How to Be a Baseball Umpire : Base Umpire Positions

[coopercrawford0630]

I can spot a yank when i see one he enunciates...

[jaybird1169]

If you are looking to learn about umpire mechanics do not look or learn from this guy. The way he acts and talks he thinks he is the shit. Stay away from this guy.

[5061304072]

This guy is dangerous. There is plenty of free training available for those who want to find it. This isn't it.

College baseball now teaches an "A" position start with one foot in fair and one in foul ground. If you are 15' behind the 1B, then you are not going to get hit by a ball. Your job on fair/foul is to get it right. Stradling the line initially helps accomplish this.

These videos are good for a laugh, but nothing more. New umpires should not watch this.

[UMP1R3]

If you want to look professional, dont wear a bag on the bases. Wear a matching undershirt. I usually point at the play with my left hand before making a bang bang call. this gives enough hesitation to be sure of the call.

[lou90606]

Now I remember why I left New York and never went back.

[kneecapfat]

A positon is 10-15 feet behind first, a foot inside foul territory. On the play, set up a 90˚ angle if you can. With the right hand, project the sign and call the play, not directly upon the catch, but when you are sure the ball has been caught. His B position is too close to start, where he ends is where you actually want to start in B, and move even closer for a play.

[david01whitesox]

WHAT UP BIG BOSS

[mikem1919]

First of all, you should not dress like a slob!! Take off the bag if you're on the bases. 99% of your game is done by the way you show up. people will respect you more if you are clean and dressed like a professional.

[drbill28]

Definitely bad positioning, too close, too closed and angle. Way to lax in pointing out where you setup at 1B. Also, I would show 60' mechanics to start, not many people umpire by 90' mechanics in LL their first time.

Also, he does subscribe to that myth of listening for the pop of the glove and the runner hitting the bag. Sure this might work most of the time. But, there's too much possibility of hearing something else. Look with your eyes....

[umpire1991v2]

this guy would never make another garbage video if he went to one real school. You even know what the working area is or a 90 degree angle.

[lilraider7]

Many guys can't afford the money or time to go to a real school. For those guys, a video like this is one of the best resources available outside of association tips and books. Give this guy a break, he's talking about Little League games.

If you get so offended by something as simple as this, as to need to describe this as "garbage", I can't imagine how badly you must handle real-life bad situations.

[umpire1991v2]

he is telling people to do things completely wrong. Not sure about you but I like to look professional and have people realize I know what I am doing when I umpire. I worked hard to get where I am today and to see a video like this is just pathetic.

[lilraider7]

I am with you as far as wanting to do things right. My point though, is that some guys will NOT be able to afford or receive the right training. For THOSE guys, a guy like this who just pours his heart into what he does, even if it's not completely technically always accurate, is still a good message to hear.

[umpire1991v2]

the whole point is its the wrong message to hear! If I told you in a well written speech drugs are good for you and there not that bad. Even though I poured my heart into the message its the wrong message to hear that's the point!!!!

[drbill28]

I live in a town of less than 3,500 people with a small LL program. We have a great UIC who does a great job teaching the new umpires the ropes, bettwe than most bigger towns.

There's plenty of materials on the internet to help. Good videos for little league umpiring instruction can be had cheap, you can easily get the LL umpire school field manuals. All you have to do is put a small amount of effort in. I've been umpiring for 2 years and I was better my first time out than he is now.

[sargeruckus]

While there are many things i can correct this fellow umpire on who has probably taught himself how to offiate, one thing i'll say is you don't have to or should be so close to the play as it develops. However i will give him credit for being so passionate in working lower level games.

[airliner23]

I agree that he is passionate. It seems that he really enjoys himself.

[airliner23]

No men on, your right foot should be on the start of the line. With a man on first, you should stay in the working area. With a man on first, you should be positioned as if he is stadling an imaginary line from home plate through the right side of hte mound.

[drbill28]

What do you mean by "on the start of the line"? Just touching the line? No, your foot should be close to the line but not touching it. You're putting yourself in fair territory. If you're in A position, there's no reason for that to be the case. Or you mean how far back you should be?