Introduction to Umpiring

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Introduction to Umpiring
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Umpire Dos

• Look the part (appearance)
• Know the rules (study)
• Show up on time
• Have pre-game talk with partner
• Pay attention!
• Hustle into proper position
• Watch the ball, glance at runners
• Pause, read, react

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Umpire Dos

• Timing, timing, timing
• Angle over distance
• Get set before the play
• Show restraint (attitude)
• Forget close calls
• Support partner all the time
• Leave from winners side

Oh, yeah HAVE FUN!
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Umpire Donts

• Coach the players
• Have rabbit ears
• Carry on conversations with fans
• Socialize with only one dugout
• Give excuses after a call
• Gang up on a coach
• Meet between innings after a close call
• Say, One more word and youre gone!
• Over-dramatize an ejection
• Discuss game w/anyone as you leave

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Uniforms and Equipment

• Navy or light blue LL shirt (Both umpires the
  same!)
• Grey pants with black belt
• NO SHORTS (thats for softball)
• Navy, red or black undershirt
• Black socks shoes
• Navy or black hat (league logos
  acceptable)
• NO WHITE ANYTHING! (shoes, socks)

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Uniforms and Equipment

• Plate gear preferably under uniform
• Ball bag on Plate Umpire only
• Wear your cup!
• Sunglasses okay if not mirrored
• No cell phones, pagers unless
  required by your employee
• Base umpires red flag!
• No rulebooks hanging out of
  back pocket (but have it with you)

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The Pre-game Talk

• Fair/foul and catch/no catch responsibilities
• When Im coming to you for help
• Tag-ups/base touches
• Who should cover third base when
• Signals
• Infield Fly
• Whats the count?
• How many outs?
• Im staying home

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4.01 Plate Conference

• Managers exchange lineups
• UIC should check for accuracy
• Umpires are in charge when exchanged
• Late arrivals not required to play
• What to cover
• Introductions
• Players properly equipped?
• Ground rules, if any
• Encourage to keep game moving
• Remind managers to go thru UIC for subs
• Wish both managers a good game

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4.01 Plate Conference

• Umpires should NOT
• Conduct a rules clinic
• Describe your strike zone
• Issue pre-game warnings
• Bring up something from previous games
• Waste time telling stories
• Allow defense to warm-up during the conference

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4.09 Timing Play

• The umpire must judge whether the runner touched
  the plate before the out is made
• If the runner touches the plate before the out,
  the run counts
• If the runner touches the plate after the out,
  the run does NOT count
• Plate umpire MUST inform the official scorekeeper
  if the run does/doesn't count

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Other 4.00 Rules

• 4.03 Make sure all fielders are in fair
  territory
• 4.05 Base coaches stay in dugout until pitcher
  ends his warm-ups
• 4.15 When a game may be forfeited
• One team doesnt have enough players
• Continued rules violation
• Manager starts delay tactics

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• For a detailed presentation regarding regulations
  and rules refer to the 2009 D9 Clinic
  Presentation on the FHLL web site under the
  Umpires Corner.
• http//www.fhyaa.org/Baseball/Umpires/index_E.html

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On the Field

• PU Balls/strikes, Fair/foul, Catch/no catch,
  plays at home, some plays at third
  (communicate!), could help at first
• BU All bases except
  when PU takes third
  could help
  with Fair/foul
  down RFL
• BU positions
• A (10-12 behind first in foul
  territory) No
  runners
• B (behind second baseman)
  Runner on 1B
• C (behind shortstop) All
  other
  situations
• Ball goes out, come in ball stays in, stay out.

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THE SLOT (SIDE VIEW)
Forward body tilt
Proper head height
Drop Foot
Slot Foot
TOE
HEEL
TOE
HEEL
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THE SLOT (FRONT VIEW)
Proper use of protectiveequipment facing front
Proper head position is controlled by

• Width of stance
• Amount of squat
• Forward body tilt

Proper head height
Wrist relaxed andforearm wrapped
Nice wide stanceshoulder width or greater
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THE SLOT (TOP VIEW)
Good view of theoutside corner
Proper use of protectiveequipment facing front
Catcher
HEEL
HEEL
TOE
TOE
HEEL
HEEL
TOE
TOE
Good clearance from the catcher
Right hand onor behind the thigh
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Timing Mechanics
Basic Calls Ball/Strike Out/Safe Foul
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Angle over Distance
U
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Pivot
A
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Working Area
Working Area
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Point of Home PlateFirst/Third Base Extended
Adjust right or left Depending on throw
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U
U
PAUSE/READ/REACT
U
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B
C
Basic Starting Positions for Umpires on a 60
Diamond
A
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60 Diamond
B
C
Working Area
A
Inside/Outside Theory
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Basic Starting Positions for Umpires on 90
Diamond
B
C
A
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90 Diamond
Working Area
B
C
A
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QUESTIONS?