Bismarck Parks and Recreation District Babe Ruth Baseball 2014 Umpires Clinic
General Information Time Sheets Available from Eddie Streeter & Todd Houston (Coordinators) or Bismarck Parks and Rec. office
Time Sheets Left Column Check box for: Babe Ruth Baseball Umpire
Time Sheets Right Column Games/Matches Officiated Record # of games worked Total for the week and for two week pay period
General Information Must be submitted in a timely manner Don t forget to sign and date time sheets Time Sheets
General Information Pay scale $22.00, $25.00 and $27.00 per game Based on experience & certifications You must complete all paperwork before paycheck can be processed!
General Information You will be supplied with your own counter/indicator Must use every game!
General Information Always wear your appropriate personal protective equipment in accordance with the job operation that you are performing
General Information Bismarck Parks and Rec. will supply a mask, outside chest protector and shin guards
General Information Arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start time of game Before the game Check-in with Eddie Streeter & Todd Houston, 13-15 Babe Ruth Coordinators If Eddie or Todd is not at the complex, check-in with one of the coaches or whoever is in charge Pick-up umpire equipment from Eddie/Todd or whoever is in charge
General Information Games will be played at: Bismarck Municipal Ballpark South Washington Street and Front Avenue Haaland Field Cottonwood Complex, South 12 th Street Tatley-Eagles Park (North Diamond) Airport Road and Michigan Avenue University of Mary 7500 University Drive (7 miles south of Bismarck) Mandan
General Information After the game has been completed: Again check-in with Progam Coordinator If coordinator is not at the complex, check-in with one of the coaches or whoever is in charge Return all umpire equipment to whoever is in charge DO NOT leave equipment on the diamonds In some cases, the coaches will collect the umpire gear
General Information Appearance - Always Be Professional!! Bismarck Parks and Rec staff t-shirt Do not cut off the sleeves! Sweats/shorts (no cut-offs) Proper footwear (cross training shoes, baseball spikes) ABSOLUTELY NO sandals/thongs/flip-flops! ABSOLUTELY NO earrings! ABSOLUTELY NO chewing and smoking tobacco!
General Information Pay attention to what is happening on your diamond during the game
General Information Keep the game moving Instruct players to hustle in, hustle out Do not practice your pitching or hitting skills between innings
Between Innings Pitchers are allowed five (5) warm-up pitches Fifth pitch gets thrown down to 2B by catcher
General Information Player uniforms Tuck in uniform tops Bill of baseball cap pointed forward No earrings or jewelry Full length socks/targets Belts
General League Rules No courtesy runner Everyone bats No bat restrictions 7 innings pitched per week 1 pitch = 1 inning No new inning starts after two (2) hours
Tournament and Extra Baseball Rules Regular baseball rules Re-entry rule is in effect Nine (9) players in batting order EH: extra hitter Pitching rule 1 pitch = 1 inning 7 innings every two games
Code of Conduct Three Strikes and You're Out implementation! Strike one: Warning/Put on Notice Strike two: One week suspension from all games. No Pay! Strike three: Suspended from league for remainder of the season. Strikes are given out by the Code of Conduct Review Committee Please Review the Code of Conduct on www.bisparks.org
Profanity By players, coaches, fans and officials WILL NOT be tolerated at any time!
Profanity First time - Issue a warning to the entire team Second time - Removal of the offender from the game
Code of Conduct Umpires should halt a game until an abusive Fan or Parent leaves the field if they are directly involved in a Code of Conduct violation. If you see a spectator, parent, player, and/or coach in a Code of Conduct violation: Report to a Coordinator & fill out a Code of Conduct Incident Form!
