2015 MUKILTEO LITTLE LEAGUE SOFTBALL MANAGER/UMPIRE INTERACTION

Transcription

1 2015 MUKILTEO LITTLE LEAGUE SOFTBALL MANAGER/UMPIRE INTERACTION The contents of this presentation are provided as a guide for lower level Little League Baseball Managers and Umpires. It contains interpretations and opinions of the author. In the event anything herein conflicts with the 2015 Softball Official Regulations and Playing Rules, the Rules rule. Copyright Michael Lechnar March 14, 2015.

2 Interacting with the Umpire: Courtesy/Decorum Softball Coaches Rules Clinic The league president shall appoint umpires to officiate. Umpires are responsible for the conduct of the game and for maintaining discipline and order. (9.01 (a)) The umpire is the representative of the league and is authorized and required to enforce all of the rules. (9.01 (b)) The umpire has the authority to rule on any point not specifically covered by the rules. (9.01c) This rule is not meant to cover-up lack of knowledge but is usually used to enforce safety items such as warnings/ejection for throwing the bat, intentionally removing the helmet when running and fake tags. Fake tags are unsportsmanlike and unsafe and may result in an ejection. No one shall incite a demonstration, use improper language (not solely defined as obscene or foul) or distract a batter. The penalty is ejection. (4.06) Rule 9.01c also covers an umpire s prohibition of rhythmic cheering when they judge that the purpose is to distract the batter or pitcher. Asking for Time When Time is called the ball is dead until the umpire calls Play. (3.12) Don t ask for time during a play. For example, the defensive coach should not ask for time after a walk until the batter/runner reaches first base and all subsequent action is over. After asking for time, wait until it is granted by the umpire. You may not leave the dugout or coach s box until time is granted. The umpire in chief will call Time when a manager requests it for a substitution or conference with one of the players (5.10). Only one offensive time-out will be granted each inning (5.10). Only three defensive time-outs per pitcher/per inning (8.06) 2015 Mukilteo Little League Softball Coaches Rules Clinic Page 2

3 Asking for an Umpire Conference Rules After play is completed, ask for time. When time is given, politely leave the dugout or coach s box and talk to the umpire. Check Swing On pitches that have been called balls that you believe should have been strikes, nicely ask your catcher to ask the plate umpire to Check please. The plate umpire will then ask their partner: Did she go? The field umpire will make a signal and the plate umpire will act on the information. Plays in the Field After play is completed, ask for time. When time is given, politely leave the dugout or coachers box and ask the field umpire to check with his partner regarding the missed/made swipe tag, pulled foot, etc. The field umpire will consult their partner and exchange information. The field umpire will then either confirm or change their call. No umpire can overrule another umpire s call. (9.02 (b,) 9.02 (c)) Balls and Strikes The determination of whether a pitch is a ball or a strike is a judgment call and is not subject to appeal, comment or argument (9.02a). Yelling to the catcher from the dugout to ask her where was that pitch? and having her answer in any way that would imply that the umpire was incorrect is a good way to get both of you ejected. Appeals An appeal is an act of a fielder in claiming a violation of the rules by the offense such as leaving a base early on a fly ball or missing a base. (2.0) Appeals can only be made when the ball is alive. If Time has not been called, the ball is alive. If the ball is dead, it must be made live. This happens when the pitcher is on the pitching plate with the ball, the catcher in position to receive a pitch, the rest of the defense is in fair territory, and the umpire says: Play. A batter is not required Mukilteo Little League Softball Coaches Rules Clinic Page 3

4 An appeal must be obvious. A runner trying to get back to a base after leaving early is out if the fielder is standing with the ball on the bag. If the fielder is just standing on the bag, holding the ball, with no obvious situation, she must specifically ask the umpire for a particular appeal. An example would be I appeal the runner on first missed second base. The field umpire would then rule appropriately. You can t appeal the same thing twice. If the pitcher throws the ball to the second baseman who appeals that the runner on first missed the bag and the umpire rules that she didn t miss the bag, you may not have the first baseman throw the ball back to the second baseman to make the same appeal. You may make a different appeal on the same runner. The second baseman mentioned above may then throw the ball to third to appeal that the same runner missed third. Protests (4.19) The only things that are subject to protest are rules violations and the use of ineligible players. Judgment calls are not protestable. If you intend to protest, ask for time and approach the umpire in chief. State your case. The umpires will then have a conference. If you have convinced them that you are right, the game proceeds without reference to the protest. If the umpires do not change their decision, they will announce that the game is being played under protest, and the scorekeepers will note the same in the score book. The umpire in chief and the protesting manager will both file written reports to the league within 24 hours. Protest situations, particularly those involving ineligible players should be avoided. If party knows that a player will become ineligible during the game, they should make that information known to the responsible manager. Judgment Any umpire decision that involves judgment, such as safe or out, fair or foul, ball or strike is final and not questionable by any manager, coach or player. (9.02 (a)) 2015 Mukilteo Little League Softball Coaches Rules Clinic Page 4

