2018 FHSAA OFFICIALS CONFERENCE FASTPITCH SOFTBALL CINDI BRUNOT DIANE KENDALL LARRY WARRENFELTZ MARK SCHUSTERMAN KELLIE DOUCETTE

FHSAA QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS SCRIPT

What situations cause you to approach an official on the field? How do you approach the official on the field, walking in control or running at them? Does familiarity with an umpire factor into how you approach them or not? When you ask an official to go for help, what are your expectations beforehand? What are your expectations during the conversation? How often have you had to do this? Do you think there should be limits? Do you ask a question about the play or do you just say “you missed the call, will you go for help?”

What is your reaction to an overturned call for and against you? How do you get around the “don’t argue balls & strikes” rule? What is your impression of officials who let opposing coaches argue judgment calls? What has happened in your past experience when you have tried to question a judgment call?

How important to you is pre-game protocol How important to you is pre-game protocol? For example plate umpire explaining/talking about ground rules instead of home team coach. Noting a DP/Flex is in the lineup. Giving you a chance to review and correct your lineup. Officials tone and body language during this conversation. Do you understand the DP/Flex rule? Do you think umpires understand this rule? When making subs, do you watch the umpire write them down? Do you yell your change from across the field? How legible and correctly written are your line-up cards? Have you had any issues with subs or the line-up card that you needed to bring all the umps together to resolve? What impression did that leave you with?

Do you expect the umpire to explain their illegal pitch call to you, the player, or both? Do you know your pitcher is illegal but still argue with the umpire as if you didn’t know she is illegal? How do you handle an umpire when basic rules are not enforced or randomly enforced? For example illegal pitches, huddles, coaches attire, multiple on deck batters, etc. When the officials show up, does it matter or do you care what how they are dressed? Do you notice conversations with fans, partners, and coaches between innings ? Do you like it when they hold prolonged conversations with you or the opposing coach before or during a game? What are your expectations for a field issue such as batter boxes, music, etc.?

Do you scratch umpires. Does your assignor allow this Do you scratch umpires? Does your assignor allow this? What is your criteria for scratching an umpire? Do you think there should be 3 officials on varsity games or at District games?