2019 1.What am I doing ALL the time? 2.What am I doing MOST of the time? 3.What am I doing SOME of the time? 4.What am I doing OCCASIONALLY as an umpire? 5.What am I doing RARELY as an umpire? 2019 2019 • USA BAT STANDARD • NO ON-DECK BATTER (Majors & Below) • NO DONUTS • NO HEAD FIRST SLIDES WHILE ADVANCING (Majors & Below) • NO JEWELRY (Except Medical Alert – Should Be Taped Secure) 2019 • NO CASTS ON THE FIELD • RESTRICTIONS ON PAINTED HELMETS AND STICKERS • HELMETS MUST BE NON-GLARE, NO MIRROR-LIKE FINISH • NO ADULTS WARMING UP PITCHERS • ALL CATCHER’S MASKS MUST HAVE A DANGLER 2019 Rule 1.10 – Baseball Beginning with the 2018 season, non-wood and laminated bats used in

• Little League (Majors) and below • Intermediate (50-70) Division • Junior League Division • Challenger Division

shall bear the USA Baseball logo signifying that the bat meets the USABat – USA Baseball’s Youth Bat Performance Standard.

All BPF – 1.15 bats will be prohibited beginning with the 2018 season.

Additionally, starting in 2018, the bat diameter shall not 2019 exceed 2 ⅝ inches for these divisions of play. Rule 1.10 – Baseball 2019 Chart

• USA Baseball marking • 2 5/8” barrel maximum Minors & Majors *Approved Tee Ball bats may be used in coach /machine pitch divisions only with the use of approved tee balls.

• USA Baseball marking Intermediate (50/70) & • or BBCOR marking Junior • 2 5/8” barrel maximum

Senior • ALL bats must be BBCOR

Solid one-piece Wood Bats DO NOT 2019 Require a USA Baseball Logo HELMET (NO SKULLCAP) CATCHER’S MITT 1st Base Mitt or MASK Fielder’s Glove OK For WITH DANGLER

CHEST PROTECTOR SHIN GUARDS Long Model for BB Below Juniors CUP (BOYS)

2019 2019 •Read the play, taking a mental picture

•Pause to access the information, look at the picture

•React and make the call 2019 •Mistakes happen

•Correct if possible

•DO NOT attempt to even up calls

•Forget it and move on 2019 1. Positioning + Timing = Good judgment 2. Pause, Read, React 3. Priorities: Fair/Foul; /No Catch 4. Angle First, then Distance 5. Play = Ball and Runner 6. Watch the ball, glance at runners 7. Settle in 8. No Tunnel Vision!!!!!!! 9. Be stopped for all plays 10. Relax, Concentrate, Hustle 2019 11. TIMING, TIMING, TIMING Angle First 90 °°° to the play being made

Distance Second 9-12 feet from a tag play 12-18 feet from a

2019 •Do not carry on idle conversations with managers, coaches, players or fans during a game

•Do not talk to players/coaches while ball is in play

•Minimize conversations with fellow umpires during the game and between

•If a controversial plays happens, DO NOT get together between innings to further discuss the 2019 situation or anything else •Never criticize another umpire’s decision (unless you are batting1.000)

•Do not wear your uniform while sitting in the stands

•If asked your opinion of a call while watching a game, have no comment, be neutral and impartial

•Admit your mistakes…But…Never admit your partners mistakes 2019 • READ & KNOW the Rulebooks • Show CONFIDENCE in your calls • Use the appropriate VOICE when making calls • Always use the correct signals for calls • TAKE CHARGE on the field • Keep the Game MOVING

2019 2019 THE RULES 1.00 OBJECTIVES OF THE GAME 2.00 DEFINITION OF TERMS 3.00GAME PRELIMINARIES 4.00 STARTING AND ENDING THE GAME 5.00 PUTTING THE BALL IN PLAY – LIVE BALL 6.00 THE BATTER 7.00 THE RUNNER 8.00 THE PITCHER 9.00 THE UMPIRE 2019 between 2 Teams of 9 Players each under the direction of a Manger and not more than 2 Coaches

played on a Regulation LL Field

in accordance with LL Rules

under the jurisdiction of 2019 1 or More Umpires 2019 2019 A LEGAL Pitch the meets ANY of these conditions: (a) Is struck at by the batter and missed. (b) Is not struck at, if any part of the ball passes through any part of the (c) Is fouled by the batter when there is less than two strikes (d) Is bunted foul (batter is and ball is 2019 dead if batter bunts foul on strike three). (e) Touches the batter’s person as the batter strikes at it () (f) Touches the batter in the strike zone. (g) Becomes a (ball is live and in play). 2019 2019 BATTER’S NORMAL STANCE A pitch the does NOT enter the strike zone in flight and is not struck at by the batter.

