Transcript
Umpire’s Guide – Minor League (Revised December 27, 2007)
Before the Game Arrive at the field 15 minutes before game time Look over the field to be sure it is playable; identify any problems that should be discussed at the pre-game conference; make sure the pitching rubber is 35 feet from home plate If the field is wet or it is raining, talk to the head coaches about the playing conditions Any time you see lightning, advise teams to leave the field; a game cannot resume until 30 minutes after the last lightning is observed Head coaches make the decision to cancel a game; if the coaches disagree, the umpire casts the deciding vote Put on your equipment Get a new game ball from the home team and a good used ball from the visiting team; be sure the balls are identical in color, stitching and feel If you want a volunteer to umpire first base, advise the coaches; then discuss responsibilities with the volunteer
Scan players to be sure no one is wearing jewelry (starter earrings are the only exception and they must be covered with tape) Make sure uniforms are being worn properly; bring concerns to the attention of the player and her coach Five to 10 minutes before the game, hold a conference with both coaches; discuss out-of-play areas and problems with the field, if any Encourage the home team to take the field two or three minutes before the start time Allow a 5 minute grace period for a team’s seventh player to show up; declare a forfeit if a team cannot field 7 players at the start of the game; teams are encouraged to share players and play the game anyway; in interleague games, there are no forfeits; teams should play regardless of the number of players Advise the home team scorekeeper of the exact start time according to your watch
After the Game Return the original game ball to the home team and the backup ball to the visiting team
Advise the league coordinator of any issues or concerns about the conduct of the game
During the Game - Routine Situations Allow 6 warm-up pitches between innings and when a new pitcher enters the game The strike zone extends from the top of the shoulders to just below the knees and the width of the plate is increased by 1 ball length on both sides No illegal pitches will be called, but violations should be brought to the attention of the pitcher and the coach When the player pitcher throws a 4th ball, the coach pitcher enters the game; tell the coach pitcher how many pitches he/she can throw (3 pitches if the batter has no strikes, 2 pitches if she has 1 strike, 1 pitch if she has 2 strikes) The coach pitcher strike zone extends from the top of the batter’s head to her ankles and 2 ball lengths on both sides of the plate (unhittable pitch only applies to the last allowable coach pitch) The player who made the last out should run for the catcher when there are two outs Encourage coaches to warm up their pitchers between innings if the catcher is not ready; you can reduce the number of warm-up pitches if coaches do not do so Bunting is allowed Injured runners can be replaced by the player who made the last out Runners can leave a base when the ball crosses home plate or a foul line; if a player blatantly leaves a base early, return the runner to the base after the play is dead (unless the batter hits a fair ball, then let it go); if she does it a second time in the same inning, call her out Runners can steal one base per batter; they cannot take an extra base on an overthrow; they cannot steal when the adult pitcher is pitching The Infield Fly Rule is not in effect
The Dropped Third Strike Rule is not in effect The Look Back Rule should be enforced if a blatant violation occurs When a coach visits the pitcher a second time in an inning, the pitcher must be replaced If a batter fails to leave the batter’s box on a play at the plate and the defense has a chance to make the play, the batter is out and the runner is returned to third base When a thrown ball goes out of play, runners are given two bases from where they were at the time the ball left the fielder’s hand Runners must avoid collisions by sliding; if a collision occurs when the defensive player has the ball, the runner is out Fielders not making a play on a runner must avoid obstructing them; if you see obstruction, give the Delayed Dead Ball signal (extend left arm straight out) but allow the play to continue; if the obstructed runner attempts to take the next base, she cannot be called out; after the play, place the runner where she would have been if obstruction had not occurred When the defense stops the forward progress of base runners, call time even if the ball has not been returned to the pitcher The first thrown bat by either team will result in a warning to both teams, the second thrown bat by any player will result in the player being called out During the first 5 innings, a maximum of 5 runs per inning can be scored; in subsequent innings, a maximum of 10 can be scored At 1 hour 30 minutes from start of game, announce that the current inning is the last
During the Game - Less Frequent Situations Enforce the blood rule; no visible blood on the skin or uniform If a player, coach or spectator conducts themselves in a blatantly unsportsmanlike manner, the umpire can tell the person to leave the field; failure to promptly leave will result in a forfeit to the opposing team If a batter is skipped, the coach can correct the situation at any time before the batter completes her turn at bat; the correct batter assumes the ball/strike count of the incorrect batter If a batter is skipped and the situation is not identified until after the incorrect batter completes her turn at bat, no correction can be made; the play stands as called and the batter(s) skipped lose their turn at bat (greatly simplified from the actual ASA rule) Unintentional interference by the coach pitcher will result in a dead ball, runners return to their bases, and the batter continues her at bat without penalty Intentional interference by the coach pitcher will result in the batter being called out (instinctively reaching for a hit ball or accidentally getting in the way of a fielder should NOT be judged as intentional interference)
Injured players do not have to bat; no out is recorded if they do not bat Defensive players should be positioned at normal playing positions; when the adult pitcher is pitching, the player pitcher cannot position herself closer than the pitching rubber and must have one foot inside the 8 foot radius circle When a fair, batted ball goes out of play, the runners advance two bases from where they were at the time the ball left the pitcher’s hand If a pitched ball goes out of play, the runners advance one base from where they were at the time the ball left the pitcher’s hand If a team drops below 7 players (except due to injury or in an inter-league game) declare a forfeit; the game can continue (for fun) at the discretion of both coaches If you determine that a batter could avoid being hit by the pitch with minimal effort and fails to do so, you need not award first base to the batter When a player pitcher hits more than 2 batters (who could not have reasonably avoided being hit) in a game, first base is to be awarded to the last batter and the pitcher must be replaced. If a coach points out a violation of the Playing Time Rule, call the league coordinator after the game and relay anything you know about the situation; you are not expected to know much
The Mechanics of Umpiring
Crouch behind the catcher with your Disputes with parents, coaches and eyes no higher than the top of the strike players can be minimized if you call zone and your head on the same side of plays quickly and loudly and appear to the catcher as the batter be certain of your call
Don’t turn your back on the field of play without calling time Also, learn the signals for safe, hold up play, play ball, foul tip, delayed dead ball, and infield fly
Be loud and demonstrative when calling a strike (make sure spectators know the call); raise your right hand above head, then make a fist and pull down at elbow
Point your arm into fair territory to call a fair ball
On a hit ball or a steal, always charge out to a spot on the field that gives you the best view of the play
If a coach disputes a call, ask the head coaches of both teams to discuss the Raise both hands with open palms away situation with you quietly and privately; if from the body to call a Dead Ball; yell you and the coaches agree a call "Time" or "Dead Ball"; be loud and should be reversed, make the call after demonstrative so base runners and both coaches return to their respective coaches know the call positions on the field or in the dugout
Be loud and demonstrative when calling a runner out; raise your right hand above head, then make a fist and pull down at elbow (same as strike call)
To call a foul ball, first give the Dead Ball signal (raise both hands with open palms away from the body), then yell, “foul ball”
Don’t be afraid to quickly reverse an incorrect call, but don’t allow one coach to browbeat you into changing your call
