NCOA Softball Sacramento 2017 Study Session #3 Questions Instructions: There are True/False and Multiple Response questions. You are to mark your answer(s) to the questions on the quiz sheet. There will be more than one correct answer for the Multiple Choice questions. The number of correct answers will be in parenthesis after the question. Provide the entire rule reference with your answer. 1. B1 steps into the batter s box with a Little League baseball bat. What are your calls? (3) a. The bat is illegal. b. The bat is legal. c. The bat is removed from the game. d. B1 is declared out. e. B1 is ejected from the game. 2. B1, batting with a 0-1 count, hits a line drive that hits the pitcher s plate and caroms into foul ground, where F2 recovers the ball and throws out B1 after she makes a wide turn at 1st. The startled plate umpire does not make a call and the base umpire calls B1 out. The offensive coach enters the field to question the call. What are your calls? (3) a. The umpire crew must meet privately away from the coach and calmly discuss the play. b. The out on B1 stands. c. The ball is fair since it struck an object in fair territory. d. It s a foul ball. e. B1 returns to bat with a 0-2 count. f. The umpires may view a spectator s video of the play. 3. With R2 on 2nd, B3 bats with a 1-1 count. B3 squares in the box, takes a bunting position and holds her bat motionless in the strike zone as F1 s pitch passes high and out of the strike zone. What are your calls? (4) a. That s a ball. b. That s a strike. c. It is considered a bunt attempt if B3 holds the bat in the strike zone. d. It is considered a bunt attempt if B3 moves the bat toward the ball. e. B3 must withdraw her bat and pull it backward and away from the ball to avoid being charged with an attempt to contact the ball.
4. When the DP/FLEX option is used, the lineup may be reduced to nine and then returned to 10 any number of times. a. True b. False 5. With R2 on 2nd and one out, B3 enters the batter s box with an altered bat. Before a pitch is made, the opposing coach informs the plate umpire that she believes B3 s bat has been altered. What are your calls? (2) a. There is no penalty but the umpire shall remove the bat from the game. b. B3 is not out unless she hits a fair or foul ball. c. Because the bat was intentionally altered, the game is forfeited to the offended team. d. B3 is declared out. e. B3 is ejected from the game. f. For a first offense a team warning is issued. For a subsequent offense, the player is restricted to the dugout and the coach is ejected. 6. Prior to starting the delivery, the pitcher must take a position with both feet on or partially on the top surface of the pitcher's plate. a. True b. False 7. Left-handed F1 stands sideways on the pitching plate facing 1st base with her shoulders in line with 2nd base and home plate. F1 s pivot foot is in legal contact and within the 24-inch periphery of the pitcher s plate and her non-pivot foot is directly behind her pivot foot and also in legal contact with the pitcher s plate. F1 raises her non-pivot foot and then steps directly toward the plate to pitch to B1. What are your calls? (2) a. That is a legal pitch. b. The shoulders need not be in line with 1st and 3rd bases. c. That s an illegal pitch. d. The shoulders must be in line with 1st and 3rd bases 8. An on-deck batter may leave the circle to avoid interfering with the catcher's opportunity to make an out. a. True b. False
9. R1 is on 1st base with one out and a 1-1 count on B3. R1 breaks with the pitch as B3 swings and tips the ball sharply and directly into F2 s glove. R1 is safe at 2nd base. What are your calls? (4) a. That s a foul ball. b. R1 must return to 1st base. c. B3 continues to bat with a 1-2 count. d. R1 will remain on 2nd base. e. R1 may advance without tagging up. f. A foul tip has occurred. 10. The ball is dead immediately when: (4) a. While running to 1st, B1 stops to delay or avoid a tag. b. The batter interferes with the catcher by stepping out of the batter s box. c. A runner in a rundown is obstructed. d. A runner passes another runner. e. An illegal pitch is declared f. A batter is struck by a pitch she strikes at. g. A runner interferes with a fielder who is in the act of fielding a batted ball. h. The batter, in the batter s box, intentionally interferes with the catcher who is attempting a play. 11. R1 is on 3rd base and R2 is on 1st with no outs as B3 bats with a 1-1 count. B3 hits a fly foul ball near the third base foul line about 10 feet on the plate side of 3rd base and about 4 feet foul. As F5 settles comfortably under the ball, R1 inadvertently bumps into F5 and the ball drops. What are your calls? (4) a. The ball is dead. b. R1 is called out for interference. c. R1 is called out for interference only if R1 physically contacts F5. d. R2 is declared out for her teammate s interference. e. B3 is declared out. f. Because R1 did not intentionally interfere with the foul fly ball, R1 is not out. g. A foul ball is charged to B3. h. B3 continues to bat with a 1-2 count.
