NCOA Sftball Sacrament 2019 Study Sessin #2 Questins & Mechanics Instructins: There are True/False and Multiple Respnse questins. Yu are t mark yur answer(s) t the questins n the quiz sheet. There will be mre than ne crrect answer fr the multiple-chice questins. The number f crrect answers will be in parenthesis after the questin. Prvide the entire rule reference with yur answer. 1. With R1 n first, B2 bunts a ball t F5 and bth R1 and B2 advance safely. The defense prtests the batter befre the next pitch because B2 batted with a Reebk Vectr that has hles in the taper part f the bat. B2 is declared ut and R1 is put back n first base. 2. It is nt bstructin if an errant thrw pulls the 1st baseman withut the ball int the path f the batter-runner and impedes her prgress. 3. Which f the fllwing are cnsidered appeal plays? (3) a. A runner misses a base. b. A runner leaves a base t sn befre a caught fly ball is first tuched. c. A player asks the calling base umpire t appeal the decisin t the plate umpire. d. A player bats ut f rder. e. An imprper player is discvered playing in the game. 4. Religius and medical-alert medals are cnsidered jewelry and are prhibited. 5. Fllwing a cnference and trailing by tw runs late in the game, speedy R2 frm 3rd base and slw-fted R3 frm 2nd base switch psitins n the bases. What are yur calls? (3) a. Each runner is declared ut immediately when discvered. b. Each runner is declared ut upn prper appeal. R2, R3 and the head cach are ejected. c. The head cach is immediately ejected when discvered. d. The head cach culd be ejected if the act was deemed unsprting. If nt, the cach is restricted t the bench fr the remainder f the game. e. R2 and R3 are ejected immediately when discvered. f. R2 and R3 culd be ejected if the act was deemed unsprting by the umpire r issued a warning if the infractin is determined t be minr. g. N specific rule prvisins.
6. R1 slides int 2nd base n a duble but injures her ankle and is unable t cntinue the game. Team A has n available substitutes. What are yur calls? (2) a. The game is frfeited t team B if team A is unable t field nine players. b. A team may play shrthanded unless a team member has been ejected frm the game. c. A team may play shrthanded fr any reasn. d. R1 is declared ut. e. R1 is nt ut and the mst recent batter nt at a base may run fr her. 7. N pitch shall be declared if a runner is called ut fr leaving the base t sn. 8. With R1 n 1st base, F1 thrws t a base frm the pitcher s plate. What are yur calls? (2) a. The play is legal. b. The play is cnsidered an illegal pitch. c. The ball is dead immediately. d. The ball is delayed dead. e. R1 remains n 1st base. f. R1 is advanced t 2nd base. 9. R1 is n 1st base with ne ut and a 1-1 cunt n B3. R1 breaks with the pitch as B3 swings and tips the ball sharply and directly int F2 s glve. R1 is safe at 2nd base. What are yur calls? (4) a. It is a ful ball. b. R1 must return t 1st base. c. B3 cntinues t bat with a 1-2 cunt. d. R1 will remain n 2nd base. e. R1 may advance withut tagging up. f. A ful tip has ccurred. 10. As F1 is abut t start her delivery, right-handed batter B1 jumps acrss the plate t the left-handed batter s bx with the intent t bunt the ball. What are yur calls? (2) a. The ball is dead. b. B1 is returned t the right-handed batter s bx and play begins anew. c. B1 is declared ut. d. B1 is ejected frm the game. e. B1 is restricted t the dugut/bench fr the remainder f the game. f. N vilatin has ccurred unless the pitcher releases the pitch.
