How are umpires rotated? I’m assuming they are assigned one base in a game and a different base the next game. If so - is the order always 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and home, or can the crew decide among themselves the order? Could an exceptional ball/strike caller be always assigned to home plate?
The rotation is clockwise.
That would make way too much sense.
I would think working home plate would be a bit more physically and mentally exhausting than working, say, third. No matter how good an ump may be at calling balls and strikes, I can’t imagine wanting to work that position all the time.
In the post season, they add two extra umpires (one in left field and one in right field). I don’t remember how the rotation goes exactly, but it’s nothing too different from the regular season 4-man crews.
I found this on an umpire’s forum where I occasionally lurk:
During the playoffs, the rotation of umpires goes as follows, HP goes to the RF line, RF line to LF line, LF line to 3rd base, 3rd base to 2nd base, 2nd base to 1st base, and 1st base to HP for as long as the series goes.
By default, you are correct. But the crew chief can change it if needed, and it obviously changes due to injuries and vacation.
I’ve never heard of a situation where umpires are assigned a spot based on their expertise or preferences. Umpires are not known for humility - in their mind, they are experts at every position.
I wonder if there are umpires who are elite at calls on the bases, but not so great behind home plate.
That aside, umpires get graded all season long. Expecting only the top ranked to call balls and strikes in the postseason isn’t too much to ask.
In tonight’s game between Toronto and Tampa, the HP umpire took ill early in the game, and the 1B umpire took over (after running out to his car to get his equipment). Three umpires the rest of the game. Interesting watching where they post themselves. With a runner on first, the 1B umpire will be close.with the 3B umpire watching second. Since there are only 3 umpires in the minors, they would have had lots of practice.
So - if the sick umpire isn’t available for the next game, will they continue with three, or call in a backup if there’s one nearby?
There’s a group of 17 AAA umps that can be called up when necessary. That happened last month when Jen Pawol became the first female ump in MLB.