Arizona Umpiring Academy

The Arizona Collegiate Umpires Association (ACUA) members, who are approved by the Pac-10 Umpire Coordinator, umpire the Arizona State University and University of Arizona Baseball games. The ACUA members also consist of the Arizona Community College Athletic Conference umpires (ACCAC), who are approved by the ACCAC Umpire Coordinator, kevin Daugherty.

Arizona Collegiate Umpires Association

Kent Bruns working the "scissors". Kent is stable and locked-in for the pitch. Notice that his head height is perfect. The umpire's chin should not be lower the the top of the catcher's head. This allows the umpire to see the pitch from the pitch's hand to the catcher's glove. Great job Kent!

Kent Bruns calling foul. The actual physical mechanic for foul ball is the same as calling time.

Left to Right: Travis Katzenmeier, Mark Hratko and Kent Bruns.

John Woods know the importance of staying calm during non-routine situations (arguments). Umpires need to be a good listener and an effective communicator when dealing with arguments. Be fair, yet firm.

Umpires should be umpiring even inbetween pitches. Prior to the pitcher getting ready to pitch, umpires should communicate the situation to each other. Here John Woods is signaling infield fly possibility by pointing to the bill of his hat. Also, John is pointing down indicating the plate umpire will stay home on any batted ball.

Watching the ball and glancing at the runner(s) is extremely important. Umpires must time the glances to cover the responsibilities assigned to them. Touching of bases, obstruction, plays at different bases and time of release what base did the runner(s) last touched just to name a few. Umpiring isn't easy, if it was we all do it.

Todd Freese is in perfect starting position with a runner on first only. With a 3-man umpire crew, with a runner on first base only, the NCAA mechanics allows the third base umpire to be on either side of the infield with right handed batter. With a left handed batter the third base umpire must be on the third base side of the infield. This is to have a better view of the check swing.

There are many variables that play a role on whether an umpire will be successful or not. One of them is timing. An umpire must see all elements of the play to completion before making a decision. Once the decision is made, the umpire will psychically give the mechanic to communicate the decision. The call is mental and the mechanic is physical. The physical mechanics have very little to do with timing, the complete thought process (See everything there is to see) of the call will depend whether the umpire's timing is good or bad.

Why is the base umpire, Todd Freese, covering home plate?

In a 3-man crew, there are times when certain rotations has the first base umpire covering home plate for any possible plays. When the first base umpire is covering home plate, the plate umpire rotates up the third base for all possible plays at third. This is called a first to third rotation. Great hustle Todd!

Jason Rogers handling a situation. During arguments an umpire must know when to be stern and when to be a listener. Jason done an outstanding job handling this non-routine situation.

Mark Hratko having an argument with ASU's head coach Pat Murphy. When there is an argument and the argument has gone too long, the umpire need to take a stance with the opposing coach or player make them aware that the conversation is over and the game needs to continue. If the coach or player refuses, then an ejection should follow. Also, the crew chief or the umpire's partner could intervene and try to calm the situation down.

Mark Hratko's strike mechanic is smooth, crisp, assertive and is visible to all.

Jason Roger's plate stance is excellent. He is locked-in, working the slot area and head height is solid. Great job Jason!

This umpire is doing exactly what he should be doing, which is reading the catcher. Everybody in this picture is looking at the ball, but not the umpire. The reason behind this is that the catcher has to catch the ball not the umpire. The umpire must get out of the catchers way by reading the direction of the catcher and "opening the gate". Opening the gate is term used to allow players to get by and field a baseball.

Jed Gunter and Jeff Jenkins preparing for the game against Arizona State and New Mexico State.

Left to Right: Jed Gunter, Jeff Jenkins and Steve Mattingly

Base umpire, Todd Freese, is cover home plate due to a first to third rotation. Notice that the base umpire is behind home plate ready to take any type of play at the plate.

A beautiful day for baseball in Arizona. Notice the umpires' starting positions with bases loaded. This is a 3-man umpire crew. Perfect guys!

Kent Bruns behind home plate, Todd Freese at first base and Kevin Daugherty at third base.

In a 3-man crew, third base umpire carries the baseballs out to the field. Good job Kevin Daugherty!

Left to Right: Kevin Daugherty, Steve Mattingly and Jason Rogers

Left to Right: Paul Arreola, John Woods and Jeff Jenkins.

Kent Bruns handling a non-routine situation. Notice the umpire on the right. When a situation is getting aggressive and heated, the crew chief and/or the closest umpire should get in there to clam things down and/or listen to what is going on.

Kent Bruns calling a strike.

The umpire in the three pictures above is Casey Meadows. Casey here is playing along with "The Famous Chicken", once known as the San Diego Chicken. Casey is a member of the Arizona Community College Athletic Conference and the Arizona Collegiate Umpires Association. He does most of his umpiring in the minor leagues. Last year Casey had a successful season in the Pioneer League. Good luck with your professional career Casey!