Fairfax Adult Softball 2010 Umpire Training

1. Fairfax Adult Softball 2010 Umpire Training FAS Umpire Policies and Procedures ASA Umpire Mechanics Video

2. FAS UmpirePolicies and Procedures

3. Game Assignments • Umpires will receive an email from FAS staff each month requesting umpire availability for the next month. • Umpires should email night preference and availability as soon as possible after receiving request from staff. • Assignments are made a month at a time. • Assignments are posted to the FAS website on each umpire’s unique URL.

6. Game Assignments • Each umpire will view their own URL to accept or decline assignments. • Umpires should review their URL frequently for updates and changes. • Only accept games you CAN do. You are responsible to find coverage for any game you accept and cannot work. • Be reliable

7. Game Assignments • Rookies: • Donate TWO GAMES: one watching and one on-the-field game as first assignment • Teamed with veteran umpire during the Early Bird Tournaments for 2-3 games. • Must receive emails by March 22nd for April scheduling. • Must receive emails by April 12th for May scheduling.

8. Game Assignments • Umpires should arrive at assignments no less than 15 minutes prior to scheduled start time. • Umpires should never leave a field before replacement arrives. • Games cannot be left uncovered. Call the FAS Umpire Line for assistance in getting the next set of games covered.

9. Early Birds Reston Men, Church & Coed April 3 Spring Men April 10 Spring Women April 10 Spring Coed April 11 Summer Men, Masters, Seniors June 19 Summer Coed and Corporate June 19

10. Post-Season Tournaments Men’s Open Buy-In June 26 Coed Open Buy-In July 10

11. FAS Umpire Line Call 703-772-1899 if: • You are arriving late for assignment • Lights fail to come on, or go off too early • YOU HAVE A FORFEIT • Sprinklers come on in middle of game • Field is not properly equipped • You cancel games due to rain or other cause

12. Rain Outs • Check FAS Field Status Line (703-550-4111) before every game for field updates and cancellations. • At multiple field parks, all umpires should meet for a standardized decision on canceling games (e.g., at Braddock, meet at the bathrooms). • If it is raining at your field upon arrival, do not begin the game unless you are confident of it completing.

13. Rain Outs • If it begins raining after the game has started and the field becomes unplayable, go into a 20-minute delay and try to restart the games at that time. • For thunder and lightning, without rain, continue play if thunder is far away or lightning is horizontal in the far distance. • Wait 15 minutes after the last close lightning strike to resume play. • Notify FAS immediately of any field closure.

14. Rain Outs • For Rain • It is a field by field decision to cancel • For Lightning • It is a park decision. If one field closes at a park, and it is clear there is lightning in the area, ALL fields should close at that park.

15. Timesheets Timesheets are to be submitted every Monday morning by fax or by email for the previous week of work (forms available at http://www.fairfaxadultsoftball.com/TimeUmp.doc).

16. Timesheets • Submit invoice weekly even if only one (1) game is all that was officiated. • Include: • Time and any comments (e.g.: forfeits, field problems) • Ejections – Very Important as it protects your fellow blues and helps FAS alleviate problem players. • Your availability for the upcoming week. Helps FAS find last minute, needed coverage.

17. Pay • Umpires are paid once a month, generally the first Thursday of each month. • Umpires are paid $25 for each game officiated, begun, or forfeited. • Umpires are paid $13 for only the first game scheduled to officiate when the games are cancelled after the umpire arrives at the field and before the first game has begun.

18. Pay Bonus Program: • $65 ‑ minimum 20 games and a rating at least 80% • $20 ‑ officiating 40 or more games and a rating at least 65% • $50 ‑ recruiting a new umpire who officiates 100 games in that calendar year Penalties -- up to $10 per game: • Arrive 20 minutes or more late to assignment without appropriate notice given to FAS staff • Fail to arrive for assigned and accepted games • Fail to find replacement for games you’ve accepted • Fail to be properly attired • Fail to submit timesheet each Monday

19. Evaluations • FAS conducts evaluations of all umpires. • Evaluations will include: • Pre-Game Conference (on time, field & equipment check, pre-game conference) • Positioning and Movement • Signals and calls (clear, decisiveness, timing) • Judgment (strike zone, consistency, fair/foul, out/safe) • Rule knowledge and application • Game control (attitude, poise, game tempo, handling manager/players)

20. Manager Ratings • Coaches evaluate the following critical areas: • Pre-Game: On time, held good pre-game conference, conducted field and equipment check. • Uniform: Professionally attired in official uniform. • Mechanics: Hustle, good positioning, clear and decisive signaling and calls. • Judgment: Strike zone, fair/foul, and out/safe correct and consistent. • Rules: Good knowledge of ASA and FAS rules and applied correctly. • Game Control: Positive, non-confrontational attitude, and handled problems courteously and firmly. • FAS maintains manager ratings and will make them available.

21. Field Lights • Umpires are responsible for turning lights on at all fields (Except: Bready). • Lights can only be turned on 60 minutes before official sundown. • Braddock: The umpire assigned at Field #4 is responsible for turning the lights on at all six fields where games are being played. • Wakefield: The umpire assigned at Field #2 is responsible for turning the lights on at all three fields where games are being played. • Light box locations for parks are listed in the back of the FAS Rule Book, Appendix B.

22. Field Lights • Lights turn off automatically at all fields (outfield lights first followed by infield lights) • 11:30 p.m. at Braddock, • 10:30 p.m. at Poplar Tree/Bready Park • 11:00 p.m. at all other lighted fields. • If you finish significantly ahead of schedule, please turn lights off at your field.