5 Players Spectators The league (board of directors) is responsible for the conduct of spectators. If no board member is present, then an umpire, being so appointed by the president, may eject fans from the game area. Equipment Uniforms must comply with rule The prohibition against pins on hats and shirts/jackets applies to adults as well. Medic-alert tags/bracelets may be worn. Not all players must wear a hat/visor or an undershirt if only some players do. But each undershirt must be the same color. Individuals may wear different sleeve lengths, but both an individual s sleeves must be the same length. Nothing on the uniform may resemble a softball. No jewelry other than those for medical alert purposes may be worn on the field. Adult coaches may wear wedding rings. No player, coach or umpire is permitted on the field if they are wearing a cast. Players and coaches wearing casts may be in the dugout during the game. Any fielder s glove or first baseman s mitt may be used by the catcher. The mask and helmet must be worn to warm up a pitcher as well as during batting and fielding practice. Female catchers may use the short model chest protector. Any type of mask must include the dangling throat guard. Batting helmets must not be painted by anyone other than the manufacturer or authorized dealer. A player s name should be written on the foam padding and not the helmet itself. (1.16). No white, gray or optic yellow gloves may be worn by pitchers. A batting glove may be worn on the non-pitching hand as long as it is not white, gray or optic yellow. No sweatbands may be worn on either of the pitcher s wrists (1.15). Non-wood bats must have a BPF value of 1.20 printed on the bat. If the BPF is not printed on the bat, the bat may not be used. Cracked/dented bats may not be used Mukilteo Little League Softball Coaches Rules Clinic Page 5

6 Medical Forms Medical forms must be carried by the manager at all times to games and practices as well as the first aid kit. Minimum Playing Time and Substitutions Every player must have one time at bat and play 6 defensive outs. Substitutes must play the 6 defensive outs consecutively. Starters do not have to play the 6 defensive outs consecutively. A starter may not re-enter the game until his substitute has fulfilled the minimum play requirements. If a starter (S1) re-enters a game for another starter (S2), S2 may not re-enter the game until S1 fulfills all of the playing requirements of a substitute. (IVi, 3.03) Umpires are responsible for making sure that illegal substitutions do not occur and that the minimum playing time requirements are met. A messy line-up card and undisciplined substituting procedures do not help these matters. The Bench/Dugout Unless you are a batter, runner, or coach, when on offense, or a substitute or coach when on defense, you are required to be seated in the dugout. (XIVb) Only the manager and two adult coaches may be in the dugout. Ball boys/girls or non-roster siblings may not be used or sit in the dugout Players and coaches may not leave the dugout without permission Players and coaches may not converse or mingle with the spectators during the game (3.09). Starting the Game Number of Players There must be at least nine players on each side to start a game. Do not start the game with less than nine, even if the missing player s arrival is immanent. Field Conditions The home team is responsible for preparing the field. This takes priority over pre-game warm-ups. The visiting team is responsible for the field and equipment after the game. Both 2015 Mukilteo Little League Softball Coaches Rules Clinic Page 6

7 Pitching teams must police the area for trash both before and after the game. Both managers must agree on the fitness of the field prior to the game. If they cannot agree, the President or their designee must decide. After the umpires are in charge of the game, it is the umpire-in-chief s decision. (3.10) Weather/Lighting Any decision to suspend a game because of weather or lack of light is the sole responsibility of the umpire-in-chief. (3.10) Pre-game Sequence of Events After the field is prepared, each team shall have an equal portion of the time remaining until 5 minutes prior to the scheduled starting time for infield/batting practice. No manager/coach/adult may warm-up a pitcher at any time before or during a game, in the bullpen or at practice. At 5 minutes prior to the game, both teams should be seated in their respective dugouts. The umpire-in-chief will then call both managers to the pre-game conference at the plate which should then follow the requirements of After the conference, the defensive team shall take their positions on the field and a batter shall step into the batter s box. Innings Pitched Inform the umpire at the pregame conference if any pitcher has a limit on the number of innings she may pitch in that game. Also note it on the lineup card. Moving to a Different Position A pitcher remaining in the game, but moving to a different position can return as a pitcher anytime in the remainder of the game but only once in the same inning as they were removed. (Regulation VI (c)) Maximum Number of Pitchers Used No more than 5 pitchers per team may be used in one game. (Regulation VI (d)) 2015 Mukilteo Little League Softball Coaches Rules Clinic Page 7

