Base Umpiring Essentials

Which bases and runners am I responsible for?

The short answer: Depends on your starting position before each play and the number of base umpires working the game with you.

 

 

For a two person umpire crew - one Plate Umpire (PU) and one Base Umpire (BU1)

-  BU1 will make calls at all bases except home plate unless you (as BU1) and the PU agree to another arrangement.

 

-  For example, PU may opt to cover plays at 3rd base (3B) under some scenarios and cover come-back plays on runners returning to 1st base (1B) when BU1 is in a Slot position other than A.

 

For a three person umpire crew - one Plate Umpire (PU) and two Base Umpires (BU1 & BU2)

-  BU1 owns all plays at 1st base (1B) and in-between 1B and 2nd base (2B).

-  BU2 owns all plays at 3rd base (3B) and in-between 2B and 3B.

 

-  So "who's on second"? Simple - when BU1 starts in Slot B, he owns plays at 2B. Otherwise, BU2 owns the calls at 2B.

 

-  PU will call all plays at home plate unless the umpire crew agrees to another arrangement.

 

-  Diagrams 1 & 2 – Three Person Crew Examples

 

Little League Base Umpire field slot positions BU1 calls plays at 2B in these scenarios above from Slot B
Little League Base Umpire field slot positions BU2 calls plays at 2B in these scenarios above beginning from Slot D or Slot C
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