# MLB umpire rotation **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** baseball-mlb\ **Created:** [September 17, 2025, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-umpire-rotation/1023129 "2025-09-17T15:12:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mark\_Finn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/34f0e0/32.png) [@Mark\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mark_Finn)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2025, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-umpire-rotation/1023129/1 "2025-09-17T15:12:37Z")
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? ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2025, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-umpire-rotation/1023129/2 "2025-09-17T15:19:46Z")
The rotation is clockwise. ---
**Author:** ![Jaycat.again](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jaycat.again/32/11525_2.png) [@Jaycat.again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jaycat.again)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2025, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-umpire-rotation/1023129/3 "2025-09-17T15:27:06Z")
> [@Mark\_Finn](#): > > Could an exceptional ball/strike caller be always assigned to home plate? That would make way too much sense. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2025, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-umpire-rotation/1023129/4 "2025-09-17T16:29:45Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Ponch8](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponch8/32/9883_2.png) [@Ponch8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponch8)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2025, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-umpire-rotation/1023129/5 "2025-09-17T16:49:28Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2025, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-umpire-rotation/1023129/6 "2025-09-17T16:54:07Z")
> [@Ponch8](#): > > 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](https://forum.officiating.com/baseball/10270-mlb-playoff-crew-rotation.html#:~:text=During%20the%20playoffs%252C%20the%20rotation%20of%20umpires,during%20the%20series%20and%20some%20will%20not.) 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. ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2025, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-umpire-rotation/1023129/7 "2025-09-17T17:36:52Z")
> [@Jasmine](#): > > The rotation is clockwise. 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. ---
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2025, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-umpire-rotation/1023129/8 "2025-09-17T20:34:17Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Mark\_Finn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/34f0e0/32.png) [@Mark\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mark_Finn)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2025, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-umpire-rotation/1023129/9 "2025-09-18T00:10:55Z")
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? ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2025, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-umpire-rotation/1023129/10 "2025-09-18T00:29:30Z")
> [@Mark\_Finn](#): > > 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. > **[Here's how the Call-Up Umpire list -- which has Pawol back in Majors -- works](https://www.mlb.com/news/how-the-mlb-call-up-umpire-list-works)** > > Jen Pawol made history as the first woman to umpire in Major League Baseball when she debuted in an Aug. 9 game between the Braves and Marlins. > She had dozens of family members, friends and other supporters there at Truist Park. She had fans holding...