Baseball Officials Training North Texas Independent Sports Officials

Training Overview We will review each Rule in the Officials Rule Book Specialize on high probability issues Stress Field Mechanics Above all, understand the purpose and meaning of the Umpire in baseball

Rule 2.00 Definition of Terms In Rule 2.00, there are 92 terms We will cover the main terms Remember, terms are the heart of the Rule book Terms are a rule!

Balk A balk is an illegal act by the pitcher with a runner or runners on base, entitling all runners to advance one base without jeopardy of being put out We will train on balks in this training

Bunt A batted ball not swung at, but intentionally met with the bat and tapped slowly in the infield Infield fly rule does not apply to bunted balls

A Catch The act of a fielder in getting secure possession in his hand or glove of a ball in flight and firmly holding it, providing he does not use his hat, protector or any part of his uniform It is a catch if the fielder makes the catch and in the process of throwing, drops the ball

Dead Ball Is a ball out of play because of a legally created temporary suspension of play See Rule 5.10 – calling time See Rule 5.11 – putting ball back into play

Foul Ball A batted ball that comes to rest in foul territory If a fielder touches the ball, it is the position of the ball, not the fielder that determines fair or foul Ball is ALWAYS dead

Fair Ball Is a batted ball that settles in fair ground between home and first or home and third base Always judged according to the relative position of the ball, not the position of the fielder

Foul Tip Is a batted ball that goes sharp and direct from the bat to the catcher’s hands and is legally caught It is not a foul tip unless caught All foul tips are strikes The ball is in play

Illegal Pitch A pitch that is delivered without the pitcher having his pivot foot on or in contact with the pitcher’s plate With runners on base, this is a balk

Infield Fly A fair ball which can be caught with ordinary effort when 1 st, 2 nd or 1 st, 2 nd and 3 rd are occupied with less than two outs Ball is always alive Umpire declares “infield fly”, but lack of umpire action does not nullify the infield fly All fielders are part of this rule

Interference An act by the offense that interferes, hinders obstructs, impedes or confuses any fielder attempting to make a play Offense commits this act On any interference, the ball is dead

Obstruction The act of a fielder who, while not in possession of the ball and not in the act of fielding a ball, impedes the progress of any runner Defensive act Delay-Dead ball

Overslide Act of an offensive player when his slide to a base, other than when advancing from home to 1 st base, is with such momentum that he loves contact with the base Remember “runner must not commit” to 2 nd base to remain protected under this rule

“Play” The umpires order to start or resume the game following any action that produces a “dead ball” condition Pitcher and catcher must be in position, with catcher in squat

Overthrows Rules governing overthrows overlooked An overthrow that goes into dead ball areas causes immediate dead ball If pitcher throws, 1 base If fielder throws, 2 bases

Appeals to a Call Official nearest play makes call (?) Dual calls are tempting the Devil himself Once call is made, you can call time and confer with fellow official No umpire is to overrule another umpire unless help is requested Don’t look like a jerk; always call time and confer if a call is in question. But only official that makes call can ask for help

Hit Batter Must attempt to avoid pitch, by rule Ball is always dead, proper call is “Dead Ball” Awarded 1 st ; runners advance if forced Swings, hits batter’s hand (Rule 2.00(e) and 6.05(f) Swings, hits hand as batter swings

Rule 9.00 The Umpire Each umpire has authority and is required to enforce all of the rules of baseball Has authority to order a player, coach, manager to refrain from doing anything which affects administering baseball rules or to enforce penalties

The Umpire Each umpire has the authority to rule on any point not specifically covered in rules Each umpire has the authority to disqualify any player, coach or manager and to eject such disqualified person from the playing field for unsportsmanlike conduct or language

The Umpire Has authority to remove anyone from the playing field that are not authorized Any decision which involves judgement is final and not appealable No player, coach or manager shall object to any such judgement

The Umpire Coaches, players or managers may question an umpire’s decision as it is in conflict with the rules Any such appeal is made only to the umpire who made the protested decision Any umpire may ask another umpire for information prior to making a final decision

The Umpire No umpire shall criticize, seek to reverse or interfere with another umpire’s decision unless asked to do so by the umpire making the decision An umpire is always courteous, but firm when the situation requires

Comments to Umpires Umpires are the not only the enforcers of a set of rules They must be seen as enforcing the rules in a fair manner Respect comes to umpires that call a game fairly This includes not trying to make up for a previously bad call

Comments to Umpires We stress the appearance of our uniforms We stress the courteous performance of our job We stress being open for questions from coaches and managers We allow the greatest game ever played to continue within the bounds of the rules We are the rules. We are the game because we insist that it is played to a common enforcement of the rules