Intramural Softball (2 Pitch) Training, Notes, & Information

Arriving/Checking In Games @ SE IM Fields across from Jack Trice Stadium Arrive ON TIME Check in with the supervisor(s) Check in at the hut on the north side of the fields Know your IM ID number Supervisor will assign you your field Grab equipment for field if necessary ALL referees will wear a referee shirt

Checking In Players Participants MUST have some form of photo ID ISU ID card preferred Driver’s license OK No ID = NO PLAY PRINT names (FULL names) LEGIBLY on scorecard

Jewelry Studs, ring bands ok Dangly, hoops, etc earrings NOT legal No necklaces No rubber bands on arms

Player Requirements 9 players in the field Coed – 5 & 4 of either sex Legal coed requirements: 5&5, 5&4, 4&4, 4&3, 3&3, 3&2 5 players are required to start the game Teams can have either 9 or 10 in the batting order (if they have 9, the same sex will bat in a row but MUST be at the bottom of the order)

Game Play 40 minutes or 7 innings No new inning after 40 minutes New inning is considered to have started when the last out from the previous inning has occurred 15 run rule after 5 innings

Pitchers Each team will pitch to their own team Each batter receives a maximum of 2 pitches Failure to put the ball in play after 2 pitches will result in the batter being “out” Pitches must be at least 6 feet high or greater (generally if the ball rises above your head, it is ok. If it’s straight at you or lower, you call “ILLEGAL” If the pitch is illegal, the batter can NOT hit the ball in play. The ball is dead and counts as one of the pitches thrown Pitches must be thrown underhand

Pitcher Rules Continued The pitcher may NOT field any balls If a batted ball hits the pitcher (intentional or unintentional), it is interference The ball is dead, the batter is OUT, any runners return to their previous base

Pitcher Rules Continued If a THROWN ball hits the pitcher and isn’t deemed intentional, the play continues If a THROWN ball hits the pitcher and IS deemed intentional, the LEAD runner is OUT and all other runners return to the base they last occupied at the time of the interference

Base Runners Can NOT leave their base until the ball crosses the plate, is batted, or hits the ground If the runner leaves early, the umpire calls “TIME”, the ball is dead and the runner is called OUT. The pitch does NOT count

Dead Balls If a ball crosses the dead ball territory, runners are awarded two bases from the last base they touched at the time of the throw.

Tie Game “International Rule” in effect Each team will start with a runner on 2nd base This is the last batter to make an out the previous inning

Banned Bats See banned bats list on the rules page for a list of requirements/banned bats

Umpire Mechanics Signals are IMPORTANT “Out” = closed fist “Safe” = arms straight out Use your voice Say “out” or “safe” Close Plays: SELL your call Be assertive Pulled foot & swipe tags

Umpire Mechanics Getting the right angle is key It’s not how close to the play you are!

Fair/Foul If the ball bounces over 1st/3rd base, it is FAIR If it’s to the outside of the base, it’s FOUL Fair Ball: ONLY signal Foul Ball: Yell Foul LOUD Point or throw hands up

Umpire Positioning

Plate Umpire Responsibilities Make sure the pitch is above 6 feet Fair/Foul balls Base Responsibilities Home Plate 3rd Base

Base Umpire Responsibilities Base Responsibilities 1st Base 2nd Base

1 Person Umpiring

Sight & Sound Sound can help call safe/out just as much as sight Listen for the two distinct sounds Which came first?

Infield Fly Rule Less than 2 outs With runners on 1st & 2nd, or 1st/2nd/3rd Any pop fly at reasonable height, the umpires will call out “infield fly” and point into the air. At this point, it does not matter if the ball is caught. The batter is automatically OUT Runners can advance at their discretion

Look the Part! If you are confident in your calls (right or wrong), you will get less flack from players Look like you know what you’re doing!

Sub Reporting Policy If you have a sub work your shift, YOU are responsible for reporting who is subbing for you. Fill out the form online If you do not fill out the sub form and neither of you show up, YOU will be held accountable for missing the shift

Employee Requirements All employees MUST Take Blood Borne Pathogen training Take Fire Safety training Sign confidentiality document Hepatitis B form CPR/AED (Lead Supervisors) Payroll Form

3 Strike Policy Any combination of 3 disciplinary offenses will result in termination of employment However, any single offense could ultimately lead to your dismissal

3 Strike Policy Any combination of 3 disciplinary offenses will result in termination of employment However, any single offense could ultimately lead to your dismissal

Discipline, Discharge, Termination OFFENSES SUBJECT TO DISCIPLINARY ACTION INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO, THE FOLLOWING: Excessive tardiness Walking off the job (leaving early from a shift without permission) Failure to follow supervisor’s instructions Absence without a substitute Not wearing a staff shirt or staff jacket Sleeping while on-duty Making and/or taking personal phone calls or excessive use of the phone Excessive use of cell phone while on-duty Reading/studying while on-duty Misuse of Social Media Carelessness or lack of attention that results in injury to property or a person Failure to properly perform assigned job responsibilities Unexcused absence from mandatory staff training or meetings

Sport – Player Requirements Follow the rules! If there is a minimum number required to start, follow the rule If they have the minimum, the game will be played Coed rules must be followed Only legal gender combinations should be allowed Players may need to sit out and play short to fulfill the requirement Could cause a forfeit “The other team said it was OK if we played illegally” I said it is NOT OK and I trump them – don’t let them play If they want to play for “fun” (especially during prelims), that is ok If it is a tournament game, absolutely not

Unsportsmanlike Behavior (Participant/Spectators) Important to keep CALM Give them an explanation if possible (not required) Ask the supervisor on staff to assist you if needed NEVER curse at them

Questions?