PowerPoint Presentation

So You Want to Be an Umpire?

PIU Mission StatementThe Plainfield Independent Umpires is dedicated to providing qualified, dependable umpires for Plainfield Athletic Club baseball and softball contests. During the course of meeting this goal, we strive to provide training, mentoring, and growth opportunities for area umpires in an effort to promote the honorable profession of officiating. Support for all of our activities is provided by the Plainfield Athletic Club and its members. Our loyalty is to the PAC, first and foremost.

Supervisors Rob DenneyMike AndersonJim HarpoleJay MadalonRay HayenDave WodopianMike RathbunDan NewtonKeith BollingerPat SullivanManny VillarrubiaTim Lucas

Uniform and Protective Gear

Never This

Game DayWhen possible, contact your assigned partner in advance to coordinate officiating duties, uniforms, parking, etc.Arrive 15-30 minutes before the scheduled game time. Talk to your partner to determine responsibilities. Verify signals to be used and points of emphasis. Special focus on coverage for fair/foul, fly balls, and tag/timing plays. This should take place every time you work a game, no matter how often you work with the same partner. Covering any questions about coverage or mechanics here can avoid a potentially embarrassing situation during the game.

Game Day (cont)Walk the field. Inspect the fences, bases and home plate for proper placement and security. We use several fields that have multiple base locations, so verify that the correct one is set up. Look for potential safety hazards and correct them before you allow play to start.Monitor the teams warm-up activities for unsafe practices. Once you enter the field you are responsible. If you see something you dont like, ask the coaches to adjust the drill. catcher in his squat with no mask and helmet on, players taking batting practice without helmetshitting into unprotected players doing another drill, etc.

Pre-Game Meeting5-10 minutes before the scheduled game time, ask that both managers come to the plate for the Pre-Game Meeting. Move players away from this area for this meeting. Optimally, both teams should be in their respective dugouts. Get your Umpire Pay Card signed by the Home team manager. This should always be done before the game.Game details: innings, time limit and run limits, if applicable. Identify the home team score keeper and verify with both managers that the home book will be the official record. Standard ground rules: open gates, holes in fence, ball stuck in sign, etc. Also cover any ground rules specific to the particular field youre on.

Pre-Game Meeting (cont)Official warnings about jewelry and intentional throwing of equipment.One warning during game play for a player wearing jewelry Players may be ejected immediately without a warning if you see them intentionally throwing equipment for any reason.Remind managers about sportsmanship, and their responsibilities in controlling their players, coaches, and fans.Remind managers that players must avoid contact on the base paths and in the field at all times. Inform them youll call obstruction or interference, when appropriate. Any intentional contact by either offensive or defensive players, based solely on the umpire(s) judgment, results in automatic ejection.

Pre-Game Meeting (cont)Instruct them to keep all coaches and players in the dugout remind their player to keep their helmets on until they return to the dugout. The team manager is allowed to stand in the dugout entryCover the use of courtesy runners for the catcher (mandatory with 2 outs) and pitchers Note: The courtesy runner for the catcher or pitcher should be the catcher or pitcher for the subsequent inning.Instruct managers to remain in the dugout and off the field until time is granted by the umpire(s.) Remind them that only the manager, a coach in the coachs box, or a player in the game may request time.

How Do a Lot of Kids Feel About Playing Baseball?

What if a Kid Could Turn the Tide on a ParentKIDS REVENGE

Game DutiesUtilize the Home team scorer and score book as the Official record of the game. Check with both scorers and ask them to notify you immediately if a discrepancy arises. PAC rules prevent anyone from standing behind the backstop directly behind Home plate or outside the dugouts at all fields. Only the manager, or in his absence, the coach that attends the pre-game meeting is allowed to discuss a call or ruling with an umpire. Always attempt give a PAC In-House or Travel Manager, providing hes not the one whos out of control, the chance to get his player, coach, or spectator under control before escalating the situation by ejections or calling the police. Exception- An action by a player, coach, or spectator is so egregious that is requires immediate action on your part. Example Swearing!

Game Duties (cont)The game must be stopped immediately if a safety issues arise. These issues could include, but are not limited to, weather, fences, equipment, and field conditions. The game can be resumed when you are satisfied that the unsafe condition has been rectified (see below for specifics on handling inclement weather.) If a game has to be suspended for any reason, make sure that both books agree and remind the Home manager to notify his Division Commissioner of the suspension. Youre required to notify your Assigner if a game is stopped prior to completion. Give the reason for suspension, the game status, and remaining innings

Game Duties (cont)Up until the start of the game, the PAC has the authority to determine if the game should be played. After that time, you have sole authority over the conduct of the game. If anyone attempts to overrule or affect your decision to stop a game for safety, notify your Assigner immediately.No one from PAC has authority to restart the game but you and your partner. This includes Commissioners, Board Members, & Umpire Supervisors. You may however ask their opinion.Do not turn on the field lights (where applicable) before 6:15. PAC pays for lights at a rate of 2.5 5.5 cents per kilowatt hour after 6:15 PM. Lights turned on before 6:15 are charged at $14+ (yes, thats dollars!) per kilowatt hour.

