Northwest Baseball Association: Umpire Info
If you have any questions about games or would like to be put on the schedule email Brian Blum at Brian.Blum@cityofhouston.net
New Scheduling Procedures -
Generanl Info Game Cards: Umpires please take an extra minute or two to check and make sure that your game card is filled out accurately before you turn it in. Remember to print legibly and to fill the card out completely. For ages 9 and up you must have pitchers number and first initial and last name.Security: Be aware that some vehicles have been broken into . Leave your valuables at home. Good Sportsmanship: Be aware of negative comments made to opposing teams. If a team is chanting and cheering, it MUST be for their team and NOT against the opposing team. The proper way to handle this to approach the coach in a professional manner and ask him to advise him team to refrain from negative comments toward opposing teammates as this will not be permitted. Timeliness: There have been way too many cases of games not starting on time due to umpires arriving late to the park. Please be on time and on the field eight (8) minutes prior to the first pitch. The first games of the day should NEVER start late. Umpires please do your best to make sure that the 8 PM game starts at 8 PM.If you are going to be late let someone know!! (and not just your partner) Tony Esparza 713.449.5506 Lisa 713.737.5827 Umpire Etiquette: Remember to always be PROFESSIONAL in everything that you do, on and off the field. Please be aware of your surroundings before, during and after the game. It is not proper to tuck in your shirt around the players or spectators and especially not in front of the concession stands. If you must straighten yourself up, please do so in the umpire dressing area or the restroom facilities. Thanks in advance with your help in this matter.
NOTE: If an umpire is caught shaving time from any game he will be suspended! Umpires, this is part of professionalism. You do not want anyone to think that you are shaving time. Think about your integrity. Do you want someone to think that you are cheating the kids out of their playing time? The correct answer is "NO". Umpire Food and Drink Policy: Umpires will receive food and drinks at no cost. But, do not take advantage of this! There will no longer be "to-go" meals. Slide Rule Clarification: All ages. Yellow Book Page 10 (h) Any runner DELIBERATELY running into a fielder with (or without) the ball or attempting to make a putout shall be declared out. This is an umpire's judgment call. The severity of the infraction may also allow the umpire to disqualify (eject) that player from the remainder of the game. NOTE: A runner must slide or go around a fielder without making flagrant contact when a play is being made on him at any base, including home plate. Any malicious or flagrant contact shall result in the player being called out and ejected from the game. The umpire will declare the ball dead at the point of the violation and precede in accordance with official baseball rules. Any runner jumping over a fielder will be called out. The rule will be called accordingly: Runners can do one of four things: 1)slide, 2)give up, 3)go around, or 4)go back. Runners are never required to slide but MUST avoid malicious contact. NOTE: There can be a collision where both players go head over heals and not be malicious contact. The key for malicious contact is "intent", umpires need to ask themselves when making the call, "Did the runner deliberately or intentionally run into the fielder to break up the play or cause harm to the fielder?" If your answer is yes, then you have malicious contact, if your answer is no, then it is a clean play and you have nothing. Umpire's need to be careful when making this call as to not eject a player if the intent is not there. Keep in mind that the younger ages are just learning the game and sometimes there will be contact by the runner not sliding and running into the catcher. Remember the key word is "INTENT". Slashing Rule Slashing is NOT allowed period!! Once the batter showes bunt he must do one of the following:
- Take the pitch
- Square and bunt the ball
Line Drive Classic 10/2/2009 Monster Bash III 10/16/2009 Fall Ball Classic II 11/13/2009 Turkey Day Blowout 11/20/2009 NWBA December To Remember 12/4/2009
Wednesday, September 3
Home team determined by coin flip
