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Little League Baseball

Little League Softball

Little League Challenger Division
 > Little League Online > Umpires > Useful Tips > Base Umpire Has a Tough Job - August 2007

Base Umpire Has a Tough Job - August 2007

On the Little League 60-foot field, the base umpire has a tough job. The ump must be able to watch the ball, watch the runner(s), and be in the right position to handle his/her responsibilities. The best way to make all that happen is to remember the saying:

“Ball goes out, I go in. If the ball stays in, I stay out.”

Because of the small size of the Little League field, the base umpire must start from behind all the infielders, at the edge of the outfield grass, whether in Position A, B or C. But few of us have extra eyes in the back of our heads, so watching the hit to the outfield and watching the runner(s) at the same time is very tough if we STAY in the outfield.

It is imperative for the base umpire to hustle into the infield if the ball is hit to the outfield, get turned around in the working area (that space behind the pitcher’s mound) and keep his/her head on a swivel, glancing at the runners touching their bases and still watch the ball. The umpire must keep his/her eyes “everlastingly on the ball” in order to know where to go to make a call if necessary. We must let the ball take us to the play and be stopped, settled in, and in position to make a call. Remember that getting the best angle is much more important than distance from the play.