Strike Zone (cont)Rule Book: the strike zone is that area over home plate, the upper limit of which is a horizontal line at the midpoint between the top of the shoulders and the top of the uniform pants, and the lower level is a line at the hollow beneath the kneecap. the strike zone shall be determined from the batters stance as the batter is prepared to swing at a pitched ball.Reality: Whatever the umpire calls.

Theory/Philosophy of Calling Balls & StrikesPitchers Umpire or Zone Generous zone that gives the pitcher both corners and the low part of the zone.Hitters Umpire or Zone Tighter zone that only gives the pitcher one side of the zone.Must be fair to both teams.Must be consistent first Inning to last inning.

Age Specific Strike Zone for PAC GamesUpper & Lower Limits:8U/10U/Pinto/Maverick chin to mid-shin12U/Mustang shoulders to mid-shin14U/Bronco arm pits to mid-shin16U/Pony letters to upper shin18U/Colt/Palomino bottom of the letters to bottom of the kneeInside & Outside Limits:One ball inside and 1 - 2 balls outside.

Strike Zone (cont)

Breakout Sessions 1Strike Zone Umpire Signals and Crew CommunicationParking Lot & Pregame

Base UmpiringPositioning & Responsibilities

Where Do I StandAs a Base Umpire, there are four potential positions ("Slots") where you'll position yourself to start each play.Slot A: 10 12 feet behind 1st base in foul territorySlot B: 2 3 steps behind and 2 3 steps to the left of the 2nd baseman (in normal position)Slot C: 2 3 steps behind and 2 3 steps to the left of the shortstop (in normal position)Slot D: 10 12 feet behind 3rd base in foul territory (only 3 or 4 person crews)

Base Umpire Position to RunnersSlot A- no runner; Slot B- Runner on 1st Base: Slot C- All other

Tip: If you forget where you should stand to start a play, stand in the Slot that is directly in front of the lead runner.

Runner ResponsibilitiesBU1 will make calls at all bases except home plate unless you (as BU1) and the PU agree to another arrangement.

- For example, PU may opt to cover plays at 3rd base (3B) under some scenarios and cover come-back plays on runners returning to 1st base (1B) when BU1 is in a Slot position other than A.

How Do I Get in Position to Make the CallOnce the ball is hit, quickly glance and track where it is going and where the fielder throws it to. You want to quickly decide where the play is going and the throwing lane to make sure you stay out of the way of the ball as you move into position.Move into position using the inside / outside technique If the ball is hit and fielded in the infield, stay "outside" the base path to make your call.If the ball is hit and fielded in the outfield, run "inside" the base path (into the Working Area) to make your call.

Base Umpire (cont)Face "chest-to-ball" and reverse pivot to the play once the ball is thrownWhen a hit ball is fielded, you should jog to the position where you want to make the call from, with your chest facing to the ball. When the fielder releases the ball, you should then reverse pivot on your foot to observe the play at the base / runner. For balls hit into the outfield, you have more time to get into position and get set, so the timing of the reverse pivot is not as crucial as it is with balls hit and fielded within the infield.

Base Umpire (cont)Regardless of your position to a play, try to be stationary at the time the play happensIdeally, try to be about 10 feet or so from a play being made on a runner and at a 90 degree view angle (approx.) of the play on the runner and from where the ball is being thrown.Sometimes the ideal is not possible so favor angle over distance, and be stationary at the time the play happens. You want to be firmly set, not moving, when it's time to make your call.

#1 Rule in Umpiring- Take your time to make a call!! There is no call until you make it

Baseball vs Softball DifferencesTopicSoftballBaseballHow are runners affected by the pitcher's circle?- A runner must immediately advance or retreat to a base when the pitcher has the ball within the circle. Failure to do so is an out on that runner unless a play is attempted on the runner.- There is no such circle or rule.When is a runner allowed to leave a base?- At 12u level, a runner may leave a base once the ball is released by the pitcher.- At the 10u & below level, a runner may leave a base once the ball reaches the batter.- At the Mustang and below, a runner may leave a base once the ball reaches the catcher.What is the penalty for these runner violations?- In the case of a runner leaving early and a circle violation, the runner is out.- In the case of a runner leaving early, the runner is not called out. In most situations, the runner returns to his base.

