Little League Baseball Introductory Umpire Clinic

Little League Baseball Introductory Umpire Clinic 1

Agenda Sign-in & Introduction Dress Code & Equipment Tips and Guides Mechanics & Positioning Lunch Awareness of the Ball Rules of the Game Review Test 2 2

The Rules This is not a rules clinic. Read the rule book, and read it repeatedly. Ask questions. Read your house league rules ensure you have a copy. Read the interlock rules available on the D2 web site. Understand the organization of the rule book. 3 3

Tips for Successful Umpires 1. Knowledge of the rules. 2. Proper field positioning. 3. Timing. 4. Personal appearance. 5. Handling situations. 6. Use of proper signals/communication. 7. Physical preparation. 4 4

Dress Code & Equipment 5 5

Removing the Face Mask Always hold the indicator on the left hand; this also makes it easier to remove the face mask. Always use the left hand when removing the mask. Grasp the mask in the lower left padded area. Pull the bottom of the mask straight out. Push the mask straight up and remove it from your head. Wrong way! Do not use both hands. This can block your vision and spoil your balance. 6 6

Qualities of a Good Umpire 1. Arrive 20 minutes before the game, dressed appropriately. 2. Make all decisions in a clear, distinct voice and with definite gestures. 3. Display quickness, alertness and confidence. 4. Cooperate with the teams to make the game interesting for players and spectators. 5. Display absolute integrity and impartiality with all concerned. 6. Avoid unnecessary conversations with players and spectators during the game. 7. Abstain from criticizing the work and decisions of fellow umpires. 8. Support good, clean fun at all times. 9. Use common sense and good judgment at all times. 7 7

The State of the Ball Dead nothing can happen. Live the game is on. Pitched until it is hit, caught, or touches foul territory (or the batter). Batted hit by the bat; bunted is a special case. In-flight batted, thrown or pitched ball that has not yet touched the ground or some other object. Bounding a live ball that continues to bounce after touching the ground. Caught an in-flight ball that is legally caught. A foul ball is a dead ball. A home run is a dead ball on which bases are awarded. 8 8

Definition of Catch a. A catch is the act of a fielder in getting secure possession in the hand or glove of a ball in flight and firmly holding it before it touches the ground... b.... providing such fielder does not use cap, protector, pocket or any other part of the uniform in getting possession. c. It is not a catch, however, if simultaneously or immediately following contact with the ball, the fielder collides with a player, or with a wall, or if that fielder falls down, and as a result of such collision or falling, drops the ball. d. It is not a catch if a fielder touches a fly ball which then hits a member of the offensive team or an umpire and then is caught by another defensive player. e. If the fielder has made the catch and drops the ball while in the act of making a throw following the catch, then the ball shall be adjudged to have been caught. f. In establishing the validity of the catch, the fielder shall hold the ball long enough to prove complete control of the ball and that release of the ball is voluntary and intentional. g. A catch is legal if the ball is finally held by any fielder, even though juggled, or held by another fielder before it touches the ground. h. Runners may leave their bases the instant the first fielder touches the ball. 9 9

Officiating Don ts 1. Don t explain your decisions, unless procedures dictate. 2. Don t call the action too quickly. 3. Don t argue with game participants or let the game participants argue judgment calls. 4. Don t insist on the last word in a discussion/argument. 5. Don t second guess your partner(s) or make decisions for your partner(s). 6. Don t look for something to talk about with players; the less you say, the more you will be respected. 7. Don t let coaches, players or spectators call the bang-bang plays. 8. Don t work without the proper equipment or attire. If you want to be treated like an official, look and behave like one. 9. Don t say I thought after a decision; be firm and decisive. 10 10

Officiating Don ts 10. Don t be afraid to ask for assistance from your partner(s). 11. Don t stand still; hustle into position; don t take anything for granted. 12. Don t take your eyes off the action once it starts. 13. Don t accept the job if you can t deal with complaints or criticism. 14. Don t be belligerent or vengeful. 15. Don t be a clown, a showboat or a grinner. 16. Don t take your eye off the pitcher once he/she steps on the rubber. 17. Don t forget that you represent Little League; your local League, League Umpire Consultant, District Umpire Consultant, the District Executive, and all other volunteers. 11 11

Cell Phones, etc. Rule 3.17:... The use of electronic equipment during the game is restricted. No team shall use electronic equipment, including walkie-talkies, cellular telephones, etc... to communicate with any non-field personnel, include those from the dugout, bullpen or field. 12 12

