ATLL Umpire Workshop

ATLL UMPIRE WORKSHOP

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Reducing the Margin of Error

Reducing the Margin of Error Priories: Fair/Foul

Catch/No Catch Positioning + Timing = Good Judgment Angle First, Then Distance

• If you have to, sacrifice distance for angle Get Set – Be stopped for all plays Watch the ball, Glance at the Runners Timing, timing, timing Hustle, hustle, hustle

Theory

Don’t want 2 umpires covering the same play

1 Play / 1 Umpire Plate Umpire – Home Base Umpire – 1B and 2B

Runner from 1B to 3B – either Base/Plate Ump Pre-game conference to discuss this situation

Keep It Simple, Stupid!

Asking for Help

Leave your ego at home Umpire out of position can get help if he

asks Ask for help before you make the call

Create credibility for yourself Mistakes happen Don’t rush to make a call

Self Evaluation Did I arrive in time to prepare for the game? Was I in position for every call? Was I properly prepared for each play? Working the plate:

Was my strike zone consistent? How was my timing? Were my signals clear and sharp?

Did I assist and communicate with my partner? Did I keep my cool? Is there any other part of my game that needs

work?

Bill KlemThe Father of

Baseball Umpires

"That guy in a twenty-five cent bleacher seat is as much entitled to know a call as the guy in the boxes. He can see my arm signal even if he can't hear my voice."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Billklem.jpg

WORKING THE PLATE

Plate Basics

Positioning behind the catcher Box stance (heel-to-toe) Scissors Kneeling

Plate Basics

Positioning behind the catcher Chin no lower than the top of the

catcher’s head Get into “The Slot” Turn head toward the glove slightly

CALLINGBALLS AND STRIKES

“The Thoughtful Pause”

Calling Strikes / Balls

See It Say It (to

yourself) Call It

Working the plate

SECTION 2.00DEFINITION OF STRIKE – PART B

A strike is a legal pitch that is not struck at when any part of the ball

passes through any part of the strike zone.

SECTION 2.00The strike zone is the space over home plate

that is between the batter’s armpits and the top of the knees when the batter assumes a natural stance. The umpire shall determine the strike

zone according to the batter’s usual stance when that batter swings at a pitch.

Where’s the Strike Zone?

A

B

C

D

E

Rule 6.03Which of the foot

positions are legal?

A

B

C

D

E

Rule 6.03The batter’s legal position shall be

with both feet within the batter’s box.

Plate mechanics – Passed Balls and Wild Pitches

Foul Tip Section 2.00

A foul tip is a batted ball that Is sharp and direct from the bat to the

catcher’s hand or mitt Must be caught by the catcher

not a catch if it is caught on a rebound unless it first hits the catcher’s hand or mitt

Is a strike Ball remains alive

CATCH / NO CATCH

Catch / No Catch

Home plate umpire has responsibility for fly balls Umpire takes off his mask Walks into the infield Signals for catch or no catch and verbalizes

catch or no catch

Catch / No catch

Definition of Catch

Secure possession Complete control of the ball Voluntary release of the ball

Definition of Catch

Voluntary release of the ball CATCH – if the ball is dropped

in the act of throwing NO CATCH – if the ball is

dropped as a result of a collision or falling

NO CATCH – if the ball touches an offensive player, the ground or fence, or an umpire

FAIR / FOUL

Fair / Foul

Definition of Fair Ball A fair ball is a batted ball that:

Settles or is touched on or over fair territory between home and 1B or home and 3B

Bounds past 1B or 3B on or over fair territory While on or over fair territory touches the

attached equipment or clothing of a player or umpire

While over fair territory, passes out of the playing field

FAIR / FOUL Quiz 1

A batted ball settles on home plate. What is your call?

FAIR or FOUL

FAIR / FOUL Quiz 1

A batted ball settles on home plate. What is your call?

FAIR

FAIR / FOUL Quiz 2

A batted ball first hits foul ground and without touching any foreign object, rolls into fair territory between 1B and home where it comes to rest. What is your call?

