The Very, Very Unofficial Guide to Softball Umpiring Basics

Game Management:

YOUR GOAL: DON’T MAKE BLATENT MISTAKES. Everything else is manageable.

Before the Game

-          PLATE umpire will send an email to the head coaches/AD’s minimally 24 hours before the game to indicate assignment to game, clarify parking, etc (examples will be provided).

-          Communicate with your fellow umpire at least a day before the game (text is good)

-          Plan to arrive AT LEAST 30 minutes before the game (communicate if not possible)

-          Have your plate gear in your vehicle – EVEN IF YOU ARE NOT PLATE

-          YOU NEED A SPARE INDICATOR

-          Make sure you have a paysheet or know how you are getting paid (Arbiter/Private Schools/etc)

-          Meet in the parking lot or an agreed area with your fellow umpire

o   --à>> DO NOT GO THE FIELD BY YOURSELF -ß<<-

-          Everything starts the moment you touch the field; enter the field and then….

o   Both umpires together should Introduce themselves to home coach(s) and visitor coach(s) - short and sweet

o   Unless otherwise told, paysheets go to the HEAD COACH

o   Ask head coach/site admin about pregame announcements (anthem, lineup announcements, etc). Discuss best time for plate meeting (I like to do it before anthem lineups)

o   Avoid long conversations. (perceptions, especially with a non-local team in the game)

o   Have a look at the field and dugouts. See if there are any questions you may have for the head coach on the field at the plate meeting if they don’t cover it). Especially look for location of foul poles (inside or outside the fence) and obvious holes and gaps.

o   While waiting for game to start, mostly talk together at the plate.

o   Call the coaches to the plate meeting when ready!

o   HEAD COACH HAS TO BE AT THE PLATE MEETING. Make them designate who it is if not clear.

-          Spectators & People you Know

o   Say Hello, how are the kids… that is it.

o   Do NOT engage in conversations at any time, before, during or after the game. YOU NEVER KNOW what sets some one off.

Plate Meeting:

-          Plate faces the field behind the plate, field faces the backstop from in front of the plate

-          PLATE MTG:

o   Intro both umpires

o   Ask if both teams are properly equipped for FHSSA play & fair play.

§  VERBAL AGREEMENT NEEDED

o   Ask the home coach for any ground rules

o   Remind teams to get in and out between innings and if they have questions during play, to wait until time is called and approach the calling umpire with their questions

-          DO NOT take lineups until this is covered.

o   Take the HOME TEAM lineup first

o   Confirm if DP/FLEX is in 10^th position or not

o   Subs should be listed UNDER the lineup (not next to lineup)

o   After review, Ask coach ‘Is this lineup official’ and when they say YES do the same for Visitors

-          Once you have both lineups, say good luck and away we go…

In Game:

-          DO NOT engage with spectators in any way. No convos between innings, etc

o   Issues go to site admin or head coach to deal with. If they don’t, you can suspend the game until they do – up to forfeit

-          Be official. Everyone deserves this – even if the game isn’t great

-          Lineup Management

o   Track ALL SUBS – everyone gets a re-entry.

§  CROSS WHEN A PLAYER LEAVES, CROSS THE SUB AS WELL

§  CRICLE on RENTRY

o   Understanding DP/FLEX (see the presentation of FHSSA/Arbiter

§  DP can hit and field (except for the FLEX)

§  Flex can field for ANYONE (not just the DP)

§  If a player gives up their ability to field (gives up their glove), then they have LEFT THE GAME

·         If the FLEX does anything for the DP then the DP has left the game (rentry allowed)

·         If the DP does anything for the FLEX then the FLEX has left the game (lineup down to 9)

§  Draw arrows to indicate when he FLEX does something for the DP.

o   On the back of one of the lineups track:

§  EVERY coach visit – both offensive and defensive

·         Defensive record inning, outs and runners on

§  Subs and courtesy runners (in addition to on the lineup card)

§  You DO NOT have to record the score – but can if you want

-          Coaches need to be polite. Do not respond to coaches come out yelling. Wait them out. Once they are calm, ask ‘what question do you have for me’

-          Good guide is Ignore, Warn, Eject – no bluffing. But ejections should be aware. If you say you are going to eject someone next time, then you must do that.

-          ROUTINES. Get into habits – we will cover on field.

