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UMPIRE CLINICS AT SOUTHERN REGION HQ
The Southern Region of Little League will be holding umpire clinics in the upcoming months. There are 3 sessions: November 10-12, 2006 January 5-7, 2007 February 2-4, 2007 RULES & REGULATIONS This seminar will provide all volunteers (league officials, managers, coaches, and umpires) in the Little League program an extensive overview and proper application of the current rules and regulations regarding Little League Baseball & Softball. UMPIRE MECHANICS 60 FIELD BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL This seminar is designed to teach the basic plate and field mechanics which are key to umpiring baseball and softball. For beginning and experienced volunteers who primarily umpire softball and/or small field baseball, this clinic will provide hands-on instruction and proper positioning on the 60 field, as well as cage work and a review of pitching rules for both baseball and softball. UMPIRE MECHANICS 90 FIELD BASEBALL ONLY This seminar is designed to teach the basic plate and field mechanics for volunteers who primarily umpire junior and/or senior level baseball or those looking to move up to the 90 field. This clinic will provide hands-on instruction and proper positioning for the big field, as well as cage work and a review of balks and other pitching rules. And remember, ELLL will pay the registration fee if you attend! UMPIRE SCHEDULE NOW AVAILABLE ON-LINE!!! Click the Handout to see who is scheduled to umpire Senior, Junior, Majors and Minors baseball and softball games! Handout: Umpire schedule Monday, March 6 The Diamonds In The Rough program is designed to reward those individuals who take the extra effort to become more involved in the East Lake Little League Umpiring program. During the course of the season, Managers, Coaches and ELLL Staff Umpires will be polled and asked about the performance of the umpires during their game. Performance metrics include but are not limited to: At the end of the season, all Managers, Coaches and Staff Umpires will vote for this season's Diamond In The Rough, which will recognized the umpire who they feel was the best, most consistant umpire at East Lake Little League. One winner and two runner-ups will be awarded gift certificates at the end of the season. Umpire Tips and Rule Explanations Rule Explanation #2 - Infield Fly The Infield Fly rule is one of the most misunderstood rules in Little League but unfortunately, occurs most often. It's really pretty simple when you get down to it. The rule states "The batter-runner is called out with runners on first and second or first second and third with less than two outs when a fly ball is hit into the infield where a defensive infield player can catch the ball with reasonable effort. During an infield fly, the runners may advance with liability to be put out." This rule is intended to prevent the defensive team from feigning a catch in the infield and turning a double or triple play. Let's think about this for a minute...Team A has runners at every base with no outs. The batter hits the ball straight up into the air in front of home plate. If the Infield Fly was not a rule, Team B's catcher could let the ball drop, pick it up, step on home plate, throw to 3rd where the 3rd baseman throws to 2nd. Viola!! Triple play!! Doesn't seem fair, does it?? If an Infield Fly is called, the same scenario would result in one out - the batter-runner. This rule, like the Balk rule, is intended to keep the defense honest. However, if the hit ball is a soft liner between the pitcher and 3rd base, an Infield Fly is not called. WHY?!?! Because a soft liner between the pitcher and 3rd base would probably only be caught with an extraordinary (diving) effort by the pitcher or 3rd baseman. Chances are that the fielder would probably not be able turn a double or triple play, catch or no catch. So there you have it, if you are umpiring and the conditions are right, call out "Infield Fly, batter's out" at the apex of the fly ball. That way every one is clear that the batter is out and the runners do not have to run. Tip #2 - Asking your partner for help No umpire likes to give anyone the impression that they are not competent, especially that one manager who for whatever reason believes that every umpire is "looking to go home early" or "blind as a bat". However, the experienced (and competent) umpire will ask for help from his partner when they feel the time is appropriate regardless of what that forever-grumbling manager thinks. As a plate umpire, your responsibilities lie with controlling the game pace, the intensity of the game, rulings and home plate. There are times when you may want to help your partner on a play at third if a runner from first base might attempt to advance to third on an outfield hit. You simply yell to your partner, "I got third if he goes!" and pick up the runner coming from first base. Your base umpire is then only responsible for the trailing batter-runner. Your secondary responsibility is to provide assistance