College 2-umpire Mechanics

CCSUA Fall ClinicSeptember 11, 20111Ground RulesObjectives of clinic **Ground rules **Cell phonesOne discussionNo war storiesPunctualityQuestions on subject matter

Appreciate your time, travel, gas expenseGet you ready for the next level. College coaches are full-time jobs, different environmentRules: cell phones, one discussion, no war stories, punctuality, questions ok but on subject

2AgendaOpening remarksAssigner expectations and policiesProfessionalismThe CCA manualMechanics college 2-umpire systemGame ManagementRules differencesClosing remarks and Fall ball sign-ups

Opening: intros, ccsua, training program3Greg SchmidtCCSUASUIP National Observation TeamComments on Game observations

4CCSUA Training ProgramTodays instructorsCooper, Lauderback, Long, BennettTraining program will now include:Fall clinic1st/2nd year umpiresVeterans on a rotating cycle every 3 yearsFall Observation games veterans includedIn-season observationsMentor program

Upbeat and Enthusiastic. Today's clinic: 1st/2nd year and veteran umpires. 3-year training program for veterans: every 3 years certain veteran officials will be attending the Fall clinic and working observation games. It gives everyone an opportunity to study the game year round and stay current with the NCAA trainings for college.We will concentrate on professionalism, athleticism, rules knowledge and 2-ump mechanics per the CCA manual. Games counts are reduced and only the umpires who exhibit the proper college umpire expertise and stay current with the game will be getting college games. For example, professionalism. Joanne's email stated the registration form was on Arbiter...who filled it out and sent it in? There are a number of fall ball games, so the Assignors have asked us to do game evaluations on as many umpires as possible and give them feedback on their compliance to the college softball philosophy, athleticism and mechanics. All classroom

5CCSUA Training ProgramAdherence to college mechanicsKnow and embrace the CCA manualMeet expectations of coachesCompliance with conference mandatesRules knowledgeProfessionalism6Joanne VendittoAssigner Expectations/Policies7Professionalism The College Softball Umpire

CCSUA Fall ClinicSeptember 11, 20118Code of Conduct page 23ProfessionalismMaster rules/mechanicsPrepare physically and mentallyAccept responsibility for all actions takenResponsibilities and ExpectationsContinually seek self-improvement **Mental preparation for each and every gameOff-season training

Being a Professional UmpireClinics, observation games, watching othersNASO, Referee magazine, books, roundtables,talking with other umpires at tournaments.

Off-season: read rule book, CCA manual, keep in shape9Relationships **Partners, coaches, players, fansFraternization and Off-field behaviorYou represent umpires, conference, NCAAAppropriate attire and behaviorAvoid casual, unnecessary conversationsTobacco, Alcohol and GamblingUniform and equipment

Being a Professional UmpirePartners: crewness!! On and off field.Coach: business-like and professional; respect, do not initiate conversation but answer politely and briefly.10Best possible calling positionCall is credible angle/distanceCollege coaches notice Perception of athleticismExpectations of coaches and playersExpectations of conferencesHealthier and longer lifeFitness and AthleticismWhy should a college umpire be fit11College umpires are expected to:Know rules, mechanics, game managementHave a perfect uniform and appearanceMust take it to the next levelCommunications skillsBe a student of each game; see what is happeningStay cool in the worst situationsStay ahead of the gameFitness, rule and mechanics changesBeing a ProfessionalComm emails are formal professional communications 12Umpire expectationsFirst few years travel, CC gamesSet realistic goalsCC post-season after 3 years?Moving up to NAIA, Div 2 and 3Leave the baseball mechanics/philosophies on the baseball fieldCollege coaches notice it and dislike it!Fastest way to go back to baseball full-time

13The CCA ManualThe college mechanics manualAnd much, much moreShow 2010. May be very different for 201214CCA ManualWhy do I need it if I work only 2-ump games? Only one section devoted exclusively to 3-ump348 pages and 12 sections, 3-ump section: 95 pagesExpanding the Manual - only 1 page out of 37 sections are a "must-read" for all umpiresSpirit/PhilosophyDefinitionsDuties and ProceduresEvery GameExpanding the manual

Read these section titles: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 15

