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With no runners on base, the base
umpire shall position
himself/herself approx=
imately
10 to 12 feet behind the 1st baseman with both feet in foul territory. Th=
e base umpire's right foot should be just off=
the
foul line, and his/her body should be squared to home plate. Legs should be spread just over shoulder wi=
dth
apart. The base umpire should=
be in
a "ready" set position with both hands on his/her knees =
as the pitcher is preparing to deliver the ba=
ll to
the batter.
Should the 1st
baseman position himself/herself deeper than normal, the b=
ase umpire will similarly back up onto the out=
field grass a bit, although the 10 to 12 foot di=
stance
may be cut back somewhat so th=
at a
proper pivot is still possible=
on a
ball hit to the outfield. Like=
wise,
should the 1st baseman be playing in (shallow),
the base umpire will also move up with
the 1st baseman, never coming closer than 10 to 12 feet from the 1st base bag. The idea in each of these positions is to have the base=
umpire in a good position for help on the =
catch/no catch and fair/foul decisions
involving the 1st bas=
eman,
while at the same time allowing the fielder adequate room should =
he/she
dive for a ball in the direction of the umpire. This positioning also gives the base umpire=
room
to "recover" and get into position
for a play at 1st b=
ase
should the 1st baseman dive towards the umpire while fielding the ball with a play then following at 1st<=
/span>
base. The base umpire must be conscious about these positions so that he/=
she
is never too close nor too far back from the 1=
st
baseman when no one is on base.
When the pitche=
r is in
possession of the ball, the base umpire must keep his/her eyes on the pitcher for any violations of t=
he
pitching rules that the pitcher may commit. Then, when the pitcher is into his/her windup and is about ready =
to
deliver the ball, the umpire's=
head
should turn towards the plate, and he/she should then focus on the plate =
area, being ready to help the home plate u=
mpire
with any check swing possibilities, helping with the possibility of the
batter being struck by a batted ball and to help the plate umpire with any balls that go out of play t=
hat
the plate umpire may have trouble locating or tracking.
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