2013 Regional and World Series Assignments are coming out and here is what we have up to this point From around the State of Maine; 

Richard Marshall Jr.                   Maine District 4             Major Softball Regional                  Bristol, CT.

Brian Chandler                            Maine District 4             Senior Softball Regional                 Worcester, MA.

David Willey                               Maine District 4             Junior Softball Regional                 West Haven CT.

Wayne Parslow                           Maine District 4              Major Baseball Regional                  Bristol, CT.

Chris Parker                                 Maine District 3                Senior Baseball Regional                 W. Deptford, NJ

Tony Buzzell                                Maine District 6                Junior Baseball Regional                  Freehold Township, NJ

Lou Dublin                                   Maine District 1               Senior Softball World Series             Lower Sussex, DE

Joey Ouellette                               Maine District 3               Junior Baseball World Series             Taylor, Michigan

Jamie Erskine                               Maine District 6                Major Softball Regional                   Bristol, CT

Congrats to the above and have a great time at your Regional or World Series.

Maine District 4 is vary proud of all of you....

Little League District 4 Maine 

UMPIRES GUIDELINES

 1. First and foremost, the safety of the children and the integrity of the game must be number ONE in the umpire’s mind in how they enforce and interpret the rules.  In the case of inclement weather ALWAYS err on the side of safety!  See attached lightning protocol. 

2. The well groomed umpire creates an atmosphere of respect and dignity. Uniform: slacks – gray; shirt – colors of official’s shirts are optional to each crew (dark/light blue, black, cream, or red (considering different colors from teams jerseys is helpful)) with LL patch on left sleeve; dark, clean shoes and socks; indicator; and hat – neutral or with District 4 logo. Umpires will wear all protective equipment per rule 9.01a. 

3. If at all possible, arrive at the field 45 minutes prior to the scheduled start of the game. 

4. Game crew should walk the field to confirm readiness to play and then conference before warm ups. Determine who has what coverage (e.g., fair/foul, catch/no catch (ALWAYS the Plate Umpire), tag-up and touches of bases), review hand signals (e.g., Infield Fly), positioning (e.g., A, B, C or D). Discuss duties of blues during game (e.g., count back up, taking care of mound, who talks to new pitchers (outs, base runners, current count), and timing warm-ups). 

5. Umpires will ensure all safety rules are in force (e.g., full catcher helmet, mask, and throat guard during warm ups, long model chest protector during the game, no jewelry except for medic-alert bracelets or medallions). 

6. Check the playing equipment (i.e., bats, helmets, catchers’ equipment) of both teams during warm ups to make sure they are legal per the rules and undamaged. Illegal/damaged equipment must be removed from the dugouts and will not be allowed in equipment bags. 

7. The plate umpire will present the game crew’s names/positions to the game announcer and will ensure a 2011 rulebook is with the TD or Game Official of the game in the Scorer’s Booth. 

8. Prior to pregame activities (i.e., announcing teams, National Anthem, Little League Pledge) perform the pre-game brief with managers/coaches.  Read the attached pre-game discussion at each game.  A laminated copy of this pregame conference discussion will be in the Official Scorer’s Booth. 

9. Keep the game moving – a ballgame is often helped by energetic and earnest work of the officials.  The teams won’t listen to us telling them to hustle if WE don’t set the example! 

10. Between innings the umpires should position themselves in the field.  Avoid congregating with each other to discuss calls made in the previous half inning and especially do not talk with the spectators.  If your water is by the fence, take a drink but, don’t linger.  If a fan asks you a question, be polite and use good judgment when answering and then get to your spot. 

11. Remind Managers/coaches they are NOT to interface with anybody outside of the playing fence during the course of the game.  A scorebook, if used, will be maintained by one of the coaches in the dugout and not outside the fence.
 

12. Only the first batter of each inning will be permitted outside the dugout between innings, to be positioned for safety by the game officials. All other batters scheduled up will not handle bats until they are called up to the plate by the umpire. Sufficient swings will be granted to the batter prior to entering batter’s box. 

13. Both 1^st & 3^rd base coach boxes will be occupied and base coaches (adults or players) will not leave the dugout until the between inning infield practice is complete. Player base coach will have helmet on. One adult is required be in the dugout at all times. 

