1. Anthony Oliver

2.  Umpiring for about 9 years  Little League Achievements ◦ District umpire ◦ Sectional umpire  Other ◦ Member of TASO ◦ Nations baseball certified  Training ◦ Little League Clinics ◦ Training with MLB and college level umpires

3. Rules and Regulations Clinic 2015

4.  Know the rules ◦ Rules are powerful and knowing them can keep problems to a minimum  Respect the umpires ◦ They are volunteers and have a hard job to do. Don’t make it harder for them.

5.  Love for the game  Like working with kids  Giving back to the community  Self assurance  My wife told me to  Nobody else would do it

6.  Respect for others ◦ Don’t scream at the kids  Would you talk that way to your mom? ◦ No foul language  Be proactive ◦ If you see a problem coming stop it from happening  You are the face of our league

7.  Baseline ◦ Out of the baseline ◦ Rule 7.08 ◦ Any runner is out when - ◦ (a) (1) running more than three feet away from his/her baseline to avoid being tagged, unless such action is to avoid interference with a fielder fielding a batted ball. A runner’s baseline is established when the tag attempt occurs, and is a straight line from the runner to the base which he/she is attempting to reach; or(2) after touching first base the runner leaves the baseline, obviously abandoning all effort to touch the next base  Swing ◦ A batters attempt to hit a pitched ball. ◦ What it is not  Breaking the wrists  Dropping or lowering the bat  Umpire’s Judgment

8.  There is no on deck in Majors and below. ◦ Only the first batter of the inning shall be out of the dugout before the inning starts. ◦ Following batters should not pick up the bat until it is their turn to bat. (On the way to the plate) ◦ This is a violation of safety regulations and may be punishable with suspension of the manager and others involved.

9.  Majors and below ◦ 2 1/4 “ in diameter ◦ No more than 33” in length ◦ 1.15 BPF  All of these markings should be clearly legible on the bat. ◦ Composite bats are prohibited unless they are noted as approved bats on the Little League approved bat list.

10.  Intermediate and Juniors (11-14) ◦ No more than 2 5/8” in diameter ◦ No more than 34” in length ◦ 1.15 BPF ◦ Composite  Must be BBCOR certified with -3 weight rating ◦ 2 1/4 “ barrel bats may be used as long as they meet the 1.15 BPF standard (may not be composite)

11.  Seniors ◦ 2 5/8” diameter ◦ -3 only ◦ BBCOR only  Wood bats included ◦ No more than 36” in length ◦ 2 3/4 “ barrel bats are prohibited ◦ Penalty see rule 6.06(d)

12.  1.11 uniform ◦ Read from book  1.12 catcher ◦ Must wear a catchers mitt  1.13 glove specs  1.15 ◦ Pitcher’s glove should not be  White  Gray  Distracting  Batting gloves under?

13.  1.16 Helmets ◦ Worn at all times  1.17 Catcher ◦ Must wear a cup ◦ Long chest protectors ◦ Dangling throat guard on mask ◦ No skull caps

14. 2.00 Know them! Knowing these definitions will prevent a lot of problems Questions?

15.  A FAIR BALL is a batted ball that settles on fair ground between home and first base, or between home and third base, or that is on or over fair territory when bounding to the outfield past first or third base, or that touches first, second or third base, or that first falls on fair territory on or beyond first base or third base, or that while on or over fair territory touches the person of an umpire or player, or that, while over fair territory, passes out of the playing field in flight.  Where is the ball?

16.  A FOUL BALL is a batted ball that settles on foul territory between home and first base, or between home and third base, or that bounds past first or third base on or over foul territory, or that first falls on foul territory beyond first base or third base, or that while on or over foul territory, touches the person of an umpire or player, or any object foreign to the natural ground.  Hits a player in the box  When a batter hits the tee  This is a dead ball and all play shall cease.  No re-do

