Defenition of Terms

These are Terms used by baseball umpires during clinics, instruction and discussion of plays or reports.

90-Degree Angle — Tag
This concept determines the umpire’s location on tag plays. The path of the runner into a base or tag application of the tag on a play not involving a base together with the umpire’s line of vision from a location 6-10 feet away, form a 90-degree angle.

90-Degree Angle — Throw
This concept determines the umpire’s location on force plays. The path of the ball (throw) to a base together with the umpire’s line of vision from a location 15 -18 feet off the base, form a 90-degree angle.

Base Line
The imaginary straight line between home and first, first and second, second and third and home.

Base Path
An imaginary straight line between the base and a runner when a play>is being made on the runner.

Calling Depth
• A force play should be viewed from an approximate distance of 15-18 feet, allowing the umpire to see the ball, runner and defender within his/her field of vision.

• A tag play should be viewed from an approximate distance of 6-10 feet. There may be times when, because of the position of the player’s bodies, the umpire may need to move closer or look over the top to clearly see the play.

Calling Position
The subsequent movement or adjustment, usually one or two steps from the Primary Position, to physically see the tag (or what needs to be seen dictated by the play) and to make an informed judgment.

Chase
When a base umpire assumes the responsibilities for a fly ball (catch/no catch, fair/foul, dead ball).

Counter-Rotated
The starting position of the base umpire at all times with the exception of no runners on, a runner on first only or a runner on third only. The first base umpire is positioned between first and second base usually behind the second baseman. The third base umpire is on the third base line in foul territory.

Hammer
The fisted portion of the strike or out signal. It is up and away from the body with an angle of 90 degrees or greater. The hammer is held long enough to convey the decision with conviction. The arm is brought down prior to moving the feet.

Holding Positions
An area from which an umpire can choose a position for an impending play or a variety of plays. A holding position is NEVER a calling position.

Hustle
Brisk, purposeful and appropriate movement at all times during a game.

Non Slot Foot
The right foot on a right handed batter and the left foot on a left handed batter. The toe of this foot is on an imaginary line from heel of the slot foot, at least shoulder width distance from the slot foot, and may be angle up to 45 degrees.

Overthrow
A thrown ball that goes beyond its intended target. The ball is live unless it enters dead ball territory or is blocked.

Pivot
The efficient movement used by an umpire to get from one point to another or to open to the impending play. The pivot entails planting one foot, turning the body on this foot and ending in a shoulder width stance with the ability to move to the right or to the left.

Primary Position
The initial location assumed by an umpire to rule on a play as a runner approaches a base or as a play develops. The umpire’s line of vision forms a 90 degree angle perpendicular to:

1) the path of the runner on a tag play into a base.

2) the application of the tag on a tag play not involving a base.

3) the path of the flight of the ball on force plays.

Push Foot
Describes the outside (left foot at first base, right foot at third base) or “weight bearing” foot the base umpire should move to just before the pitch reaches the hitting area when walking the line. From this position, the base umpire is able to move, or push, into the infield or outfield and obtain coverage by taking the least amount of steps possible.

Ready Set
Body position of a base umpire prior to a pitch or any umpire prior to a play. The feet are at least shoulder width apart. The hands are drawn in, close to or on, the front of the body below the waist. This position may be used interchangeably with the base umpire set position (see Set, Bases).

Rhythm, Bases: Consistent hustle, timing of calls and appropriate emphasis of calls. Continual monitoring of suitable body language.

Rhythm, Plate: Consistent timing that sets the tempo and reflects control of the game. Working the game pitch-by-pitch - ready, focus, relax, and repeat. Consistently using the same stance and set position for every pitch. Verbal and tone are constant and emphasis changes as required by the call. The impact of the call determines the emphasis, not the location of the pitch.

Rotated
The starting position of base umpires with a runner on first base only. The first base umpire is on the first base line in foul territory. The third base umpire is on an imaginary line straight out from second base towards right center field.

Secondary Position
The subsequent location assumed by the umpire after the initial play, or after a runner has obtained a base.

Set, Bases: Body position of a base umpire prior to a pitch or any umpire prior to a play. The feet are at least shoulder width apart. The body is bent slightly with the hands grasping the lower thighs with thumbs on the inside (see Ready Set).

Umpires should always be set before rendering a decision.

Set, Plate: Bend at the knees, not the waist. The umpire’s chin is approximately even with the top of the catcher’s head with the eyes at the top of the strike zone allowing an unobstructed view of entire zone. The hands must be in front of and in close to the body but not supporting the body.

The umpire must be completely set when the pitch is released and remain motionless as the pitch is delivered. The position must be mirrored on both sides of the plate. The position must be balanced and comfortable but not relaxed.

Slot
The area between the catcher and the batter when the batter is in her natural stance and the catcher is in her normal crouched position. For right-handed batters, the umpire’s right ear is on a line with left edge of plate. For left-handed batters, the umpire’s left ear is on a line with right edge of plate.

Slot Foot
The left foot on a right-handed batter and the right foot on a left-handed batter. The toe of this foot is on an imaginary line from the catcher’s heels and is pointing directly at the
pitcher’s plate.

Stance
The position the plate umpire establishes behind the catcher. A heel/toe stance is recommended, however, a box stance may be used.

The legs are shoulder width or wider. The shoulders and body are relatively square to the plate. For the heel/toe the slot foot should be in the slot pointing directly at the pitching plate and in line with or slightly in front of an imaginary line extended from the catcher’s heels. The non-slot foot is behind the catcher in line with or slightly in front of an imaginary line extending from the heel of the slot foot. This foot may angle up to 45 degrees.

Starting Depth
• With no runner on base: 18-20 feet, on the line in foul territory, walking the line to desired calling depth.

• With a runner on base: 6-12 feet (the calling depth), and, if on the line, off the line just enough to have an unobstructed view of the plate area.

Starting Position
The location of the umpire as the ball is ready for play prior to the next pitch.

Timing, Bases: Reading the play, choosing a primary position, allowing the play to be completed (adjusting if needed), locating the ball, making a decision and only then signaling the decision. The signal is held long enough to communicate complete understanding and strength of the message.

Timing, Plate: Taking the time to accurately assess the merits of each pitch by ensuring the ball has completely passed over the plate and into the catcher’s glove before making a decision. Making the decision first, then making the call. The verbal call is in the down position and signal is in the “up” or “going-to-the-up” position. The hammer is strong with
angles 90 degrees or greater and the signal is held long enough to convey the decision with conviction. The feet do not move until the signal is complete.

Tracking
Following the ball with your nose. Letting the ball bring you to the play.

Tracking, Bases: Observe the fielder release the ball. Track the flight of the ball until just before it reaches the targeted receiver, then switch focus to the receiver’s glove and see the ball in the glove.

Tracking, Plate: Observe the entire flight of a pitch with only slight head movement. Head movement is so the umpire will see the ball. It is not a signal of pitch location. See
the release of the pitch, track it to just in front of the plate, switch focus to the batter’s zone, then see the ball into the catcher’s glove.

Vee
The area within the imaginary lines drawn from the plate to the right fielder and the plate to the left fielder. This is the chase area for an umpire starting off the line.

Work Between Pitches: Preparatory movement of the umpire toward a possible play after a pitch is not hit. If there is no immediate play to a base by the catcher on a pitch not hit, the umpire should move toward a position for a possible delayed play on the lead runner for whom he/she is responsible.