FAIR or FOUL

FAIR / FOUL Quiz 2

A batted ball first hits foul ground and without touching any foreign object, rolls into fair territory between 1B and home where it comes to rest. What is your call?

FAIR

FAIR / FOUL Quiz 3

FAIR or FOUL

FAIR / FOUL Quiz 3

FAIR

Review – Plate umpire – catch/no catch, fair/foul

WORKING THE BASES

Reducing the Margin of Error

Positioning + Timing = Good Judgment Angle First, Then Distance

• If you have to, sacrifice distance for angle Get Set – Be stopped for all plays Watch the ball, Glance at the Runners Timing, timing, timing Hustle, hustle, hustle

Set Position

Position Lower your seat; don’t just bend over Place hands on knees or thighs Keep your head up; don’t drop your chin

Getting Set Set position assumed BEFORE every pitch Set position assumed BEFORE calling most

plays May be situations that mandate a standing “set”

Set Position

C

A

B

Base Umpire – working area

No Base Runner

U2

No Base Runner

Groundball to 1st or bunt

U2

No Base Runner

Working

Area

Groundball

Base Umpire – No Runner

U2

No Base Runner

Working

Area

Fly ball to OF

Wor

king

Area

R

Runner on 1B

R

Base Umpire – runner on 1B

Runner on 1B U2

R

Working

Area

Wor

king

Area

Hit to outfield

Runner on 2B

R

Runner on 2B U2

R

Working Area

GroundballPlay at 1st

Runner on 2B U2

R

GroundballPlay at 3rd

Runner on 3B

R

Runner on 3B U2

R

Working Area

Multiple Runners on Base

R

R

Multiple RunnersU2

Working AreaW

orki

ng

Area

U2

Base Umpire – other runner

Review – Base umpire positioning

IMPORTANT

Carry your Rule Book.It is better to consult the Rules and hold up the game long enough to decide a knotty

problem than to have a game protested and possibly replayed.

2010 Official Regulations and Playing Rules p.94

RULE 1.08On deck position is NOT permitted

plusan adult must be in the dugout at all

times

SECTION 2.00Definitions of Terms

The Batter Is Out

Batter is OutRule 6.05 / 6.06

6.05b – when 3rd strike is or is not caught by the catcher*

6.05e – when the batter attempts to hit a 3rd strike and is touched by the ball

6.05f – when a fair ball touches the batter before touching a fielder*

6.05g – when the bat hits the ball a 2nd time in fair territory If the bat does the hitting, ball is dead If the ball does the hitting, ball is still in play


6.05h – after hitting or bunting a foul ball, the batter intentionally deflects the course of the ball while running to first base

6.05i – after hitting a fair ball, the batter is tagged before touching first base

6.05j – if the runner runs outside of the three-foot line or inside the foul line interfering with the fielder taking the throw at first base Ball must be thrown Throw must be catchable


6.06a – when hitting the ball with one or both feet outside the batter’s box

6.06c – when the batter interferes with the catcher’s fielding or throwing Ball is not automatically dead If an out results from the catcher’s throw,

then the interference penalty is not enforced and the play stands

Batter Interference6.06c

How do you call / signal batter interference?

Signal and call “That’s Interference” If the runner is declared out, no further signal

is necessary If the runner is safe, the following are

required: Call “Time” Call “The Batter’s Out” Any runner is returned back to his original base

Batting Out of Turn

BATTING OUT OF TURN6.07

Line Up P1 P2 P3 – last out of previous inning P4 P5 P6 P7 P8 P9

BATTING OUT OF TURN6.07

Expected Line Up P4 P5 P6

BATTING OUT OF TURNScenario #1

P6 at the plate 2B / 2S

Appeal is made that P6 is not the proper batter BEFORE he completes his time at bat

-or- Offense manager realizes the mistake


P4 replaces P6 at the plate and assumes the count 2B / 2S


P6 at the plate Singles into RF

Appeal is made that P6 is not the proper batter AFTER he completes his time at bat


