Plainfield Independent Umpires Umpire Clinic Training

1. So You Want to Be an
Umpire?

2. PIU Mission Statement
The Plainfield Independent Umpires is dedicated to
providing qualified, dependable umpires for Plainfield
Athletic Club baseball and softball contests. During the
course of meeting this goal, we strive to provide
training, mentoring, and growth opportunities for area
umpires in an effort to promote the honorable
profession of officiating. Support for all of our activities
is provided by the Plainfield Athletic Club and its
members. Our loyalty is to the PAC, first and foremost.

3. Supervisors
• Rob Denney
• Mike Anderson
• Jim Harpole
• Jay Madalon
• Ray Hayen
• Dave Wodopian
• Mike Rathbun
• Dan Newton
• Keith Bollinger
• Pat Sullivan
• Manny Villarrubia
• Tim Lucas

5. Uniform and Protective Gear

6. Never This

7. Game Day
• When possible, contact your assigned partner in advance to
coordinate officiating duties, uniforms, parking, etc.
• Arrive 15-30 minutes before the scheduled game time.
• Talk to your partner to determine responsibilities.
• Verify signals to be used and points of emphasis.
• Special focus on coverage for fair/foul, fly balls, and tag/timing
plays.
• This should take place every time you work a game, no matter
how often you work with the same partner.
• Covering any questions about coverage or mechanics here
can avoid a potentially embarrassing situation during the
game.

8. Game Day (cont)
• Walk the field. Inspect the fences, bases
and home plate for proper placement and
security.
• We use several fields that have multiple base
locations, so verify that the correct one is set up.
• Look for potential safety hazards and correct
them before you allow play to start.
• Monitor the team’s warm-up activities for
unsafe practices.
• Once you enter the field you are responsible.
• If you see something you don’t like, ask the
coaches to adjust the drill.
• catcher in his squat with no mask and helmet on,
• players taking batting practice without helmets
• hitting into unprotected players doing another drill,
etc.

9. Pre-Game Meeting
• 5-10 minutes before the scheduled game time, ask that
both managers come to the plate for the Pre-Game
Meeting.
• Move players away from this area for this meeting.
• Optimally, both teams should be in their respective dugouts.
• Get your Umpire Pay Card signed by the Home team
manager. This should always be done before the game.
• Game details: innings, time limit and run limits, if
applicable. Identify the home team score keeper and
verify with both managers that the home book will be
the official record.
• Standard ground rules:
• open gates, holes in fence, ball stuck in sign, etc.
• Also cover any ground rules specific to the particular field
you’re on.

10. Pre-Game Meeting (cont)
• Official warnings about jewelry and intentional throwing of
equipment.
• One warning during game play for a player wearing jewelry
• Players may be ejected immediately without a warning if you see them
intentionally throwing equipment for any reason.
• Remind managers about sportsmanship, and their
responsibilities in controlling their players, coaches, and fans.
• Remind managers that players must avoid contact on the base
paths and in the field at all times.
• Inform them you’ll call obstruction or interference, when appropriate.
• Any intentional contact by either offensive or defensive players, based
solely on the umpire(s) judgment, results in automatic ejection.

11. Pre-Game Meeting (cont)
• Instruct them to keep all coaches and players in the
dugout
• remind their player to keep their helmets on until they return
to the dugout.
• The team manager is allowed to stand in the dugout entry
• Cover the use of courtesy runners for the catcher
(mandatory with 2 outs) and pitchers
• Note: The courtesy runner for the catcher or pitcher should be
the catcher or pitcher for the subsequent inning.
• Instruct managers to remain in the dugout and off the
field until time is granted by the umpire(s.)
• Remind them that only the manager, a coach in the
coach’s box, or a player in the game may request time.

12. How Do a Lot of Kids Feel
About Playing Baseball?

14. What if a Kid Could Turn the
Tide on a Parent
KIDS REVENGE

15. Game Duties
• Utilize the Home team scorer and score book as the Official record of
the game. Check with both scorers and ask them to notify you
immediately if a discrepancy arises.
• PAC rules prevent anyone from standing behind the backstop directly
behind Home plate or outside the dugouts at all fields.
• Only the manager, or in his absence, the coach that attends the pre-
game meeting is allowed to discuss a call or ruling with an umpire.
• Always attempt give a PAC In-House or Travel Manager, providing he’s
not the one who’s out of control, the chance to get his player, coach,
or spectator under control before escalating the situation by ejections
or calling the police.
• Exception- An action by a player, coach, or spectator is so egregious that is
requires immediate action on your part. Example Swearing!

