BASIC UMPIRING

BA= SIC UMPIRING

The Plate Umpire

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Setting up behind t= o call ball and strikes

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= 1. Never closer then the heel of the catcher (“Heel to Toe”)

= 2. Your chin should never be lower t= han the top of the catcher’s head

= 3. Your head should be in the slot b= etween batter and catcher

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Making the ball &am= p; strike calls

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Strike Calls: Stand up tall and= use your height

&= nbsp; &nbs= p; Use your voice & hand signals for the call

&= nbsp; &nbs= p; Strikes can be voiced by number (1,2,3)

Ball Calls: = Stay down and use your voice only to make the call

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The catch & no = catch calls

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= 1. Plate umpire is responsible for f= ly balls

= 2. Umpire moves to his left to the i= nfield

= 3. The fielder’s catch of a fl= y ball is voiced “out” and the

arm signal for the out is used

= 4. The fielder not making the catch = is voiced “no catch” and

the two-arm signal is used

The Fair and Foul C= all

1.&n= bsp; The umpire straddles the foul= line and gets settled

= before making the call

2. Fair calls – The umpire tak= es a slight step into fair

territory and points fair while k= eeping his eyes on

the ball. There is no voice used to make the= call.

&= nbsp; 3. Foul calls – The umpire rais= es his hands above his

&= nbsp; head and slightly forward. The umpire then voic= es

&= nbsp; “Foul Ball” and points in the directions of foul territory

The Plate Umpire (continued)

1^st and = 3^rd Situations

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1. With a runner on 1^st, = the plate umpire is responsible for

any play at 3^rd base.

2. Once the ball is hit, the plate u= mpire moves from behind the

Plate towards 3^rd base

3. If the runner moves toward 3^=
rd base, you call to

your partner that you got the play at 3^rd base

4. You move into position at 3^r=
d base and get set to make the call

Pass Balls & Wi= ld Pitches

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1. Open the gate – Pivot on le= ft foot to allow the catcher through

when the ball is on the right side of the plate. Reverse the pivot

if it is on the left side

2. Always stay in the vicinity of ho= me in case there is a play

Pop Ups behind the = Plate

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Use the open gate technique and the= n keep your eyes on the

&= nbsp; catcher and follow him. The catcher will lead you to the b= all

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Clearing the Bat

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1. Take the mask off and keep your e= yes on the ball

2. Straddle the bat and slide it beh= ind you

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Th= e Field Umpire

Safe, Out and Set Position

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1. Hands on Knees and Elbows locked<= o:p>

2. Head up, straight and still<= /o:p>

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The Out Call=

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1. Standing position

2. Hand straight out in front of you= as if you are

shaking someone’s hand

3. Make fist, come behind the ear an= d make the call

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The Safe Call<= /o:p>

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1. Same basic set position

2. Standing position with both hands= in front of you,

extend your hands out to the side of your shoulders,

like airplane wings. Then hands co= me back in front

and back to the set position

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No Runners on Base<= /span>

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1. Position is in foul territory, ju= st behind the infield dirt

2. Ball hit to the infield, the umpi= re is going to jog

toward the infield and get a 90% angle to 1^st base

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&= nbsp; The umpire= gets his eyes set ahead of the ball and

= fixed on the bag and listens to the sound of the <= /p>

= ball hitting the glove.

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3. The Ball hit directly to the 1st Baseman, the umpire

would stay in foul territory to set up 90 % angle.

4. If the 1^st Baseman lea= ves the bag to received the

throw, the umpire moves towards the line to get a

view of the runner and fielder for a swipe tag.

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5. If the 1^st basemanR= 17;s foot comes off the bag, the umpire

signals safe and signals that the 1^st baseman was off<= /p>

the bag by waving to one side with both hands.

Runner on 1^{st<=
/sup>
Base}

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Position is in the outfield grass between 1^st and 2^nd base

Double Play Mechani= cs

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1. The ball is hit into the infield.= The umpire turns into <= /span>

the play to make sure the ball is caught and the

Infielder steps on the bag

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2. While turning toward the next pla= y, the umpire rules on

the 1^st play and get into position for the next call

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Steal Plays

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&= nbsp; Umpire stays ahead of the runner and stops for the play at the bag

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Runners on 1^st= & 2^nd , 1^st & 3^rd , 2^nd & 3^rd , Bases loaded , 2^nd base or 3^rd base

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1. Umpire is positioned in the outfi= eld grass

between 2^nd and 3^rd base

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2. 12 – 15 feet behind the nea= rest fielder.

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Multiple plays on t= he bases

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1. Any ball hit to the outfield, the umpire moves to the

infield grass or area directly behind the pitchers mound

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2. Turn and watch the batter touch 1= ^st base and get ready

for any potential play from outfield

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Tag up Situation

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1. Field umpire is responsible for r= unners tagging up at

1^st and 2^nd (the plate umpire has the calls at 3^rd base)<= o:p>

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2. Any tag up situation the umpire m= ust line up with vision

of the bag, runner, fielder & ball. It is important not to

move too far away from the bag with the potential play.