WSLL 2012 Umpire Training Part I. Purpose Allow you to feel comfortable umpiring a LL game (eliminate fear of umpiring). Probably make you the best educated.

WSLL 2012 Umpire Training

Part I

PurposePurposeAllow you to feel comfortable umpiring

a LL game (eliminate fear of umpiring).Probably make you the best educated

on rules in the game.Give you a basis for further studyWe won’t discuss every rule, but the

ones you’re most likely to encounter.Review basic mechanics and

techniques.Provide a takeaway resource.

What We Are Looking For

ReliabilityProper uniformActing like someone in chargeShowing courtesy and common

sense to our customersInterest in umpiringKnowledge of the rules and

mechanics

OverviewOverviewRules

Mechanics (where you stand, where you go, how you get there, what you do/say when you get there).

General Approach To Decision Making

Administration – Getting games and Pay (handout).

Rules -Which Rules? LL (OBR)

No balks, P need not come to stop (only has to join

hands)Can’t leave base before pitch “reaches”

batterAdult game coordinatorSpecial pinch runner

Other recreation organizations and Federation of High School Rules (“FED”)

Interpretations Local Rules

Rule Organization Green Book

Regs,TOCRules 1-9All Start Tournament RulesIndex.

Gray Book/SLFBLTOC, Regs, General Rules, Level Rules

Rules - Finding It Quickly1. Objectives2. Definitions3. Game Preliminaries4. Starting and Ending the Game5. Putting the Ball In Play, Live Ball6. The Batter7. The Runner8. The Pitcher 9. The Umpire

Rule 1 – Objectives (Safety)

1.08 – no one out of dugout.Bat size. 1.10 - No donuts Uniform - No jewelry, No attachmentsPitching glove may not have gray or

white (rub dirt if little white).

Catchers Gear.Cup (males)Long chest protectorHelmet PLUS dangling throat protectorNo decals

Runners/Player coaches must wear helmets.

Rule 1 - Field Parts and Effects

Lines Fair Territory, Foul Territory, Out of PlayFair - Game ON; Foul – Game Off (mostly)Fair includes the linesBack edge of home plate defines linesAll bases and FOUL Pole = Fair.

Boxes and circlesEveryone starts in the lines and applicable boxes.Batters and catchers (batter hits ball with any part

of foot on ground out of box = “Out”)No on-deck circleCoaches must stay in coaches box - but be lenient.

Rule 2 - DefinitionsRule 2 - DefinitionsBall

Strike/Strike Zone/In FlightBuntForce PlayFair/Foul BallInfield fly – none in AA and belowInning (5.07)– BTO; 3A (4/5); 2A (3/5)Interference/Obstruction - 7.06.7.09

Rules – Catch , No CatchRules – Catch , No CatchMust have secure possession and Must have secure possession and

voluntary release.voluntary release.Catch if fielder drops ball in the act of Catch if fielder drops ball in the act of

throwing.throwing.No catch if fielder drops the ball as a No catch if fielder drops the ball as a

result of collision or falling.result of collision or falling.No catch if ball touches offensive No catch if ball touches offensive

player, or grounds, fence, or umpires. player, or grounds, fence, or umpires.

Rules – Foul TipRules – Foul TipA “foul tip” is a foul that is direct and A “foul tip” is a foul that is direct and

sharp from the bat to the catcher’s sharp from the bat to the catcher’s hand or glove. hand or glove. The ball is in playThe ball is in play. .

If caught on rebound, it is not a catch If caught on rebound, it is not a catch unless ball touches catcher’s glove unless ball touches catcher’s glove hand or hand first. Official Rule 2.00 hand or hand first. Official Rule 2.00 (“foul tip”).(“foul tip”).

MechanicMechanic: Signal it (will demonstrate) : Signal it (will demonstrate) around head level.around head level.

Rule 3 – Game Preliminaries Be 15’ early.

Meet the coachesStart on timeCheck lines, safetyEach team should give you a baseball. 3.01 and

GB.Starting and stopping game (“play” and time).

3.12

Where players, coaches and spectators go.Dugout occupancy - just players and coaches

and they must stay there unless playing or in coaches box. 3.09 and 3.17.

