Three man crew mechanics

[Moriarty_45]

I will be working some 3 man crews this year for some of the local high school games. Local standards with nobody on is that someone goes out on every fly ball to the outfield. Reason: routine fly balls arent always routine in high school and having an umpire on the play looks better to all coaches and spectators . I agree. Other than more work by your partners, are than any other drawbacks to someone going out on every fly ball?

[sdix00]

I have the same question. How many umpires are needed to cover one Batter-runner?

[Guest]

I have the same question. How many umpires are needed to cover one Batter-runner?

Depends on what mechanics you are using. If you're using pro, if no one goes out, 3 - http://www.MiLB.com/multimedia/vpp.jsp?content_id=18494559

Some mechanics - well, at least Baseball Canada - in that situation have U3 take the BR as far as 3B so PU can stay home.

When U1 goes out, PU and U3 share - PU comes down the line to take any plays back into 1B and U3 will have anything at 2B and 3B, with PU being back at home in the event of an inside the park HR attempt.

When U3 goes out, you revert to a 2-man and U1 takes BR all the way around.

I will be working some 3 man crews this year for some of the local high school games. Local standards with nobody on is that someone goes out on every fly ball to the outfield. Reason: routine fly balls arent always routine in high school and having an umpire on the play looks better to all coaches and spectators . I agree. Other than more work by your partners, are than any other drawbacks to someone going out on every fly ball?

There isn't one?

Assuming of course, the other 2 umpires are competent and do not blow coverage.

[mstaylor]

I agree that there is no real disadvantage to always sending somebody out with no runners. It does require the other two to step up and do their coverages correctly. I believe a good three man is the best system out there.

[UmpTTS43]

There are arguements on whether or not to go out with nobody on. I believe that correctly reading "trouble ball" or not is more important. Getting a correct read on a ball is more important that going out due to number of runners on. It does not take a rocket scientist to call a "no catch" on a routine ball whether you go out or not. Follow your associations guidelines.

[mstaylor]

With no runners why not sacrifice an umpire to cover the catch. MLB uses four umpires and they always have somebody out. I just don't see a downside.

[BT_Blue]

I have no problem sending someone out regardless of the type of fly ball we are dealing with with no one on. However I do recommend that you allow U1 to be the key umpire here. Since we are all used to deciding to go out or not from A why all of a sudden change to keying off of U3 just because we have another umpire. Make the OF coverage much like you would in two-man but instead of HP having to take fly balls to LF and LCF have U3 do it.