2019 • SETTLES on Fair Ground between Home & 1 st or Home & 3 rd • On or Over fair when BOUNDING over 1 st or 3 rd base into the • TOUCHES 1 st , 2 nd or 3 rd base 2019 • FALLS Fair beyond 1 st & 3 rd Base • TOUCHES a Player or Umpire while On or Over Fair Territory • Over Fair Territory when PASSING out of play in flight 2019 NOTE: A fair fly shall be adjudged according to the relative position of the ball and the foul line, including the foul pole, and not as to whether the fielder is on fair or foul territory at the time such fielder touches the ball. 2019 • Position of BALL not the Player • Fair if any part of Ball is on or over Foul Line • Home Plate is in Fair Territory • No foreign objects in Fair Territory • Ball over the fence is judge when it leaves the Field, NOT where it lands 2019 • Touched before 1 st or 3 rd – Judge where touched • Bounds over 1 st or 3 rd – Judge when passes over the base • Over the Fence – Judge position relative to foul pole when ball leaves field • Stops Rolling before 1 st or 3 rd – judge where stops 2019 • Signal and Verbalize “FOUL” • Signal only on FAIR • Once you Verbalize “FOUL” – cannot change to FAIR • On rolling ball before 1 st or 3 rd – DO NOT call to quickly • After a , ALWAYS put ball in 2019 Play (make live) After the ball is dead, play shall be resumed when

Pitcher takes position on the pitcher’s plate;

WITH the ball in the Pitcher’s possession

AND the plate umpire calls “PLAY” 2019 is a that goes sharp and direct from the bat to the catcher’s hands and is legally caught. It is not a foul tip unless caught and any foul tip that is caught is a strike, and the ball is in play. 2019 • Sharp & Direct to catcher’s glove or hand • NOT a Foul Ball • A Strike • Ball is Live and In Play • Runners may advance at their own risk. 2019 2019 Ball Strike Out

Foul – Left Field 2019 Foul – Right Field •Ball/Strike •Fair/Foul •Catch/No Catch •Safe/Out •Check Swing Appeal

2019 •Fly ball coverage •Fair/foul coverage •Plays at third •Tags and touches at third •DO NOT be a potted plant

2019 •TIME •Making Ball Live •Calling balls and strikes •Timing-timing-timing •Foul Tip Mechanic •Check Swing Appeal 2019 •The Basic Six •Proper Use of an Indicator •How to Give the •Taking Off the Mask •How to Clean the Plate •Making the Ball Live 2019 Plate Stances •SLOT (or Box/Wrestler) •Kneeling •Scissors Your stance is a personal preference and must be what works for you. Choose the stance that makes you feel most confident in your ability to call strikes and balls.

Our clinic will be teaching the Slot stance. 2019 Protective Equipment Facing Front Proper Head Height

Wrist Relaxed, Forearm Wrapped

2019 The SLOT Wide Stance

(front view) Shoulder Width or Greater Forward Body Tilt

Proper Head Height

Drop Foot

Slot Foot

The SLOT Heel Toe 2019

(side view) Heel Toe Good View of Outside Corner

Protective Equipment Facing Front

Heel Toe Good Clearance from Catcher Heel Toe 2019 The SLOT Right Hand On or Behind Thigh (top view) THE WORKING AREA 2019 2019 Prior to a pitch being thrown, the defense elects to “Intentionally Walk” the batter by announcing such decision to the plate umpire.

• By Defensive Manager • Request Time and Inform Umpire • Ball is Dead; No runner advance unless forced • Four (4) Pitches added to 2019 After entering the batter’s box, the batter must remain in the box with at least one foot throughout the . (league option)

Exceptions: • On a swing, slap, or check swing. • When forced out of the box by a pitch. • Batter attempts “drag ” (BB) or “slap” or “slap bunt”(SB) • When the catcher does not catch the pitched ball. • When a play has been attempted. • When time has been called. • Catcher leaves Catcher’s Box • Pitcher leaves the dirt area of the pitching mound (BB) • Pitcher leaves the eight foot circle (SB) • On a three ball count pitch that is a strike that the batter thinks 2019 is a ball. Runner is out when: (a)(1) Running more than three feet away from a direct line between bases to avoid being tagged, unless such action is to avoid with a fielder fielding a batted ball; (a)(2) After touching 1st base, abandons all effort to touch next base (a)(3) the runner does not or attempt to get around a fielder who has the ball and is waiting to make the tag; • Hurdling or going over the defensive player with the ball is legal 2019 Runner is out when:

(a)(4) (Majors/Minors) The runner slides head first while advancing (b) Intentionally interferes with a thrown ball or hinders a fielder attempting to make a play on a batted ball • Hindering a fielder does not have to be intentional (c) The runner is tagged when the ball is alive while off a base 2019 Runner is out when: (d) Failing to retouch the base after a fair or foul fly ball is legally caught before that runner or the base is tagged by a fielder. The runner shall not be called out for failure to retouch the base after the first following pitch, or any play or attempted play. This is an .

