Always:
q Balls/Strikes
q Fair/foul to the bag (not including the bag) at first base, if no runners on; otherwise the whole line.
q Fair/foul down the whole line at third
q Balks
“V” - this is the description of an imaginary line being drawn from the plate to the right fielder, and another imaginary line being drawn from the plate to the left fielder.
No Runners on base…..
Ball hit to infield. Run down the first base line after the batter-runner if the ball is hit to the infield, go as far as the mound, if the ball gets by the first baseman, then you need to turn and run to second base. (Since you have the momentum in running forward, you are more capable of getting to second since your partner is standing still for the safe/out call at first base.)
What are you looking for:
q Batted ball is Fair/foul to the bag (unless down third base side – you have the whole line).
q Batted ball hits the runner out of the batter’s box– runner is out.
q Obstruction/interference – is the batter running in fair territory? Did the runner throw his elbow at the first baseman when running by? Did the runner intentionally step on the first baseman’s foot (the bag is a foot wide – no reason for this to happen –if it does, eject the runner).
q Dead Ball – if the ball is overthrown and goes into the dugout – award second base.
q Pulled Foot – if the first baseman has to reach for the catch – does his foot come off the bag.
q Swiped Tag – look for a swiped tag that your partner will not be able to see.
Ball hit to outfield- from right fielder to third base foul line.. Run after the ball (in the same direction of the ball), go as far as the mound – or even to the other side of the mound. YELL – “catch” if the ball is caught, “runner” if the ball is not caught. If the ball is not caught, be prepared to run to third for the safe/out call (your partner should be at the plate if the runner continues on).
What are you looking for:
q Catch/no catch – when running after the ball and it is fumbled by the outfielder, it looks better to see the umpire making an effort to see if the ball is caught or not.
Ball hit to outfield- from right fielder to first base foul line.. Your field umpire should go out after this fly ball. If he does, you need to run to second for the safe/out call. Be prepared for a play at third that you will need to cover as well.
What are you looking for:
q Batter-Runner touching first base.
q Safe/out call at second base.
q Safe/out call at third base.
Runner on first base…..
Ball hit to infield. Come out from behind the catcher, move down third base line about 6 feet, watching the runner and thrown ball. Once the throw is made and not caught by the first baseman, move to third for the call. YELL to your partner that you at third base (“Bill, I have third”). If you see that the runner has the ability to get to home, start moving that direction. YELL “Bill, I’m going home” so that your partner knows that he now has third base responsibility.
What are you looking for:
q Batted ball is Fair/foul – all the way
q Batted ball hits the batter-runner out of the batter’s box – runner is out. Watch for the batted ball to hit the runner going to second base.
q Obstruction/interference – on either runner.
q Dead Ball – if the ball is overthrown and goes into the dugout – award second base to batter-runner. Runner on first gets third.
q Pulled Foot – if the first baseman has to reach for the catch – does his foot come off the bag.
q Swiped Tag – look for a swiped tag that your partner will not be able to see.
Ball hit to outfield-right side. Move towards third base watching for the catch and tag-up by runner at first base unless the batted ball is near the fair/foul line because it is your responsibility to see if it’s fair/foul. If ball is near the line, run down first base line for fair/foul call. Then slide back to home. Field Umpire has the runners. Your partner should yell “catch” or “runner” on those fly balls in the “V”. If no catch, run to third for a possible play at third, if it looks as though the runner could come home, move back to home YELLing “Bill, I’m going home!”.
Ball hit to outfield- left side. Move to the right side of the plate area…getting the best view of the catch and tag up of the runner unless the batted ball is near the fair/foul line because it is your responsibility to see if it’s fair/foul. If no catch, get down to third for a possible play.
What are you looking for:
q Get a line on the runner and the catch for the purpose of the tag up by the runner.
q Catch/no catch, fair/foul on fly balls outside of the “V”.
q Batter-Runner touching first base.
q Safe/out call at third base.
q Play at the plate
Runner on second base or first and second base…..
