back before that sliding line reaches you.
EXAMPLES
- No runners, ball batted into infield, likely play at first: Clear the catcher to your left, then loop around and chase the runner to 1B. You should get down more than halfway to see play at first, maybe halfway between the 45' line and the pitchers rubber.
If the throw goes wild and the runner chugs for second, you can run nearly parallel to the third base line to almost get into the "working area" (between mound & 2B). If the runner goes to third, DO NOT LET HIM BEAT YOU there. Anticipate and stay ahead of the sliding line. Here's a big problem: either we make the call from fair territory like we want to, and the sliding line gets ahead of you, or we make it from foul territory with a slightly poorer angle. I say foul ground--any potential play at home is very important. Thus I will stay ahead of the runner and be in foul territory and closer to home to make the call at third.
- No runners, obvious single: Your goal here is to get as close to second as possible. Clear the catcher to the left and run straight at second. Take your eye off the ball just for one second to watch the BR touch first, then immediately find the ball. Be careful to steer clear of a lollygagging pitcher.
- Runner on First, infield grounder. Here we need to take either call, so I usually run out just to the 45' of the mound, more to the infield than with no runners. This is a pretty good angle for both force plays, but you must be ready to hustle back if R1 goes for third.
- Runner on Second, infield grounder. Our priority here is to make sure that we can cover a play at third or a second play at home. Run up the line in FOUL GROUND so that you have good distance for a play at third, or good angle but terrible distance for the play at first. If the throw goes to first, step up to the foul line to set and make the call, then retreat backwards if R2 is charging for home. Beat the runner to home and set up left of first base line extended for a normal slide play (so as to not let the throw hit you if the catcher totally misses) or third base line extended for a sweep tag. After the play, move back out to get in position for any play on the BR.
- Steals/pickoffs: These are the hardest safe/out calls for the one-man umpire to make. Just get the best angle you can in the second or two you have, and don't take any guff with the call. Sometimes you have to assume that the tag touched the runner if it got down in time.
- Lead runner hotbox: This is fun, because it usually gives you some time to get a proper position. Stay on the lead base side of the hot box, but don't be afraid to shuffle with the play for better angles. Watch for obstruction.
- Runner scoring easily: I usually let him go by me, then run out so that I can get better position on the "new" lead runner. This means missing the view of the touch of home--a small price to pay.
- Trailing runner hotbox: We need to stick around with the lead runner, because the play will nearly always come to him at home plate. Of course, everyone will be safe, but watch it anyway.
The advantages to the "sliding line" theory are that:
is that it gives us the opportunity to:
- see every play in front of you--we never have to turn 180 degrees
- stay out of the way of fielder's throws
- stay close to the important (lead) runners
- never get stuck out deep in the infield when there's a play at home
- see every base being touched (not that we will, but that the base is in front of us if we do get a chance)
Hope this helps.
P-Sz
[Edited by Patrick Szalapski on Apr 3rd, 2003 at 05:24 PM]