Care of Equipment
Care of Equipment Abuse of equipment will not be tolerated No throwing of the helmets, bats, gloves, etc. Safety Participate in proper housekeeping. Make sure that all the equipment is kept in the dugout Do not leave equipment (catcher s gear, bats, baseballs, helmets, etc.) in the field of play
General Rules: SAFETY
General Rules: SAFETY The mandatory slide rule IS in effect Contact must be avoided Plays up the line are a judgment call Use your best judgment
Safety All catchers must wear a mask and skull cap A mask MUST be worn by any player who warms-up the pitcher
Safety A batting helmet should be worn by any player who serves as the first base coach
General Rules: SAFETY Fake Tags
General Information If you don t know something or if you have a question DON T BE AFRAID TO ASK! If you are unable to work a game that you have signed-up for YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR FINDING A REPLACEMENT You are also responsible for keeping track of the games that you signed up to work
Two Man Umpiring Crew Field Umpire Position
Bases empty Position A
In foul territory If the umpire pivots 180 degrees to face the outfield their belt buckle should come over the foul line Usually 10-15 feet up the first base line Relative to the first baseman s position Not the base Position A
Position A Example
Position A
Situation: No runners on base Play: Base hit to outfield Field umpire: Leaves his position and heads towards an area as indicated in the diagram He pivots counter clockwise to see base runner touch 1B and follows play to 2B Position A
Position B Runner on first base
Position B Visualize an imaginary line from home plate running along the 1B edge of the pitching mound Stand on the infield 1/2 way between the rubber and 2B along this imaginary line
Position B Example
Position C Bases loaded Runners on 1B and 2B Runners on 2B and 3B Runners on 1B and 3B
Position C Visualize an imaginary line from home plate running along the 3B edge of the pitching mound Stand on the infield 1/2 way between the rubber and 2B along this imaginary line
Position C Example
Field umpire helps the plate umpire with... Check swings Difficult to do from Positions B & C Foul tips Hit by pitch Catcher s interference
Umpire Mechanics and Communication
Basic Stances Behind The Plate The Box The classic stance behind the plate. Feet parallel, just wider than shoulder width apart Positioned in the "slot" between the catcher and the hitter
The Box Side view: Notice the head height. Make sure you can see the "money" pitch; the ball at the knees on the outside corner
Basic Stances Behind The Plate The Scissors In the slot and head above the catcher s One leg forward, one leg back Leg nearest batter is forward
The Scissors Side View
Many MLB umps have dumped the scissors stance behind the plate to stand more upright, giving them a better look at the high pitch.
Basic Stances Behind The Plate The Knee Side View: You've got to be tall to make the best of this stance
The Count Say it AND show it Hands up high, around eye level, so the pitcher can see it; make sure you re not blocked by the batter or a standing catcher.
The Count Extend appropriate number of fingers Balls: Left hand Strikes: Right hand Proper mechanics is to state: 0 and 2 No balls, 2 strikes
The Outs Hands out to the side; make sure your not blocked by the batter or a standing catcher.
Play Ball Putting the ball in play. Point to the pitcher and call "Play Ball!
Dead Ball Foul Ball Time No Pitch Place both arms straight up in the air. Use a verbal command. Speak loud enough so that everyone can hear you
Foul Ball Use this mechanic for a foul ball down the line. Point to foul territory and yell FOUL!
Fair Ball Use similar mechanics for a fair ball down the line. Point to fair territory but say nothing.
Safe Three shot sequence See the play
Safe Three shot sequence Start the call 1. Lift your arms from your side or knees, fingers together
Safe Three shot sequence Start the call 2. Extend and lift arms chest-high
Safe Three shot sequence Finish the call 3. Come straight across to the sides of your body while stating safe. Use your banger for close plays
Also used to signal: No Catch No Tag No Swing No Infraction
Out Three shot sequence See the play
Out Three shot sequence Start the call 1. Lift your right arm from your side or knees
Out Three shot sequence Start the call 2. Right fist together covered by thumb
Out Three shot sequence Finish the call 3. Lift your arm above head level. State Out. Use your banger for a close play
Catch / No Catch Out mechanic with verbal That s a catch. -or- Safe mechanic with verbal No catch - No catch.
Out on the Tag Same as Out Followed by a point to the tag and the statement: Tag.
Swinging Strike No verbal signal Plate umpire gives his strike mechanic only Made by the right hand and arm
Called Strike Verbal and physical sign Volume: speak loud enough so all the players and coaches can hear you Develop a strike zone that you will be comfortable using
The STRIKE ZONE... Keep your strike zone consistent
A STRIKE is a legal pitch when so called by the umpire, which... (a) Is struck at by the batter and is missed;
A STRIKE is a legal pitch when so called by the umpire, which... (b) Is not struck at, if any part of the ball passes through any part of the strike zone;
A STRIKE is a legal pitch when so called by the umpire, which... (c) Is fouled by the batter when he has less than two strikes; (d) Is bunted foul; (e) Touches the batter as he strikes at it; (f) Touches the batter in flight in the strike zone; or (g) Becomes a foul tip.