P4 (the proper batter) is called out Remove P6 from the base Base runner’s advances due to the

actions of the improper batter (P6) are nullified Other advances are legal (steals)

Next batter is the batter whose name follows that of the proper batter (P5)


P1 leads off Singles into RF

P5 steps up to the plate 2B / 2S

Appeal is made that P1 was not the proper batter AFTER P5 receives at least 1 pitch


The improper batter (P1) becomes “legalized” by the first pitch to P5

All base runners’ advances are now legal The batting order picks up with the batter

following the legalized improper batter


The improper batter (P1) becomes “legalized” by the first pitch to P5

All base runners’ advances are now legal The batting order picks up with the batter

following the legalized improper batter P2 would replace P5 and assume the 2B / 2S

count P3 would follow


Creates a permanent line-up change

Infield Fly

Infield Fly RuleRules 2.00, 6.05d, and 7.08f

Rule is to protect the offensive team But most often argued by the offensive

manager

Must be less than 2 outs Not a line drive or a bunt Can be caught by any fielder by ordinary

effort Runners on 1B and 2B or bases

loaded

Infield Fly RuleRules 2.00, 6.05d, and 7.08f

Umpire declares batted ball to be an infield fly

Batter-runner is called out Eliminates all force plays Base protects the runner hit by an infield fly

Infield Fly Rule

Infield Fly Rule

Important Notes – Rule 7.08(f):

If a runner is touched by an Infield Fly when not touching a base, both runner and batter are out.

If a runner is touching a base when touched by an Infield Fly, that runner is not out, although the batter is out.

Interference / Obstruction

InterferenceRules 2.00, 4.06, 5.09(b), 6,08(c), 6.08(d)

Offensive interference batter runner

Umpire interference Catcher interference Spectator interference

Offensive Interference

An act by a member of the team at bat which interferes with, obstructs, impedes, hinders, or confuses any fielder attempting to make a play Running into a fielder trying to make a

catch Yelling at a fielder trying to make a catch

Umpire Interference Only 2 ways

Interference with catcher’s throw - Rule 5.09(b) delayed dead ball benefits the defensive team

Umpire hit by a batted ball before passing a fielder – Rule 5.09(f) and 6.08(d) immediately call a dead ball benefits the offensive team

Catcher Interference The catcher or any fielder interferes

with the batter

No interference call when the batter reaches first base AND all other runners advance at least one base delayed call by umpire

Spectator Interference

Steve Bartman Incident

Spectator Interference

Spectator Interference No interference shall be called when

a fielder reaches over a fence, railing, or rope or into the stands to catch a ball. They do so at their own risk

Should a spectator reach out into the playing field and plainly prevent the fielder from catching the ball, then the batter should be called out

Obstruction

ObstructionRule 7.06 (a) and 7.06(b)

Type A If the play is being made on the obstructed

runner or batter-runner is obstructed before touching 1B Ball is immediately called dead Runner’s shall advance to the base they would

have reached if there had been no obstruction

ObstructionRule 7.06 (a) and 7.06(b)

Type B If no play is being made on the obstructed

runner, the play shall proceed until no further action is possible. Delayed dead ball

Includes a fake tag

Dead Ball

Dead Ball

Runner’s return 1 base awarded 2 bases awarded

from time of pitch from time of throw

Dead BallRunners Return

Dead BallRunners Return

Foul ball not caught – Rule 5.09(e) Illegally batted ball – Rule 5.09(d)

foot out of the batter’s box at the point of contact batter is out

Plate umpire interference unless runner is thrown out – Rule 5.09(b)

Batter interference unless runner is thrown out – Rule 6.06(c) if base runner is safe, return to the previous base batter is out

Batter called out for batting out of turn – Rule 6.07(b)

Dead Ball1 Base Awarded

Dead Ball1 base awarded

Balk called not followed by a pitch or play – Rule 5.09(c) and 7.04(a)