Breakout Sessions 2Working Plate, Working Infield, Arbiter

What to Look ForWatch ForPotential RuleViolationsDo ThisRunners leaving earlyDid any runners leave their base early (prior to the ball reaching the batter)?- Baseball: If so, drop a red flag to signal the violation and let the play proceed. After the play has completed, call "Time". During time meet withyour umpire crewto make a ruling on which bases to place therunner(s).- Softball: If so, call the runner out and "Time" to halt play.Runner base touchesDid the runner(s) touch the base(s)?- If not, don't say anything and let play proceed. Untouched bases are rule violations that the defense must appeal.Tag-upsDid the runner(s) tag-up on a fly ball catch?- If not, don't say anything. This is also an appeal call like untouched bases.

Inclement Weather GuidelinesWhen thunder is heard, or cloud to ground lightning is seen, the thunderstorm is close enough to strike your location with lightning. Suspend play immediately. Instruct the managers to move their teams out of the dugouts and away from the field to a place of safety. Notify umpires on nearby fields, in case they are not aware of the weather issue, then leave the field for a place a safety.Thirty Minute Rule: Once play has been suspended, wait at least 30 minutes after the last thunder is heard or flash of lightning is witnessed prior to resuming play. Any subsequent thunder or lightning after the beginning of the 30-minute count, the clock resets and another 30-minute count begins. There are no exceptions to this rule!45 minutes will be the maximum time a game will be suspended if there are games to be played after the game suspended for inclement weather.

Attributes of Great UmpireThe relentless pursuit of perfection can be applied to five skills areas if an individual is determined to achieve distinction as an umpire.1. Rules KnowledgeAn intimate knowledge and understanding of the rules and their accurate and clear implementation.Adopt a working knowledge of the rules in terms of advantage\disadvantage. Understand the intent of a rule not just the ability to recite it word for word.2. Timing and Judgment (This means continuous refinement)Make a conscious effort to slow down, make this a part of your pre-game check off list.Read, pause, react - allow plays to develop and come to an end before making your decision.3. MechanicsAre all about your behavior and your willingness to put forth a focused, continuous, effort for the entire game.Be crisp in all of your actions.Hustle all the time. This always-overlooked behavior on the part of umpires creates respect from all and keeps coaches in the dugout on close calls.4. Game ManagementIt's your game to run.You are the final authority on the field, this means you have a duty to remain calm and in control at all times.5. AppearanceDress impeccably as an umpire; it speaks volumes about how you accept your professional duties.If you look rumpled you will be treated with disrespect, you single handedly compromise your own authority. Fact: The higher the level of play the more profound this becomes. You earn respect by dressing the part. Remember more than 50% of how you are judged by on-field personnel centers on your appearance.

How to Deal with these IssuesManagers- Deal directly with them in a polite but direct mannerCoaches- Go to the manager, unless it needs immediate action then go to manageParents- Go to the manager, unless it needs immediate action then go to manageSafety- Stop Game IMMEDIATELY until the issue is correctedWeatherPlayer safetyField Conditions

Types of Volunteer CoachesTHE DRILL SERGEANTYou've seen this one: He runs practices and games in a strict, no-nonsense fashion. He benches or chastises players for making a mistake. His philosophy seems to be "The only way to have fun in sports is to win -- all the time.SCREAMING APOLOGISTThis coach takes winning too seriously, but he knows better. Early on, he tells the team: "If I raise my voice during the game, please understand that I'm just yelling because of the excitement and because I want you to play well.THE BIG LEAGUE KNOW-IT-ALLAs you might suspect, this is the coach who wants all the players to do everything precisely the way he says to. That can be a problem, especially if your child wants to try a different approach-say, a batting stance that feels more natural to him.THE CONNIVEREvery community has one. This is the coach who looks for every loophole in the league rule book to make certain his team is the best. There's often some politicking or eligibility-rule bending to stack his team.THE CASUAL COACHBelieve it or not, the Casual Coach may do more to take the fun out of your child's athletic experience than any other type of volunteer coach.

Umpire or Board Member CoachDuring the game they are just the manager or coachSometimes they want you to know in a conversation like this

Joe Blow: Hey Tim, Im Joe Blow and Im and umpire as wellTim: Great nice to meet you Joe please remember for this game you are the manager

This sets the tome politely.

DO NOT ever discuss with them your mechanics or positioning or anything you would not discuss with another coach

10 Commandments of Good UmpiringKeep your eye on the ball and focus on todays game.Keep personality clashes or bias from previous issues out of your work. Forget and forgive.Avoid sarcasm. Don't insist on the last word. Never charge aggressively at a player or coach. No finger pointing or yelling.Hear only the things you should hear - be deaf to others.Keep your temper. A decision made in anger is never sound.Watch your language and remain calm, no matter what.Take pride in your work at all times. Remember, respect for an umpire is created off the field as well as on.Review your own work with a critical, unbiased eye. You will find if you are honest, that 90% of the trouble is traceable to loafing or poor mechanics.No matter what your opinion of another umpire, never make an adverse comment regarding him. To do so is despicable and unacceptable.