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Join us for the CCSUA Fall Clinic on September 11, 2011, designed to elevate umpires' performance through professionalism and adherence to the CCA Manual. This comprehensive session will cover essential topics such as game management, mechanics of the 2-umpire system, and the expectations set forth by the assigners. Engage with top instructors, including Greg Schmidt and Joanne Venditto, as we delve into the importance of rule knowledge, athleticism, and mental preparation for umpires at all experience levels. Improve your skills and knowledge while preparing for the fall season!
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CCSUA Fall Clinic September 11, 2011
Ground Rules • Objectives of clinic ** • Ground rules ** • Cell phones • One discussion • No war stories • Punctuality • Questions on subject matter
Agenda • Opening remarks • Assigner expectations and policies • Professionalism • The CCA manual • Mechanics – college 2-umpire system • Game Management • Rules differences • Closing remarks and Fall ball sign-ups
Greg Schmidt • CCSUA • SUIP National Observation Team • Comments on Game observations
CCSUA Training Program • Today’s instructors • Cooper, Lauderback, Long, Bennett • Training program will now include: Fall clinic • 1st/2nd year umpires • Veterans on a rotating cycle every 3 years Fall Observation games – veterans included In-season observations Mentor program
CCSUA Training Program • Adherence to college mechanics • Know and embrace the CCA manual • Meet expectations of coaches • Compliance with conference mandates • Rules knowledge • Professionalism
Joanne Venditto • Assigner Expectations/Policies
Professionalism – The College Softball Umpire CCSUA Fall Clinic September 11, 2011
Being a Professional Umpire • Code of Conduct – page 23 • Professionalism • Master rules/mechanics • Prepare physically and mentally • Accept responsibility for all actions taken • Responsibilities and Expectations • Continually seek self-improvement ** • Mental preparation for each and every game • Off-season training
Being a Professional Umpire • Relationships ** • Partners, coaches, players, fans • Fraternization and Off-field behavior • You represent umpires, conference, NCAA • Appropriate attire and behavior • Avoid casual, unnecessary conversations • Tobacco, Alcohol and Gambling • Uniform and equipment
Fitness and Athleticism • Best possible calling position • Call is credible – angle/distance • College coaches notice • Perception of athleticism • Expectations of coaches and players • Expectations of conferences • Healthier and longer life
Being a Professional • College umpires are expected to: • Know rules, mechanics, game management • Have a perfect uniform and appearance • Must take it to the next level • Communications skills • Be a student of each game; see what is happening • Stay cool in the worst situations • Stay ahead of the game • Fitness, rule and mechanics changes
Umpire expectations • First few years – travel, CC games • Set realistic goals • CC post-season after 3 years? • Moving up to NAIA, Div 2 and 3 • Leave the baseball mechanics/philosophies on the baseball field • College coaches notice it and dislike it! • Fastest way to go back to baseball full-time
The CCA Manual The college “mechanics manual” And much, much more
CCA Manual Why do I need it if I work only 2-ump games? • Only one section devoted exclusively to 3-ump • 348 pages and 12 sections, 3-ump section: 95 pages • Expanding the Manual - only 1 page out of 3 • 7 sections are a "must-read" for all umpires • Spirit/Philosophy • Definitions • Duties and Procedures • Every Game • Expanding the manual
The 2-ump system - Essential Concepts • Core Philosophy • Must know where you would like to be on any given play • Regardless of whether they can actually achieve the position • Determine the most efficient path to getting there • Work ahead of the play • Read the play; move to most likely play • Keep elements in front • One, two, and three element plays • Adjust to the individual play • Primary position, calling position if necessary • To see the elements as they change as the play happens
Videos • Read the play • One element play • Secondary
Essential Concepts -2 • Efficient movement • Start and end all movement in a good base • The umpire ballet • Master the pivot and reverse pivot • Use crossover steps - not side-to-side or back-pedaling • Movement • Choose a position before moving, move directly to it • No looping • Achieve angle first, then adjust distance • Discipline and control your body -
Essential Concepts -3 • Pre-pitch preparation • How many outs; is it a full count • Check swing • Pickoff play, steal, wild pitch/passed ball • Do I chase? • Infield hit - bunt, grounder, line drive • Outfield hit - fly, single, gapper, tag-up responsibility
Every Game • Angle – 90o for tag, throw • Videos • Distance • Primary position - calling depth force play, tag play, • Calling position - adjustment to play, secondary positions • Holding position areas – pg 127
Every game - 2 • Movement • Starting position, set • Parallel movement, efficient movement • Commitment to the play, rhythm, timing • Comportment • Body language, signals, crewness, • Game management, handling conflict
Plate Umpire Responsibilities • Trailing BR • All plays/touch at plate • Multiple runners • All plays/touch on lead runner at 3b • Except - imminent play at plate; catcher/cut-off throws to 3b • Start moving as soon as you determine no play at plate • Watch runner touch plate while moving to 3b • Fair/foul calls; fly ball/line drives catch/no catch • Unless BU chases
Base Umpire Responsibilities • All plays/touch at 1b, 2b (angle to throw) • First play from infielder at 1b, 2b, 3b • Plays /touch on BR at 3b • All steals and pickoff plays • Read runner and catcher to anticipate play • Talk to PU for WP or passed balls with R1 • Working between pitches