Bats Rule 1.10 It shall be a smooth, rounded stick and made of wood or of material and color tested and proved acceptable to Little League standards. Minor/Major: 33 inches maximum length; 2 ¼ maximum diameter; non-wood bats shall have BPF of 1.15 or less; composite bats not permitted Junior: 34 inches maximum length; 2 ⅝ maximum diameter; composite bats must meet BCOR standard Senior/Big League: 36 inches maximum length; 2 ⅝ maximum diameter; weight numerically not more than 3 ounces less than the length 13 13

Infield Fly Typically applies to Minors and above; house league Minors may omit Purpose: to prevent a deliberate and staged double or even triple play Should be called in progress, but may be called after the fact Mechanics: awareness to partners and call in progress 14

Infield Fly Several conditions must be met: Less than 2 out 1st and 2nd (optionally 3rd) occupied Must be a fair fly ball (not line drive or bunt) Can be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort Outfielders playing in are considered infielders 15

Infield Fly 16 16

Duties of the Plate Umpire 1. Is typically the Umpire-in-Chief for that game. 2. Meets with managers and fellow umpires at home plate before the game starts. 3. Is responsible for the proper conduct of the game. 4. Calls balls and strikes, fair and foul balls. 5. Makes all decisions on the batter, except for foul balls that may not be seen except by the base umpire(s). 6. Decides when the game will be called because of darkness, weather, curfew, or other reasons, once the game has started. 7. Starts the game and puts the ball back in play after any stoppage in play. 17 17

Duties of the Base Umpire 1. Normally makes all decisions on the bases. 2. Calls time, when appropriate, concurrently with the plate umpire. 3. Helps the plate umpire enforce the rules and maintain discipline during the game. 4. Is responsible for whether the batted ball is trapped or properly caught by a fielder. 5. Makes certain that all bases are safely and securely anchored in the proper position, especially after sliding plays. 18 18

Mechanics Refers to the vocalization and physical gestures used to communicate activities and decisions. Effective communication is essential to successful games. Ensures all members of the umpire crew share a common understanding of game situations. 19 19

The Safe Call Shout Safe in a loud, clear voice. 20 20

The Out Call Shout Out in a loud, clear voice. 21 21

Check Swing Appeal Partner at First Base Partner at Third Base Did he/she go? No, he/she did not. Yes, he/she did. 22 22

Foul Ball / Fair Ball Foul Ball Foul on Third Base Side Foul on First Base Side If the batted ball is fair but close to the line, signal that the ball is fair, but do not verbalize the call! 23 23

Putting the Ball in Play Several conditions must be met: 8 defensive players must be positioned entirely in fair territory. Catcher must be in the catcher s box and ready. Pitcher must be on the mound and in possession of the ball. Any runners must have tagged their base. Your partners must be ready. The batter should be in the batters box. No play can be made until the ball in put in play. No appeal can be made unless the ball is in play. Point at the pitcher and verbalize: Play. or Pitch. 24 24

Plate Umpire Positioning Left Handed Batter Right Handed Batter 25 25

Plate: Slot Positioning 26 26

Slot Stance Slot } Umpire Catcher 27 27

The Strike Zone 28 28

Tips for Working the Plate 1. Ensure that you can see the plate, and all of the strike zone. 2. Be consistent with your strike zone. 3. Call em. don t explain em. 4. Do not rush your calls see it, think it, call it. 5. Don t call swinging strikes, just indicate them. 6. React quickly to a batted ball that strikes the batter or catcher. 7. On batted balls, be prepared to move to assist the base umpire(s). 8. On flies to the outfield with a runner on third, back off from home plate to get a better view of the tag-up. 9. Call ball four clearly; if you signal the walk, make certain you use your left hand! 29 29

Tips for Working the Plate 10. Don t call the infield fly too soon, especially on windy days. 11. Brush the plate with your back to the infield. 12. Know how and when to call time. 13. Don t be too hasty when calling games for weather conditions. 14. Ejection should always be a last resort. 15. Hustle teams on and off the field in between innings. 16. Learn to deal with flinching. 17. Count visits to the mound for each pitcher. 18. Protests are normally not permitted in house league; check with your UIC. 30 30

Pitching Rules a. Any player can pitch, unless they have been a catcher for any part of 4 or more innings in any game that day. b. A pitcher, once removed from the mound, cannot return as a pitcher in that game. c. Any pitcher who delivers 41 or more pitches cannot play the position of catcher for the remainder of that day. d. A pitcher reaching his pitch count limit, may face the current batter but must be removed from the game as a pitcher (can play other positions except as noted in (c) above) e. See pages 39-41 in the rule book for more details 31 31