The 2-ump system - Essential Concepts

Core PhilosophyMust know where you would like to be on any given playRegardless of whether they can actually achieve the positionDetermine the most efficient path to getting thereWork ahead of the playRead the play; move to most likely playKeep elements in frontOne, two, and three element playsAdjust to the individual playPrimary position, calling position if necessaryTo see the elements as they change as the play happensElements of play: - ball, base, runner, fielder1: tag play not involving a base, 2: tag play that involves a base, 3: force playAdjust: high throw, wide throw, swipe tag, position of players bodies closer, wider, over the top16VideosRead the play

One element play

Secondary

17Essential Concepts -2 Efficient movementStart and end all movement in a good baseThe umpire balletMaster the pivot and reverse pivotUse crossover steps - not side-to-side or back-pedalingMovement Choose a position before moving, move directly to itNo loopingAchieve angle first, then adjust distanceDiscipline and control your body -

Good base: Feet parallel no more than shoulder width apart, Weight evenly distributed

18Essential Concepts -3Pre-pitch preparationHow many outs; is it a full countCheck swingPickoff play, steal, wild pitch/passed ballDo I chase?Infield hit - bunt, grounder, line driveOutfield hit - fly, single, gapper, tag-up responsibility

19

Every GameAngle 90o for tag, throwVideos

Distance Primary position - calling depth force play, tag play, Calling position - adjustment to play, secondary positions

Holding position areas pg 127

Definitions section20Every game - 2MovementStarting position, set Parallel movement, efficient movementCommitment to the play, rhythm, timing

ComportmentBody language, signals, crewness, Game management, handling conflict

21Plate Umpire Responsibilities

Trailing BR All plays/touch at plateMultiple runnersAll plays/touch on lead runner at 3bExcept - imminent play at plate; catcher/cut-off throws to 3bStart moving as soon as you determine no play at plateWatch runner touch plate while moving to 3b

Fair/foul calls; fly ball/line drives catch/no catch Unless BU chases

22Base Umpire Responsibilities

All plays/touch at 1b, 2b (angle to throw) First play from infielder at 1b, 2b, 3bPlays /touch on BR at 3bAll steals and pickoff plays Read runner and catcher to anticipate play Talk to PU for WP or passed balls with R1Working between pitchesWorking between pitches pg 138

23Starting Positions for Base Umpire

No one on option of A or B positionA: 18' to 20' down 1st base line, walking the pitch B: between 1b and 2b, behind F4, setNo closer to 1b than 15'No farther from 1b than midpoint between 1b and 2bRunner on 1b only (B position)Same as B aboveAll other situations (C position)Between 2b and 3b, behind F6, setNo closer than 15' to 2b or 3b

24Comments on starting positionsPosition 2Always closer to 1b than 2bRead situation - rabbit and likely steal; big lead and likely pickoff...Position 3Most of time between 15' from 2b and midpointRead situation , most of which are a possible play at 2b or 1b

25Chasing and Tag Ups

ChasingChase if it will be a tough call for PU; use common sense with multiple runnersA Position: CF to RF dead-ball lineB and C Positions: the "V"Tag Up ResponsibilitiesPlate Ump: 3bBase Ump: 1b and 2bGet to 0o for tag26Calling the Illegal PitchTough callMust be made if it isShow 2010. May be very different for 201227The rulesKnow the rule and the rule-book language! **Before the pitch pivot foot, non-pivot foot (125)Pitchers lane (10.4.1)Leap (10.4.4)Crow hop (10.4.5)See it and make sure it is illegal!Other illegal pitchesLosing contact pivot and non-pivot

Pivot portion on the top surface. Non in contact (rule 10.4.2 Note)Leap she became airborne on her initial movement from the pitchers plate; the pivot foot must slide or drag on the groundch she is replanting and gaining a second push off with her pivot footLane when she landed she was not on or within the pitching lanes28Pitchers laneVideo

29LeapVideo Close-up

Video

Video 30Crow-hopVideos drag then replant31More things to watchLosing contact with platePivot foot getting torque vs clearing the cleat

