Chantilly Little League Umpire Clinic Part 2 - Umpiring

READ – PAUSE – REACT! Umpire Basics Good Umpiring is all about timing and positioning. Proper positioning is a combination of angle (top priority) and distance Proper timing implies you to watch the entire play, wait a second or two, make a decision, THEN make the call If you don’t see the play, don’t make the call Do not make a call when in motion! Communicate with your partner (outs) Make sure you and your partner understand coverages and responsibilities prior to the start of the game. You are the 3rd team on the field. It is ok to anticipate all of the possible plays. Never anticipate the outcome Know where the ball is at ALL times!! Hustle

Umpire Basics (con’t) When discussing a play or rule interpretation with a coach: listen, explain, and then move on with the game. Have a one on one discussion with a coach to address a situation; avoid yelling across the field. Each pitch and play is important to someone, stay focused! Even in a blowout, you can use the time constructively to work on your mechanics. Occasionally an adult umpire with observe you in a game and will likely provide some feedback to make you even better!

Umpire Basics (con’t) One minute is suggested between the 3rd out and 1st pitch of the next half inning Warm up pitches between innings are optional; how a team uses its minute on the field is up to them; keep the game moving along. Rule of thumb for warm-up pitches: 5 for a returning pitcher, 8 for a new pitcher Suggest to managers that players sitting out the inning warm up the pitcher if the assigned catcher is not ready – (needs a mask with throat protector and a catcher’s mitt) Coaches, players and managers request time; Umpires grant it. Do NOT immediately grant time upon request, make sure play has ceased first!

Umpire Basics (con’t) The game and field are for the players; do not get bats or balls. Let them! Discourage coaches from getting involved Offensive coaches should stay in their dugout until the ball is ‘thrown down.’ Once ball is thrown down, clean the plate! If a homerun is hit, the team hitting the homerun provides a replacement If a ball is fouled off, throw a ball in your bag to the pitcher, let the players get the foul ball and give it back to you If a ball is fouled out of play, quickly get one from your bag back to the pitcher If no one is on base and a ball gets by the catcher, throw a ball in your bag to the pitcher, let the catcher get the passed ball and give it back to you In between batters or innings retrieve the out of play baseballs from the coaches; most times they will want to throw them to the catcher

Base Umpire Positioning (2 man system) C PU

Umpire Assignments and Responsibilities An Umpire’s responsibilities, in order of priority: Fair/Foul Catch/No Catch Plays with the ball Plays away from the ball

Fair/Foul Responsibilities (2 man system) With Field Umpire in “A” Plate Umpire has all fair/foul down 3B line and up to front of 1B Field Umpire has fair foul at 1B and beyond, down 1B line PU

Fair/Foul Responsibilities (2 man system) C With Field Umpire in “B” or “C”” Plate Umpire has all fair/foul PU

Umpire Assignments and Responsibilities (2 man system) Plate Umpire The plate umpire is the crew chief and manages the game; he/she convenes the plate meeting and umpire meeting and handles signals with the base umpire The plate umpire calls balls and strikes and makes all safe/out calls at home plate The plate umpire has all catch/no catch calls on all fly balls in both the infield and outfield. This allows the base umpire to watch base runners The plate umpire has all fair/foul calls (except when the base umpire is in the “A” position) both in the infield and outfield The plate umpire must come out from behind the plate when the ball is hit and to get in the best possible position to call fair/foul and fly ball outs If for some reason, you’re the only umpire working the game: You have all calls at the plate and all bases and all catches over the entire field! Extra hustle will be needed.

Plate Umpire - Positions Standing Position The standing position places our feet and bodies in the general location needed for calling the strike zone properly, except that you’re still standing Set Position Watch as the pitcher begins his motion, then drop to a set position – use your legs to adjust your head height and lean forward only enough to keep your balance

Plate Umpire - Fundamentals Set Position Your eyes should be 3 to 6 inches inside the plate Set your eyes at the top of the batter’s strike zone Chin should not be below the catcher’s head Lock your elbows inside your body Protect your hands behind your legs Pitch Tracking Follow the pitch with your eyes, not your head (head should remain still) See the ball from the pitcher’s release through the catcher’s mitt Timing Allow time to perceive, process, and evaluate all input before making the call

Plate Umpire – Signal and Call If the pitch is a ball, remain in the set position and say “Ball” Say it loud so your partner can hear you If the pitch is a called strike, then stand up, and simultaneously give the strike mechanic and say “strike” “Sell” the call – the more adamant you are about a call, the less anyone will question the call If the pitch is a swinging strike, then stand up, and give the strike mechanic and remain silent Everyone in the park can see that the batter swung at the pitch

Plate Umpire – Strike Zone Philosophy New umpires tend to: Believe the rule book dictates the strike zone for all levels of play Believes in a literal interpretation of the strike zone “Ball” a pitch that misses the strike zone by the slightest distance “Ball” a pitch that’s marginal when unsure Lack confidence in their calls These characteristics lead to fewer strikes, fewer swings, and fewer hits, ending up in long, boring, protracted games For AA/AAA levels of play, be aggressive with the strike zone Call a strike one ball inside/one ball outside of the plate Use the batters box lines as a guide

Umpire Assignments and Responsibilities (2 man system) Base Umpire You have the safe/out call on all base runners at all bases, except home, at all bases You have the base-touch and tag-up on all runners at all bases except home. You handle all appeal calls at all bases (except home) You watch for runners leaving early at all bases You own all base runners at all times, first base through third base On hits to the outfield, you must come inside the diamond; on hits to the infield, you must stay outside the diamond - This is the Golden Rule!

The Silver Rule for a Base Umpire Angle over Distance Get in the right position to make the call Ideally, about 10 feet away from the play and at a 90 degree angle to the throw and/or tag Since there’s only one of you out there; you cant be everywhere at once You will have to make calls at first base when you’re in the “C” position – about 75’ away! Get the right angle on the play – this is more important than getting close The right angle is where your view isnt obstructed by any other players and where you can see the play Try not to get “straight lined” by runners

Base Umpire - Positions Same as the Plate Umpire, start in a standing position and move to a set position when the pitcher starts his/her motion

Calling Time When batter is HBP When someone gets seriously injured When manager or coach requests it AND umpire grants it Whenever you want to clean the plate, secure a base, etc… So players can tie their shoes Remember – Managers/Coaches/Players can only request time – you as an umpire must grant time Either umpire can grant time Limit the amount of times in a game where you grant time – be reasonable

Always Put the Ball Back in Play! Putting ball in play Ball must be put in play at start of each ½ inning or whenever time is called (including after a foul) All runners must retoruch their bases Catcher must be in catcher’s box ready to receive the pitch Pitcher must be holding ball, in contact with the rubber Your partner is in position and ready Plate umpire signals and announces “Play!” Always Put the Ball Back in Play!

Communication Communicate with your partner before every batter! Make eye contact: Signal number of outs Signal Play (like IFF)

Questions?