Trips to the Mound (8.06) a. A manager or coach may come out twice in one inning to visit the pitcher, but the third time out, the player must be removed as a pitcher. b. A manager or coach may come out three times in one game to visit with the pitcher, but the fourth time out, the player must be removed as a pitcher. c. The manager or coach is prohibited from making a third visit while the same batter is at bat. d. A manager or coach may confer with any other player(s), including the catcher, during the visit to the pitcher. A manager or coach who is ranted time out to talk to any defensive player will be charged with a visit to the pitcher. 32 32

Pitchers Clothing Rule 1.11(a)(3): Any part of the pitcher s undershirt or T-shirt exposed to view shall be of a solid color. A pitcher shall not wear any items on his/her hands which may be distracting to the batter. NOTE: White long sleeve shirts are not permitted. 33 33

Field Positioning 34 34

Fair Ball A Fair Ball is a batted ball that settles on fair ground between home and first base, or between home and third base, or that is on or over fair territory when bounding to the outfield past first or third base, or that touches first, second or third base, or that first falls on fair territory on or beyond first base or third base, or that, while on or over fair territory, passes out of bounds the playing field in flight. 35 35

Foul Ball A Foul Ball is a batted ball that settles on foul territory between home and first base, or between home and third base, or that bounds past first or third base on or over foul territory, or that first falls on foul territory beyond first or third base, or that while on or over foul territory, touches the person of an umpire or player, or any object foreign to the natural ground. 36 36

Which are Fair Balls? 37 37

Which are Foul Balls? T hi r d 38 38

Foul Tip A Foul Tip is a batted ball that goes sharp and direct from the bat to the catcher s hands and is legally caught. It is not a foul tip unless caught and any foul tip that is caught is a strike, and the ball is in play. It is not a catch if it is a rebound, unless the ball has first touched the catcher s glove or hand. A foul tip can only be caught by the catcher. 39 39

Foul Tip 40 40

Batter hit by Batted Ball 41 41

Appeals Can only be made while the ball is alive. Must be made before the next pitch, play or attempted play. Can be made by tagging player or base. Can only be made once on the same player at the same base. Can result in a 4th out. Can result in a force out. Can supersede 3rd out made during continuous action. See rule 7.10 for specific details. 42

Obstruction & Interference Who has the right of way? Pitcher/Catcher Batter Runner Fielder See rule 2.0 for definitions 43 43

Base Path 44 44

Offensive Interference by Batter 45 45

Offensive Interference by Runner 46 46

Defensive Obstruction 47 47

Umpire Interference 48 48

Catcher s Interference 49 49

New: Dropped Third Strike Applies to Majors only Does not appear to be in effect for house league First must be unoccupied, or 2 outs If pitch not caught by catcher, batter may attempt to reach 1st base Negated if a runner leaves the base too soon (no double jeopardy) will be in effect in Districts and above 50 50

Awarding One Base Batter hit by pitched ball awarded to batter and any base runners forced to advance (5.09a, 6.08b). Catcher Interference awarded to batter and any base runners forced to advance (6.08c). Umpire Interference the ball is dead and no runners may advance; if hit by batted ball, the batter is safe on first and existing base runners advance only if forced (5.09b, 5.09g, 7.04a, 7.05i). Ball 4 called on batter batter is award first base, base runners awarded one base if forced; the ball is live and runners may advance further at their own risk (6.08a). Pitcher throw ball out of bounds the ball is dead and base runners advance one base (7.05h). Fielder steps out of bounds after catching ball the batter is out, the ball is dead and base runners advance one base (5.10f/7.04b). Defensive player commits obstruction/interference (7.06) Illegal Pitch/Balk only affects runners (5.09c) 51 51

Awarding Two Bases Fielder deliberately touches thrown ball with cap, mask, etc. the ball is alive (7.05d). Fielder throws glove and touches a thrown ball the ball is alive (7.05e). A fair ball bounces out of play the ball is dead (7.05f). Fielder deflects fair ball out of bounds the ball is dead (6.09g/h). Fielder throws ball out of play (7.05g). 52 52

Awarding Three Bases Fielder deliberately touches fair ball with cap, mask, etc. the ball is alive (7.05b). Fielder throws glove at and touches fair batted ball the ball is alive (7.05c). 53 53

Awarding Four Bases 6.09d a fair ball passes over the fence or into the stands at a distance from home base of 165 feet... home run when all bases have been legally touched. 6.09h... if deflected into the stands or over the fence in fair territory... 7.05a rewording of the same thing. 54 54

D2 Web Site: http://ontd2ll.fuzzybeagle.com/ 56 56

Introductory Umpire Exam 57