One Man Mechanics

[Charlie B]

I'm a rookie ump who so far has worked Little League only (9-12). Our league is pretty lame about recruiting and training umps, so I'm basically self-taught.

I've been able to learn a lot about 2-man mechanics for 60' and 90' diamonds from various boards and watching the 2-man crews working our local minor league games.

I would guess that in close to half the games I've worked so far, I was either the only ump or had a completely clueless BU who was pulled out of the stands.

In those situations, I basically just tried to anticipate where the plays were going to be and get myself in the best position I could. But I'm wondering if anyone can make some suggestions, offer some rules of thumb, or point me to some reference material about calling games by myself? I would very much appreciate it.

Thanks in advance.

------------------
Charlie Breuninger
PA District 28 (Avon Grove)

[Dave Sirbu]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Charlie B:
I'm a rookie ump who so far has worked Little League only (9-12). Our league is pretty lame about recruiting and training umps, so I'm basically self-taught.

I've been able to learn a lot about 2-man mechanics for 60' and 90' diamonds from various boards and watching the 2-man crews working our local minor league games.

I would guess that in close to half the games I've worked so far, I was either the only ump or had a completely clueless BU who was pulled out of the stands.

In those situations, I basically just tried to anticipate where the plays were going to be and get myself in the best position I could. But I'm wondering if anyone can make some suggestions, offer some rules of thumb, or point me to some reference material about calling games by myself? I would very much appreciate it.

Thanks in advance.

---

[Dave Sirbu]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Charlie B:
[b]I'm a rookie ump who so far has worked Little League only (9-12). Our league is pretty lame about recruiting and training umps, so I'm basically self-taught.

I've been able to learn a lot about 2-man mechanics for 60' and 90' diamonds from various boards and watching the 2-man crews working our local minor league games.

I would guess that in close to half the games I've worked so far, I was either the only ump or had a completely clueless BU who was pulled out of the stands.

In those situations, I basically just tried to anticipate where the plays were going to be and get myself in the best position I could. But I'm wondering if anyone can make some suggestions, offer some rules of thumb, or point me to some reference material about calling games by myself? I would very much appreciate it.

Thanks in advance.

Charlie B,

Most written mechanics are directed toward 2,3 and 4 man mechanics.

However, since you're from PA there must be a local High School umpire association. Most high schools use 1 man mechanics for frosh/soph and JV play. So, you could check with any umpire you know that does high baseball and he should be able to provide you with their written material. Or, check with the association itself.

I'm guessing there must be additional material available somewhere and I'm sure someone reading your post will give you more ideas.

Regards,
Dave Sirbu

[Charlie B]

Thanks, Carl. The good news is that I was more or less on the right track. I totally agree with you on the "standers." In my limited experience, they've caused a lot more trouble than they were worth.

The problem I get into is that, in our league, umpiring has been mostly an afterthought. We do have a couple FED guys who work some of the over-12 games. But in the lower levels that I've been working, we've been taking whatever we can get. And there's never been an attempt to actually schedule individuals to cover certain games. We just have this understanding that the home team is supposed to supply the PU and the visitor the BU. You can imagine what happens.

More often than not, I'm the only umpire who shows up for my games in uniform, with gear, and with some idea about what to do. Most of the time, the other team is happy to let me do my thing however I want to do it.

But occasionally the other team will insist on putting somebody out there, usually a coach or a rabid dad who wants to make sure his team gets all the calls, but sometimes just a poor schmuck who thought he was there to watch his kid's game. I'm not sure who's worse. But the absolute worst is when the other team is the home team and they insist on putting their guy behind the plate.

The good news is that I may be able to do something about this sorry state of affairs. Rumor has it that one of the VPs is going to nominate me for UIC for next year. Then maybe I'll have I forum through which I can pass on all the great stuff I'm learning from all of you.

Thanks again for teaching me pretty much everything I know about this arcane subject.

[Carl Childress]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Charlie B:
I'm a rookie ump who so far has worked Little League only (9-12). Our league is pretty lame about recruiting and training umps, so I'm basically self-taught.

I've been able to learn a lot about 2-man mechanics for 60' and 90' diamonds from various boards and watching the 2-man crews working our local minor league games.

