3 Man Rotation

[noumpere]

BT!  Thanks for reminding me of the new rotation.  Was told about it last fall and had forgotten it.

 

It is a bit odd for me to have PU just stay there, watch the touch, do nothing, and then if for some reason BR goes to third, we have U3 chasing the angle a bit.

 

The whole point of 3-man is to always have someone in front of the runner.  Wonder what was so difficult about PU watching the touch and having another 10 seconds or so to get to third base.

It isn't really any harder for U3 to take this and PU works hard enough.  but, I'd agree its 6 of 1 and half dozen of another.  If he reads the play its pretty much going to be an obvious attempt for a triple or an obvious stop at second and either way its easy for U3.  Now if it looks like a triple U1 can sort of mosey into the infield in case it turns into a rundown then U1 will be there to cover that end.

[Bumps]

Actually we do not. I have ordered the CCA manual, but had not received it. Once arriving, it will be with me at all times. We were given the Fed rule and case books, but told to use CCA mechanics.

[BT_Blue]

Bumps, that makes no sense! There are small differences between CCA and NFHS but they are enough to be noticeable.

[Bumps]

I agree, just trying to go with the flow as the new guy.

[alex7]

 

Had a very similar question on my fed state test. R3, 3 man. U3 goes out. What is the rotation? Having only my rule book with me during the exam, I guessed (incorrectly). I have only worked 3 man a handful of times, and what I was "taught" wasn't correct, apparently.

 This one's pretty easy if you just remember that when an umpire goes out, you revert to 2-man.  U1 pivots and takes the BR to second.  PU has the tag of third and the play at the plate. I think the answer I gave had U1 taking BR and HP staying home.

Jocko, that should be correct as you just revert to 2-man.  Swing out to the library to check tag-up at 3rd (if there is one), then head back home and let U1 do everything else.

[UmpTTS43]

Per CCA with R3 only and U3 goes out U1 has plays at all bases. This makes the only sense.

[alex7]

A good time to remind newbies to 3-man that from the A position it's a good habit with R3 or no one on to break inside (towards a 2-man pivot position) on any ball hit in the air to the left side. 

 

Just in case your U3 goes out after reading it for a second, you'll already be inside to take the BR to 2nd.

 

Sometimes we get used to floating from A down the foul area towards home, then realize U3 has decided to go out...

[AZump78]

Per CCA with R3 only and U3 goes out U1 has plays at all bases. This makes the only sense.

Even easier to remember: Anytime there is a runner in scoring position, PU drops anchor.

[BT_Blue]

Per CCA with R3 only and U3 goes out U1 has plays at all bases. This makes the only sense.

Even easier to remember: Anytime there is a runner in scoring position, PU drops anchor.

 

Also easy way thing to remember if U1 or U3 go out... revert to two man. The only twist I like to do is if U1 goes out, as PU I like to come up and watch BR touch 1st.

[zm1283]

 

Per CCA with R3 only and U3 goes out U1 has plays at all bases. This makes the only sense.

Even easier to remember: Anytime there is a runner in scoring position, PU drops anchor.

 

Also easy way thing to remember if U1 or U3 go out... revert to two man. The only twist I like to do is if U1 goes out, as PU I like to come up and watch BR touch 1st.

______________________________________________________________________________

 

Should only happen with no runners on and U1 goes out.  

[BT_Blue]

Sorry forgot to mention that.

[UmpTTS43]

Per CCA in three man, R1R3 if U3 goes out from the middle U1 comes in and has all plays on the bases. If U1 goes out PU has touch of home by R3 at home and plays on R1 at 3rd.

Since the change was implemented last year there have been three different approaches to the R1R3 rotation when one umpire goes out. 1 - PU stays home regardless who goes out, 2 - revert to 2 man implying PU has plays on R1 at 3rd, 3 - do as CCA says.

At the 2012 national meeting, instructions were that there was no rotation, do as the manual says. When I contacted Hiler concerning the rotations as outlined in the manual, he said to follow the manual. That being said, there are many experienced NCAA umpires that do not know the rotation is in the manual. Bottom line, pregame.

[JaxRolo]

Umptts can you please explain U3 going out from the middle?

[UmpTTS43]

Umptts can you please explain U3 going out from the middle?

Whenever a base umpire is in the middle, he is responsible for trouble balls in the small V. For U3 that would be LF in/back and towards CF, and CF moving towards LF. With U1 use RF instead of LF.

From the inside starting position, you should only go out on trouble balls that take the outfielders back towards the wall. Trouble balls that take the outfielders in usually does not give you enough time to go out, establish your angle, and get set while gaining any appreciable distance. With outfielders coming in you can get to the grass dirt line on the infield, create your angle and get set in plenty of time.

[JaxRolo]

Thanks it makes sense. I've only been taught that you don't go out from the working area.

[UmpTTS43]

Thanks it makes sense.

I've only been taught that you don't go out from the working area.

Going out from the inside is an animal all it's own. I too have heard those say not to go out from the inside. Umpires never used to "cross the line". Now it is an accepted practice but everyone needs to be on the same page. I continually work at improving my reads and reaction time from the inside. The most common problems I see arise out of this mechanic is where U3 takes his initial read and then goes out late or goes out unnecessarily and U1 fails to come in.

When working 3 man it is imperative that all three umpires get an initial read on the batted ball regardless of whose area it is hit to. Once we get this initial read, we read our partner to see what he does. Our responsibilities are determined by our partner's reaction. If we all read the same thing we can be on the same page and rotate as needed. If I, as U1, read a trouble ball to my other BUs area I can start in. Then if he doesn't go, I can peel off and go back to my responsibilities. If I read non trouble, I still have to read my partner in case he reads trouble and goes. With a lesser experienced umpire I may start in just in case.

We are taught to pause read and react or read pause read react, whatever. We can take a little longer in this process from our wing position because our partners are usually stationed, or moving to, a position that would put themselves in place if the wing guy was to make a late break. This is not true when the inside guy makes as late break. Now the wing guy that has to come in and fill is trailing the plays on the bases which can lead to not being in proper position for a particular call.

For me, the keys to being able to successfully go out from the middle are the inside umpire being able to correctly read the ball and react in a timely manner and the wing umpire being able to correctly read the inside guy.

[BT_Blue]

I think thats more of a HS mechanic. I think the reason they don't want you going out is cause HS guys aren't used to working three man.

[AZump78]

Umptts can you please explain U3 going out from the middle? Whenever a base umpire is in the middle, he is responsible for trouble balls in the small V. For U3 that would be LF in/back and towards CF, and CF moving towards LF. With U1 use RF instead of LF. From the inside starting position, you should only go out on trouble balls that take the outfielders back towards the wall. Trouble balls that take the outfielders in usually does not give you enough time to go out, establish your angle, and get set while gaining any appreciable distance. With outfielders coming in you can get to the grass dirt line on the infield, create your angle and get set in plenty of time.

When this rare occasion happens, you'll know it. If you hesitate too long, like to where you won't even get out of the infield dirt when the play occurs, don't go.