17. You decide

19.  (a) Offensive interference is an act by a member of the team at bat which interferes with, obstructs, impedes, hinder or confuses any fielder attempting to make a play. If the umpire declares the batter, batter- runner or a runner out for interference, all other runners shall return to the last base that was, in the judgment of the umpire, legally touched at the time of the interference, unless otherwise provided by these rules. ◦ Does not have to be intentional ◦ Scenarios ◦ https://video.search.yahoo.com/video/play;_ylt=A2KIo9RApipWATIAYWH7w8QF;_ylu=X3oDMTEwY3Y3ZTNvBHNlYwNzcgRzbGsDdml kBHZ0aWQDQjEwMDkEZ3BvcwMy?p=baseball+interference&vid=91912e52b1543e232ff4fe3fb42e847c&turl=http%3A%2F%2Ftse3.m m.bing.net%2Fth%3Fid%3DWN.TgyZOrOUMsDINCM0m5Kn8Q%26pid%3D15.1%26h%3D168%26w%3D300%26c%3D7%26rs%3D1&rurl= https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DmhwFWibkRc0&tit=Rockies+turn+three+thanks+to+interference&c=1&h=168 &w=300&l=106&sigr=11b86i5ns&sigt=119lmcdt4&sigi=12l1lmmkd&age=1400467929&fr2=p%3As%2Cv%3Av&fr=vmn&tt=b https://video.search.yahoo.com/video/play;_ylt=A2KIo9RApipWATIAYWH7w8QF;_ylu=X3oDMTEwY3Y3ZTNvBHNlYwNzcgRzbGsDdml kBHZ0aWQDQjEwMDkEZ3BvcwMy?p=baseball+interference&vid=91912e52b1543e232ff4fe3fb42e847c&turl=http%3A%2F%2Ftse3.m m.bing.net%2Fth%3Fid%3DWN.TgyZOrOUMsDINCM0m5Kn8Q%26pid%3D15.1%26h%3D168%26w%3D300%26c%3D7%26rs%3D1&rurl= https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DmhwFWibkRc0&tit=Rockies+turn+three+thanks+to+interference&c=1&h=168 &w=300&l=106&sigr=11b86i5ns&sigt=119lmcdt4&sigi=12l1lmmkd&age=1400467929&fr2=p%3As%2Cv%3Av&fr=vmn&tt=b

20.  An act by the batter, intentional or not that interferes with a players ability to make a play  Scenarios ◦ Throw from catcher ◦ Runner coming home ◦ Batter protected in the box? ◦ Ball does not have to be thrown ◦ Video Video ◦ Video 2 Video 2

21.  Running lane 6.05 (j) Running lane 6.05 (j)  Coach’s interference 5.08 ◦ Thrown ball?  Rule 3.15 ◦ Hit ball?  Rookies ◦ Player trying to make a play?  Rookies  Runner’ s interference section 6.00 ◦ Runner out ◦ No runners advance unless forced by batter ◦ Batter gets 1 st base

22.  OBSTRUCTION is the act of a fielder who, while not in possession of the ball, impedes the progress of any runner. A fake tag is considered obstruction. (NOTE: Obstruction shall be called on a defensive player who blocks off a base, base line or home plate from a base runner while not in possession of the ball.) ◦ Does not have to be intentional ◦ Scenarios Scenarios ◦ Scenario 2 Scenario 2

23.  3.09 Read ◦ Coaches cannot warm up pitchers  3.15 ◦ Who’s allowed on the field?  3.17 ◦ No electronic devices on the field

24.  Rookies ◦ May have defensive coaches on the field ◦ Coaches cannot interfere with play  Get off the field  Interference  Out if coach interferes ◦ Pitching coaches must stay in contact with rubber  Minors and above ◦ No defensive coaches on the field (exception in fall) ◦ 1 st and 3 rd base coaches  Must stay in coaches box  Cannot interfere with plays or runners  Touching or “helping” a runner in all divisions is interference and the runner will be declared out

25.  Led by umpire-in –chief  Players legal and properly equipped  Ground rules ◦ Innings ◦ Time limits ◦ Modifications  The manager is the only one that an umpire wants to talk to ◦ If a coach other than the manager attends the pre game meeting then that coach shall be declared manager for that game.

26.  4.03 ◦ All players with the exception of the catcher in fair territory  Catcher must remain in catchers box  Catchers balk ◦ With exception of the pitcher and catcher all other players can be anywhere in fair territory

27.  T-ball ◦ Unlimited infielders if ground rules state this. Fielders should be placed in traditional positions so that they can gain some concept of the game.  Coach pitch ◦ 10 infielders with a rover in the outfield. ◦ Must have 8  Minors and above ◦ Must have a minimum of 9 players (exception in fall)

28.  4.04 ◦ Continuous batting order ◦ Players may be added to bottom of order if late ◦ If a player is removed for illness or injury there is no penalty ◦ If a player is ejected from the game then that batting spot should be called out  4.05 base coaches ◦ May be coaches or players ◦ Must be adult in dugout  4.06 read from book

29.  4.07 EJECTIONS ◦ Must leave immediately ◦ May not return ◦ May not sit in stands ◦ Suspended for next game

30.  A 6 inning game (minors and below) has been completed.  Time limit has been reached and the inning has been played  Mathematical elimination ◦ After 4 innings of play a team is ahead so that it is impossible for the other team to catch up in regulation (time should be considered for minors).  4 innings if called for official reasons

