UMPIRE TWO-PERSON MECHANICS & ROTATION MANUAL
Document Code: DOC-14-UMP-2MAN
Author: Faculty of Infrastructure, Grounds & Grassroots Expansion
Regulatory Framework: WBSC Two-Umpire Official System
1. The Two-Umpire Philosophy
In a two-person crew (Plate Umpire $PU$ and Field Umpire $U1$), coverage is governed by the position of base runners at the time of pitch.
2. Base Umpire ($U1$) Starting Stations
Base-umpire stations A (foul line, bases empty), B (behind second, runner on first) and C (shortstop hole). Arrows show the plate umpire's rotation when U1 goes out on a trouble ball.
- Position A (bases empty): 10–15 feet behind the first baseman in foul territory. Responsible for fair/foul past 1st base, fly balls to right field, and all batter-runner decisions at 1st base.
- Position B (runner on 1st base): 15–20 feet behind the second baseman, angled toward home plate. Responsible for steal calls at 2nd and double-play pivots.
- Position C (runners on 2nd, 3rd, or bases loaded): 15–20 feet behind the shortstop, angled toward home plate. Responsible for calls at 2nd and 3rd base.
3. Fly Ball Coverage & Rotations
- Going Out on Trouble Balls: When a contested fly ball is hit to the outfield in Position A, $U1$ turns and sprints into the outfield ("goes out"). The Plate Umpire ($PU$) immediately rotates to cover the entire infield and all plays at 1st, 2nd, and 3rd base.
- Staying Home: When $U1$ does not go out, $PU$ covers all tag plays at 3rd base on advances from 1st base.