11. B1 is annyed after the plate umpire s secnd strike call n successive pitches. B1 bviusly delays entering the batter s bx after being directed by the umpire t d s and delays the game. What are yur calls? (3) a. The ball is dead. b. The ball is live. c. The batter is charged with a third strike and is declared ut. d. The ball must be pitched. e. The ball des nt need t be pitched. f. B1 is ejected frm the game withut warning. 12. A runner is ut if she passes an bstructed preceding runner. 13. B1 swings at a legal pitch but her bat cntact s F2 s glve as she hits a fair ball. What are yur calls? (4) a. That is defined as catcher s interference. b. That is defined as catcher s bstructin. c. That s batter s interference because B1struck F2 s glve with her bat. d. The ball is dead immediately. e. The infractin is ignred if the batter and all runners advance at least ne base n a batted ball. f. An ptin is ffered t the cach f the ffensive team if the batter r any ther runner des nt advance at least ne base. g. The plate umpire will call time and begin play anew. h. The plate umpire will signal a delayed-dead ball. 14. R1 is n 3rd base with n uts. B2 draws a walk and the ball is returned t F1 in the pitcher s circle. What are yur calls? (4) a. B2 may attempt t advance t 2nd base. b. B2 may nt attempt t advance if the ball is returned t F1 in the circle befre B2 reaches 1st base. c. The lk-back rules des nt take affect until B2 reaches 1st base. d. R1 is ut if she leaves 3rd while F1 is hlding the ball in the circle and nt making a play befre B2 reaches 1st base. e. R1 is ut if she leaves 3rd while F1 is hlding the ball in the circle and nt making a play after B2 reaches 1st base. f. The ball is immediately dead if R1 r B2 vilates the circle rule. g. The ball is live when R1 r B2 vilates the circle rule.
15. A baserunner is nt ut: (2) a. When the runner, attempting t avid, is inadvertently struck by a fly ball while in cntact with 2nd base. b. When the runner, attempting t avid, is inadvertently struck by a fly ball while nt in cntact with 2nd base. c. When the runner, attempting t avid, is inadvertently struck by a grund ball while in cntact with 2nd base. d. When the runner steps ff 2nd base t avid a fielder in the act f fielding a batted fly ball, but unintentinally interferes with the fielder, causing her t drp the ball. 16. R2 is n 3rd and R3 is n 2nd with ne ut. With the suicide squeeze n, B4 bunts the ball near the 1st base ful line. B4 interferes with F3 and prevents F3 frm making a play at the plate n R2. What are yur calls? (4) a. B4 is ut. b. R2 is ut. c. R2 is safe. d. R2 is returned t 3rd base. e. The ball is live. f. The ball is dead. g. R3 is awarded 3rd base. h. R3 is returned t 2nd base. 17. R1 ccupies 1st base when B1 hits safely t right field. F9 fires t F5 at 3rd base t play n sliding R1. F5 tags R1 befre the base but F5 lses pssessin f the ball, which rlls int the 3rd base dugut after B2 runds 1st base and R1 is tuching 3rd base. The umpires declare a dead ball. What are yur calls? (2) a. R1 is awarded 3rd base. b. R1 is awarded hme. c. B2 is awarded 2nd base. d. B2 is awarded 1st base.
Mechanics Tpics Outline Week 2 1. Understanding Arbiter Lifeline t grup cmmunicatins! a. Accessibility b. Functins i. Prfile pht - stress prfessinal head sht f just the fficial; n picture, n assignments! ii. Switch views iii. NFHS, NCOA, JSS - Central Hubs, Assignments, Testing iv. Calendar v. Blcks vi. Reprts vii. Travel Limits c. RefPay Plate Umpire Cnducts a shrt and well-planned plate cnference. Training Pints and examples f desired perfrmance: Pace f the game The ingredients f a gd plate cnference. Intrductins Careful lk at lineup Cnfirm length f game, if turnament. Caches, are players legally and prperly equipped? Grund rules discuss ahead f time with the cach if need be. Any safety issues? N stries, n pet-peeve warnings, let s play. Dn t use the wrd I Establish gd wrking relatinship fr the game. Read the rm. Be aware f what s ging n arund warm-ups. Once the plate cnference begins, the base umpire des nt distract caches frm plate umpire s cmments. Listen and nly add infrmatin if requested r if needed t clarify. Keeps the game mving Anticipate and be prepared fr the unexpected. Anticipates lineup changes and be ready when caches are cming ut. Enfrces the five pitches r ne-minute rule between innings.