No manager warming up pitchers. 3.09

Rule 4 – Starting & Ending The Game

Preliminaries.4.01 – Plate Conference.4.02 – Say Play.4.03 – everyone starts on field and in

boxes.4.05 – Must have 2 coaches

adults only by GB rule except majorsmay not leave dugout until after warm

ups.must wear helmets if players.

4.17 Must have 9 to start.

Rule 4 – Starting & Ending The Game

Scoring, duration and ties. 4.09-12.GB @ 22 – start time, duration, NNI/DD

end.

Protests - 4.19. Mgr. must get time (from you).Must be made before next play.May only be over rules (not factual

judgments like fair or foul).See GB @ 29 for how to record.

Strike? HBP? Foul? Dead?Strike? HBP? Foul? Dead?

Rule 5 - Live Ball/Dead Ball

5.01 – 5.11 Re/Starting the game (“Play”) NB: F1 must be on plate with ball.

5.09 - Eight ways for ball to become dead by play (plus one misfiled under 5.10):NB: runners advance or return – which

depends on other rules. If not award, must return.

5.10 – “Discretionary” Call of Time. accidents, playing conditions, other.

Rule 5 – Live Ball/Dead Ball

FAIR - 4 ways to be fairsettled ball - settles in fair before 3b-P-1b linebounding ball - passes inside, over or hits ANY

PART of 1B/3Bfly ball (into OF) - first hits fair or leaves field

fairAny ball hits fielder over fair territory firstBatters box is special case - part in, part out

FOULDetermined by relation of ball to line - fielder

position irrelevantGame OFF, UNLESS, caught fly ball and catch is

not 3rd out. Be patient, ball may drift fair.

Fair or Foul?

Is Touched

Judged by the

position

of the ball.

Fair or Foul?

Fair or Foul?

Is Touched

Judged by the

position

of the ball.

"If a woman has to choose between catching a fly ball and saving an infant's life, she will choose to save the infant's life without even considering if there is a man on base." --- Dave Barry

BREAKBREAK

Rules 6 and 7 – General Batter/Runner

Concepts Out When (automatic)Batter = 6.05 and 6.06 and a special (BOO) = 21

ways!Runner = 7.03, 7.08 and a special (leave early) =

11 ways. See also 7.10 (on appeal (fail to touch base))

99% happen in the ways you already know.

Safe “Without liability to be put out” (Awards)

Batter = 6.08, 6.09(d-h)Runner = 7.04 - 7.05

On interference, distinguish between thrown and batted balls (intent vs. none required). Ball always dead. No runners advance.

Batter Outs (6.05 + 6.06)Batter Outs (6.05 + 6.06)

Play of game (strike outs, flies out, fails to reach Play of game (strike outs, flies out, fails to reach first base, forced runner retired with 2 outs).first base, forced runner retired with 2 outs).

Defensive miscue.Defensive miscue.

Personal interference.Personal interference. Deflecting ballDeflecting ball Interfering with throw.Interfering with throw. Interfering with play at home.Interfering with play at home.

Teammate interference.Teammate interference.

Batter OutsBatter Outs 33rdrd strike need not be caught in AAA/AA strike need not be caught in AAA/AA

NEW FOR 2012: Majors ONLY:NEW FOR 2012: Majors ONLY: Covered in 6.05(b) and 6.09(b)Covered in 6.05(b) and 6.09(b) A batter is out when a third strike is not caught by A batter is out when a third strike is not caught by

the catcher when first base is occupied before two the catcher when first base is occupied before two are outare out

IOW: If there are 0 or 1 out, AND there is no R1, AND IOW: If there are 0 or 1 out, AND there is no R1, AND the catcher does not legally catch strike 3, the batter the catcher does not legally catch strike 3, the batter becomes a runner and may attempt to acquire 1becomes a runner and may attempt to acquire 1stst base. base.

If there are 2 outs, when the catcher does not legally If there are 2 outs, when the catcher does not legally catch strike 3, the batter becomes a runner and may catch strike 3, the batter becomes a runner and may attempt to acquire 1attempt to acquire 1stst base. Runners do not matter base. Runners do not matter in this case.in this case.