I would guess that in close to half the games I've worked so far, I was either the only ump or had a completely clueless BU who was pulled out of the stands.

In those situations, I basically just tried to anticipate where the plays were going to be and get myself in the best position I could. But I'm wondering if anyone can make some suggestions, offer some rules of thumb, or point me to some reference material about calling games by myself? I would very much appreciate it.

Thanks in advance.

---

Charlie:

Patrick Szalapski shared this with UT back on February 23, of this year. It's one man mechanics where the umpire stands behind the catcher.

+++++++++
One Ump Mechanics for Plays in the Infield.


There are inherent problems with working solo that no mechanic can totally solve. However, as limiting as it is, the reality is that some will games require that an umpire work alone. Rather than simply blame the situation for creating problems, we need to continue to perform as well as possible so that we do not adversely affect the outcome of the game.

Most umpires know what to do with no one on base and the BR either singles cleanly or hits to the infield. But most umps do not realize that there are established mechanics for all situations with one-man crews. Obviously they are not complicated, but they are designed to provide the best positioning on plays given the limitations.

No One on Base:

The mechanic is similar to that of a plate umpire in two-man mechanics. On a batted ball to the infield, the umpire will clear the catcher and move with the runner. If the batted ball is to second, short or third, instead of trailing the runnier, the umpire should move in a direction toward a point between first and second. He should not move inwards in the infield past the mount so as to keep from placing himself of a throw. This will allow the umpire a better position should the throw get away from F3 and the runner continue to second. Should the throw get away from F3, the umpire should keep his chest to the ball and back up into the working area behind the mound opening his field of vision and keeping the runner in the corner of his eye.

On a clean hit to the outfield, the umpire will clear the catcher and move towards the mound, keeping the runner to his right at all times. (See reference to the “imaginary line” under “With Runners on Base”.

On a fly ball to the outfield, the umpire will clear the catcher and move towards the “ball-side” of the mound to improve his view. Should the fly ball drop uncaught, assume the mechanic for a clean hit to the outfield.

With Runners on Base:

The umpire should imagine a line drawn through wherever he is positioned that runs parallel to the 3B foul line. This line will move with the umpire and will always remain to the infield side of the 3B foul line. The umpire will move into the field as necessary on calls, but will NEVER* allow a runner to get to the 3B-dugout side of the imaginary line. This prevents the possibility of the umpire being out of position to call a play on the lead runner at any base, and keeps ALL play in front of him.

So with R1, the umpire would move in towards the mound behind BR on a batted ball. (Remember: angle over distance) But if R1 rounds 2B, he must start backing up, all the way back into foul territory if necessary, to keep the runner on the right side of the imaginary line.

With R2 or R1 and R2, the umpire will not move as close to first. He will still move out to obtain the proper angle, but he will work to keep R2 to the right of the imaginary line.

With bases loaded, the umpire will stay in foul territory on the 3B side, moving up and down the line as require to try for any improvement in angle on plays at first and second. HE WILL NOT COME INTO THE DIAMOND! As soon as he enters the diamond, sure as shootin' there will be a play at home plate and he will be in the path of the throw, or at the very least, grossly out of position to make a call.

*There are two exceptions to this rule:

1) If a close play is anticipated at 3B, the umpire can move into the 3B cutout even though that puts the runner on the wrong side of his line after his slide. If the play breaks down (ball gets away), he will stay inside the diamond and back up to the front of the mound and then closer to the plate. Since the ball will be in foul territory and the play will be on this lead runner (either at HP or diving back into 3B), this creates a workable angle and keeps the umpire out of the path of any throw.

2) On an anticipated sweep tag at HP, the umpire should try to get over onto 3B extended even though this means the runner trying to score will be on the wrong side of his line, as will any trail runner on a following play at 3B. It's more important to have the better angle on the close scoring play.

+++++++++
In my career for the last 100 games of so when I had to call solo because an umpire didn't show up, I called those games from behind the pitcher!

On UT we continued sporadic discussion of the one-man "crew," until on April 5, I provided this small piece of advice:

Stand on the mound, perhaps two steps from the pitcher.

There are two ideas on which side to stand:
1. Same side as he pitches, but you might serve as a background to help the batter pick up the pitch.

