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THE OFFICIAL MECHANICS AND PHILOSOPHIES OF THE OREGON ATHLETIC OFFICIALS ASSOCIATION U1

2020 UMPIRES update OREGONMANUAL BASEBALL 2 AND 3 PERSON HIGH SCHOOL BR CREWS

PUBLISHED BY REFEREE AND THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SPORTS OFFICIALS OREGON BASEBALL UMPIRES MANUAL: 2020 UPDATE OREGON BASEBALL UMPIRES MANUAL: 2020 UPDATE 2020 NFHS RULE CHANGE: NEW DH

The NFHS Baseball Rules now also be a starting defensive Committee opted for just one rule player. change during its annual meeting Teams that utilize this option will in June in Indianapolis. But it is have one player in the lineup listed significant and will require high with two positions: one of the nine school umpires to consider all of defensive positions and designated its ramifications during the 2020 hitter. This may include any of the season. The rule change, related nine defensive positions on the to the use of the designated hitter, field and is not confined to just the was subsequently approved by the pitcher. Teams using this scenario NFHS board of directors and made would begin the game with a lineup public in late June. featuring nine starters — nine defensive players, one of whom is Designated Hitter (3-1-4b) also the designated hitter. The change to rule 3-1-4 This differs from the traditional provides an extra scenario in which use of the designated hitter at the a designated hitter may be used. NFHS level. In that scenario, which The starting designated hitter may remains an option, the designated hitter is listed as a 10th starter who hits for any one of the nine starting defensive players. Teams also still have the option of not using a designated hitter and batting a straight lineup of nine players. The role of the defensive player in this dual role may be substituted for by any legal substitute. Once that occurs, the original player/ designated hitter may re-enter as a defensive player one time. However, the role of the designated hitter is terminated for the remainder of the game when a substitute or former substitute for the defensive role subsequently participates in an offensive role, or the starting defensive player/ designated hitter is substituted for either as a hitter or runner. This is a major difference with the traditional designated hitter scenario, in

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which a substitute may replace as the role of the defensive player the designated hitter as a hitter or has been substituted by a legal runner, and the designated hitter substitute, while the designated may re-enter the lineup one time hitter role remains intact. The and maintain his designated hitter original defensive player/designated status. hitter is also allowed one re-entry The two available designated on defense. hitter options are also a point of emphasis for the 2020 season. Play 3: Team A lists Daniels as the starting designated hitter and the Play 1: Team A lists Daniels as the starting first baseman in the No. 4 starting designated hitter and the position in the lineup. In the fourth starting first baseman in the No. inning, Jackson substitutes as the 4 position in the lineup. Ruling 1: first baseman. In the fifth inning, This is legal, as a player can now be Jackson comes to bat in the No. 4 listed on the starting lineup as one position. Ruling 3: This is legal, and of the nine defensive positions and the role of the designated hitter is a designated hitter. terminated for the remainder of the game. However, Daniels still has Play 2: Team A lists Daniels as the re-entry rights, may re-enter at any starting designated hitter and the defensive position and may replace starting first baseman in the No. 4 Jackson as the No. 4 hitter in the position in the lineup. In the fourth lineup. inning, Jackson substitutes as the first baseman. In the fifth inning, Play 4: Team A lists Daniels as the Daniels comes to bat in the No. 4 starting designated hitter and the position. In the sixth inning, Daniels starting first baseman in the No. 4 re-enters defensively as the first position in the lineup. In the top of baseman. Ruling 2: This is legal, the fifth inning, Daniels hits a single,