The STRIKE ZONE... is that area over home plate the upper limit of which is a horizontal line at the midpoint between the top of the shoulders and the top of the uniform pants, and the lower level is a line at the hallow beneath the knee cap.
The STRIKE ZONE... The Strike Zone shall be determined from the batter's stance as the batter is prepared to swing at a pitched ball.
Dropped Third Strike Signal a strike and keep arm up to indicate that the play is not over If there is a question as to whether or not the batter swung State Yes, he did to indicate that the batter indeed swung If there is a potential checked swing, go immediately to your partner for a ruling before being asked
Dropped Third Strike October 14, 2005 - AJ Pierzynski struck out, but umpire Doug Eddings did not rule that the ball was caught cleanly for the third out in the ninth. Pierzynski reached first base, then eventually scored the winning run.
Check Swing When you appeal a checked swing always use your left hand so the signal is not interpreted as a strike call Only the plate umpire may appeal a checked swing
Dropped Third Strike Check Swing Point Clinch Fist
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.
FOUL TIP signal
A BALL is a pitch which... does not enter the strike zone in flight and is not struck at by the batter. If the pitch touches the ground and bounces through the strike zone it is a "ball." If such a pitch touches the batter, he shall be awarded first base. If the batter hits such a pitch, the ensuing action shall be the same as if he hit the ball in flight.
No hand signal The Ball call Say Ball loud enough so that catcher and batter can hear you Don t get into habit of saying location of ball High or low Inside or outside
Infield Fly Rule
Infield Fly A fair fly ball (not including a line drive nor an attempted bunt) which can be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort Runners on 1B and 2B, or 1B, 2B and 3B with less than two out. Infielder: any player who stations themselves in the infield on the play
Infield Fly Make certain that the crew is aware of a possible infield fly situation Signal: Touch right hand to their chest Indicate number of outs with left hand Crew signals each other to acknowledge infield fly
Infield Fly When a ball is hit that you judge to be an infield fly, both umpires point at baseball after the ball has reached its apex.
Infield Fly Point into the air with your right arm fully extended State either Infield fly - batter s out or Infield fly if fair - batter s out if there is a fair-foul possibility
Time Play Runner on 2B with two out. Runners on 1B & 3B, intentional hot box Watch the runner and the last out. Every one needs to be in sync in this situation. The base umpire(s) must know that the timing of the 3rd out is critical to determine the time the runner crosses the plate
Time Play Signal by touching index and middle finger of right hand to back of left wrist (watch area).
Time Play Watch the runner and the last out. If runner scores before 3 rd out; count the run. If not; waive it off
Interference If, in the judgment of the umpire, a base runner willfully and deliberately interferes with a batted ball or a fielder in the act of fielding a batted ball with the obvious intent to break up a double play, the ball is dead. The umpire shall call the runner out for interference and also call out the batter runner because of the action of his teammate. In no event may bases be run or runs scored because of such action by a runner.
Delayed Interference Call Extend the left arm straight out at shoulder height, parallel to the ground. The hand is in a fist with the fingers of the fist facing forward. Wait until play has completed to award penalty
Ground Rule Double Keep in mind that the ball has left the field and is dead The signal is the right arm with index and middle fingers extended
Home Run The signal is the right arm with index finger extended overhead in a circular motion
Balks A BALK is an illegal act by the pitcher with a runner or runners on base, entitling all runners to advance one base (Rule 8.05) 1st Time - Warn the pitcher Show AND tell pitcher what he did wrong 2nd Time - Remind the pitcher Tell the pitcher what he did wrong again Warn him that the next time it will be called a balk 3. Call the BALK!
Base Line Rules: Running to First Base In running the last half of the distance from home base to first base while the ball is being fielded to first base, he runs outside (to the right of) the three foot line, or inside (to the left of) the foul line and, in the umpire's judgment, interferes with the fielder taking the throw at first base, or attempting to field a batted ball;
Base Line The lines marking the three foot lane are a part of that "lane" but the interpretation to be made is that a runner is required to have both feet within the three foot "lane" or on the lines marking the "lane."
7.08 Any runner is out when_ (a) (1) He runs more than three feet away from a direct line between bases to avoid being tagged unless his action is to avoid interference with a fielder fielding a batted ball; Base Line Rules: Avoiding the tag
Summer Inclement Weather 1. At 4pm, check BPRD website Alert Bar, Information Line at 222-6479, and Facebook page. 2. After 5pm, consult with the coordinator. It s better to be safe than sorry.