31.  Intermediate and up ◦ 7 innings have been played and there is a decided winner ◦ After 4 ½ innings of play the home team is up by 10 runs. ◦ Time has expired and the inning has been played ◦ A team concedes the game ◦ Note that a game going to “Drop Dead” time will revert to the previous inning. This is keeping in mind that the home team has not been able to win on runs scored. If it is after the official game time and has not reached the drop dead time and home team pulls ahead, game will be called and a winner declared. ◦ 5 innings if called for official reasons

32.  4.15 ◦ Gametime  A game may be forfeited by the umpire if  Read section  Include 4.16  4.19 Protests ◦ Must be rules based ◦ Notify the umpire of the protest ◦ No protests in rookies

33.  Rookies ◦ When an infielder has control of the ball and all runners have stopped advancing.  Minors and above (all other situations) ◦ Time shall not be called unless requested by the defense, offense or there is some official reason to call time.  Offensive time outs ◦ A team shall have ONE offensive time out per inning.  Defensive time outs ◦ A defensive team can call time to discuss situations but all time outs that are called in which infielders are approached shall be charged to the pitcher.  3 in one inning  4 in a game  Explanation  Other dead ball situations rule 5.09

34.  (Continuous batting order) ◦ In order  Batter in box on third out?  Bunting with 2 strikes?  Swinging and hit by pitch?  Double hit?

35.  Three strikes, you’re out. ◦ Even in T-Ball  Coach pitch ◦ Three swings or maximum number of pitches  Minors and above ◦ Strike zone  Arm pits to knees  Reasonable pitch  Questioning balls and strikes  Don’t do it unless you want to go to your car

36.  Less than 2 out  Runners on 1 st and 2 nd or bases loaded  Ball that reaches appreciable height  Can be caught with normal effort by an infielder  Infield Fly ◦ Ball is caught  Batter is out and runners must tag up. Force is off and runners advance at their own risk ◦ Ball is not caught  Batter is out. Force is off  Runners may run at their own risk  Runners do not have to tag up  What if a fielder intentionally drops a ball not covered by this rule? 6.05 (k)

37.  Batter out of box?  Batter switching boxes?  Hit by a strike?

38.  Appeal  Batter is out when not batting in proper order ◦ Can take place in order before improper batter becomes a runner. ◦ Assumes count  Appeal must be made before next play ◦ Proper batter called out and line up resumes ◦ All advancement from improper batter voided ◦ If appeal is not made then the order is continued without reference to the incident  Scenarios  Pg 84

39.  Defensive interference is an act by a fielder which hinders or prevents a batter from hitting a pitch.  Delayed dead ball  Batter is awarded first base  What if ball is hit and put in play?

40.  Home run  Ground rule double  Under the fence  Deflected ball ◦ Home run vs. ground rule double  6.09 (h)

41.  Intermediate and above  Less than two outs ◦ 1 st base not occupied ◦ Batter swings at third strike or called third strike ◦ Catcher drops ball or ball is not caught in flight ◦ Batter can advance to 1 st base with possibility of being put out by either a tag or by the ball being thrown to first base as in any other force play.  Two outs ◦ Same situation as above with the exception that 1 st base can be occupied. All runners that are forced can be put out.  Questions?

42.  7.01  Runner has a right to the base if base is touched before the runner is retired.  Fly ball tag up situation/Missed base  The runner cannot return to the previous base after the the pitcher has taken his position on the pitchers plate.  7.02 Runners must touch bases in order or in reverse order when needed exception in rule 5.09 when the ball is dead  7.03 one runner per base. Lead runner is entitled to base unless forced

43.  7.04 Batter runner/runners advance  Without liability of being put out and if forced  When a walk occurs  Live ball  Missed base?  Ball out of play  Dead ball  7.05  Throwing equipment or hat etc. at a batted ball  Award 3 bases  Throwing equipment at thrown ball  Award two bases  Ball thrown from fielder out of play  Award 2 bases  This award is based on the position of the runners at the time of the throw  Ball from pitcher while on the mound  Award 1 base  One from the mound, two from the field

44.  Rule 7.05 (i) note 2 ◦ One base on an overthrow  This is a limit not a reward. The runner is not protected in this situation.  Defense still has the opportunity to field the ball and make a play to get an out.

45.  7.07 ◦ Batter should be awarded first base when there is interference from the catcher (touching the batter) or another fielder during an attempted steal of home or a squeeze play. This is a balk charged to the catcher and the ball is dead.

