How to Umpire First Base

The first base umpire has the most challenging and important job in the entire crew. Plays in this spot are frequent and often painfully close. Proper positioning and even a sharp ear are critical to success. Victory and defeat are often decided on a correct or incorrect call by the first base umpire. Read these steps to perfect your position.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. Understand proper positioning regardless of the situation. Stand just outside the foul line about 20 feet behind the bag when there is nobody on base. This will ensure that if you get hit by a batted ball, it will be a foul ball rather than one that is in play. With a runner on first base, situate yourself about 10 feet behind the bag. This will provide a perfect angle on pickoff attempts to first base.

2. Move quickly to get into an ideal position once the ball is hit. Move to about 5 feet behind the first baseman and 10 feet toward second base as soon as contact is made. This will give you the right angle on watching both the runner sprint toward first base and the first baseman stretching to catch the throw.

3. 
    
   Leave no doubt that your call was correct.

   Remember that though many plays are easy to call, the correct decision on a close play can't always be detected by watching the runner. Keep an eye on the bag and listen closely for the sound of the ball hitting the first baseman's glove. If you hear that thud before you see the foot hit the bag, make a clear, decisive call for the out. If the runner's foot hits the bag before you hear the sound of the ball hitting the glove, be equally decisive with your safe call. Understand that all ties go to the base runner.

4. Watch every pitch intently. Remember that it is also your job to call balls and strikes on checked swings. If a hitter's bat extends past the plane of his body, he has officially swung at the pitch and it is a strike. If he holds up before the bat reaches that plane, it is a ball. Be ready to make those calls if the home plate umpire requests your help.

5. 
    
   Don't be intimidated by a confrontation with a manager.

   Prepare yourself for an occasional argument. Players and managers are competitive and often see a play differently than you do. If confronted, calmly and emphatically state how you saw the play and why you made that particular call. And if the player or manager becomes threatening or angrily refuses to accept your decision, don't be afraid to throw him out of the game.

Tips & Warnings

• You will make an occasional mistake. Don't admit to it to a player or manager during a game, as this is a sign of weakness. But continue to work at your craft so that you make fewer mistakes in the future.
• Avoid getting hit by a batted ball at all costs, especially if you are in fair territory. That would not only prove potentially painful, but it could change the outcome of a play and even a game.

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