12. R1 occupies 1st base with no outs when B2 bunts a fair ball in front of home plate. F2 s throw to 1st base strikes B2 in fair territory about 10 feet before 1st base. R1 has reached 2nd base when B2 is struck by F2 s throw. What are your calls? (3) a. B2 is declared out for three-foot-lane interference. b. The ball remains live. c. The ball becomes dead. d. R1 remains at 2nd base. e. R1 is returned to 1st base. 13. With one out, R2 occupies 2nd base as B3 bats with two strikes. B3 swings and misses for strike three but F2 drops the ball. Angry, B3 bolts for and enters the 1st base dugout as R2 runs toward 3rd base. F2 fires to F5 at 3rd base and R2 is tagged out. What are your calls? (3) a. The ball is dead. b. The ball is delayed-dead. c. The ball is live. d. B3 is out. e. R2 is out. f. R2 is returned to 2nd base. g. R2 is awarded 3rd base. 14. R1 is on 1st base when B2 hits safely to right field. F9, with a strong arm, fires toward 3rd, but F6 cuts off the ball and misses an attempted tag on advancing R1. R1 touches 3rd, but believing she s out, enters the dugout near 3 rd base. F6 throws to F4 and B2 is caught between 1st and 2nd in a lengthy rundown and is finally tagged out. What are your calls? (2) a. The ball is dead when R1 enters the team area. b. R1 is declared out. c. The out on B2 is nullified. d. B2 is returned to 1st base. e. The out on B2 stands.
15. R2 is on 2nd base with one out when B3 hits safely to left field. F7 throws to F2 who fields the ball in a crouched position about five feet to the left of home plate near the 3rd base foul line. R2 avoids F2 s tag by hurdling over F2 and landing on the plate. What s your call? (3) a. R2 s act is legal b. R2 is out for hurdling over F2 c. The ball remains live unless interference is called d. R2 s run counts e. R2 is ejected from the game f. A team warning about hurdling is issued to R2 s team g. The ball is always live and in play h. R2 s run does not count 16. B2 hits a hard ground ball that deflects off F1 and strikes R1, who is running for 2nd base. R1 is unable to avoid the ball and F4 is in position to field it. What are your calls? (2) a. R1 is not out since she could not avoid being struck. b. R1 is out since F4 had a play on the ball. c. The ball is dead when it strikes R1. d. The remains live and in play. 17. No runs shall score: (3) a. When all continuous action double play results in a third out to end the half inning. b. On all third-out force outs. c. On any third out that occurs before the batter-runner touches 1st base. d. By all following runners when a preceding runner makes the third out of the half inning. 18. When starting in C position behind the SS, with runners at first and second base, and a base hit through the infield, the base umpire should do the following: a) Button hook toward the pitcher's plate 18-20 feet inside the diamond and take all calls on the infield. b) Does not come straight toward the pitcher s plate, but moves more behind the circle to watch batter-runner at 1b and any runner coming to 2b. c) Has responsibility for the runner at second going into third base. d) On the first play at third from the outfield, the plate umpire has the call at third.
