Game Film Review: S26. Ep. 03 | Fly Ball Coverage and RLI

In this video, we’re breaking down real game film from a high school baseball game and using it as a learning tool for developing umpires. This crew is early in the season and still building consistency, which makes this film especially valuable. The goal here is not to criticize, name names, or pile on mistakes. The goal is to identify teachable moments that all of us can learn from, regardless of experience level. The primary focus of this breakdown is fly ball coverage in a two-umpire system. We look at reads off the bat, recognizing trouble balls, understanding catch/no-catch responsibilities, and how plate and base umpires can work together to be in the right place at the right time. As with other film reviews on this channel, this is part of my responsibility as a training director. With a large and growing group of umpires, it’s not realistic to review every game for every individual. But by sharing these breakdowns with the entire group, everyone gets a chance to mentally run reps, picture themselves in similar situations, and think through how they might react differently on the field. No umpires are identified in this video, and the footage quality isn’t perfect, but the learning value is real. There are moments in this film that newer umpires will recognize immediately, and there are situations that experienced umpires can still take something from. If you choose to comment, please keep it constructive and supportive. Focus on what we can do better, what habits we need to build, and how we can continue to grow as an association. Thanks for watching, and take something from this video into your next game.