Ball hit to infield. Stay home! (unless – only runner at second, see last bullet).
What are you looking for:
q Batted ball is Fair/foul – all the way
q Catch/No catch, fair/foul on fly balls outside of the “V”
q Infield Fly rule
q Runners touching third base
q Batted ball hits the batter-runner out of the batter’s box or any runner – runner is out.
q Obstruction/interference – on any runner.
q Dead Ball – if the ball is overthrown and goes into the dugout – award second base to batter-runner. Runner on second, gets home; Runner on first gets third base.
q Pulled Foot – if the first baseman has to reach for the catch – does his foot come off the bag.
q Swiped Tag – look for a swiped tag that your partner will not be able to see.
q If rundown between second and third (on runner that was at second base), you are responsible to watch batter-runner touch first base
q With runner on second only, be prepared to make a call at third base if it is the second play in the infield.
Ball hit to outfield. Move so that you have the best line for the catch and tag-up by runner at second base (glance at first for tag up as back up for Field umpire) unless the batted ball is near the fair/foul line because it is your responsibility to see if it’s fair/foul. Your partner should yell “catch” or “runner” on those fly balls. If no catch, watch for runners touching third base as they round for home.
What are you looking for:
q Get a line on the runner and the catch for the purpose of the tag up by the runner.
q Runner touching third base.
q Play at the plate.
q Catch/no catch, fair/foul outside of the “V”
Runner on Third base…..
Ball hit to infield. Stay put!
What are you looking for:
q Batted ball is Fair/foul – all the way
q Batted ball hits the batter-runner out of the batter’s box – runner is out.
q Watch runner on third touch home.
q Obstruction/interference – on either runner.
q Dead Ball – if the ball is overthrown and goes into the dugout – award second base to batter-runner. Runner on third, gets home.
q Pulled Foot – if the first baseman has to reach for the catch – does his foot come off the bag.
q Swiped Tag – look for a swiped tag that your partner will not be able to see.
Ball hit to outfield. Move into foul territory towards third base- lining up for the catch and tag-up by runner at third unless the batted ball is near the fair/foul line because it is your responsibility to see if it’s fair/foul. Your partner should yell “catch” or “runner” on those fly balls in the “V” unless the fly ball is near the first/third baseline then you have the catch. Make sure the runner touches home plate, then move towards third base for a possible play at third by the batter-runner.
What are you looking for:
q Get a line on the runner and the catch for the purpose of the tag up by the runner.
q Catch/no catch, fair/foul outside of the “V”.
q Play at the plate on runner coming from third.
q Runner touches home plate.
q Safe/out call at third base if needed on the batter-runner.
Runners at First and Third base…..
Ball hit to infield. Stay put!
What are you looking for:
q Batted ball is Fair/foul – all the way
q Batted ball hits the batter-runner out of the batter’s box – runner is out.
q Watch runner at third touch home plate.
q Obstruction/interference – on either runner.
q Dead Ball – if the ball is overthrown and goes into the dugout – award second base to batter-runner. Runner on third, gets home.
q Pulled Foot – if the first baseman has to reach for the catch – does his foot come off the bag.
q Swiped Tag – look for a swiped tag that your partner will not be able to see.
Ball hit to outfield. Move into foul territory towards third base- lining up for the catch and tag-up by runner at third unless the batted ball is near the fair/foul line because it is your responsibility to see if it’s fair/foul. Your partner should yell “catch” or “runner” on those fly balls in the “V” unless the fly ball is near the first/third baseline then you have the catch. Make sure the runner touches home plate, then move to third base for a possible play at third by the runner that was on first base..
What are you looking for:
q Get a line on the runner and the catch for the purpose of the tag up by the runner.
q Catch/no catch, fair/foul outside of the “V”.
q Play at the plate on runner coming from third.
q Runner touches home plate.
q Batter-Runner touching first base.
q Safe/out call at third base if needed on the runner at first base.