to your base umpire during close plays, typically at first. You'll also want to watch runners rounding third base coming home in the event they miss third base (this happens A LOT!). As a base umpire, your responsibilities are primarily first, second and third base. Your secondary responsibility is to provide assistance to your plate umpire when a ball is fouled off the batter, during catcher's interference and checked swings. Many times an umpire will get screened by other players or be simply caught out of position due to other circumstances. there is no shame in pointing to your partner and yelling, "I did not have a good angle, what do you have?" or "I was screened by the runner, did you see a tag?" The absolute worst thing for an umpire crew to do is have one umpire call "Safe!" and another call "Out!". You can avoid these pitfalls by simply asking for assistance. Trust me, a manager will always respect you more if you ask for help than if you try to convince them that you don't need help when it is clear you do. Rule Explanation #1 - Balk Rule Balks are difficult to spot and like the Infield Fly rule, are the most commonly questioned call an umpire makes. Similar to the Infield Fly rule where the purpose is to prevent the defensive team from deliberately deceiving the base runners, the Balk rule's purpose is to prevent the pitcher from deliberately deceiving the base runner(s). Attached is the Balk rule from Major League Baseball. Little League also lists this rule as Rule 8.05. The rules are essentially the same, the only difference is that the Balk is an Illegal Pitch in Minors and Majors and the penalty is simply a called ball and no runners advance. Handout: Balk Rule Tip #1 - Plate Umpire alignment Many folks believe that just standing behind the catcher will give them a good view of the strike zone. Au contraire, the best place to line up is in "the slot" - a position between the batter's body and the catcher's head. To properly position yourself in "the slot", your chin should be above the catcher's helmet and your body (not just shoulders!) should be "square" to the plate. Many umpires are finding that the "box" stance - simply squatting down - is the most comfortable. Others argue that the "scissors" stance - one leg bent, the other extended behind your body - is easier on the back. Whatever the case, your body from the waist up should always be perpendicular to the line from the mound to the plate. When setting up behind a right-handed batter, your right leg should be directly behind the catcher, lined up with the back point of home plate. Likewise, when setting up behind a left-handed batter, your left leg should be directly behind the catcher, lined up with the back point of home plate. DO NOT MOVE FROM THIS POSITION!!! Even if the catcher moves inside or outside, you will be able to get a good view of the low and outside corner of the strike zone. The best way to save your back and legs is to maintain an upright position until the pitcher begins their windup. When this happens, simply squat down and "lock" yourself in position by sliding the hand that is behind the catcher down to your knee if you are using the "box" stance. If you prefer the scissors, slide the leg that is behind the catcher directly back until your chin is directly above the catcher's head; then bend your exteded leg until your knee touches the ground. Umpire's Role Often an overlooked aspect of the Little League program, umpiring is one of the most important. The volunteer umpire is as much a part of Little League as the volunteer manager, coach or concession stand worker. Little League also offers many training materials, clinics and seminars on umpire education, as well as the Little League Umpire Registry. The registry allows volunteer umpires to receive regular mailings from Headquarters on rule interpretations, updates, etc. Who is responsible for the conduct of umpires? First and foremost, it is the umpire himself/herself. Each of us in Little League must take responsibility for our own actions. However, umpires are appointed by the local league president and approved by the local league board of directors. Only the local league board of directors has the authority to dismiss or suspend any local league umpire from regular season games. A select group of volunteer umpires whose knowledge, experience and demeanor have received recognition at top levels of Tournament Play are invited each year to officiate at one of the World Series tournaments. In keeping with the volunteer aspect of the local league, travel expenses for World Series umpires are borne by the umpires themselves. The District Administrator is responsible for nominating umpires (those who volunteer their time to local Little Leagues within the district) for upper level tournaments. Most umpires who reach the pinnacle of youth sports officiating (one of the World Series of Little League Baseball or Softball) have been volunteering their time to local Little Leagues for a decade or more. |
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