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 Umpire Blues |
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Friday, August 21
Where are all the volunteer umpires?
Thursday, April 14
THE ETEAMZ UMPIRE HELPER
Check out the Umpire Helper section, containing rules, tips and more.
Submitted by: The Active Network, Inc.
Monday, January 10
Umpire Signals
Here are some definitions that will help every umpire during their games:
Chest to the ball: Each umpire wants to maintain a position with the ball within his/her field of view. By keeping your chest pointed toward the ball, you’ll keep the play in front of you. Although exceptions exist, when in doubt turn your chest to the ball.
Dead-ball signal: To indicate that time is out and the ball is no longer in play, an umpire will raise both hands slightly above his/her head, arms extended, palms forward, and call, “Time!”
Glance at the runner: Although umpires are advised to “keep your eye everlastingly on the ball,” you will find it necessary to glance at the runner on several occasions, including: as each runner tags up or touches each base, whenever a runner and fielder pass within close proximity (to observe obstruction or interference), and to monitor a runner’s progress as a play develops.
Play: A play is the action that develops as a runner, the ball, and a fielder come together at the same place at approximately the same time. As the play occurs, the responsible umpire must read the throw, the runner, and the fielder, and adjust his/her position to enhance his/her view of the developing play. A play usually occurs at or near a base and normally requires an umpire’s decision.
Point fair: This is the signal an umpire makes on a fair batted ball. It consists of a firm, one-arm thrust perpendicular to the foul line toward fair territory. There is NO verbalization when an umpire points fair.
Point foul: This is the signal an umpire makes on a foul batted ball. It consists of a firm, one-arm thrust perpendicular to the foul line toward foul territory, preceded by the dead-ball signal (but without calling “time”) and accompanied by an often strong verbal declaration of, “Foul ball!”
Read the throw: As a play develops, you must judge the quality of the throw. In general, if a throw is “good” you will maintain your initial position to observe the developing play. If the throw is “bad” you will have to adjust your position according to the throw.
(Excerpt from "Little Leaguer Newsletter - January 2005")
Interference Rule
The interference rule came into play recently in the Major League Baseball playoffs. So now is a good time to talk about a type of interference you don’t see very often. It’s when a base coach reaches out to physically assist the runner.
The rule is: Rule 7.09 – It is interference by a batter or runner when, in the judgment of the umpire, the base coach at third base or first base, by touching or holding the runner, physically assists that runner in returning to or leaving third base or first base;
Question: How can a base coach at third base or first base physically assist the runner at that base?
Answer: A base coach at first or third base could grab a runner to stop them from running passed the base; a base coach at first or third base could place his/her hand on the back of a base runner and give a push when a fly ball is caught to get the runner started in a tag up and advance attempt; a base coach at first or third base could step in front of a runner to get them to stop. These are just a few of the ways coaches could physically assist runners.
Penalty: The runner that is assisted is called out immediately and the ball is dead if there is a play being made on that runner. Otherwise, the runner that is assisted is called out and the ball is dead after all other action is completed (delayed dead ball). However, “high-fiving” a runner during a home run trot, for example, would not be interference.
(Excerpt from "Little Leaguer Newsletter - November 2004")
Remember, umpires can get rule updates, interpretations, useful tips like these and much more, by signing up for the Little League Umpire Registry. Click here for more details.
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