MANSFIELD YOUTH BASEBALL UMPIRE TRAINING – CLASS TWO PLEASE SIGN THE ATTENDANCE SHEET

Class One - Agenda Rule sets Official Rules of Baseball USSSA Rules MYBA In-City Rules All of these rules sets are accessible through the MYBA homepage (myba.com), Gary’s website (heyblue.org), or the respective organizations websites Game cards Filling them out correctly – and LEGIBLY! Field arrival Being in contact with your partner prior to arrival Where to meet Getting to and being on the field

Class Two – Rule Sets For the MYBA, we follow three sets of rules The Official Rules of Baseball This is the same rule set used by the Major Leagues Most all of the rules set forth in the ORB book are followed for our youth leagues Whether a hit ball is fair or foul, whether a runner is safe or out, and umpire’s interference are just a few examples that apply for all of our age levels Copies of the ORB can be purchased at most book stores or online The ORB can also be accessed through mlb.com. Once you are on the website, scroll all the way to the bottom of the home page, click on the “Official Information” selection, then select “Official Rules”

Class Two – Rule Sets The MYBA is organized through a youth sports association known as United States Specialty Sports Association, more often referred to as USSSA (U - Triple S – A) or “U-Trip” If a rule exists in the USSSA rule set that specifically overrides or adds to the rules expressed in the ORB, then the USSSA rule is the one that applies Age requirements, size of the field (base path length and distance to the mound from home plate), and pitching limits are a few examples These rules exist to create a more competitive and safe environment for youth players USSSA Baseball Rules are normally updated and published each year, sometimes late in the year (August through October), or maybe as “late” as January Links to the USSSA rules are available on the MYBA homepage (myba.com) and Gary’s website (heyblue.org), or through the USSSA website (http://www.usssa.com) Special note: USSSA organizes many types of youth sports. Make sure you are selecting the proper areas of their website

Class Two – Rule Sets The MYBA maintains their own set of “In-City Rules” If a rule exists in the MYBA In-City Rules that specifically overrides or adds to the rules expressed in either the ORB or by USSSA, then the In-City rule is the one that applies for our league games Game time limits, run limits per inning, and batting lineups are a few examples Again, these rules exist to accommodate for the education and safety of YOUTH LEAGUE, RECREATIONAL BASEBALL Additionally, the MYBA In-City Rules express specific items concerning city park and coach/spectator behavior Access to the MYBA In-City rules can be found the MYBA homepage (myba.com) and Gary’s website (heyblue.org)

Class Two – Know the rules that apply Whether you think of our applicable rule sets as “ORB – to – USSSA – to – MYBA” or in the reverse isn’t important, but you MUST be clear on what rules apply for plays/situations during a game as well as what age level you are calling There are significant differences by age level Infield Fly Rule – Does not apply in Coach Pitch Proper equipment for catchers – Helmet requirement changes for higher age levels Time and inning limits for the game Pitching limits Etc.

Class Two – Know the rules that apply Most of the games we call will be “In-City” YOUTH LEAGUE, RECREATIONAL BASEBALL There are times when the MYBA hosts tournaments. In-City rules may not apply for some teams in these tournaments Some of the tournaments hosted by the MYBA will give teams an opportunity to participate in a tournament setting, but these non-competitive teams will still play by In-City rules These tournaments may also be open to teams who are registered with the USSSA. In such cases, those teams will play by ORB and USSSA rules only, NOT In-City rules If you are scheduled for games during tournaments like these, Gary and Christi will make sure that your tournament game schedule specifically notes COMP (competitive) teams

Class Two – Know the rules that apply DON’T GET CONFUSED! THIS IS GOING TO GET A LITTLE DIFFERENT! For our MYBA YOUTH LEAGUE, RECREATIONAL teams, there are times when the league will make a divisional separation based on team experience In these cases, and it varies by season, there may be teams that are listed as REC (recreational) or COMP (competitive) This case applies to our 12U AA division for the Spring, 2019 season Regardless of there divisional difference, ALL of these teams play the same YOUTH LEAGUE, RECREATIONAL BASEBALL by In-City rules

Class Two – Tournaments can be different! The application of certain rules may vary for tournaments Depending on the number of teams registered for an age group, or the availability of fields, it is very likely that the tournament organizer or tournament director will set limitations or rules differently Perhaps the most common occurrence of this is game time limits

Class Two – Rule Sets Since Gary is also the UIC for Grand Prairie, and since he or Christi may suggest you as an umpire for other organizations around the area: It is imperative that you KNOW the rule set (or sets) for the teams and games you are calling for Take the time to read the rules – ORB, USSSA, and In-City Take the time to review the rules that are specific to the age group you are calling before you go to the fields If it helps you, make yourself a note card of specific rules that apply for the games you are calling that night, or that you might feel you are not well versed in. Do not look to that note card during play or discussions, but have it with you if you feel there is a need for it

Class Two – Game Cards

Class Two – Game Cards 2/6 /19 14U 6:00 6 Yankees Rangers FINAL score 7 Smith, J 6 12 Jones, P 1 Joe Salas Kent Sutherland

Class Two – Game Cards If your games are at the Sports Complex, blank game cards can be found in a box on the desk in the Umpire shed When your games are complete and you have the game card signed by a representative from both teams, turn your game card in by placing it in the grey box mounted on the wall (likely just above the cardboard box you got the blank ones from) If your games are at Big League Dreams, there may be blank game cards on the counter just inside of the office entry door by the front gate Do not count on BLD having game cards. Running our league is not their job, so they don’t have to keep cards there for us if they don’t want to. To make sure you have cards, its not a bad idea to get a few from the shed at the complex and keep them with you When your games are complete and you have the game card signed by a representative from both teams, if you have the ability then take a picture of game cards and email them to commissioners@myba.com. Follow up by turning the cards in to the grey box at the Sports Complex as soon as you can

Class Two – Being in contact with your partner Prior to scheduled game time, you should contact your partner Although we do not normally publish the full list of umpires and their contact information, Christi can provide you with the contact information for your scheduled partner. Just ask her in advance You and your partner should have already made determinations as to what jersey color you are wearing and who will be responsible for the plate versus the field This will also provide you with the ability to CALL your partner in the event that you are delayed “I had to leave work late. I’ll be there by game time, just running late” Traffic is bad due to an accident, I may be five or ten minutes late”

Class Two – Where to meet If you are calling games at the Sports Complex, it is best to meet at the Umpires Shed located just beyond the fence line between Fields One and Two If you are running late, or simply prefer to meet at the field you are calling on (or perhaps the concession stand), make absolutely sure your partner understands that UMPIRE SHED CONCESSION STAND

Class Two – Where to meet

Class Two – Where to meet At Big League Dreams, it is likely best to meet at the “Club House” for which ever end of the facility you are calling On your schedule, it will say you are assigned to “Team 1” at “Team 2”, BLD# 1, or 2, or 3, or 4 BLD can change whichever fields they choose to use for the evening, so what was Field 1 last week will likely not be Field 1 today. Know which age group and team names you are calling for that evening, and ask the gate attendant which field those teams are on