(e) Runner force out 2019 Runner is out when: (f) touched by a fair ball in fair territory before the ball has touched or passed an . The ball is dead and no runner may score, no runners may advance, except runners forced to advance

(g) attempting to score on a play in which the batter interferes with the play at home base before two are out. With two out, the interference puts the batter . out and no score counts

(h) Passes a preceding runner 2019 Runner is out when:

(i) Running bases in reverse order to confuse defense or making a travesty of the game (j) failing to return at once to first base after overrunning or oversliding that base. (k) in running or sliding for home base, the runner fails to touch home base and makes no attempt to return to the base, when a fielder holds the ball in hand, while touching home base, and appeals to the umpire for the decision. 2019 Baseball & Softball – Minors and Majors

Any runner is out when - (a)(4) The runner slides head-first while advancing.

2019 Only when ADVANCING to a base. Does not apply when RETURNING to a base. This is a slide, not a trip, stumble, crawl, etc. This is not a FORCE play, but a TIME play. Ball remains LIVE. 2019 Baseball & Softball – ALL Levels Any runner is out when -

(a)(3)the runner does not slide or attempt to get around a fielder who has the ball and is waiting to make a tag.

A League CANNOT have a local “Must Slide Rule” 2019 without an Annual Waiver in writing from the LL Charter Committee Slide or Attempt to get around

Has the ball and is waiting to make the tag

Applies at ALL bases 2019 Read the Action, Apply the Important Points If Fielder is in Position and No Ball, Look for If No Ball, the runner does not get a “free shot” at the fielder This is not a FORCE play, but a TIME 2019 play. Ball remains LIVE. Rule 6.05 (b)2

• Third strike SWINGING or CALLED • Pitch NOT caught by the catcher • With LESS THAN 2 OUT, First Base UNOCCUPIED at Time of the Pitch • With 2 OUTS, First Base can be OCCUPIED • Out must be made with the ball. Examples: • Tag Batter-Runner • Force Out Batter Runner at First • Force out on Runner at Plate • another Base Runner 2019 Any runner is out when - (a)(1) Running more than three feet away from a direct line between bases to avoid being tagged, unless such action is to avoid interference with a fielder fielding a batted ball; or

Runners make their own baseline 2019 Only applies if there is a play on the runner Any runner is out when - (j) failing to return at once to first base after overrunning or oversliding that base. If attempting to to second the runner is out when tagged.

Runner may turn either Right or Left May overrun on a base-on-ball 2019 Fail to Return – tag runner or base Fielder Drops Ball In The Act Of Throwing

Fielder Drops Ball As A Result Of Collision Or Falling Ball Touches Offensive Player, Or Ground, Fence Or Umpires 2019 A FORCE PLAY is a play in which a runner legally loses the right to occupy a base by reason of the batter becoming a runner.

2019 A TAG is the action of a fielder in touching a base with the body while holding the ball securely and firmly in the hand or glove; or touching a runner with the ball or with the hand or glove holding the ball, while holding the ball securely and firmly in the hand or glove.

2019 A BUNT is a batted ball not swung at, but intentionally met with the bat and tapped slowly.

BASEBALL ONLY : If no attempt is made to make contact with a ball outside the strike zone while in the bunting stance, it should be called a ball. An effort must be made to intentionally meet the ball with the bat.

2019 A BUNT is a batted ball not swung at but intentionally met with the bat and tapped slowly. Holding the bat in the strike zone is considered an attempted bunt. In order to take a pitch, the batter must withdraw the bat backwards away from the ball. 2019 In General The Offense Interferes The Defense Obstructs

Obstruction & Interference occur commonly in LL games but are often overlooked. 2019 is the act of a fielder who, while not in possession of the ball, impedes the progress of any runner. A fake tag is considered obstruction. (NOTE: Obstruction shall be called on a defensive player who blocks off a base, base line or home plate from a base runner while not in possession of the ball.)

Defensive Interference is actually Obstruction of the Batter (b) Defensive interference is an act by a 2019 fielder which hinders or prevents a batter from hitting a pitch. If play being made on obstructed runner (Type A) Ball is immediately dead Umpire’s judgment to place runners to bases they would have reached without the obstruction The obstructed runner gets at least one base beyond last base legal touched 2019 Call “TIME”, Announce “Obstruction, Place the runners If play NOT being made on obstructed runner (Type B) Announce “Obstruction:

Play proceeds until finished – DELAYED DEAD BALL Runner protected to base umpire feels he/she’s entitled, but liable for put-out beyond protection 2019 Call “Time” - Impose penalty (award bases) to nullify the obstruction (a) Offensive interference is an act by a member of the team at bat which interferes with, obstructs, impedes, hinders or confuses any fielder attempting to make a play. If the umpire declares the batter, batter-runner or a runner out for interference, all other runners shall return to the last base that was, in the judgment of the umpire, legally touched at the time of the interference, unless otherwise provided by these rules. 2019 (b) Defensive interference is an act by a fielder which hinders or prevents a batter from hitting a pitch.

