2008 COLLEGIATE CLINIC2008 COLLEGIATE CLINIC

February 23, 2007February 23, 2007

BAT INSPECTION • PERMIT CORRECTIVE ACTION

HELMET INSPECTION• WE NO LONGER DO THIS

CONFISCATED EQUIPMENT• GIVE TO OFFICIAL SCORER OR GAME

MANAGER

FIRST IMPRESSIONSFIRST IMPRESSIONS• ARE MADE ONE TIME ONLY

• MAKE IT A GOOD ONE

• TAKE PRIDE IN YOUR APPEARANCE

• PEOPLE SKILLS – BE CORDIAL

• CONFIDENCE NOT ARROGANCE

LINE-UPSLINE-UPS

• CHECK THEM CAREFULLY

• DOUBLE CHECK

• BE AWARE OF WHAT IS GOING ON

• ALL SUBSTITUTIONS /RE-ENTRY

• ANNOUNCE THEM

• PREVENTIVE UMPIRING

Game ManagementGame Management

• You are now at the next level – It’s a job, not just a hobby!

• Conversations with coaches

• Mental preparation: start to finish focus

• Observe flow of game and anticipate problems

ProtestsProtests

• Coach must cite rule being protested

• Attempt to resolve on field

• If played under protest:

Document circumstances (inning, score, situation, runner position, count, outs, teams, coaches, etc)

Two Really Cool TechniquesTwo Really Cool Techniques

Parallel Path Movement

‘ Rimming’ the Outside

Key Concept: Parallel Path to the RunnerKey Concept: Parallel Path to the Runnera.k.a. ‘Railroad Tracking’a.k.a. ‘Railroad Tracking’

• The path of the runner represents one train track

• The umpire is the other track• The train moves forward when both “wheels”

are moving• When runner retreats, umpire retreats in same

parallel direction• When she advances, the umpire parallels her

Parallel Path - Case PlayParallel Path - Case Play

• R2 at 2B. Long base hit scores R2 but BR may stay at 1B or run to 2B on the throw to cut-off– PU - holding zone, adjust position for possible

tag play at 3B or plate– BU - watch BR touch first, stay out of throwing

lane, then move parallel with BR back into 1st base or into 2nd base

• Steal Plays. Parallel runner, adjust angle to tag

‘Rimming’ Technique

• Rimming is a technique that follows the ‘Parallel Path’ to the runner concept

• Example: R1 at 1B. Passed ball, R1 steals second and rounds the base. Umpire ‘rims’ the outside, parallel to the runner keeping all 4 elements in front

Plate Umpire positioningPlate Umpire positioning

Trailing the batter-runnerHelp-Ahead:

at 2B when U1 is trapped at first

at 3B when U1 makes call at 2BHold position until ball in circle, all

runners have stopped on base, and partners arrive at next pos

Tag plays at 3rd and the plate

Be a student of the gameBe a student of the game

• Know the game situation and tendencies

• Have an awareness of the ball, the runners and your partner(s)

• Be prepared: know the mechanics, the techniques and the philosophies in the Umpire Manual

• Know where you need to go before the pitch and then get there

• Adjust as plays happen to preferred angle and distance

Key Mechanics ConceptsKey Mechanics Concepts

• Primary position

• Secondary position

• Starting position & calling depths

• Angle vs. Distance

• Holding Position

• Help-Ahead

• Hold position until ball in circle, runners stop

• 90-degree angle to the throw

• 90-degree to the tag

• Railroad track in a parallel path

• Rimming outside

• Beware the throwing lane

• Start strong, Finish Strong

Master the Concepts.Master the Concepts.Embrace the Philosophy.Embrace the Philosophy.

Mechanics are not black and white, they are a gray fog that umpires need to navigate through.

Know why one position is preferred over a different one.

Know where you are going to go in all situations

Adjust as plays happen; adjust to the right place and be confident because you know where that is.

INTERFERENCEINTERFERENCE

THE ACT OF AN OFFENSIVE PLAYER OR TEAM MEMBER, UMPIRE OR SPECTATOR THAT

IMPEDES, HINDERS OR CONFUSES A DEFENSIVE PLAYER ATTEMPTING TO EXECUTE A PLAY.

CONTACT IS NOT NECESSARY!

BALL IS DEAD – SOMEONE IS OUT, CAN BE TWO OUTS

OBSTRUCTIONOBSTRUCTION

THE ACT OF A DEFENSIVE TEAM MEMBER

o WHO HINDERS OR IMPEDES THE BATTER FROM

STRIKING AT OR HITTING A PITCHED BALL

o A FIELDER THAT IMPEDES THE PROGRESS OF A RUNNER

Delayed Dead BallBall is Live

Runner AdvancementBeyond the Protected Base

Other RunnersAwards

EMILY’S WEBSITE

WWW.CACTUSUMPIRES.COM

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