Lks fr pprtunities t get game balls frm the dugut r clean the plate, withut hlding up the game. Breaks up catcher/pitcher cnferences quickly (after cleaning the plate). Has a gd rutine fr handling cnferences. Training Pints and examples f desired perfrmance: Call time, sweep plate, get lineup card ut ready t write G up the baseline where the cach will be cming ff. If it s an fficial cnference, write it dwn and infrm the cach. If cach is taking t lng, apprach the circle What d yu say? (Dn t need t say anything usually, be visible.) Observe and talk with partners fr ther ideas Mves with a purpse when cming back frm the circle r 3 rd base. Has gd lineup management. Makes lineup changes quickly and crrectly, withut hlding up the game. Gives changes t ppsing cach and then screkeeper. Has cmmand f substitutin rules, especially with regard t pitchers, and DP/FLEX. Training Pints and examples f desired perfrmance: Has Lineup card and pen at the ready. Knws what needs t be recrded. Has a system and tweaks it t imprve Is in cntrl f all issues arund hme plate. Training Pints and examples f desired perfrmance: Plate Mechanics Desn t let pitcher quick pitch. Is aware f caches r players ut f the dugut r balls n the field. Keeps caches and their buckets inside the dugut even when they want t use t signal catchers Call plays in their area but has eyes n the ther plays t. Fllws prper NFHS plate mechanics. Training Pints and examples f desired perfrmance: Sets up in the slt, heel/te alignment, lking dwn and thrugh the zne.
Can see the cmplete plate and then the ball frm the pitcher s hand. Can see the plate befre the pitch, but can we see it as the ball appraches? If nt, are we clse enugh? Are we lking ver the catcher, r thrugh the catcher? Shuld be abut 10-12 inches away frm the catcher (depending n the catcher) as a general rule. MANY f ur umpires are t far away and d nt have enugh slt. They cannt see the plate thrugh the catcher s helmet r glve. Visualizes the zne then fcus n the ball as it is being released frm the pitcher s hand. Is set and lcked at the start f the pitch (when the hands separate after cming tgether). Hands in frnt f bdy bdy is set and lcked. Hands may be n the knees/legs r held free. Tracks the pitch in with nly slight head mvement. Desn t drp head fr lw pitches r turn away n utside pitches. Timing: Waits until the ball reaches the glve r hits the grund, pauses, then calls the pitch, allwing time t make the right call. Cnsistent with timing, vice, and zne. Re-sets after each by stepping back, be still, face the pitcher, with clear, high ball-strike signals when needed. Understands when we shuld give balls and strikes (pending change, delay ) Desn t stare at indicatr each pitch, usually ntches indicatr. Recgnizes illegal pitches. Studies the rule. Knws what t say t the cach, using verbiage frm the bk. Gd mvement away frm the plate. A gd umpire must be ready, (willing) and able t mve during the game. Hustles and is n tp f any ptential play. Emplys the swinging gate n ppups r passed balls, watching the catcher instead f the ball. Gets t the ful line, backstp, and fence fr credible calls. Training Pints and examples f desired perfrmance: If the catcher ges, yu g!
