NYSBUA
THREE MAN MECHANICS
Basic Coverages
Check swings - RH - 1BU, LH - 3BU (even when inside the diamond)
Fair/foul coverage
•Ball before bag, plate umpire calls (no double calls!!!)
•Base umpire on line - ball at bag and beyond
No one on
•If 1BU goes out, HPU goes to first and 3BU comes into infield for play at second.
•If 3BU goes out, 1BU comes into infield for play at first/second.
•GO OUT on all fly balls on which players converge, the catch may be below the waist, the OFer
is moving back to catch (possible GR 2B or HR) and when fielders are moving toward the foul
line to make a catch.
•Let the 3BU take fly balls in dead CF. 1BU key off 3BU.
•Ground ball in infield - 3BU rotate to second as play is being made.
•FIy ball- 3BU - all balls at CF and toward left (1BU come into infield and pivot).
1BU - balls in right center toward right (HPU to first, 3BU to second).
•Base hit- 3BU - Rotate into infield for play at second base.
1BU - Do NOT come inside, watch runner hit first, prepare to rotate to plate.
HPU- Will take B/R at third base.
Men on base
•Anytime runner at first - 1BU stay on line - 3BU inside (3BU has interference at second)
•Runner at second, or second and third
•Regardless of outs - 1BU inside, 3BU on line.
•Runner at third - both umpires on line
•Fly Ball •BU on line -- same coverage as no one on base.
•Ball in V - base umpire inside will usually call from INFIELD, unless other base
umpire goes out.
•Ball on line w/out umpire - plate umpire will call.
•ROTATION- runner at first, or first and third - base hit
•HPU move to third, 3BU at second and then first also
•1BU at first for immediate play and then to plate
•With runners at first and second or bases loaded and a base hit or fly ball, with both base umpires
staying in, 1BU must get inside the infield to be able to cover the multiple runners (Reverse
rotation). The 3BU will take lead runner/first play in the infield, with the 1BU taking the
other runners. This may necessitate the 1BU taking plays at both 1st and/or second. GET inside
the infield to be able to cover multiple bases. HPU stays at the plate for possible play.
•TAG UPS/TOUCHES – If you stay at the base on the ball being hit, take the tag. 3BU will take
third if he stays on the line, otherwise the plate umpire will take the tag/touch. HPU will rotate
to third with runners tagging at second and first. 1BU will drop to plate if he isn’t going out.
HPU can help watch at first and third.
•HP Umpire moves from the plate in these instances only:
•Runners on 1st or 1st and 3rd and a base hit. Rotate without regard to a play at 3rd.
•Runners at 1st and 2nd and a tag up.
•Trail the runner to first if the 1BU goes out with no runners on, cover at 3rd on triple.
•Communicate and stay alert. Be prepared to cover plays that may not be your responsibility.
•Don't be overly technical about balks.
•At the home plate meeting with coaches, the plate umpire does all the talking.
•Be prepared for enforcing the collision rule at the plate when the catcher has the ball.
•Watch for malicious contact (look for intent to score and ability to avoid contact).
•CALL STRIKES
NYSBUA Section III Three Man (more)
Check swings: 1BU on all RH hitters and 3BU on all LH handers.
Fair – Foul: Plate umpire to the bag, base umpire has bag and beyond. If base umpire is
inside, plate umpire has the entire line. NO DOUBLE CALLS!
IF coverage: HPU: Has pitcher in and corner IF coming hard in. No base umpire on line, take that IF
toward the line.
1BU: If both base umpires on line; split field in half. Inside take IF V and 3BU on line
take 3rd baseman toward him. HP takes other line.
3BU: Both base umpires on line; split field in half. Inside take IF V and 1BU on line
take 1st baseman toward him. HP takes other line.
OF coverage: Go out on balls that: 1) OF’ers are converging to make a catch 2) OF’er has to make a
catch while running backwards 3) OF’er will have to make a catch below his waist
4) The batted ball is a possible fair/foul call.
HPU: Has line if base umpire is inside.
1BU: Both base umpires on line; split field in half. If inside, take the V and 3BU has
line.
3BU: Both base umpires on line; split field in half. If inside, take the V and other 1BU
has line.
Home Plate Umpire
No one on: Trail B/R to 1st if 1BU goes out. Take B/R at third on triple.
Same rotations as two man, except that it is automatic. Do not read the runners, rotate when the ball is a
base hit (or tag up with R1 and R2).
First Base Umpire
Positioning: With no runners, set up same as in 2 man. With R1 and 1st baseman holding, move to
position to see pitcher between R1 and 1st baseman, preparing for pick off. When inside,
stay in deep B.
R0: Be prepared to go out on fly balls to RF, and read U3 on fly balls to LF and CF. If U3
goes out pivot and take B/R. On a clean hit and U3 coming to 2nd, walk the foul line and
watch B/R touch 1st. In summary, go out, come in and pivot or walk the line. Of course
on ground balls, prepare for play and call at first.
R3: Same as R0, except if U3 goes out, get inside quickly, straight toward 3rd for possible
playback to 3rd base on R3.
R1: and R13: Plays at first, out on fly balls down line, and on hits prepare to drop to the plate.
R12: and R123: Plays at first, out on fly balls down line and reverse rotate (pivot inside) for BR to 2nd
and secondary plays at 2nd.
R2 and R23: Fly ball in V. All calls at 1st and 2nd and at 3rd if U3 goes out.
Third Base Umpire
Positioning: With no runners, stay in foul onto OF grass. With R1, stay in deep B or deep C. With
R13 and R123 stay in deep C. If a steal of 3rd is possible (R12) stay in normal C. R2
and R23, on line and closer to 3rd (15 ft) for pickoffs and steals. Set up in fair if needed
to see batter.
R0 and R3: Go out on fly ball, or come into 2nd base.
R1 and R13 Fly ball in V. Base hit, calls at 2nd and then 1st – ROTATION. Ball stays in infield, all
calls at 2nd and 3rd.
R12 and R123 Stay in deep C. If a steal of 2nd is possible (R1 and R2) stay in normal C.
R2 and R23: Go out on fly ball, or watch tag up. When inside, all calls at 3rd.
In Summary:
When on line: No one on; be prepared to go out on fly balls to LF and CF. Otherwise go to 2nd.
When on line and R3 only: Go out on fly ball down line, or come inside quickly to 1st or 2nd base.
When inside: Calls at all infield bases unless U1 at first, or HPU rotates to 3rd.