14. Initial starting pitcher will have 8 warm up pitches; subsequent innings they shall have 5 pitches or no more than 1 minute. Additional pitchers will have as many pitches as necessary to warm up initially, then 5 pitches or 1 minute thereafter. 

15. Relief pitchers warming up during the game will be placed by the umpires (see Field Ground Rules) to allow proper warm-up without being a hazard to fans. The players will be properly equipped using catcher with mask and dangling throat and glove and ‘look out’ player with glove and helmet. 

16. Only players will warm up pitchers before or during games and they will have on proper safety gear: full helmet/hockey style masks with dangling throat guard and a cup (if male). 

17. All offensive/defensive changes in the line up will be brought to the Official Scorer’s attention with both side’s coaches present (plate umpire’s presence optional).  Offensive substitutions shall be made at the time the player is going to enter the batter’s box.  Defensive substitutions shall be made prior to the player taking their defensive position.  The defensive player shall be with the manager/coach at the Scorer’s Booth when this substitution is made and then may take their position in the field.  Substitutions shall be made using the player’s number only.  The position a player is in is only pertinent to pitchers and catchers. 

18. If there is a proper request made to an umpire for a second opinion on a call where the judgment of the original call is NOT the question, have the entire crew meet together to get everyone’s input. It is still the original umpire’s call, but you will send a ‘win, win’ message –“We’ll listen, we’re together”. Tell each manager the decision and the reason for the decision. 

19. Protests involving playing rules must be resolved before the next pitch or play. If the managers do not accept the decision of the umpires or the tournament director, the regional director in Bristol, CT shall be consulted immediately.  See the Tournament Guidelines for the proper protocol. 

20. Umpires attending a game but not working it, will refrain from discussing the game umpire’s calls within earshot of the public, and will not be wearing a patched uniform shirt.

21. Umpires from out of town should refrain from fraternizing with their local team before, during, and after games.  Our independence must be above reproach. 

HUSTLE, HAVE FUN, AND ENJOY THE GAME

Plate conference should be the same whether it is the first game or the last game. There are 10 questions/statements. Don't throw in what you think should be added. Every team should hear the SAME WORDS. The paragraph about Injured Players should be read to the coaches before game time. A laminated card with this discussion will be in the Official Scorer’s Booth.

Umpire/Manager Conference

 1. Welcome to the Maine District 4 Tournament. 

2. Do you have any questions about the ground rules for this field? 

3. No jewelry allowed except for Medical Alert Tags? Do any of your players have a medical condition the umpire crew should be aware of? 

4. Are all your players properly equipped with safety gear?

5. Are all your players using approved LL equipment (bats, gloves, helmets, shoes)? 

6. There will be NO discussions concerning judgment calls (e.g., ball/strike, fair/foul, safe/out).  This is grounds for ejection. 

7. Do not leave the dugout until TIME is granted by an umpire. You may leave the dugout to attend to an INJURED player without asking for TIME. Do not interfere with the play still on going. Read item below.  Do you understand this? 

8. Players:  No unsportsmanlike conduct (e.g., throwing of helmets/bats (automatic game ejection)). Helmets must be worn at all times for offensive players on the field. A helmeted offensive player not in the lineup will retrieve bats. 

9. Please be wary of thrown balls during visits to scorer’s box to make changes in subsequent innings. 

10. Coaches will confirm the pitch count for each sides pitchers at each half inning with the Official Scorer. 

11. Any questions?  Enjoy your game! Injured Player:   During the course of the game it is possible that a player may become injured.  This is not a reason for the umpire crew to automatically call ‘Time’. Depending on the perceived level of the injury, play may be allowed to continue. For cases where the injury appears to be severe or debilitating (e.g., blows to the head or chest area) the manager or coach of the affected player may enter the field and tend to that player without ‘Time’ being called. If the umpires determine that the nature of the injury is so severe as to warrant such action, or if they feel that the injured player is in jeopardy from continued play, ‘Time’ may be called immediately.  This is entirely up to the umpire’s discretion. The umpires will meet and make any determinations as to the placement of players based on halting play due to the injury.

IF YOU CAN SEE IT – FLEE IT!  IF YOU CAN HEAR IT – CLEAR IT!