General Movement by the Field Umpire (FU)

Terms-

A pivot is a maneuver that allows the field umpire to change position on the field, thereby changing his field of vision without losing sight of his responsibilities. The pivot point is a point of orientation during a pivot from A on a base hit. It is roughly 3-6 feet inside the base line that separates 1st base from 2nd base and about 10 feet inside the 1st base line.
The working area describes that almost square area behind the pitching mound the FU uses in multiple runner situations while “reading” the play and preparing to move to the appropriate base.
Man-to-man and zone coverage refers to responsibility of either one runner (man-to-man) or multiple runners (zone). Generally speaking, use the working area when in zone coverage and beat the runner to the cut-out in man-to-man coverage.
The 30-foot line is the point on the 1st base line where the running lane begins. The FU uses this spot for orientation.
Pause, Read and React is an expression that describes the process an umpire must go through to properly evaluate a play.
- Pause once the ball is hit to determine where it’s going
- Read what is happening in the play, and finally
- React to what is going on in front of you.
A refers to the position on the field that the field umpire takes when there are no runners on base.
B refers to the position on the field the field umpire takes with a runner on 1st ONLY.
C refers to the position the field umpire takes in any other situation

Fair/ Foul- To make a fair/ foul call from A, after you read close fair/foul turn and go straight up the line (remember to communicate). Straddle the foul line to make the call. Make sure you are set and completely still at the point the ball is either fair or foul.

Fly Balls-

From A after you read trouble catch, turn and go straight up the line (remember to communicate). Read the ball to get an angle on the possible catch. Make certain you are set before the time the catch is attempted. You may need to hustle back (via foul territory) to cover home plate.
From B or C fly balls are covered by the plate umpire. Come inside, pivot and take the runners from the working area.

Ground Balls-

With no one on base, develop a 45-degree angle to the open edge of 1st base. FU should be about 6-8 feet from the base. Face the ball; square your shoulders to the base. Read the throw as it comes and if it’s on-line, come set. If the throw will pull the 1st baseman one way or another prepare to lean to the left in order to see a possible swipe tag.
With runners on base and a batted ball, you will need to open first to the ball, then the first play. If the first play is at first establish the best angle to first base you can, and then read the throw. As above, if the throw is good, set for the call, if not stay in a high set and prepare to pivot into the infield toward the working area.
If the first play is to another base, open to that base, do not attempt to get inside, there is not enough time to get set. Once the play is made, take a drop step (or a forward step depending on where you are) toward first base. Watch the throw to first, take a cross-over step and make the signal at the same time (the play at second). Come set before the throw gets to first (again, read the throw and come set if the throw is good).

Base Hits-

With no one on base, pivot on a base hit. To pivot, move from A to the pivot point. Push off your left foot, spin counter-clockwise and step back on your right foot. To complete the pivot square to the ball by dropping your left foot. If the runner continues to 2nd base, use a couple of cross-over steps to set your course, then beat him to the cut-out. If he returns to 1st, use a drop step followed by cross-over steps (in the direction of the 30-foot line) to gain angle on a possible throw back.
With runners on base pivot the same way and go directly to the working area to watch the play. What happens next depends on the situation.

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