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and Jackson substitutes for him the starting designated hitter in as a pinch-runner. In the bottom of the No. 4 position in the lineup, the fifth inning, Daniels continues and Jackson as the starting first to play first base on defense. In baseman in the No. 10 position. In the sixth inning, Daniels comes the fifth inning, Jackson comes to to bat again in the No. 4 position. bat in the No. 4 position. Ruling Ruling 4: This is legal. Once 6: This is legal. Jackson is allowed Jackson entered as an offensive to pinch-hit, and the role of the substitute for Daniels, the role of designated hitter is terminated for the designated hitter is terminated. the remainder of the game. However, Daniels still has re- entry rights, may re-enter at any Play 7: Team A lists Daniels as defensive position and may replace the starting designated hitter in Jackson as the No. 4 hitter in the the No. 4 position in the lineup, lineup. and Jackson as the starting first baseman in the No. 10 position. In Play 5: Team A lists Daniels as the fifth inning, Daniels replaces the starting designated hitter in Jackson as the first baseman. the No. 4 position in the lineup, Ruling 7: This is legal. Daniels is and Jackson as the starting first allowed to play a defensive position, baseman in the No. 10 position. and the role of the designated hitter Ruling 5: This is legal, as the is terminated for the remainder of designated hitter may still be a 10th the game. However, Jackson still starter hitting for any one of the nine has re-entry rights as a starter and starting defensive players. may either pinch-hit or pinch-run for Daniels, and may also re-enter on Play 6: Team A lists Daniels as defense. 2020 OREGON POINTS OF EMPHASIS

Strike Zone the focal point of virtually every • Calling balls and strikes game. To that end, it is imperative remains the most significant task that all umpires work hard to of any umpiring crew. It is the remain consistent, defendable, most visible, and scrutinized, and reasonable in calling pitches. aspect of officiating a high school Sometimes these three goals baseball contest. Although the conflict, but the good umpire state committee is committed to should be able to use all available teaching efficient and effective information to call virtually every base mechanics, and does not pitch in a way that serves the wish to diminish the importance of playability of the game, while the umpire(s) working the bases, maintaining the integrity of the the umpire “on the dish” remains sport.

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• It is important to be aware of home plate, the top of which is the strike zone as it is defined in halfway between the batter’s Rule 2 (Definitions), SECTION 35 shoulders and the waistline, and of the rule book: STRIKE ZONE the bottom being the knees, The strike zone is that space over when he assumes his natural

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batting stance. The height of the thumb is that every pitch is a strike strike zone is determined by the until you are forced to call it a ball. batter’s normal batting stance. If he crouches or leans over to Fly Ball coverage make the shoulder line lower, The state committee is the umpire determines height concerned that many, if not most, by what would be the batter’s of the state’s umpires are neglecting normal stance. Umpires absolutely fly ball coverage fundamentals. need to begin developing their Whether it be ignorance, laziness, interpretation of the strike zone with or a lack of urgency (likely some the rule-book definition as a base. combination of the three), umpires do not seem to be giving the proper • Players, coaches, and fans effort in covering fly balls. need to understand that the strike Whether it be a system of two, or zone will vary marginally from game three, umpires, the covering umpire to game based on: 1) the umpire, needs to “read” and “react” to every particularly the umpire’s stance fly ball. In a two-person system, the behind the catcher 2) the ability base umpire should always “pause” of the catchers to present the before moving on to “reading” any ball effectively 3) the ability of the fly ball. In the three-person system, pitchers to “hit their spots” 4) the U3 often has the advantage of nature and/or score of the game “running” while reading a fly ball hit in their area of coverage. Take • Umpires should work hard to advantage of those initial moments, be consistent from game to game whether on the run or not, to get a and from pitch to pitch. However, it feel for where the fly ball has been should be understood that a pitch hit and who the primary defender in a freshman game that is called a is likely to be (which outfielder or, strike might well be properly called potentially, an infielder moving back a ball in a varsity play-off contest. on the ball). The covering umpire’s Additionally, a pitch that is called a eyes should then move away from ball in the first inning may properly the ball and to the defender in an be called a strike in the 6th inning of effort to determine if the fly ball will an 11-0 contest. be “trouble.” If so, the covering umpire should move “out” in an • It is the goal of the state effort to get the best possible angle committee to encourage umpires on the potential catch. to call strikes. Pitches “across the The ball should be considered letters” are usually strikes. Pitches “trouble” if it meets one, or a crossing at the “hollow of the knee” combination of, the following are usually strikes. Pitches just off criterion: 1) a potential catch the plate that cross between the below the waist, 2) a ball involving edge of the plate and the inner converging fielders, 3) a ball that is edge of the opposite batter’s box likely to require a fair/foul judgment, are usually strikes. A good rule of 4) any ball that threatens the fence.

