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What calls does the home-plate umpire make in baseball?
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Baseball
Freddie Freeman, shown here in a 2023 game, was named World Series MVP in 2024 after hitting four home runs and driving in 12 runs for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The home-plate umpire, also known as the umpire in chief, serves as the official in charge of the game and is responsible for several key rulings.1
Their primary duties include:
- Balls and Strikes: The home-plate umpire calls balls and strikes on the batter. As of the 2026 season, players may use the Automated Ball-Strike Challenge System to challenge these specific calls.12
- Plays at Home Plate: They are responsible for calling runners safe or out at home plate.12
- Fair or Foul Balls: Along with the base umpires, the home-plate umpire determines whether a hit ball is fair (on or within the foul lines) or foul (beyond the foul lines).12
- Rule Enforcement: They determine if a batter has been hit by a pitch or if there has been interference between the batter and the catcher. Additionally, they may call an illegal pitching motion known as a balk.2
The home-plate umpire works in coordination with the base umpires to ensure the rules of baseball are enforced throughout the game.12