8 Proper Pitching Motion The proper pitching motion is defined in Umpires will enforce these provisions to the best of their ability. Illegal Pitch Illegal pitches, as defined in 8.05 will be called. Overthrow If, while pitching or throwing to a base while in contact with the rubber, a pitcher throws the ball out of play, all runners may advance one base. (7.05 (h)). If the pitcher is not in contact with the rubber, she is considered to be an infielder and the two-base award of 7.05 (g) would apply. Visits to the Mound A maximum of four visits may be made to an individual pitcher during a game. There may be no more than three visits per pitcher per inning. On the third visit, the pitcher must be substituted. Three visits may not be made to the same batter. The Batter On Deck Position There is no on deck position for either the majors or minors, anyplace, anytime (1.08). No player should be holding a bat unless they are the batter, or on their way to bat. They may take practice swings as they are walking up to the plate. Only one batter may be out of the dugout between innings. Bunt Definition A bunt is a batted ball not swung at but intentionally met with the bat and tapped slowly. Holding the bat in the strike zone is considered an attempted bunt. In order to take a pitch, the batter must withdraw the bat backwards away from the ball. (Rule 2.0) Dropped Third Strike (Majors and above) A batter becomes a runner when the third strike called by the umpire is not caught, providing that (1) first base in 2015 Mukilteo Little League Softball Coaches Rules Clinic Page 8

9 unoccupied or (2) first base is occupied with two out. A batter forfeits the opportunity to advance to first base when they enter the dugout or any other dead ball area (6.09 (b)) Strike Zone The strike zone is defined in rule 2.0. A pitch that the umpire calls a strike is a strike, and a pitch that is called a ball is a ball. Fair/Foul/Foul Tip These terms are also defined in rule 2.0. A hit ball declared fair is fair and a hit ball declared foul is foul. A foul tip is a hit ball that goes sharp and direct into the catcher s mitt. It may not be caught after bouncing off of the catcher s protective equipment unless it has bounced off of the mitt first. A foul tip that is caught is a strike, and the ball is alive. If a foul tip is not caught it is not a foul tip but instead is a foul ball. The plate is entirely in fair territory. A hit ball resting on the plate is fair; unless the umpire says that it is foul. (See the section on conferences above.) Batting out of turn Batting out of turn only applies to batters currently in the batting order. If a batter is not on the current batting order is batting they are an unannounced substitute. They may be either a legal or illegal substitute. If legal, they can bat. If an illegal substitute is allowed to enter the game, the game may be protested. This is another reason why all substitutions need to go through the umpire. Neither scorekeeper, if there is no official score keeper, and there never is in the regular season, shall tell any manager, coach, interested bystander or umpire that anyone is batting or has batted out of order. The scorekeepers are working for the league, not you. Keep your own book in the dugout and act on the information. The umpire will act per rule 6.07 when batting out of order is brought to their attention. Understanding the concept of the last legalized batter, proper batter and improper batter will help you understand the penalties for batting improperly. The legalized batter was the last batter whose actions became official. For example, the batter who made the last out of the previous inning is the last 2015 Mukilteo Little League Softball Coaches Rules Clinic Page 9

10 legal batter. The proper batter is the next batter listed after the legalized batter. An improper batter is anyone else that attempts to bat. It is possible for an improper batter to become legalized. Carefully note the penalty prescribed in 6.07 (a) and who it is applied to. Let s just try to avoid batting out of turn. Interacting with the Catcher A batter is out for interfering with the catcher s fielding or throwing by stepping out of the batters box or making any other movement that hinders the catcher s play at home. (6.06c) Generally speaking, on a wild pitch or passed ball that doesn t involve a play at the plate, the batter may remain safely, motionless in the batter s box. On a play at the plate, the batter must vacate the batter s box in such a way as not to interfere with the catcher or pitcher running in to cover the plate. Intent is not part of the equation. The batter must not interfere. However, if the batter interferes with the catcher throwing to a base to put a runner out, batter is out for interference and the runner returns (6.06 (c)). If the runner is thrown out, the batter resumes his at-bat. If there are less than two out, and a runner from third attempts to score and the batter interferes, the runner is out (7.09 (c)). If there are two out, and the batter interferes with the catcher while a runner is attempting to score, the batter is out. (6.06 (c)) If the catcher interferes with the batter, the batter is entitled to first base. If a play occurs after the interference (such as a home run), the offense may elect to take the result of the play instead of the penalty for the interference. If all runners have advanced one base safely, play proceeds without reference to the interference. Not all contact between the batter-runner and the catcher is interference or obstruction; sometimes it is just softball Mukilteo Little League Softball Coaches Rules Clinic Page 10