Remember Dress and act appropriately Arrive on time Hustle and be in position to make the call Be consistent Communication is very important!
Great References/Resources Babe Ruth League, Inc. Baseball Rules and Regulations Book www.baberuthleague.org Program Coordinators Eddie Streeter and Todd Houston
Questions? Comments? Concerns? Thank You!
Baseball Situations What is the correct call?
Question #1 Q: If a ball hits the foul pole, is it fair or foul? A: It s a fair ball
Question #2 Q: What is the ruling if a fair ball gets stuck under the fence? A: Ground Rule Double
Question #3 Q: In one inning, how many trips can a coach make to the mound before replacing the pitcher? A: Two the pitcher must come out on the second visit
Question #4 Q: What is the ruling when a ball bounces off a fielder and over the outfield wall? A: It s a homerun.
Question #5 Q: When does the infield fly rule come into play? A: When there are runners on 1 st and 2 nd, or bases are loaded with less than 2 outs.
Question #6 Q: What s the ruling if a batter hits a foul ball with one foot out of the batter s box? A: The batter is out.
Question #7 Q: True or False: The tie goes to the runner? A: There is actually no rule stating this is true.
Question #8 Q: How wide is the base path? A: Three feet on either side of the direct line between the bases.
Question #9 Q: Is a batter out if he hits an infield ground ball and slides into first base to beat the throw, yet overslides the base and is tagged by the first baseman? A: No, he can overslide the bag just like he can overrun it, so long as he immediately returns to the base and doesn t turn to go to second base or the dugout.
Question #10 Q: How many times can a batter bunt a foul ball? A: The batter can get up to two strikes for a foul bunt. If a batter has two strikes and bunts a foul ball, the batter is called out.
Question #11 Q: What happens if a runner passes the runner in front of him on the base path? A: The following runner is called out.
Question #12 Q: What s the ruling is there s a runner on first base and the pitcher, while on the pitching rubber, throws to an unoccupied second base? A: It is a balk. The pitcher CAN NOT throw or fake a throw to an unoccupied base when there s no play.
Question #13 Q: What is the ruling if a batter hits a fair ball and a fielder throws his glove at the ball and deflects the hit? A: The batter is awarded three bases, the ball is still in play so the runner can advance to home at his own risk.
Question #14 Q: Does a runner need to tag up when running on a caught foul tip? A: No. They may steal on a foul tip. If a socalled tip is not caught, it becomes an ordinary foul ball and the runners then return to their bases.
Question #15 Q: Is it interference if after hitting or bunting a fair ball, the batter s bat hits the ball a second time in fair territory? Yes. The ball is dead and no runners may advance. If the batter drops his bat and the ball rolls against the bat in fair territory and, in the umpire s judgment, there was no intention to interfere with the course of the ball, the ball is alive and in play.
Question #16 Q: True or False: A batter is automatically out if he bats out of turn. A: False. Only if it s appealed. If the correct batter comes to bat before the illegal batter finishes his at-bat the team is not charged an out. However, the correct batter is charged with the former batter s balls and strikes.
Question #17 Q: Two runners end up on third base at the same time. A: Rule 7.03
Question #18 Q: A foul tip lodges in the catcher s gear. A: Rule 5.09(g)
Question #19 Q: A pitched ball goes into dead ball territory. A: Rule 7.05(g)
Question #20 Q: A thrown ball goes into dead ball territory. A: Rule 7.05(g)
Question #21 Q: A batted ball strikes a base runner. A: Rule 5.09(f)
Question #22 Q: A batted ball strikes an umpire. A: Rule 5.09(f)
Question #23 Q: The umpire interferes with the catcher s throw. A: Rule 5.09(b)
Question #24 Q: a batter swings at a pitched ball, as he hits the baseball and puts it in play the catcher interferes with the batter s swing. A: Rule 6.08 (c)
Question #25 Q: The pitcher, without having the baseball, stands on or astride the pitcher s plate (rubber). A: Rule 8.05 (i)
Question #26 Q: Bases loaded, one out. The batter attempts to bunt a pitched ball and hits a fair fly ball to the pitcher. Infield fly? A: Rule 2.00
Question #27 Q: The batter is touched by a pitched ball which he is attempting to hit. A: Rule 6.08 (b)
Question #28 Q: The Infield Fly rule is called and the infielder unintentionally drops the ball. A: Rule 2.00