2012 GSL softball State/LOCAL UIC MEETING

2012 GSL softballState/LOCAL UIC MEETING

Meeting Agenda: GSL Umpire “Points of Emphasis” Professionalism Communication Pre-game Meeting Plate Umpire Mechanics Field Umpire Mechanics Rules Unique to GSL

Umpire Humor…

The Umpire Mentality… • Umpiring is a mentality • Knowledge of the rules is an enormous part of umpiring, but CONSISTENT APPLICATION of those same rules are what will separate GSL umpires from the rest • How is this done? • With some hard mental work, hustle, and solid mechanics

GSL Umpire Points of Emphasis Professionalism Look Speak Hustle Learn Reflect

GSL Umpire Points of Emphasis Essential Umpire Communication • Consistent Signs and Signals • Support each other by keeping each other informed • TEAMWORK!

GSL Umpire Points of Emphasis Pre-Game Meeting • The home plate umpire introduces himself and his partner. • If multiple coaches come from a team, ask who will be the designated coach for this game for future communications. Make this clear that this is the only person who may approach the umpire. • Discuss any local rules. • Ask each team if they are using the Base Burner (BB) and, if so, what number the player is. • It is suggested to clarify to the coaches that this is a player on the roster that is not playing in the game. Once the player enters the game (defensively or entered in the line-up), the team loses their BB for the remainder of the game. • Ask each team who their Designated Homerun Hitter (DHH) is and what number the player is.

GSL Umpire Points of Emphasis Pre-Game Meeting • Remind each coach that anytime the DHH is walked, the team has a free home run to hit until the DHH bats again. • Remind each coach the pitching arc requirements are 5 to 10 feet from the ground. Simply put, the pitch must have a clearly identifiable hump. • Illegal pitches will NOT be verbally or visually called by the umpires. • Excessive pitch speed will be warned once then removed from the pitching position for the remainder of the game. • No crow hopping. • The pitcher must be in contact with the rubber if he pitches from in front of it. • Juking is allowed – 5 second delivery. • Pitcher is allowed up to 6 feet directly behind the rubber but must deliver the ball with one foot inside the rubber width. • Remind each coach about the GSL Profanity Rule. Warn them.

GSL Umpire Points of Emphasis Plate and Field Mechanics

Bounding Ball Coverage – Bases Empty PU has call to front of the base Plate Umpire makes call FAIR BALL B Base Umpire makes this call FOUL BALL P Plate Umpire needs to get on foul line as soon as possible Plate Umpire has call before the base Plate Umpire will straddle foul line as quickly as possible Base Umpire has call after the base P P

Fly Ball Coverage – Bases Empty Plate Umpire has all catch/no-catch calls Plate Umpire moves perpendicular to the ball B 1st 10-12 feet behind 1st base in foul territory P P

Fly Ball Coverage – With Runners Button hook in and watch for tag-up at 1st and be ready to make call at 2nd 10-12 feet of left shoulder of 2nd baseman B 2nd Plate Umpire has all catch/no-catch calls Base Umpire has tag up calls R Base Umpire has touch calls P Go up 3rd base line if to LF P Go up 1st base line if to RF

Starting Base Umpire Position – No Runners No Runners 2nd SS B 3rd 1st Start in foul territory 12-18 feet behind 1st base BR P

Starting Base Umpire Position – Runner on 1st Runner on 1st Start 10-12 feet behind and off the left shoulder of the 2nd baseman 2nd B SS 3rd 1st R BR P

Starting Base Umpire Position – Runner on 2nd, 1st and 2nd Start 10-12 feet behind and off the left shoulder of the shortstop Runner on 2nd B Runner on 1st and 2nd R 2nd SS 3rd 1st R BR P

Summary of Base Umpire Mechanics GSL Umpire Points of Emphasis No runner Start in foul territory about 10-12’ behind 1st base Runner on 1st Start 10-12’ behind and off the left shoulder of the 2nd baseman Runner on 2nd Start 10-12’ behind and off the left shoulder of the shortstop Bases Loaded/anytime a runner is on 3rd Start 10-12’ behind and off the left shoulder of the shortstop .

Ground Ball to Outfield – No Runner Take runner to 2nd if he continues Take runner to 3rd if he continues Ground ball to Outfield R B Buttonhook inside to see BR touch 1st B R B B Start in foul territory 12-18 feet behind 1st base P In case PU needs to help with call at 3rd Plate Umpire trails runner to ½ way to start of running lane P BR Exit to the left of the catcher PU heads back home to take call P

Ground Ball to Infield – Runner on 1st 10-12 feet of left shoulder of 2nd baseman B Ground ball to SS 2nd SS R P PU will take play at 3rd if the first play is at 1st not 2nd Plate Umpire trails runner to ¼ way to start of running lane P BR PU heads back home to play home P

Ground Ball to Outfield – Runners on 1st and 2nd 10-12 feet of left shoulder of short stop R B Ground ball to Outfield SS Move toward 3rd for possible play R BR PU heads back home to take call P Go up 3rd base line but watch for obstruction call at 1st P

