Rules Clinic for Managers, Coaches and Umpires

This clinic will be held on Friday, March 13, 7 to 8:30 PM.  It is being provided by LL District Umpire-in-Chief Gary Hall.  While we say it’s for the managers and coaches, umpires, especially new ones, will learn a lot.  Gary is a great instructor with years of real world experience. This clinic will be held at the Skippack Township Municipal Building.

Lower Perk Umpire Meeting and "Clinic" 

10th Annual District 27 Umpire Clinic

The two- night clinic was such a success in 2008, the District will again hold two sessions in 2009.  The first session will cover rules and the second session will focus on plate/field mechanics.  Umpires and interested volunteers are encouraged to attend both sessions but are welcome to attend only one session if desired.  The Clinic is intended for anyone interested in Little League baseball and softball umpiring. Veteran umpires, new umpires, and all interested Little League volunteers are invited to attend.

The first session will be held on Tuesday, March 24, 6 to 9 PM.  This session is being hosted by Devon-Strafford LL at the Tredyffrin Township Building on 1100 Duportail Road in Berwyn (near the Paoli exit of 202.

Session 2, Plate and Field Mechanics, will be held on March 30, 6:30 to 8:30 PM at the Coventry LL Wampler Field Complex, South Penn Street, North Coventry Township.

The March 24 Rules Session will cover umpire basics, rules of the game, handling on-field situations, baseball/softball rules differences, and 2009 rule changes.  The second session will cover plate and field mechanics on the 60ft diamond.  This clinic provides all of the basic information you need to be comfortable calling a game. This is one of the best local clinics - if you are curious about umping Little League games, you are STRONGLY urged to try to attend at least one session!

Just like good ballplayers, being a good umpire involves more than just showing up on the field at game time. Knowledge and know-how are gained by practice and off-season training is one of the best ways to improve your umpiring abilities. Training and preparation is a key reason for the well-deserved recognition of the umpires from District 27 by Little League. One or more umpires from District 27 have been selected for post-season assignments, including 4 World Series umpires, for 10 consecutive years.

Instructors for the clinic have attended numerous Little League Umpire schools and clinics, bring a variety of baseball and softball umpiring experience at the Regional and World Series level and are members of the Pennsylvania Volunteer Umpire Association (PVUA).

Admission is FREE! PA District 27 will provide 2009 Rulebooks for all participants.  Attendees of the on-field session should bring a mask and indicator (if possible), baseball glove, and be dressed to work outside on the 60 foot diamond.

If you are planning to attend, please RSVP to Gary Hall (umpired27@comcast.net or 610-323-4245) by March 22, 2009.

Bring your questions, your eagerness to participate and the desire to improve your game. It will be a informative, interactive and fun clinic for Little League volunteer umpires.  

_____1.  The hands are considered part of the bat.
_____2.  The batter-runner must turn to his right after over-running first base.
_____3.  If the batter breaks his wrists when swinging, it's a strike.
_____4.  If a batted ball hits the plate first it's a foul ball.
_____5.  The batter cannot be called out for interference if he is in the batter's box.
_____6.  The ball is dead on a foul tip.
_____7.  The batter may not switch batter's boxes after two strikes.
_____8.  The batter who batted out of order is the person declared out.
_____9.  The batter may not overrun first base when he gets a base-on-balls.
_____10. If the batter does not pull the bat out of the strike zone while in the bunting position, it's an automatic strike.
_____11. The batter is out if a bunted ball hits the ground and bounces back up and hits the bat while the batter is holding the bat.
_____12. The batter is out if his foot touches the plate.
_____13. The batter-runner is always out if he runs outside the running lane after a bunted ball.
_____14. A runner is out if he slaps hands or high-fives other players, after a homerun is hit over the fence.
_____15. Tie goes to the runner.
_____16. The runner gets the base he's going to, plus one on a ball thrown out-of-play.
_____17. Anytime a coach touches a runner, the runner is out.
_____18. Runners may never run the bases in reverse order.
_____19. The runner must always slide when the play is close.
_____20. The runner is always safe when hit by a batted ball while touching a base.
_____21. A runner may not steal on a foul tip.
_____22. It is a force out when a runner is called out for not tagging up on a fly ball.
_____23. An appeal on a runner who missed a base cannot be a force out.
_____24. A runner is out if he runs out of the baseline to avoid a fielder who is fielding a batted ball.
_____25. Runners may not advance when an infield fly is called.
_____26. No run can score when a runner is called out for the third out for not tagging up.
_____27. A pitch that bounces to the plate cannot be hit.
_____28. The batter does not get first base if hit by a pitch after it bounces.
_____29. If a fielder holds a fly ball for 2 seconds it's a catch.
_____30. You must tag the base with your foot on a force out or appeal.
_____31. If a player's feet are in fair territory when the ball is touched, it is a fair ball.
_____32. The ball must always be returned to the pitcher before an appeal can be made.
_____33. If a fielder catches a fly ball and then falls over the fence it is a homerun.
_____34. The ball is dead anytime the ball hits an umpire.
_____35. The home plate umpire can overrule the other umps at anytime.

For the answers, click here.