Runner attempting to steal when catcher’s interference occurs – Rule 7.04(c) batter also is award 1B

Pitched ball lodges in umpire’s mask or equipment – Rule 5.09(g) and 7.05(h)

Pitched or thrown ball by the pitcher from the rubber goes into dead territory – Rule 7.05(g) pickoff – ball goes into bleachers ball stuck in backstop or fence ball goes into the dugout

Dead Ball1 base awarded

After catching a fly ball, the fielder falls into dead territory – Rule 7.04(b) dugout stands over a fence into dead territory

Hit batsman – Rule 5.09(a) Pitched ball touches a runner trying to

score – Rule 5.09(h) and 6.05(m) Fair batted ball strikes an umpire or

player – Rule 5.09(f)

Dead Ball2 Base Awarded From Time of Pitch

Dead Ball2 Bases Awarded from Time of Pitch

Thrown ball into dead territory on first play by an infielder – Rule 7.05(g)

Fielder deflects a wild pitch into dead territory while retrieving it – Rule 7.05(f)

Fair ball bounces over the fence – Rule 7.05(f)

Fair ball is deflected into dead territory

Dead Ball2 Base Awarded From Time of Throw

Dead Ball2 Bases Awarded from Time of Throw

– Rule 7.05(g)

Thrown ball into dead territory on 2nd play by an infielder attempting a double play

Thrown ball into dead territory by an outfielder

Any relay throw into dead territory by any fielder

3 Bases Awarded

3 Bases Awarded Live Ball

If a fielder deliberately touches a fair ball with a cap, mask or any part of that fielder’s uniform detached from its proper place on the person of said fielder, three bases are awarded and the ball is in play. – Rule 7.05(b)

Each runner including the batter-runner may advance three bases if a fielder deliberately throws a glove at and touches a fair ball; the ball remains in play. – Rule 7.05(c)

Delayed Dead Ball Situations

Catcher’s interference followed by a batted ball – Rule 6.08(c)

Batter’s interference followed by a play or throw – Rule 6.06(c)

Plate umpire interference followed by a play or throw – Rule 5.09(b)

Illegal pitch or balk followed by a batted ball - Rule 8.01(d) and 8.05(a)

Illegal Pitches

Illegal Pitches

Actions that can cause an illegal pitch Pitching with foot not in contact with the

rubber Pitcher fails to step directly toward a base

before throwing to that base Pitches when the catcher is not in the

catcher’s box Quick return pitch or Quick pitch Pitcher delays the game Pitcher drops the ball

Illegal Pitches

Called a BALL if bases are unoccupied – Rule 8.01(d)*

Called a BALK if bases are occupied – Rule 8.05(k)* no pitch runners advance

Manager of the offense may decline the illegal pitch penalty and accept the play.

Appeals

AppealsRule 9.02b

If there is reasonable doubt that any umpire’s decision may be in conflict with the rules, the manager may appeal the decision and ask that a correct ruling be made.

Such appeal shall be made only to the umpire who made the protested decision.

AppealsAppealed Plays

Must be made before the next pitch, play or attempted play

Must be a live ball for appeals to be made

Must be made before the defensive team leaves the field

AppealsTypes of Appealed Plays

Failure to retouch properly – Rule 7.10(a)

Missed base – Rule 7.10(b) Batting out of order – Rule 6.07

Umpire Evaluation

Managers: Please only evaluate the umpire from the opposing team.

Date of Game

Evaluation Of Umpire (Name)

Division *

Team Umpire For *

Plate or Field Umpire *

Knowledge Of Rules (1-No Knowledge...5-Extremely Knowledgeable) *

Control Of Game (1-No Control) * Position Of Umpire (1-Never In Position...5-Always In The Correct Position) *

The Umpire Was Properly Dressed (Wearing Uniform) *

Umpire Coordinator Contact Information

[email protected] Cell – (513) 543-1483

www.atll.org

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ATLL Umpire Workshop