(c) Umpire's interference occurs (1) when an umpire hinders, impedes or prevents a catcher's throw attempting to prevent a , or (2) when a fair ball touches an umpire on fair territory before passing a fielder.

(d) Spectator interference occurs when a spectator reaches out of the stands or goes on the 2019 playing field, and touches a live ball. (i) Base Coach physically assists the Runner

(j) 3 rd Base Coach actions to draw a throw from a fielder

Runner out in Both Cases

2019 When Offensive Interference Occurs – Immediate Dead Ball, No Runs Can Score, No Bases Can Be Run (l) Runner fails to avoid a fielder fielding a batted ball or deliberately interferes with a thrown ball

If fielder misses the ball, not interference protection is off. You cannot expect the fielder to suddenly disappear On a batted ball, Runner Out, BR on 1 st Base

2019 When Offensive Interference Occurs – Immediate Dead Ball, No Runs Can Score, No Bases Can Be Run (m) a fair ball touches the batter or runner in fair territory before touching a fielder. Applies to If ball passes first infielder, but second has a play this rule still applies Runner Out, BR awarded 1 st Base, Runners Return

2019 When Offensive Interference Occurs – Immediate Dead Ball, No Runs Can Score, No Bases Can Be Run Interference With Catcher's Throw

Must be Act of Throwing to retire runner Delayed Dead Ball Runner Returns, or if OUT, Play Stands

Hit By Batted Ball Before Passing A Fielder 2019 Should NEVER Happen on 60’ Field! Being by a Thrown Ball Being Hit by a Fielder Being Hit by a Runner Being Hit by a Fair Ball After Passing 2019 an Infielder Balls Out-of-Play (includes throws stuck in fence) Throws from a Fielder is always TWO BASES Award from TIME OF PITCH First Play by Infielder Award from TIME OF THROW Throw from Outfielder First Play by Infielder if BR and all runners have advanced on base at time of throw 2019 Relay throw from Infielder Balls Out-of-Play (includes throws stuck in fence)

Throws from the Pitcher are always ONE BASE Player is only a pitcher when throwing or pitching off the Pitcher’s Plate Includes pitches and pick-off throws 2019 Base Awards are NOT from the time the ball went out-of-play, but from TIME OF THROW TIME OF THROW is the instant the ball left the players hand during the throw

2019 At the end of the play, call “TIME” On an Out-of-Play Ball, as soon as the Ball crosses the field boundary, call “TIME, OUT-OF-PLAY” Award bases as per correct rule. Point at runner and say, for example “You, 3 rd Base” and point at the base. 2019 is a fair fly ball (not including a line drive nor an attempted bunt) which can be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort, when first and second, or first, second and third bases are occupied, before two are out.

The ball is alive and runners may advance at the risk of that ball being caught, or retouch and advance after the ball is touched, the same as on any fly ball. If the hit becomes a foul ball, it is treated the same as any foul. 2019 • Purpose – To protect offense from a “cheap” play. • Runners on 1 st & 2 nd OR 1st , 2 nd & 3 rd • Zero OR One Out • Must be a Fly Ball, NOT a Line Drive or Bunt

2019 • DO NOT judge the position of the ball • Judge if an Infielder could make the catch with ORDINARY EFFORT • Batter is OUT, even if fly ball is not caught • For base runners, treat as an Fly Ball • Base is a safe haven for runners 2019 • PRIOR to pitch, signal “ FLY” Situation to your partner • Note the positions of the Infielders • On the Hit • Observe Flight of Ball • Observe Action of the Infielders 2019 • As the ball starts DOWNWARD, judge if it is an Infield Fly • Raise right arm and verbalize, “INFIELD FLY, Batter is OUT” • Echo your partners call • If near the foul line, verbalize 2019 “INFIELD FLY IF FAIR” • IF you make a mistake on calling or not calling an Infield Fly, when the play is finished:

• When Infield Fly Situation is OFF, Signal partner (wipe off signal) 2019 2019 •Appeal Plays •Protests •Dealing / Discussing with Coaches •Ejections •Substitutions •Leaving the base too early •Sign/Pitch Location Stealing •How to get help from other umpires 2019 2019 •Batting Out of Order •Bunting on the 3 rd Strike •Hitting the ball with one foot completely out of the batters box •Two runners on the same base •Runner assisted by coach •Running Lane violation •Illegal Bat Violation 2019 If you are not having fun being an umpire, why do it? 2019