Batter OutsBatter Outs Bunts foul flyBunts foul fly

Batter or 1B is tagged BEFORE runner Batter or 1B is tagged BEFORE runner touches 1B (tie goes to runner). Compare touches 1B (tie goes to runner). Compare with 7.01 and 7.08(e) (tie goes to fielder).with 7.01 and 7.08(e) (tie goes to fielder).

Batter is out if third strike hits him while Batter is out if third strike hits him while attempting to strike at the pitch. Official attempting to strike at the pitch. Official Rule 6.05(f). (Strike, if this occurs with Rule 6.05(f). (Strike, if this occurs with less than 2 strikes). Dead ball results.less than 2 strikes). Dead ball results.

Batter OutsBatter Outs

Hits ball with one or both feet Hits ball with one or both feet on the on the ground entirelyground entirely outside of Batter box. outside of Batter box.

Fielder intentionally drops a fly ball Fielder intentionally drops a fly ball or line drive (to make a force play or line drive (to make a force play possible). Official Rule 6.05 (l).possible). Official Rule 6.05 (l).

Bat Throwing – not an out but Bat Throwing – not an out but warning + removal from warning + removal from offense – offense – GB GB 24.24.

Offensive InterferenceOffensive Interference

Offensive InterferenceOffensive Interference: Any act which : Any act which interferes with, obstructs, impedes, hinders, interferes with, obstructs, impedes, hinders, or confuses any fielder attempting to make or confuses any fielder attempting to make a play. Rule 2.a play. Rule 2.Need not be intentional.Need not be intentional.If batter, batter-runner, or runner is out If batter, batter-runner, or runner is out

for interference, all other runners shall for interference, all other runners shall return to the last base return to the last base legally touchedlegally touched prior to the interference (unless prior to the interference (unless otherwise provided in the Rules).otherwise provided in the Rules).

Batter Outs - InterferenceBatter Outs - Interference• Batter is out if fair ball bounces up in fair Batter is out if fair ball bounces up in fair

territory and hits him before touching a territory and hits him before touching a fielder. Official Rule 6.05(g).fielder. Official Rule 6.05(g).

NoteNote: Although the area above home : Although the area above home plate and part of the batter’s box is in fair plate and part of the batter’s box is in fair territory, by custom, a batter will not be territory, by custom, a batter will not be declared out if still in any part of the declared out if still in any part of the batter’s box and a struck ball hits him. batter’s box and a struck ball hits him.

Batter Outs - InterferenceBatter Outs - Interference

Batter is out if, after hitting or bunting a Batter is out if, after hitting or bunting a fair ball, his fair ball, his bat hits the ballbat hits the ball for a for a second time in fair territory. (If bat is in second time in fair territory. (If bat is in foul territory when this happens, it is a foul territory when this happens, it is a foul ball). Sell the call! Ball is dead and foul ball). Sell the call! Ball is dead and no runners may advance. no runners may advance.

The ball, however, remains in play if the The ball, however, remains in play if the batter drops the bat and the ball rolls and batter drops the bat and the ball rolls and hits the bat, unless the umpire judges the hits the bat, unless the umpire judges the act to be intentional. Official Rule 6.05(h).act to be intentional. Official Rule 6.05(h).

Batter Outs - InterferenceBatter Outs - Interference

Batter is out if, after hitting or Batter is out if, after hitting or bunting a foul ball, the batter runner bunting a foul ball, the batter runner intentionally intentionally deflects the course of deflects the course of the ball while running to first base. the ball while running to first base. Official Rule 6.05(h). Official Rule 6.05(h). Ball is dead and Ball is dead and no runners may advanceno runners may advance..

Batter Out - InterferenceBatter Out - Interference Batter Batter interferesinterferes with F2’s “catching or throwing with F2’s “catching or throwing

by stepping out of box or making any unnatural by stepping out of box or making any unnatural movement.” 6/06(a).movement.” 6/06(a).

““or makes any other movement that hinders or makes any other movement that hinders the catcher’s play at home base.”the catcher’s play at home base.”

EXCEPTION: With less than two outs, the runner EXCEPTION: With less than two outs, the runner – not the batter – would be called out.– not the batter – would be called out.