Pivot foot stepping forward (video later)Non-pivot foot interpretationUp against the back of plate with heel upLowers heelFoot does not move backShoe just barely off plate32More illegal pitch videosDVDS33Managing ConflictAnd common sense umpiringShow 2010. May be very different for 201234Responses to coachesArguing a judgment callCoach, I understand what youre saying, however, on that play, I didnt see it that way.Coach, I had a good look at that play and heres 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 callYou gotta go for help from your partnerWhat part of the play do you think I missedI got a good angle/distance, saw the play clearlyHe is 60 from the play at a bad angle35Coachs anger starts escalatingCoach, if you yell I wont listen. I can hear you/Im standing right here, you dont need to raise your voice.I need you to stop raising your voice and just ask your question calmlyCoach, Im going to talk with you and answer your questions, but you must put your arms down/stop the gesturing.Coach, Ive heard enough (use stop sign). Coach, this is your warning for the rest of the game. 36The hit-and-run coachSays something inappropriate as she/he is walking away **Maybe loud enough for others to hear, maybe notIt really should not be toleratedGoing after them as they walk away -looks like your the aggressorDo this insteadTurn to partner, hold up a hand, clearly/loudly say "partner we have a warning to coach for unsporting conduct **What might happen nextCoach turns back to make yet another inappropriate remarkEject them. They are aggressor , held accountable for inappropriate behaviorNothingYou have sent the message Coach now knows that he/she does not get a free pass on inappropriate behavior

We have all dealt with the "hit & run" or "sniper" coach at one time or another. 2. This will let everyone including the "sniper" know that what they have said is inappropriate and will not be tolerated.

37Potential conflictsManaging Managers **No advantage before the gameDo not let them make comments on balls/strikesUsing a conference to argue balls/strikesNo counting of close calls

Their pitcher is illegal; their runners leave too soon. Just a second coach, lets get the other coach out here to hear your concerns. Handle immediately or between inningsThose pitches are not strikes; I am not calling them against your batters. Warning?Trying to incite players/fans. Stern warning or bigger problems

38Role-playPurposeSituation awarenessRules 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 battleGame managementRules of engagementDo your best to visualize the fieldPut yourself completely into the roleDO NOT BREAK ROLEHandle the situation exactly as you would in a gameNext slide if audience says anythingyou will be ejected!

39Play 1Speedster R1 at 1b and leaves on the pitchBR 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.

40Play 2Pitcher leaps and BU calls illegal pitch

41Play 3R1 on 2b with 1 outB3 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 slightlyF8 makes a strong throw to F2 at the plateR1 is called out on a bang-bang play at the plate

CCA pg 101 42NCAAs Unique RulesMajor differences from other codesShow 2010. May be very different for 201243Game ManagementFieldFitness, pitching lane, no double-baseCatcher and coaches boxesEquipmentBat bats highlighted on list, inspect bats onlyCatcher mask/helmet if on fieldBatting helmet face mask not requiredJewelry ok, headbands not mentionedDo not ask coach to verify

Field: fitness for starting (both coaches and/or host administrative staff) pitching distance 43, no double-1st base, collapsible fence44Game Management - 2Warm-ups between InningsSpecific rules for offense, defenseNo 1-minute time limitHelp on check swing and pick-off8-run rule (must), tie-breaker rule (may)Short-handed rule not usedDefensive conference and pitcher

45Game Management - 3Handling substitutions - RARAInaccurate line-up rule, take your timeRepeat & write it with coachSuggestion use a red penLineup card managementUmpire Manual, Appendix ANo re-entry, no crossing outwww.cactusumpires.com for ppt

Review, accurate?, record, announce-opposing coach & scorekeeper, official scorekeeper, PACactus: Click Downloads, ASA/NFHS Lineup Management System (ppt)46Game PersonnelLine-upsHead coachs name requiredFix it if you canUnreported substituteOnly starters may re-enterCannot play with less than 9No disqualification or restrict to bench

Cannot play if 10 players and use DPCoach ejected must leave, behind home-run fence47Pitching rulesTime Allowed Between Pitches10-10-5Pitchers feet before pitchPitcher returning in same inningCall the illegal pitch!

Feet half pivot foot on or above the top surface; pivot foot in contact, may lose contact slightlyDemonstration48Batting RulesStrike ZoneCoaches preferMost commonly called

49Batting Rules - 2Hit by pitch while out of batter boxBunt attempt if bat held in strike zoneThrown batBatting out of order: outs not keptFoul ball near dugoutInterference on squeeze play

No pitch 3. Team warning5. Dugout belongs to team 6. runner out if < 2outs50Base Running RulesLook-back rule and overrunning 1bRunning laneNo courtesy runnerObstructionAbandoning a base

2. If foot completely out and hit anywhere5. Out if obviously heads toward dugout/position or leaves the field of play51