-          SOMEWHERE MID 4^th INNING FOCUS REGROUP – the game is long and it feels like it has either been going forever – or the end is not in sight. Take the time to regroup.

Things to know about Signaling Calls

-          Levels of making calls

o   Level 1: Easy, Obvious: Confident and Strong

o   Level 2: Straightforward, kind of close, need a verbal. Confident w/ Strong Verbal

o   Level 3: Close calls, Big calls, Close Tages, ect:  Confident Sell Out w/ Strong verbal

-          Most coaches/players don’t know the rules and if you are in good position, you will have a better view than they do 90% of the time, so strong confident calls are always beneficial.

-          All signals are given stationary.  No calls on the run

o   Get as close as you can and then STOP to make your call.

§  Eyes and running cause calling issues

§  You have time to call, so use it to review.

o   STOP THEN CALL NO MATTER WHAT YOU ARE DOING.

-          You call what you see and each action is sperate

o   If you make a mistake, your goal is to make BETTER calls and not spiral out of control

o   MAKE UP CALLS MEANS YOU HAVE NOW MAKE TWO MISTAKES – and you can’t be trusted to make the real call when you need to.

o   Don’t look for weird rules to call just because you read up on one.

Calls you discuss:

-          Once you call it – it is your call.

o   No umpire can over rule the other umpire.

o   Other umpire can give new or additional information

o   Final decision rests on the calling umpire.

o   Change the call, it is YOU changing your call based on ‘additional information’

o   If you need to discuss the reason to the coach, do so in a normal voice

Leaving After the Game:

-          Once the final out is made, gather your stuff and leave TOGETHER (VIA THE WINNING TEAM DUGOUT IF POSSIBLE)

-          You do not have to wait for handshakes unless you believe something could happen.

-          Once you leave the field, everything is final in terms of the game.

-          DO NOT engage with coaches, players, parents, spectators, etc. when leaving.  

o   Be polite if approached. but if they have rules questions, indicate that this is NOT the time to discuss them and if they have questions, they should have the head coach email our assigner (Susan)

-          If you are concerned, approach the head coach or site admin for assistance.

-          Return to meeting point for quick debrief – field umpire should minimally wait with the plate umpire until plate is out of their equipment and ready to leave.

Working the Plate:

-          Left hand Equipment (indicator, mask), Right hand signal hand

-          Setting up

o   Routine:

§  Before Pitch

·         MASK IS ALWAYS ON BEHIND THE PLATE

·         Step in

·         Heel and Toe; line up buckle with inside corner

·         Shoulders square

§  YOU GET INTO SET POSITION LAST

·         Stops any quick pitching or batter not bring ready.

·         NO PITCH IF YOU ARE NOT READY

·         Spread wider to get lower.

·         Eyes or mask line at the top of the zone

·         Check your low, outside corner vision (bitch pitch)

·         Work best vision WITHIN the slot

§  Review most likely actions:

·         Bunts, steals, arm over the strike zone, dropped 3^rd, etc

§  Calling the pitch

·         Follow pitch with eyes. Limit head movement

·         It is a STRIKE until it convinces you otherwise

·         No verbal until the ball has hit the catchers glove + small pause

o   Verbalize close balls – you don’t have to give location

o   For strikes, hammer on the way out of set or after you leave set – but be consistent. Repetition and timing help consistency.

·         Common Sense in bad games… or bad pitchers. But don’t effect the result and get the game moving. Avoid opening up the zone for one bad team (example)

·         If coaches ask – don’t tell them location – tell the catcher and let them relay it to the coach (hint: if they agree, they will just say it; if they don’t they will say “Blue said it was inside”)

·         Verbalize and signal foul only on close calls.

·         Check swings – don’t hesitate to go your partner! Don’t have to wait to be asked.

o   Look at your indicator as little as possible; but always check if you are uncertain

§  Notch your indicator or buy it that way

o   Announcing the count to the pitcher on  ‘action pitches’

§  You are NOT A COMMINTATOR

§  If you need to announce the count, do the following

·         From behind the plate

·         To the pitcher and to no one else: Even if a coach asks – give it to the pitcher so everyone knows

·         Above head and in front – BOTH hands at the same time

·         If verbal, loud enough to hear.