11 Fielders Runners If a fielder obstructs a runner and a play is being made on that runner, or the batter-runner is obstructed before reaching first base, the umpire will kill the play and award the obstructed runner one base beyond that which she last legally touched (7.06 (a)) Even if the obstruction occurred while trying to return to a base, the runner will be awarded the next base. If a play is not being made on the runner, the umpire will announce obstruction and let the play proceed. If the obstruction has an impact on the results of the play, the umpire may then impose whatever penalty the umpire believes will nullify the obstruction. Fielders must yield to the runner if they do not have the ball. An example would be a catcher blocking the plate without the ball. They must position themselves to receive the ball and make the tag without obstructing. Overthrows If the overthrow is the first play by an infielder and the ball goes into a dead ball area, the award is two bases from the position of the runners when the pitch was made. (7.05g) If each runner and the batter-runner have advanced at least one base before such wild throw is released by an infielder, the award will be made from the position of the runners at the time of the wild throw. Interference A runner is out for interference if they are hit by a fair batted ball in fair territory before such ball has passed or touched an infielder other than the pitcher. (7.08f) The base is not a safe haven. A runner standing on base and hit by a fair batted ball, whether on the ground or on the fly, is out. An exception is made for an infield fly. A runner hit by an infield fly while standing on base is not out. If a runner off the base is struck by an infield fly, both the runner and batter are out. If a runner interferes with a fielder attempting to field a batted ball or interferes with a thrown ball, the ball is dead and the runner is out (7.08b). If the runner interferes with 2015 Mukilteo Little League Softball Coaches Rules Clinic Page 11

12 the intent to break up a double play, both the runner and batter-runner are out. (7.09 (g,h)). Sliding A runner is out if they do not slide or attempt to get around a fielder who has the ball and is waiting to make a tag. (7.08 (a) (3)). The rule says: slide or attempt to get around. It does not say avoid. Contact may be made without any penalty being assessed. That case will be judged by the umpire. A runner may only deviate from the baseline by three feet in order to avoid a tag. The baseline in this case is specifically defined to be a straight line from the point where the tag would be made to the base. No runner may slide head first going forward. The runner is out. A headfirst slide is permitted to get back to a base such as on an overslide, or pick-off play. Overrunning First Base There is no requirement to turn in any particular direction. Either direction is acceptable as long as the umpire can tell that no attempt to advance is being made. Abandoning the Baseline If a runner reaches first and then gives up and heads for the dugout, or ambles to the outfield, they are out. Similarly, any runner who gives up any attempt to advance to the next base or abandons the base will be called out. This is in the judgment of the umpire. Leaving Early The runner may not leave until the pitch has been released by the pitcher on the delivery. If they violate this rule, the umpire will rule no pitch, the ball will be dead and the runner that committed the violation is out. (7.08 (a) (5)) In minors and below the runner may not leave the base until the ball has reached the plate Mukilteo Little League Softball Coaches Rules Clinic Page 12

13 Off the Base The requirements for runners to be in contact with bases and the advance/retreat rules while the pitcher has control of the ball in the circle are stated in 7.08(5). A runner advancing to first may make a turn provided that they immediately advance or retreat to the base. A runner going to first on a walk may continue to run to second base as long as their motion is continuous and does not involve any hesitation or feint at first base. If the pitcher attempts to make a play on a runner, including, but not limited to a fake throw, the contact rule is not in effect. Special Pinch Runner Once per inning a team may utilize a player who is not in the batting order as a special pinch runner for any offensive player. A player may only be removed for a special pinch runner once per game. (7.14) Any questions? Mike Lechnar, (mlechnar@comcast.net) 2015 Mukilteo Little League Softball Coaches Rules Clinic Page 13