ATLL Umpire Workshop

1. ATLL Umpire Workshop Please Sign In

2. Reducing the Margin of Error

3. Reducing the Margin of Error • Priories: Fair/Foul Catch/No Catch • Positioning + Timing = Good Judgment • Angle First, Then Distance • If you have to, sacrifice distance for angle • Get Set – Be stopped for all plays • Watch the ball, Glance at the Runners • Timing, timing, timing • Hustle, hustle, hustle

4. Theory • Don’t want 2 umpires covering the same play • 1 Play / 1 Umpire • Plate Umpire – Home • Base Umpire – 1B and 2B • Runner from 1B to 3B – either Base/Plate Ump • Pre-game conference to discuss this situation Keep It Simple, Stupid!

5. Asking for Help • Leave your ego at home • Umpire out of position can get help if he asks • Ask for help before you make the call • Create credibility for yourself • Mistakes happen • Don’t rush to make a call

6. Self Evaluation • Did I arrive in time to prepare for the game? • Was I in position for every call? • Was I properly prepared for each play? • Working the plate: • Was my strike zone consistent? • How was my timing? • Were my signals clear and sharp? • Did I assist and communicate with my partner? • Did I keep my cool? • Is there any other part of my game that needs work?

7. Bill KlemThe Father of Baseball Umpires "That guy in a twenty-five cent bleacher seat is as much entitled to know a call as the guy in the boxes. He can see my arm signal even if he can't hear my voice."

8. Working the plate

10. Plate Basics • Positioning behind the catcher • Box stance (heel-to-toe) • Scissors • Kneeling

11. Plate Basics • Positioning behind the catcher • Chin no lower than the top of the catcher’s head • Get into “The Slot” • Turn head toward the glove slightly

14. CallingBalls and strikes “The Thoughtful Pause”

15. Calling Strikes / Balls • See It • Say It (to yourself) • Call It

16. Working the plate

17. section 2.00Definition of Strike – Part B A strike is a legal pitch that is not struck at when any part of the ball passes through any part of the strike zone.

19. section 2.00 The strike zone is the space over home plate that is between the batter’s armpits and the top of the knees when the batter assumes a natural stance. The umpire shall determine the strike zone according to the batter’s usual stance when that batter swings at a pitch.

20. Where’s the Strike Zone?

21. A Rule 6.03 Which of the foot positions are legal? B C D E

22. A Rule 6.03 The batter’s legal position shall be with both feet within the batter’s box. B C D E

23. Plate mechanics – Passed Balls and Wild Pitches

24. Foul Tip Section 2.00 • A foul tip is a batted ball that • Is sharp and direct from the bat to the catcher’s hand or mitt • Must be caught by the catcher • not a catch if it is caught on a rebound unless it first hits the catcher’s hand or mitt • Is a strike • Ball remains alive

25. Catch / no catch

26. Catch / No Catch • Home plate umpire has responsibility for fly balls • Umpire takes off his mask • Walks into the infield • Signals for catch or no catch and verbalizes catch or no catch

27. Catch / No catch

28. Definition of Catch • Secure possession • Complete control of the ball • Voluntary release of the ball

29. Definition of Catch • Voluntary release of the ball • CATCH – if the ball is dropped in the act of throwing • NO CATCH – if the ball is dropped as a result of a collision or falling • NO CATCH – if the ball touches an offensive player, the ground or fence, or an umpire

30. FAIR / FOUL

31. Fair / Foul

32. Definition of Fair Ball • A fair ball is a batted ball that: • Settles or is touched on or over fair territory between home and 1B or home and 3B • Bounds past 1B or 3B on or over fair territory • While on or over fair territory touches the attached equipment or clothing of a player or umpire • While over fair territory, passes out of the playing field

33. FAIR / FOUL Quiz 1 • A batted ball settles on home plate. What is your call? FAIR or FOUL

34. FAIR / FOUL Quiz 1 • A batted ball settles on home plate. What is your call? FAIR

35. FAIR / FOUL Quiz 2 • A batted ball first hits foul ground and without touching any foreign object, rolls into fair territory between 1B and home where it comes to rest. What is your call? FAIR or FOUL

36. FAIR / FOUL Quiz 2 • A batted ball first hits foul ground and without touching any foreign object, rolls into fair territory between 1B and home where it comes to rest. What is your call? FAIR

37. FAIR / FOUL Quiz 3 FAIR or FOUL

38. FAIR / FOUL Quiz 3 FAIR

39. Review – Plate umpire – catch/no catch, fair/foul

40. Working the bases

41. Reducing the Margin of Error • Positioning + Timing = Good Judgment • Angle First, Then Distance • If you have to, sacrifice distance for angle • Get Set – Be stopped for all plays • Watch the ball, Glance at the Runners • Timing, timing, timing • Hustle, hustle, hustle

42. Set Position • Position • Lower your seat; don’t just bend over • Place hands on knees or thighs • Keep your head up; don’t drop your chin • Getting Set • Set position assumed BEFORE every pitch • Set position assumed BEFORE calling most plays • May be situations that mandate a standing “set”

43. Set Position

44. C B A

45. Base Umpire – working area

46. No Base Runner

47. No Base Runner Groundball to 1st or bunt U2

48. No Base Runner Groundball Working Area U2

49. Base Umpire – No Runner

50. No Base Runner Fly ball to OF Working Area Working Area U2 R