46.  7.08 runner is out when ◦ Running more than three feet away from his or her baseline to avoid a tag  Established when play is being attempted ◦ Abandons effort to touch consecutive bases after touching first base ◦ Does not slide or attempt to get around a fielder making a play on them  Three choices  Slide  Get around  Give up  There is no must slide rule ◦ Interference with a batted or thrown ball ◦ Failure to tag up after a fly ball  Appeal play  Play can continue without this appeal being made ◦ Read 7.08 (f)-(k)  7.09 Interference ◦ Covered in definitions

47.  7.09 Appeals  Runner is out when ◦ Failing to retouch a base after a fly ball is caught ◦ Fails to touch a base if returning to a previous base  7.10 (b) ◦ Missing a base in advancing  Runners may not return to touch a missed base after touching a consecutive base after the ball is dead. However the defensive players can make an appeal that the base was missed  May not return to touch a base after a following runner has scored or if they have abandoned the field  Scenarios pg 93 ◦ Appeal must be made before next pitch or play  Example pg 94

48.  7.11 ◦ All offensive members should vacate any space that is needed for a defensive player to make a play  7.12 ◦ I two are out before an appeal. All runners following the runner that the appeal was made on are affected by the appeal. However preceding runners are not affected unless the third out is made before runs score or if the appeal would have originally been a force play. A runner tagging up after a fly ball is not a force.  Example

49.  7.13 ◦ Rookies  May not leave the base until ball is put in play  Time called when runners stop advancing and an infielder has control of the ball ◦ Minors and below  Runners may not advance until the ball reaches the batter  Runners leaving early affect all other runners  Placement of runners based on batted ball (judgment)  Poof play

50.  8.01 ◦ Two legal positions  The windup  Facing the batter  One foot in contact with the plate and the other foot free  Can do three things  Deliver the pitch  Step and throw to a base  Distance and direction  Disengage  Pivot foot  Cannot go to stretch or set position  Cannot lift leg except in delivery of the pitch

51.  The set position (stretch) ◦ Pivot foot in contact with plate ◦ Free foot in front ◦ Must come to a complete stop before delivering the pitch to the batter (complete and discernible stop)  Does not apply in minors and below ◦ Can make any movements until they come set except to disengage incorrectly ◦ Can step and throw to a base  Distance and direction  Before the throw ◦ Step off back of plate to disengage

52.  Illegal pitch (dead vs. delayed dead) pg 101  No runners on all divisions ◦ Not in contact with pitcher’s plate  Counted as a ball in the count  Exception  It is ball four  The batter puts the ball in play and reaches first base  Hit batter  Tee Ball ◦ Pitcher must remain in contact with the plate until ball is hit

53.  8.02  8.03 ◦ Eight pitches for warm up max (1 minute) ◦ Cold weather? ◦ Five for returning pitcher  8.04 ◦ Pitcher has 20 seconds to deliver pitch ◦ Can be called a ball

54.  8.05 ◦ Balk  Dead ball if pitch is not delivered  All runners awarded one base  Delayed dead ball if pitch is delivered  Ball 4  Put in play  All runners must advance 1 base  Balk is ignored and play continues  NOT a coaches decision  Runners may advance more than one base but are only protected to next base  Example  A pitcher cannot balk on an appeal

55.  8.06 visits ◦ 2 in one inning  Third visit in an inning and the pitcher has to be replaced ◦ 3 in a game  If the visit is the 4 th in a game the pitcher must be removed ◦ More than two visits on one batter ◦ A visit is any conference with any defensive player  Example ◦ Crossing the foul line ◦ Exception  Illness or injury

56.  Cannot play four innings as catcher  Once removed cannot return ◦ Exception  Intermediate and up  Can return once per game as long as they have played defensively in the game without sitting out  Limits ◦ 7-8, 50 pitches ◦ 9-10, 75 pitches ◦ 11-12, 85 pitches ◦ 13-16, 95 pitches

57.  14 and under ◦ 66 pitches = 4 days ◦ 51-65 = 3 days ◦ 36-50 = 2 days ◦ 21-35 = 1 day ◦ 20 or less = no required rest period  15 and up ◦ 76 pitches = 4 days ◦ 61-75 pitches = 3 days ◦ 46-60 pitches = 2 days ◦ 31-45 pitches = 1 day ◦ 30 or less = no rest requirement  Pitcher may finish the batter after reaching a threshold  Junior/Senior ◦ Pitchers may pitch in more than one game a day given they did not exceed 30 pitches in the previous game  Notes page 39

58.  9.01 (c) ◦ Each umpire has authority to rule on any point not specifically covered in these rules  9.02 ◦ Judgment calls are just that  Cannot be argued  Rules calls?  Umpires cannot reverse another umpire’s call  They can however discuss and come to a decision