Starting Positions for Base Umpire • No one on – option of A or B position • A: 18' to 20' down 1st base line, walking the pitch • B: between 1b and 2b, behind F4, set • No closer to 1b than 15' • No farther from 1b than midpoint between 1b and 2b • Runner on 1b only (B position) • Same as B above • All other situations (C position) • Between 2b and 3b, behind F6, set • No closer than 15' to 2b or 3b
Comments on starting positions • Position 2 • Always closer to 1b than 2b • Read situation - rabbit and likely steal; big lead and likely pickoff... • Position 3 • Most of time between 15' from 2b and midpoint • Read situation , most of which are a possible play at 2b or 1b
Chasing and Tag Ups • Chasing • Chase if it will be a tough call for PU; use common sense with multiple runners • A Position: CF to RF dead-ball line • B and C Positions: the "V" • Tag Up Responsibilities • Plate Ump: 3b • Base Ump: 1b and 2b • Get to 0o for tag
Calling the Illegal Pitch Tough call Must be made if it is
The rules • Know the rule and the rule-book language! ** • Before the pitch – pivot foot, non-pivot foot (125) • Pitcher’s lane (10.4.1) • Leap (10.4.4) • Crow hop (10.4.5) • See it and make sure it is illegal! • Other illegal pitches • Losing contact – pivot and non-pivot
Pitcher’s lane • Video
Leap • Video Close-up • Video • Video
Crow-hop • Videos– drag then replant
More things to watch • Losing contact with plate • Pivot foot – getting torque vs clearing the cleat • Pivot foot – stepping forward (video later) • Non-pivot foot – interpretation • Up against the back of plate with heel up • Lowers heel • Foot does not move back • Shoe just barely off plate
More illegal pitch videos • DVD’S
Managing Conflict And common sense umpiring
Responses to coaches • Arguing a judgment call • Coach, I understand what you’re saying, however, on that play, I didn’t see it that way. • Coach, I had a good look at that play and here’s what I saw [short explanation]. • Coach, I had a great look at that play, (or I had that play all the way) and made the call • “You gotta go for help from your partner” • What part of the play do you think I missed • I got a good angle/distance, saw the play clearly… • He is 60’ from the play at a bad angle…
Coach’s anger starts escalating • Coach, if you yell I won’t listen. • I can hear you/I’m standing right here, you don’t need to raise your voice. • I need you to stop raising your voice and just ask your question calmly • Coach, I’m going to talk with you and answer your questions, but you must put your arms down/stop the gesturing. • Coach, I’ve heard enough (use stop sign). • Coach, this is your warning for the rest of the game.
The hit-and-run coach • Says something inappropriate as she/he is walking away ** • Maybe loud enough for others to hear, maybe not • It really should not be tolerated • Going after them as they walk away -looks like your the aggressor • Do this instead • Turn to partner, hold up a hand, clearly/loudly say "partner we have a warning to coach for unsporting conduct“ ** • What might happen next • Coach turns back to make yet another inappropriate remark • Eject them. They are aggressor , held accountable for inappropriate behavior • Nothing • You have sent the message • Coach now knows that he/she does not get a free pass on inappropriate behavior
Potential conflicts • Managing” Managers ** • No advantage before the game • Do not let them make comments on balls/strikes • Using a conference to argue balls/strikes • No counting of close calls
Role-play • Purpose • Situation awareness • Rules knowledge - but we will not discuss rules! • Could be correct ruling, maybe not – handle it! (see last point) • We have all made mistake in the heat of the battle • Game management • Rules of engagement • Do your best to visualize the field • Put yourself completely into the role • DO NOT BREAK ROLE • Handle the situation exactly as you would in a game • Next slide – if audience says anything…you will be ejected!
Play 1 • Speedster R1 at 1b and leaves on the pitch • BR hits a medium-slow roller up the 1b line • F3 fields the ball 20 feet from 1b, waits to tag the BR • BR stops and then steps backward to avoid the tag • No call from either umpire until BR is tagged by F3 • BU calls "out" • F3 throws too late to 3b as R1 slides safely into the base.
Play 2 • Pitcher leaps and BU calls illegal pitch
Play 3 • R1 on 2b with 1 out • B3 hits a clean shot to the fence. • As the F6 turns to see the ball in the outfield she makes contact with R1 and R1 stumbles slightly • F8 makes a strong throw to F2 at the plate • R1 is called out on a bang-bang play at the plate
NCAA’s Unique Rules Major differences from other codes
Game Management • Field • Fitness, pitching lane, no double-base • Catcher and coaches’ boxes • Equipment • Bat – bats highlighted on list, inspect bats only • Catcher mask/helmet if on field • Batting helmet face mask not required • Jewelry ok, headbands not mentioned • Do not ask coach to verify
Game Management - 2 • Warm-ups between Innings • Specific rules for offense, defense • No 1-minute time limit • Help on check swing and pick-off • 8-run rule (must), tie-breaker rule (may) • Short-handed rule not used • Defensive conference and pitcher
Game Management - 3 • Handling substitutions - RARA • Inaccurate line-up rule, take your time • Repeat & write it with coach • Suggestion – use a red pen • Lineup card management • Umpire Manual, Appendix A • No re-entry, no crossing out • www.cactusumpires.com for ppt
Game Personnel • Line-ups • Head coach’s name required • Fix it if you can • Unreported substitute • Only starters may re-enter • Cannot play with less than 9 • No disqualification or “restrict to bench”
Pitching rules • Time Allowed Between Pitches • 10-10-5 • Pitcher’s feet before pitch • Pitcher returning in same inning • Call the illegal pitch!
Batting Rules • Strike Zone • Coaches prefer • Most commonly called
Batting Rules - 2 • Hit by pitch while out of batter box • Bunt attempt if bat held in strike zone • Thrown bat • Batting out of order: outs not kept • Foul ball near dugout • Interference on squeeze play