2. Opposite side he pitches, but his follow through might mask the plate.

I prefer #2, but you have to "clear that" with the pitcher's stance AFTER the pitch.

Have the coaches call fair/foul on balls that pass over the base. What you will learn is that from the top of the average mound, if the lines are marked well, you will get 99% of fair/foul without having to be on the line.

With multiple runners, always favor home if there will be a play. That is, go closer to the plate for a slide/tag, even if there might be a follow-up play at another base.

DON'T KILL YOURSELF. You're doing double work, but I'll bet a dollar to a penny they aren't paying a double fee. Work accordingly.

At the pre-game make it clear what you will do about runners who deliberately cut corners. You're not talking about missing the base by a few inches, but some runner simply cutting across the infield while you're taking a play at another base: If you have reason (by virtue of some players/coach from the opposite team going berserk) to suspect a runner of deliberately cheating, you will call him out and throw him out. Appeal to the coaches: This is supposed to teach kids honor, sportsmanship, etc.

+++++++++++
I do not recommend "standers," which I what I have always called the fan plucked from the stands and made to serve as an umpire. My experience has been they are more trouble than they're worth.

I hope this has been of some help, as the professional umpires say when they sign their emails. (grin)




------------------
Papa C
Editor, eUmpire

[GarthB]

Since I was the source of Patrick's piece on one man mechanics that Carl referred to, I would be happy to eamil you a copy in its entirety. You can reach me at [email protected]. Just leave your email address and I'll forward a copy.

Garth Benham

------------------
Co-Moderator, UT

[Charlie B]

Hi All,

Thanks to everyone for all the great advice. I called my first fall ball game last night, and wouldn't you know, I ended up doing it solo.

Well, there was a guy with a plaid shirt and striped pants standing out in shallow right (introduced to me as Carl, no less!). But that's all he did - stand. He didn't make a call or even move the entire game.

But, thanks to all of you, I was prepared and called a good game.

Is this a great board or what?

------------------
Charlie Breuninger
PA District 28 (Avon Grove)

[Jim Porter]

I just want to lend my personal endorsement (for whatever it's worth) to Carl's excellent instructions for working alone.

Furthermore, I cannot recommend enough working from behind the pitcher on a 90-foot diamond when alone.

I worked alone from behind the plate for years. When I first heard Carl comment that he worked from behind the mound, I figured I'd give it a whirl.

Balls and strikes seemed easier to me (yes, easier,) and certainly the enhancement of base and catch coverage is astounding, when compared to what we face from behind the plate.

The trade-off is, as Papa C. said, we must utilize the base coaches for fouls which pass over the bag. I agree with his assessment that the vast majority of fair/foul calls on a marked field can easily be called from the middle (with a little quickness and instinct.)

I think having experience working from behind the plate makes working from behind the pitcher a snap. Really, it is. You're at a distinct advantage having seen the strike zone from both sides, and it cannot help but make you a better balls and strikes umpire in the end.

The tricky part is getting the coaches to understand. Sometimes, they don't mind. But other times they can be downright pig-headed about it. All they know of calling balls and strikes from behind the mound is from intra-squad practice games, when a coach, father, or another player is calling the game.

I usually tell them that umpires used to call from behind the mound, so they can think of it as a celebration of the history and tradition of the great game of baseball.

They usually roll their eyes and walk away, never saying a peep again the whole game.

Sincerely,
Jim Porter

[PeteBooth]

Charly B - Papa C and Jim P have given you excellent advice. The only thing I will add is this.

When and if you umpire HS or belong to an association - the association will recommend where to position yourself regarding 1 man mechanics.

For example; I live in NY state and the association I belong to REQUIRES you to position yourself behind Home Plate (same as in 2 man) when umpiring a game by yourself.

If you do not it will NEGATIVELY effect your rating. When doing a game by yourself, there are trade-offs. Behind the mound is my personal preference, but if I want work, I abide by my association recommendations.

In LL, since it is volunteer work you might be able to umpire the game from the mound area, but again abide by the association you belong to.

I am slowly trying to introduce some of things I've learned here into the association I belong to. Maybe with some luck some of these will come to pass.

Good Luck!

Pete Booth