19. When a base umpire has a close tag/no tag play or interference/no interference play in front of him between the bases, he should give a "safe" signal to communicate that no violation has occurred. a. True b. False 20. When chasing a fly ball to the outfield the base umpire should: a. Choose a path that is parallel to the flight of the ball. b. Try to be stopped when seeing the play. c. Communicate to his partner that he is going. d. Have back to the infield, e. all of the above. 21. Calling distance for a tag play is: a. 18-20 feet. b. 20-25 feet. c. 6-7 feet d. 10-12 feet. e. Should adjust to get an unobstructed view of the play. 22. Obstruction occurs when... a. The catcher not have the ball but is in the baseline while the runner is rounding third base. b. A fielder not in possession of the ball or not making an initial play on a batted ball impedes the progress of a runner who is legally running the bases. c. When a catcher uses her shin guards to block the base when she has possession of the ball. d. Obstruction is the act of an offensive player.
Professional Demeanor Mechanics Topics Outline Week 3 Masters the rules and the mechanics required to officiate. Studies the rules and uses book verbiage on the field. Studies the mechanics and works with partner to ensure their use on the field. Reviews quiz and test materials periodically. Becomes a student of the game. Participates in a positive manner in NCOA meetings, and in pre-game, postgame discussions with partners. Points out the positives, constructive and thoughtful with comments. Respects the group s time. Is always under control on and off the field, even when other participants are not. Is approachable. Stays calm when coaches come out to question a call. Uses non-threatening body language, hands to the sides, remove sunglasses. Employs good communication skills to diffuse bad situations so they do not become worse. Listens for the question, seeks to understand the problem first. Shows empathy when needed. Uses book verbiage to explain rulings. Doesn t have to have the last word. Does not take criticism personally. Is in service to the game. Has the mindset that they are not bigger than the game. Hustles. Is respectful. Recognizes that without the hard work of a lot of people, we would not have a game to officiate. Honors commitments to assigners and partners. Accepts assignments when they come out in a prompt fashion. Keeps Arbiter calendar up to date. Shows up on time.
Dealing with confrontational coaches and parents Don't have rabbit ears. Be calm when talking to an irate coach LISTEN, LISTEN, LISTEN Warnings to coaches and players: They are serious, how to use them Role playing exercises? Do some!! Here are a few clips from a New Jersey baseball clinic that deal with difficult coaches coming out onto the field to protest your call. Good habits on the field = good habits in life. Step One: Listen (Listen to listen...not to respond) - - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evv3kb5_die Step Two: Don't Assume -- https://youtu.be/vesymsyot_g Step Three & Four: Composure and Respond - - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrlgmtjkxri Interference and Obstruction [DO YOUR HOMEWORK ON THIS TOPIC AND EXPAND ON THE BULLET POINTS BELOW] Definitions Differences Mechanics related to both Base Umpire Duties and Mechanics Works to get all four elements of the play in clear view. Ball, runner, fielder s foot on the base, or tag. Calls plays in their area, but has eyes on the other plays too. Understands the Inside-Outside theory o Button hooks no more than 10-12 feet inside the baseline on base hits to the outfield. o Stays outside the baseline on balls hit to the infield, except when moving inside from behind shortstop to make a call at 1st base. o Pre-reads the situation and positioning of outfielders. o Reads where the play is going and move quickly to the best position possible. o Uses good angle and distance mechanics and calling depth. o Is ready to respond to a secondary play. o Watches for interference by the runner and obstruction by the fielder and knows how to employ the dead ball mechanics. o Give the safe signal when a runner passes a fielder and there might be a
