NCOA Sftball - Nrth Evaluatin Criteria and Training Pints Date revised 1/6/17 A tp NCOA fficial is cmpetent in their knwledge and applicatin f the rules, has a gd appearance and demeanr, slid mechanics, hustles and mves with a purpse, anticipates and adjusts t plays, and is accurate with their calls. We shuld ALL strive t be this kind f umpire. These are the fficials ur custmers want t see n their games. This dcument utlines what a tp NCOA Sftball umpire is, and des, with training pints fr thse seeking t achieve the highest perfrmance pssible. Gd Character Has thrughly read and cnsistently emplys the practices utlined in the Officials Cde f Ethics in the NFHS Rules Bk. Alchlic beverages befre ball games prhibited. N smking r use f tbacc in the vicinity f schl r lcatin f the game. Passages f the cde are used and discussed in umpire grups. Hnrable and trustwrthy in all NCOA dealings n and ff the field. Impartial with respect t calls n the field. Des nt criticize ther fficials n the field. Mindful f hw their cnduct influences student athletes, caches and spectatrs. Blcks schls with which there is a clse persnal assciatin. Cnsider blcking the rivals f thse schls als. Takes respnsibility fr actins and perfrmance, des nt blame thers. Participates and encurages Pst-game discussins with partners, rating cmmittee members, assignrs. Supprtive f the grup and partners. T supprt the grup and ur partners we ffer t help ut, be a mentr, be a gd listener (We re great at talking!), are nt verly critical. Strives t get better with each assignment. Have 2-3 things t wrk n each game and share it with yur partner Prfessinal Demeanr Masters the rules and the mechanics required t fficiate. Studies the rules and uses bk verbiage n the field. Studies the mechanics and wrks with partner t ensure their use n the field. Reviews quiz and test materials peridically. Becmes a student f the game. Participates in a psitive manner in NCOA meetings, and in pre-game, pst-game discussins with partners. Pints ut the psitives, be cnstructive and thughtful with cmments. Respects the grup s time. 1
Is always under cntrl n and ff the field, even when ther participants are nt. Is apprachable. Stays calm when caches cme ut t questin a call. Uses nn-threatening bdy language, hands t the sides, remve sunglasses. Emplys gd cmmunicatin skills t diffuse bad situatins s they d nt becme wrse. Listens fr the questin, seeks t understand the prblem first. Shws empathy when needed. Uses bk verbiage t explain rulings. Desn t have t have the last wrd. Des nt take criticism persnally. Is in service t the game. Has the mindset that they are nt bigger than the game. Hustles. Is respectful. Recgnizes withut the hard wrk f a lt f peple, we wuld nt have a game t fficiate. Hnrs cmmitments t assigners and partners. Accepts assignments when they cme ut in a prmpt fashin. Keeps Arbiter calendar up t date. Shws up n time. Befre the game Meets at the agreed upn time and place fr a gd pre-game. Leaves wrldly trubles in the parking lt. Builds camaraderie fr umpire team that ges nt the field. Uses NCOA pregame checklists. Ges ver items n the check list. Discuses teams, cnditins, new rules, special situatins, and leaving the field after the game. Taking the field Appearance Has gd psture. Neat and clean, well grmed hair, beard, and mustache (n tw-day grwth). Gd hygiene. Freshen up. Withut getting int TMI teeth brushed, clean hands, has had a bath recently Des yur chest prtectr smell? Fabreeze? Scpe, breath mint r chewing gum? Prper unifrm cleaned and pressed, shes cleaned and shined. Has at least tw pairs f pants and tw unifrm shirts. Keeps unifrm updated every year. Desn t wear faded and frayed stuff. When wrking the plate, has a larger size shirt, and plate pants. Has Plate shes. We dn t want t lse an umpire due t a brken ft. Displays gd cnditining gd fitness nt nly helps mvement, it imprves the ability t fcus thrughut the game. 2
Rules Knwledge Thrughly cmpetent in all rules f the game and their administratin n the field including: DP/Flex - Reads the rule every year, participates in class discussin t clarify. Substitutins/Re-entry - Knws the meaning f prjected substitutes and hw t handle. Base awards Illegal pitches Interference/Obstructin Legal/Illegal bats, Helmets. Unifrm issues. Plate Umpire Cnducts a shrt and well-planned plate cnference. 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? 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. Pace f the game 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. 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. 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. 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 3