Get all the way t the screen, dn t just fllw catcher. Ful balls, straddle line r baseline extended and be stpped. Wrks t quickly get int psitin fr activity at hme plate. Trails the batter-runner (unless the play takes yu elsewhere) slightly inside the ful line abut ne-third f the way t 1 st base. Is stpped t see play. Training Pints and examples f desired perfrmance: When n runners n, r when runner n 1b nly. Knws hw t help, if asked, n pulled ft, swipe tag r bbbled ball. If PU is then needed at 3b, ges quickly and directly t a calling lcatin 10-12 feet, 90 degrees frm the play. Helps n bstructin at 2b Recgnizes lead/trail respnsibility as it changes during the play. Training Pints and examples f desired perfrmance: With multiple runners n base, a base hit t the utfield and a runner scring with n play at the plate: watches the runner scre frm the hlding zne in ful territry alng the 3b line, and then mves t take the new lead runner ging int 3b, while the 1U handles ther trail runner(s) at first and secnd base. Dn t frce the base umpire t handle the batter runner AND a play at third base. Calling psitin is 10-12 feet frm 3b, 90-degree angle, inside the diamnd. Knws which hlding zne t g t. Training Pints and examples f desired perfrmance: Gets ut t the circle n balls t the utfield (when n runners in scring psitin) Gets t 3 rd base line hlding zne with runner in scring psitin Lks t see when partner is chasing a fly ball and reacts t either cver the infield r mve parallel t the flight f the ball t make the call when partner buttn hks. Handles issues arund the plate in a decisive manner that gives caches and players cnfidence in all calls. Training Pints and examples f desired perfrmance: Hit by pitch. Lud verbal Dead Ball and signal. If the ball was in the strike zne, call a strike. (Reminder: n attempt t get ut f the way is required in NFHS if ball in the batter s bx.)
Manuals are silent abut the advanced mechanics fr this, r if there shuld be a pint when awarding first base. The fllwing advanced mechanics is suggested fr discussin in Study Grups and cnsideratin. Keep the caches in the dugut with decisiveness. Indicate dead ball, then a pint t first base if needed. Mve ut in frnt f the plate and takes a few steps tward first base with the batter t diffuse any ptential issues. Is in gd psitin t see all clse plays at the plate and makes a decisive call. Lines up the runner scring with a 2-ut tag play at anther base, t determine if the runs scred befre the third ut. Lineup Management http://www.cactusumpires.cm/tutrials-infrmatin.html; click n Lineup Management System this pwerpint presentatin is 120 slides and cvers (in detail!) substitutins and DP/FLEX this dcument is als available n the NCOA Sftball Central Hub DP/FLEX Strategies http://nca.arbitersprts.cm/grups/107475/library/files/sftball/2017/dp_fle X_Strategies.pdf this NFHS dcument cvers Basic Utilizatin Strategies fr Caches and may be helpful fr yu t understand their thinking. DP/Flex flexibility and participatin married tgether thrughut the game must be stated at the pregame cnference t be valid cannt add the flex after the line up cards have been made fficial when are line up cards fficial?? when using DP/Flex, team can end up with either 9 r 10 players at the end f the game Flex must be in the 10th psitin f the line up card always cnfirm DP/Flex relatinship with the cach at the pregame cnference "S the Flex, Mary is tied t the DP Sally in the 6 psitin, right?" A starting r substitute DP may re-enter the game ne time as lng as they remain in the riginal psitin n the line up card DP can be replaced legally by the fllwing: pinch hitter pinch runner Flex substitute
When the DP leaves the game, ne re-entry is permitted (nrmal substitutin rule) If the FLEX bats r runs fr the DP, the DP has left the game and the team drps t 9 players If DP re-enters, team is nw back tp 10 players DP can play defense fr the FLEX; FLEX has left the game, dwn t 9 players DP can play defense at ANY psitin If the DP plays defense fr ther than the FLEX, that player is still bats and has nt left the game; batting rder des nt change! The FLEX can ONLY bat fr the DP The rle f DP/FLEX is never terminated in a game where they are present A team can g frm 10 t 9 t 10 players any number f times during a game The game can end with 10 r 9 players The DP can never be n defense nly The FLEX can never be n ffense nly The DP and FLEX can NEVER be n ffense at the same time The DP and FLEX can play defense at the same time Develp a methd fr yur line up card that wrks fr yu