GSL Umpire Points of Emphasis Plate Umpire Mechanics for a Play at the Plate Be aware of the situation Be ready to move on an errant throw Try to maintain a 45o angle to the play Avoid being part of the play There is no “PERFECT” position for a play There is a “BEST” position for a play

Plate Umpire Positions for a Play at the Plate After play, return to starting position GSL Umpire Points of Emphasis Try to maintain 45o angle to play Watch to swipe tag P Do not interfere with play Ball in coming in from foul territory P Starting position behind the catcher

Plate Umpire Positions for a Play at the Plate After play, return to starting position GSL Umpire Points of Emphasis Ball incoming from fair territory P Try to maintain 45o angle to play Watch to swipe tag Do not interfere with play P Starting position behind the catcher

GSL Softball Rules • GSL recognizes only USSSA Licensed/Approved softball bats. • The official softball used in championship play will be a GSL stamped, Apex 50/375 Core softball (size according to program played). • Teams may start with 9 players, with penalty. • Teams will be allowed to substitute all players a maximum of 2 times per game. Any player may be substituted or replaced and re-entered once, providing players occupy the same batting positions whenever in the line-up. (Double Re-entry) • Teams will be allowed to drop down one player from what they started (must have at least 9 at all times), with penalty. The empty spot will be an out in the line-up. The minimum number of players a team will be allowed to drop down to is 9. Any less than 9 and that team must forfeit.

GSL Softball Rules • Teams may have up to two players known as their Extra Hitter (EH). If used, they must be listed on the line-up. The EH/EH’s will be allowed to hit plus may be substituted in a defensive position, as long as the batting order stays the same. • Teams may have one player known as the Base Burner (BB). If used, the BB must be designated at the beginning of the game. • The BB may be used as a substitute runner for one player per inning. • Co-Ed play only: Two BB’s will be allowed, one (1) male and/or one (1) female. • Pitching distance in adult play is fifty (50) feet along with a pitching area the width of the pitching plate up to six (6) feet behind the back of the pitching plate.

GSL Softball Rules • Balls and Strikes – GSL will follow a 1-1 count with no foul to waste. • Batter’s are not required to touch first base after hitting a home run. “Hit and sit.” • Run rules for all GSL play is 20 runs after 3 innings, 15 runs after 4 innings, or 12 runs after 5 innings. • Tournament directors may allow up to 20 minutes before declaring a forfeit during the first completed round of play. After the first round of play, all teams are expected to be on time for their next scheduled games.

GSL Softball Rules • Arc – The pitch must have an identifiable arc, having a minimum of five (5) feet and a maximum of ten (10) feet from the ground. • Quick Pitch – A pitcher shall not attempt to pitch the ball before a batter has taken a position n the batter's box, or when batter is off balance as a result of a prior pitch. Should this happen, the ball is dead, and a ball is awarded to the batter. • The effect of not complying with the pitching regulations will be deemed an “unfairly delivered pitch”; a ball. • To clarify, GSL umpires do NOT verbalize/visualize illegal pitches.

GSL Softball Rules • When a base runner jumps over a defensive player waiting to tag, the runner is out. If the feet go over waist high, or if the defensive player is kneeling, and the base runner’s feet go above the head of the defensive player, the base runner is not only out but may be ejected from the game. If in an umpire's judgment, it all happened in the spur of the moment, and was not intentional, the runner will just be called out. • GSL Profanity Rule. Warning given during Pre-Game meeting. • Offensively • Defensively • Repeated Offenses • Ejections

GSL Softball Rules • Designated Homerun Hitter – All teams may have one designated homerun hitter (DHH) that, without penalty, may hit a homerun every time at bat. Teams must designate their DHH prior to the start of the game, or there won't be a DHH for that team. Should the DHH be walked, whether intentional or not, the next person to hit a home run may do so without penalty, until the DHH’s spot comes back up in the line-up. • Base Burner – All teams may have one (1) Base Burner (BB) that will be designated prior to the start of the game as the only player that will be allowed as a substitute runner. The BB may be used for one player per inning as a substitute for any runner. If the BB is inserted into the line-up as a hitter or as a defensive replacement, you will lose the BB opportunity for the remainder of the game. In Co-Ed play, one (1) male and/or one (1) female BB may be designated and used during each game. • Unless specifically stated, GSL play will follow all other USSSA rules.

GSL Softball Final Thoughts 10 Commandments of Umpiring • Keep your eye on the ball. • Keep all personalities out of your work . . . Forgive and Forget! • Try to avoid sarcasm. Don't insist on the last word. • Never charge a player and, above all, no pointing your finger or yelling. • Hear only things you should hear. • Keep your temper. A decision made in anger is never sound. • Watch your language. • Take pride in your work at all times. Remember, respect for an umpire is created off the field as well as on the field. • Review your work. You will find if you are honest, that 90% of the trouble is traceable to loafing. • No matter what your opinion of another umpire, never make an adverse comment regarding him. To do so is despicable and ungentlemanly.

2012 GSL softball State/LOCAL UIC MEETING