23. Pre-Game Before You Leave Home . . . • Dress neatly and professionally. FIRST impressions will command the respect you need on the field. • Know what league you are officiating. • Check League Addenda for special rules that apply to that particular league especially Coed, Corporate Coed, and Seniors. • If Coed, remember you need your ball bag.

24. Pre-Game Before You Leave Home . . . • Be sure your umpire’s gear bag contains: • ASA and FAS Rule Books • ASA Banned Bat List -- IN COLOR • ASA Approved Warm-Up List • Extra Indicator and Brush • Watch/Timer • Water

25. Pre-Game Arrival at the Field . . . • Arrive 15 minutes prior to scheduled start. • Find the location of the light boxes for later use. • Walk outfields for holes, potential dangers, obstacles, and check bases and plate for stability. • Brush all bases, pitcher’s plate, and home plate. • Perform bat check in dugouts of each team.

26. Pre-Game Conference • 5 minutes prior to game time • Call coaches (or representatives) to home plate • If Forfeit, remind them of Loan-A-Player Option • Introduce yourself • Address field conditions • Loose bases • Irregular painted foul lines • Indicate you want to review key rules before getting started with the game.

27. Pre-Game Key rules to review at conference: • Profanity, noting there will be ZERO tolerance • Sportsmanship is expected at all times and that arguing balls and strikes is grounds for ejection • Remind there is to be NO exposed jewelry • Remind them to make sure bats are legal. • In the event of dispute, you will ONLY discuss with coach (identify if not them.) • Ask who is home team and announce Play Ball!

28. Ejections • Report on your weekly timesheet. • Email the FAS office to report the incident. • Wait until the next morning after you’ve “slept on it.” • Provide as many facts and details as possible.

29. Filing Complaints • If possible, sleep on it. • Must be in writing (fax/e-mail) with details. • FAS follow-up will occur within 24 hours. • Should your complaint result in a hearing, your attendance will be required. • You may choose to go alone, have a representative go with you, or ask for the FAS 1st Vice-President to attend with you.

30. Hearings • Upon receipt of a written complaint, FAS shall conduct a preliminary inquiry to determine whether hearing regarding incident is appropriate. • If a hearing is justified, notification of time, date, and location of hearing will be provided to all by certified mail not later than 7 days prior to scheduled date. • The hearing panel will include an umpire representative if it involved an umpire-related issue.

31. SLOW PITCH ONE-UMPIRE MECHANICS

32. RESPONSIBILITIES OF A SINGLE UMPIRE If only one umpire is assigned, his duties and jurisdictions will extend to all points. The umpire's starting position for each pitch should be from behind the plate. On each batted ball or play that develops, the umpire must move out from behind the plate and into the infield to obtain the best position for any play that develops. O- Only you are calling the game N - Nobody is there to help E - Every call must be yours U - Understand the players and the game M - Mechanics and Hustle P - Priorities I - Infield is where the calls are made R - Read the players to help make the call E - End the game with good out

33. RESPONSIBILITIES OF A SINGLE UMPIRE • Starting position is behind the plate • On a batted ball, or a play that develops, move out from behind the plate into the infield for the best position for any play that develops. Understand the players and the game • Use proper mechanics…..hustle • Priorities…always work in priorities: first this, then that. • Read players to help make the call

34. SINGLE UMPIRE - GROUND BALL TO INFIELD A B C P A. No Runners on base. B. Runners on 1st base or Runners on 1st and 2nd Base. C. Bases Loaded.

35. SINGLE UMPIRE - BASE HIT B C A D P NOTE: On all base hit situations, umpire must watch runner tag bases and be aware of position of the ball. A. No Runners - SINGLE B. No Runners - DOUBLE C. No Runners - TRIPLE D. No Runners - HOME RUN

36. SINGLE UMPIRE - FLY BALL SITUATIONS • You have all fly ball calls • You have all tag-ups and Advancements • Prioritize • Fair / Foul • Catch / No Catch • Keep all runners in front of you YOU HAVE TO HUSTLE AND BE IN POSITION IT IS ONLY YOU ON THE DIAMOND

37. SINGLE UMPIRE - FLY BALL SITUATIONS NOTE: On all fly ball situations, where the ball is near the foul line, the umpire must stay on the foul line to determine whether the ball is fair or foul - then move into the infield to pick up runners and plays. B C A D P A. No Runners - Fly ball to infield or outfield and not near the foul line OR B. Runner on 1st Base, OR C. Runners on 1st or 2nd or 2nd Base only, move to a possible call at 3rd Base or to foul territory ahead of the lead runner for a possible play at home if necessary after the catch, OR D. Runners on 2nd and 3rd, or 1st and 3rd.

38. BASE MECHANICS • POSITIONING IS ABOUT ANGLES AND UNDERSTANDING WHERE YOU NEED TO BE TO SEE THE PLAY • LEARN TO ADAPT TO THE PLAY—HUSTLE • THE ELEMENTS OF THE PLAY WILL DICTATE YOUR POSITION

39. FORCE PLAY’S • 90 DEGREES TO THE THROW • MAINTAIN PROPER DISTANCE • WATCH THE FIELDER FIELD THE BALL • SQUARE TO THE PLAY • WATCH THE BALL – LET THE BALL TAKE YOU INTO THE PLAY • LISTEN FOR THE SOUNDS

40. PLATE MECHANICS • HEEL AND TOE STANCE – IN SLOT • DROP TO SET POSITION WHEN PITCH IS RELEASED • TRACK THE BALL FROM THE PITCHER’S HAND TO THE CATCHER’S GLOVE/MITT • TIMING • AVOID TOO CLOSE / TOO FAR • AVOID MOVING ON PITCH • CONSISTENCY

41. PLATE MECHANICS