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Remember to move along such a route to avoid being straight-lined when ruling on any potential catch. Move quickly, but deliberately, and make sure you are set when making your call. If you need to take several steps toward the play after the initial call, in order to close ground, do so while repeating the call once or twice for emphasis. Please pregame fly ball coverage and make sure everyone is on the same page, particularly in a three- person game. Work with your local trainers in developing consistency in your steps, pivots, and routes of coverage. Use crisp and clear mechanics in ruling on fly balls.

Jewelry The administration of warnings, and potential penalties, toward players wearing jewelry on the baseball field is a point of emphasis at the national level this year. The state committee would like to point all umpires to the excellent summation of the importance of enforcing jewelry rules provided by our friends at the NFHS offices. playing field for both teams. An The state committee has umpire would certainly want to be also chosen to make it a point of more vigorously proactive about emphasis, in part to remind Oregon a spiked, metal bracelet then they umpires about the proper technique would be about a player’s cloth, to be employed in enforcing the friendship bracelet. jewelry rule. We want players and coaches Warn, warn, warn. We should to be aware of the rules. We also offer multiple informal warnings to want to focus on those things that individual players, and generally to directly affect player safety and/or teams, before resorting to formal the game’s outcome. written warnings and/or ejections. Jewelry is enough of a problem The state committee wants to across the country that the NFHS is remind all umpires that we are most making it a point of emphasis. Let’s concerned with player safety and, make sure it does not become a secondarily, with providing an equal major point of contention in Oregon.

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2020 MECHANICS CLARIFICATIONS

Fly Ball Coverage some inconsistencies in the Commensurate with including diagrams from the last full iteration fly ball coverage as a point of the Oregon Baseball Umpires of emphasis this season, the Manual. Multiple diagrams committee is anxious to clarify improperly reflect the covering

A RF CATCH

THROW U1

U1 R1 R1 R2 BR

R2 U3

BR R3 R3 Crew of Three – Runners on First, Second and Third Fly Ball to Right Field: Catch: U1 Goes Out Updated Pg. 166

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umpire moving at an angle which of the ball hitting the fence, other may not provide the best view of contributing factors such as a potential catch and/or might weather, field conditions, and the straight-line the official. U3’s route speed of the fielder. as shown on pages 166 and 177 of MechaniGram C (on the next the current manual is certainly not page), updated from page 190 ideal. The route designs on pages of the manual, shows the correct 153 and 168 are much better. route U3 should take in covering MechaniGrams A and B show the play. Although we are happy updated routes for the plays on with our previous depiction of the pages 166 and 177, respectively. covering umpire moving well into The umpire, usually: 1) should the outfield and getting an angle not chase the ball, 2) should on the play, the better route here, strive to get as close to the play with the right fielder closing on as possible while still being set the ball, would be straight toward at the time of the catch/no catch, center field, on the “open” side of 3) should include the reaction of the fielder. the fielder(s), the potential sound

CATCH

THROW U3 BR U1

U1 U3

BR R3 R3 Crew of Three – Runners on First and Third Fly Ball to Left-Center Field: Catch: U3 Goes Out Updated pg. 177

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C CATCH RF

THROW

R2 U3 BR U3

Crew of Three: Runner on Second Fly Ball to Right-Center Field: Catch: U1 Goes Out Updated pg. 190

Reverse Rotation only when working three-person In 2017 the state committee mechanics. In reverse rotating on a made a reverse rotation mandatory base hit, it should be the objective with two outs and a runner on of U3 to move outside the diamond second base only or with two outs for any potential play at third base and runners at second and third (as shown in MechaniGram D). Any base. This would be applicable play at third base is likely to be on

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the batter-runner, and even the less apply to reverse rotations in first- fleet-of-foot umpires in our state and-second and bases-loaded should be able to get outside the situations, but umpires need to diamond before the batter-runner be aware of potentially being reaches third base, thus putting the responsible for multiple runners in bag between the umpire and the these scenarios, and should not runner — an ideal position. automatically seek to move outside This same reasoning would of the diamond.

D RF CLEAN HIT

THROW

U1 BR

BR R3 R3 R2 U3 Crew of Three: Runner on Second and Third With Two Outs Only: Clean Hit to the Outfield Updated pg. 202

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