·         No ‘full count’ – 3 balls, no strikes.

o   Ball in play, mask off and in left hand (preferably take it off with left – but OK to switch)

o   Moving after a clear hit (no one on)

§  Out from behind the plate, towards the circle, 1B sign.

o   Moving after a clear hit (runners on)

§  Primary is likely lead runner or the call after the first throw.

§  Anticipate

·         Plays at home – move back

·         Plays at third – move to holding area to anticipate

·         Know where the ball is; nothing happens with out it.

o   Moving to a ball that COULD BE caught.

§  In clearly fair or foul, move into the field of play, towards the ball and get clear vision

§  If it COULD be foul and no one is tagging. Move down the foul line and get vision (preferably straddling the line)

§  If it could be foul and there are runners tagging, move BACK to get to get angles on runners (this is hard)

o   You HAVE THE LEAD RUNNER PAST SECOND except on first play in infield.

o   When you have 3B you HAVE TO GET THERE. Anticipate triples when they happen. Move when the play goes to 1^st and there are other runners. 3B is yours to call and then recover to home.

 

Working the Field

-          Ready when the plate umpire goes into set

-          Position is based on lead runner

o   No one on: ‘A’ 18’ down the line in foul

§  Right foot forward ready to move into play

o   Runner on 1^st

§  In general ‘B’ 2 steps behind 2^nd and to her left, drop to ready or athletic

o   Lead on 2^nd

§  In general ‘C’ 2 steps behind SS and to her left

o   Lead on 3^rd

§  In general ‘C’ 2 steps behind SS and to her right

-          Pre pitch

o   Go throw likely events – what you will do if there is a bunt, a steal, infield hit, outfield hit, etc.  Be ready for what most likely is going to happen

o   Cheating - Anticipate. Going to steal move to your right, lots of pickoffs, move to your left.

-          Pitch process

o   Position to best see any runners leaving early. Really the toughest call in 2 man

o   Watch ball from pitchers hands then watch for swing/no swing (no hard rule, but if you see the end of the bat, it was a swing. It isn’t wrist breaking.

o   MAINTAIN THE COUNT AND OUTS AS BACKUP

o   Maintain alert and follow the ball - don’t relax until the ball is back with the pitcher and ANY possible play is done. 

o   Infield hits – you have first throw. FOLLOW THE BALL in the air then when he throw is past half way to target, switch to the calling area.

§  Calling distance – with central focus on RUNNERS FOOT HITTING THE BAG (this should give you fielders foot most of the time as well)

§  Peripheral vision BALL in GLOVE AND THE SOUND OF THE BALL HITTING THE GLOVE

§  See play, replay play in mind, THEN CALL. Don’t rush.

o   Outfield hits

§  Move but remember YOU HAVE THE RUNNERS touching first BASE or SECOND BASE and occasionally THIRD if there is a runner headed home

§        On a triple you have the runner al the way to third. Cut across the diamond to get there.

Umpire Communications

-          Infield fly (cross chest) when on before pitch (mirror)

-          Number of outs – just a simple fist, 1 or 2 by your side.

-          I saw the ball caught (closed fist near waist)/dropped (open fist near waist)

-          VOICE IT UP – if you have third on a hit, say it so they know and can react if needed.

Dealing with Difficult Coaches

-          Don’t engage across the field

o   If they want to talk to you, make them come talk to you.

§        Talk to the HEAD COACH if they have questions.

§  Let them rant (up to a point), “Coach if you have a question, can you please talk to me and let me know what it is”

o   Make them ask a question, not just ‘you got it wrong’

o   Don’t have long rules discussions between innings.

o   It is OK to take your mask off, walk over to the dugout and say “Coach, we are not doing this today”)

-          If your fellow umpire is talking to a coach, don’t interfere unless asked to. You are responsible for the REST of the field while his attention is elsewhere.

-          Don’t let it last forever

o   At some point, it is time to say “Coach, the decision is final and we are not changing it, time to get back to playing.

-          Don’t bluff. So mean it if you say it. (so try not to say it)

o   If you say next time you are out of here, then next time he is out of there. Note I have ejected a couple of  coaches in the last 20 years.

-          There is a line

o   We all get calls wrong and the rules are complex so we can get there wrong as well – but you can’t question my integrity. If you suggest I am cheating or getting paid off, then coach is gone.