NFHS Baseball Umpires Manual Flashcards

Practice flashcards covering key vocabulary, umpire positioning, and basic principles from the 2025 and 2026 NFHS Baseball Umpires Manual.

Acknowledge partner

A communication movement where one umpire indicates a play coverage (e.g., "I'm going out") and the partner responds verbally or with a specific gesture determined during the pregame conference.

BR

An abbreviation for the batter-runner.

Before the play

An abbreviation for phrases like "before a fielder attempts a tag" or "before the runner arrives," emphasizing that an umpire should assume a set position prior to the action.

Below the knee catch

A catch where the fielder reaches below the knee, dives, or falls, requiring the umpire to signal a successful catch or "safe" and verbally confirm.

Chest to the ball

The principle that an umpire should maintain a position with the ball within their field of view to keep the play in front of them.

Clear the catcher

A movement by the plate umpire (PU) involving stepping back with the back foot first followed by moving to the left to increase distance from the catcher after a pitch.

Cutout

The semi-circular area of dirt on a grass infield extending approximately $13\,feet$ from each base.

Dead-ball signal

To indicate time out, an umpire raises both hands above their head with arms extended and palms forward while calling "Time!"

Drift

Slight movement by a base umpire toward a base where a subsequent play may occur, such as U1 moving toward first during a potential double play.

Fielders

Defensive players identified by scorekeeping numbers: F1 (pitcher), F2 (catcher), F3 (first baseman), F4 (second baseman), F5 (third baseman), F6 (shortstop), F7 (left fielder), F8 (center fielder), and F9 (right fielder).

45-foot line

A $3\,foot$ line drawn at an angle to the first-base line, $45\,feet$ from the plate, marking the beginning of the runner's lane.

"Go" or "goes"

When a base umpire physically enters the outfield-grass area to rule on catch/no catch or fair/foul on a "trouble" ball.

Imaginary box

An area in fair territory bordered by the plate, the $45-foot\,line$, the pitcher's mound, and the third-base line midpoint where running-lane interference typically occurs.

Pause, read and react

A three-step method for umpires to determine positioning: observe initial action, decide what play will develop, and move into position while communicating.

Pivot

The three-step movement used by U1 to move into the infield from Position A to observe the batter-runner touching first base.

Position A

An onfield location in foul territory approximately $10-15\,feet$ behind the first baseman, used when there are no runners on base.

Position B

An onfield location midway between the pitcher's mound and second base on the first-base side of the mound.

Position C

An onfield location midway between the pitcher's mound and second base on the third-base side of the mound.

Position D

An onfield location in foul territory at least $10-15\,feet$ beyond third base and at least two steps behind the third baseman.

Position E

In a four-umpire crew, the starting position for U2 in the outfield area behind second base.

Rotate or Rotation

The coordinated movement of an umpire crew, generally in a clockwise direction, to cover developing plays.

Reverse rotation (Slide)

A coordinated movement of two base umpires to shift responsibility for plays at second base, with U1 taking responsibility for the batter-runner at first and second.

Secondary play

An action following the first attempt to retire a runner that is reasonably predictable, such as a throw to home after a play at first.

Subsequent play

An action following the first attempt to retire a runner that is not reasonably predictable, such as a runner advancing to second after a squeeze bunt collision at the plate.

Hands-on-knees set

A set position where feet are shoulder-width apart, the umpire squats, and hands are placed firmly on the knees.

Split at F8

A system where umpires divide the outfield in half, each responsible for balls hit to one side of the center fielder.

The V

A system where a base umpire starting inside is responsible for balls hit directly at or between the left and right fielders.

Time play

A situation with two outs where umpires must judge if a runner crosses the plate before the third out is recorded on a non-force play.

Trouble ball

A batted ball to the outfield involving converging fielders, a diving catch, a fair/foul decision, or an outfielder running toward the fence.

Working the wedge

A positioning mechanic on tag plays where the umpire looks through where the fielder "opens up" to see the ball, runner, and base coming together.