question as to why the umpire didn t call interference or there was a question about whether the runner was tagged on the play. (Note this will be on the NFHS test!) o Watches for illegal pitches, call when appropriate. o Watches action around plate on a pitch: check swing, foul ball off foot, or plays at the plate (when there are no other responsibilities) and is ready to assist partner. Starting On the Line Start at a depth 18-21 feet from first base and walk the line. Be stopped and square to the plate before the pitch reaches home plate, to enable quickness into the infield and at the proper angle and calling depth. o No closer than 18 feet on a force play. o 45-degree angle through the bag at 1 st base. o Has a way to determine what 21 feet from first base is. (I.e. Casual steps that = 21 feet, small markings on field or fences.) o Gets to the fence on foul balls hit near the out-of-play fence, dugout, and outfield, and makes the call if in his area, or when the fielder is facing away from the plate umpire. Makes eye-contact with the plate umpire. Starting Off the Line Has appropriate distance behind the infielders, not too deep. o In normal defensive sets this means just off the shoulder, and two steps behind where they end up when the pitch is released. o Is able to quickly pivot out of the fielder s way and not make them worry about where you are so they have the freedom to make the play. (Same as with the catcher at home plate.) o Is capable of adjusting when the defensive set is not normal. When behind 2B on double play ball, moves toward second base, makes call there and then pivots to first base for call there. When behind SS, can get into the infield (when called for) for a play at first base. Works to get as close to a 90-degree angle on a steal as possible. Knows when to pass off a lead runner to the plate umpire, and be in position to make calls on subsequent runner(s). o From C slot, does not come straight toward the pitcher s plate, but moves more behind the circle to watch batter-runner at 1b and any runner coming to 2b. The plate umpire has the first play from the outfield at 3B. Chasing Fly Balls (going out) NCOA Leadership Team has observed that too many umpires are deciding in their pre games not to chase fly balls. NFHS and NCOA want umpires to chase trouble balls in two-man, if the ball is in their chase area and other circumstances are favorable. Having an umpire out on a trouble ball gives the crew much more credibility on a call that is hard to make from home plate. o A Trouble Ball is a fly ball or a sinking line drive that ends up being difficult for a
plate umpire, base runners, or base coaches to immediately determine catch/no catch. These may include fly balls near the home run fence (especially if it is a temporary home run fence), shoestring or diving catches, or fly balls where two or more fielders are coming together. o A Trouble Ball is not a pop up or high fly ball that can be easily caught with little movement from the fielder, or a deep fly ball that is obviously well beyond the confines of the playing field. o Know your chase area and be able to quickly determine if there is a need to chase a fly ball. If not, button hook into the infield. Consider windy conditions which might impact your decision. o If a ball should be chased, use these general guidelines. The NFHS manual does not have specific chase areas listed for two-man mechanics, yet they want us to chase when necessary. So the following are merely NCOA guidelines which should be considered and modified based on an umpire s experience level, quickness, and recognition of what is truly a trouble ball. These areas and how to communicate when going out on trouble balls should be discussed in pre-game. o On the Line the area between the out-of-play-fence to centerfielder coming toward you. If a fly ball is near the right field line, straddle the line and be stopped when the ball touches a player or the ground. Don t need to go out too far. o B-Slot the area between the right fielder and centerfielder. o C-Slot the area between the left fielder to centerfielder. o Shoestring catches in these areas. o Fly balls near fence in these areas, especially temporary fences. o In all cases, base umpire should turn their back to home plate as much as possible to signal they are chasing, and that the plate umpire needs to take the infield. o When chasing, take an angle parallel to the flight of the ball, and try to be stopped to see the play, and certainly when making the call. o After ruling in the outfield the umpire lets the ball return his vision back to the infield but stays out until all of the play is complete. o Plate umpire when the ball goes up, look at your partner to see if they are chasing. Don t look at the flight of the ball. Returning from the outfield. o The NFHS manual clearly states that when a base umpire chases a fly ball, the plate umpire moves into the infield and reverts to a One-Man system. The base umpire is to stay in the outfield until all play is ceased. Because of this, even more judicious about chasing fly balls when you could leave your plate umpire in a difficult position. For example, when the bases are loaded. o However, the manual also says, when we deviate, we communicate. It would not be improper to deviate from any mechanic if there is a breakdown in coverage which could leave your partner having neither a good angle nor proper distance to make a call. If this situation occurs, and you can help your partner, the base umpire should loudly communicate to his partner which base he is returning to make a call. This procedure for communicating should be pre-gamed.