Plate Umpire Mechanics Call plays in their area, but has eyes n the ther plays t. Fllws prper plate mechanics. 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 befre the pitch is released. 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. Hesitates a split secnd t allw time t make the right call. Calls the pitch dwn and shws a slw and apprpriate timing Cnsistent with timing, vice, and zne. (USA Sftball says luder, mre emphatic, when the pitch is clse.) 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. Lks at it, but desn t need t watch the wheels g arund. Recgnizes illegal pitches. Studies the rule. Knws what yu are ging t call and has a cnsistent and accurate Strike zne. Knws what yu will 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. 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. When n runners n r when runner n 1b nly. Knws Why 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. Understands quickest way t get there? Helps n bstructin at 2b Recgnizes lead/trail respnsibility as it changes during the play. When n runners n r when runner n 1b 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 4
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. Calling psitin is 10-12 feet frm 3b, 90-degree angle, inside the diamnd. Knws which hlding zne t g t. 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. Handles issues arund the plate in a decisive manner that gives caches and players cnfidence in all calls. 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 HS if ball in the 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. With multiple runners and a run scring with n play, mve t hlding zne, watch runner scre while starting t mve, then mve tward third base fr a ptential play there. Dn t frce the base umpire t handle the batter runner AND a play at third base. Base Umpire Mechanics Calls plays in their area, but has eyes n the ther plays t. Pre-reads the situatin t knw where yu might need t g. Watches fr illegal pitches, call when apprpriate. Watches actin arund plate n a pitch: check swing, ful ball ff ft, r plays at the plate (when there are n ther respnsibilities) and is ready t assist partner. Reads where the play is ging and mve quickly t the best psitin pssible. Uses gd angle and distance mechanics and calling depth. Anticipates and adjusts t the play. Is ready t respnd t a secndary play. Starting On the Line Starts at a depth 18-21 feet frm first base and walk the line. Is stpped and square t the plate befre the pitch reaches hme plate, t enable quickness int the infield and at the prper angle and calling depth. N clser than 18 feet n a frce play. 45-degree angle thrugh the bag. Has a way t knw 21 feet frm first base i.e. Small markings n field r fences. Gets t the fence n ful balls t the ut-f-play fence, dugut and utfield, and make the call if in yur area r when the fielder is facing away frm the plate umpire. Starting Off the Line Has apprpriate distance behind the infielders, nt t deep. In nrmal defensive sets this means just ff the shulder, and a step and a half behind where they end up when the pitch is released. 5
Is able t get ut f the fielder s way and nt make them wrry abut where yu are s they have the freedm t make the play. Is capable f adjusting when the defensive set is nt nrmal. When behind 2B n duble play ball, mves tward secnd base, makes call there and then pivts t first base fr call there. When behind SS, can get int the infield (when called fr) fr a play at first base. Gets t the frnt edge, 90-degree angle n a steal. Knws when t pass ff a lead runner t the plate umpire, and be in psitin t make calls n subsequent runner(s). Chasing Fly Balls (ging ut) NCOA Leadership Team has bserved that t many umpires are deciding in their pre games whether r nt they will chase (g ut n) fly balls. NCOA wants umpires t chase truble balls in tw-man, if the ball is in their chase area. A Truble Ball is a fly ball that culd cause truble fr an utfielder t catch, r a plate umpire, base runners, r base caches t immediately determine catch/n catch. These may include fly balls near the hme run fence (especially if it is a temprary hme run fence), shestring r diving catches, r fly balls where tw r mre fielders are cming tgether. Knw yur chase area and is able t quickly determine if there is a need t chase a fly ball. If nt, buttn hk int the infield. If a ball shuld be chased, use these guidelines fr chase area. These guidelines shuld be mdified based n an umpire s experience level, quickness, and recgnitin f what is truly a truble ball. These shuld be discussed in pre-game. On the Line the area between the ut f play fence t centerfielder. If fly ball is near the right field line, straddle the line. Dn t need t g ut t far. B-Slt the area between the right fielder and centerfielder. C-Slt the area between the left fielder t centerfielder. Shestring catches in these areas. Fly balls near fence in these areas, especially temprary fences. Cmmunicate ludly when returning. In all cases, base umpire shuld turn their back t hme plate as much as pssible t signal they are chasing, and the plate umpire has the infield. When chasing, try t take an angle parallel t the flight f the ball, and be stpped when making the call. After ruling in the utfield the umpire lets the ball return his visin back t the infield but stays ut until all f the play is cmplete. Plate umpire when the ball ges up, lk at yur partner t see if they are chasing. After the game Exits the field with partner as planned. N high fives, d nt stp t chat with caches r fans. Cnducts a pst game in an pen and hnest, helpful fashin with partner. Cntinues the partnership after the game by making themselves available fr fllw-up questins in the future. Fllw up with any administrative issues. 6