ATLL Umpire Workshop

1. Anderson Township Little League (ATLL)2012 Umpire Coordinator : Lee Peterson(with umpire team members : Dave Wingard, Ben Swinerton, Tom Kyllo, Jim Gibbons and Mark Benmayor)April 14th, 2012

2. ATLL Umpire Workshop Please Sign In

3. ATLL Umpire Workshop Welcome

4. Agenda-The basics-Umpire mechanics-Safety update and changes-Rules review-Umpire of the Year-Quiz

5. 2012 Points of Emphasis- Pre-Game meeting with Coaches- Strike Zone- Being in good position to make a call- Be confident in your call or ask for help if you need it- Explaining your call to the kids

6. Lasting memories- add positive influence

7. Making friends is what most kids want

8. Reducing the Margin of Error

9. The Plate Meeting • Time / Length of Game, including Mercy Rule • Field Boundaries • Misc • Jewelry • On Deck Circle • Hustle On / Hustle Off

10. 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 • Hustle

11. Umpire Hand Calls • Safe / Out • Ball / Strike • Fair / Foul • Misc: • Infield Fly • Off the Bag • Juggling the Ball • Foul Tip • Giving the Count

12. Umpire Hand Calls

13. Umpire Hand Signals • Infield Fly situation (0 or 1 out) • Forgetting the Count or Outs • Good Call • Pre-Game Conference to discuss signals and situations • Arrive 15 minutes before game

14. Who’s on First?Who’s Abbott and Who’s Castello? Don’t want 2 umpires covering the same play 1 Play = 1 Umpire Plate Umpire – Home Base Umpire – 1B, 2B, and 3B

15. Getting into the best Position

16. Asking for Help • Leave your ego at home • Umpire out of position can get help if they ask for it • Make the call. If other umpire sees something different, huddle up and talk about it. • It’s the original umpire’s call ultimately • Create credibility for yourself • Mistakes happen • Example: First Basemen pulls his foot off the bag

17. 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?

18. In it for the long run

19. Working the plate

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

21. 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

24. CallingBalls and strikes

25. “The Thoughtful Pause”

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

27. 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.

28. Where’s the Strike Zone?

29. 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.

31. I’m confused- where’s the strike zone again?We don’t want them wondering??????

32. What’s the perfect inning?This isn’t it!!!

33. Foul TipSection 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

34. Catch / no catch

35. Catch / No Catch Field umpire has responsibility for fly balls Field umpire can drift toward the side of the field the ball is on, but shouldn’t leave the diamond. Plate umpire covers bases temporarily (for tagging-up purposes) Signals: Catch = Out signal and say “catch” No Catch = Finger pointing on ground. Don’t verbalize.

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

37. 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

38. FAIR / FOUL

39. 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

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

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

42. 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

43. 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

44. FAIR / FOUL Quiz 3 FAIR or FOUL

45. FAIR / FOUL Quiz 3 FAIR

47. Working the bases

48. 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 • Hustle

49. 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”

50. Set Position