Additional PenaltyAdditional Penalty: Run does not count. Official : Run does not count. Official Rule 6.05(n).Rule 6.05(n).

Rules – Batter Unintentionally Rules – Batter Unintentionally Interferes with Throw to Interferes with Throw to

PitcherPitcher This is not interference if the batter is in This is not interference if the batter is in

the box. The ball is dead and no runners the box. The ball is dead and no runners may advance. may advance.

If he does so while out of the box, or If he does so while out of the box, or

intentionally, it is interference. If either intentionally, it is interference. If either condition is satisfied, the batter is condition is satisfied, the batter is declared out. declared out. SeeSee PBUC Umpire Manual, PBUC Umpire Manual, § 4.15. § 4.15.

Batter Outs - InterferenceBatter Outs - Interference

Batter Runner is out if, in running the Batter Runner is out if, in running the last 45 feet to first base, he runs last 45 feet to first base, he runs outside running lane or inside the outside running lane or inside the foul line, and in doing so interferes foul line, and in doing so interferes with the fielder taking the throw at with the fielder taking the throw at first base. Official Rule 6.05(k).first base. Official Rule 6.05(k).

MechanicMechanic: “Time ! That is : “Time ! That is interference! Runner is out!” – Then, interference! Runner is out!” – Then, return runners.return runners.

Batter Out – Batting out of Batter Out – Batting out of OrderOrder

The umpires, scorekeeper, and The umpires, scorekeeper, and announcer shall not bring the batting announcer shall not bring the batting out of turn to anyone’s attention. out of turn to anyone’s attention.

Defense must appeal after the Defense must appeal after the improper batter has completed his improper batter has completed his turn at bat and before the next pitch turn at bat and before the next pitch or attempted play, whichever comes or attempted play, whichever comes first.first.

Wait till playing action has ceased Wait till playing action has ceased and call time while listening to the and call time while listening to the appeal.appeal.

Batter Out – Batting out of Batter Out – Batting out of orderorder

If appeal is made during an at bat, the If appeal is made during an at bat, the proper batter is proper batter is notnot out, but assumes the out, but assumes the count of the improper batter. Official Rule count of the improper batter. Official Rule 6.07. 6.07.

Defense fails to make a timely appeal -- Defense fails to make a timely appeal -- improper batter is legalized. The batting improper batter is legalized. The batting order picks up with the name following the order picks up with the name following the improper batter.improper batter.

If successful, proper batter is out - If successful, proper batter is out - notnot the the improper batter. The batting order picks up improper batter. The batting order picks up with the name following the proper batter.with the name following the proper batter.

Batter Outs – Batting Out of Batter Outs – Batting Out of OrderOrder

Any advance or outs made because Any advance or outs made because of an improper batter are nullified if of an improper batter are nullified if the defensive teams make a timely the defensive teams make a timely appeal. The runners return to the appeal. The runners return to the position that they had at the time the position that they had at the time the improper batter stepped into the improper batter stepped into the batter’s box.batter’s box.

Steal, wild pitches, passed ball Steal, wild pitches, passed ball advances, are permissible because advances, are permissible because they are not a result of actions by the they are not a result of actions by the improper batter.improper batter.

Batter – AwardsBatter – Awards

Fielder Miscues (uses uniform or Fielder Miscues (uses uniform or thrown glove)thrown glove)4 bases – when goes over fence4 bases – when goes over fence3 bases – batted ball3 bases – batted ball2 bases – thrown ball2 bases – thrown ball

Batter – AwardsBatter – Awards

Umpire Interference - Fair ball touches an Umpire Interference - Fair ball touches an umpire in fair territory before touching a fielder. umpire in fair territory before touching a fielder. Official Rule 6.08(d). So, stay behind fielders. Official Rule 6.08(d). So, stay behind fielders.

Catcher Interference – C. hits bat.Catcher Interference – C. hits bat. 1B for batter and 1 for those forced.1B for batter and 1 for those forced. Team has choiceTeam has choice If the batter and all other runners advance, ignore. If the batter and all other runners advance, ignore.

Official Rule 6.08(c). Official Rule 6.08(c).

MechanicMechanic: Must call it: “That’s interference” : Must call it: “That’s interference” and see what happens. and see what happens.