16. Game Duties (cont)
• The game must be stopped immediately if a safety issues arise.
• These issues could include, but are not limited to, weather, fences,
equipment, and field conditions.
• The game can be resumed when you are satisfied that the unsafe condition
has been rectified (see below for specifics on handling inclement weather.)
• If a game has to be suspended for any reason, make sure that both books
agree and remind the Home manager to notify his Division Commissioner of
the suspension.
• You’re required to notify your Assigner if a game is stopped prior to
completion.
• Give the reason for suspension, the game status, and remaining innings

17. Game Duties (cont)
• Up until the start of the game, the PAC has the authority to determine
if the game should be played.
• After that time, you have sole authority over the conduct of the
game. If anyone attempts to overrule or affect your decision to stop a
game for safety, notify your Assigner immediately.
• No one from PAC has authority to restart the game but you and your partner.
This includes Commissioners, Board Members, & Umpire Supervisors. You
may however ask their opinion.
• Do not turn on the field lights (where applicable) before 6:15. PAC
pays for lights at a rate of 2.5 – 5.5 cents per kilowatt hour after 6:15
PM. Lights turned on before 6:15 are charged at $14+ (yes, that’s
dollars!) per kilowatt hour.

23. Strike Zone (cont)
• Rule Book: “THE STRIKE ZONE IS THAT AREA OVER HOME PLATE, THE UPPER LIMIT OF
WHICH IS A HORIZONTAL LINE AT THE MIDPOINT BETWEEN THE TOP OF THE SHOULDERS
AND THE TOP OF THE UNIFORM PANTS, AND THE LOWER LEVEL IS A LINE AT THE HOLLOW
BENEATH THE KNEECAP. THE STRIKE ZONE SHALL BE DETERMINED FROM THE BATTER’S
STANCE AS THE BATTER IS PREPARED TO SWING AT A PITCHED BALL.”
• Reality: Whatever the umpire calls.
THEORY/PHILOSOPHY OF CALLING BALLS & STRIKES
• “Pitcher’s Umpire” or Zone – Generous zone that gives the pitcher both
corners and the low part of the zone.
• “Hitter’s Umpire” or Zone – Tighter zone that only gives the pitcher “one
side” of the zone.
• Must be fair to both teams.
• Must be consistent – first Inning to last inning.

24. • AGE SPECIFIC STRIKE ZONE FOR PAC GAMES
• Upper & Lower Limits:
• 8U/10U/Pinto/Maverick – chin to mid-shin
• 12U/Mustang – shoulders to mid-shin
• 14U/Bronco – arm pits to mid-shin
• 16U/Pony – letters to upper shin
• 18U/Colt/Palomino – bottom of the letters to bottom of
the knee
• Inside & Outside Limits:
• One ball inside and 1 - 2 balls outside.
Strike Zone (cont)

28. Breakout Sessions 1
Strike Zone
Umpire Signals and Crew Communication
Parking Lot & Pregame

30. Base Umpiring
Positioning & Responsibilities

31. Where Do I Stand
• As a Base Umpire, there are four potential
positions ("Slots") where you'll position
yourself to start each play.
• Slot A: 10 – 12 feet behind 1st base in foul
territory
• Slot B: 2 – 3 steps behind and 2 – 3 steps to
the left of the 2nd baseman (in normal
position)
• Slot C: 2 – 3 steps behind and 2 – 3 steps to
the left of the shortstop (in normal position)
• Slot D: 10 – 12 feet behind 3rd base in foul
territory (only 3 or 4 person crews)

32. Base Umpire Position to Runners
• Slot A- no runner; Slot B- Runner on 1st Base: Slot C- All other
Tip: If you forget where you should stand to start
a play, stand in the Slot that is directly in front of
the lead runner.

33. Runner Responsibilities
• BU1 will make calls at all bases except home plate unless you (as BU1)
and the PU agree to another arrangement.
- For example, PU may opt to cover plays at 3rd base (3B) under some
scenarios and cover come-back plays on runners returning to 1st base (1B)
when BU1 is in a Slot position other than A.

34. How Do I Get in Position to Make the Call
Once the ball is hit, quickly glance and track where it is going and
where the fielder throws it to. You want to quickly decide where the
play is going and the throwing lane to make sure you stay out of the
way of the ball as you move into position.
• Move into position using the “inside / outside” technique
• If the ball is hit and fielded in the infield, stay "outside" the base path to
make your call.
• If the ball is hit and fielded in the outfield, run "inside" the base path (into the
Working Area) to make your call.

36. Base Umpire (cont)
• Face "chest-to-ball" and reverse pivot to the play once the ball is
thrown
• When a hit ball is fielded, you should jog to the position where you want to
make the call from, with your chest facing to the ball. When the fielder
releases the ball, you should then reverse pivot on your foot to observe the
play at the base / runner.
• For balls hit into the outfield, you have more time to get into position and get
set, so the timing of the reverse pivot is not as crucial as it is with balls hit and
fielded within the infield.

38. Base Umpire (cont)
• Regardless of your position to a play, try to be stationary at the time
the play happens
• Ideally, try to be about 10 feet or so from a play being made on a runner and
at a 90 degree view angle (approx.) of the play on the runner and from where
the ball is being thrown.
• Sometimes the ideal is not possible so favor angle over distance, and be
stationary at the time the play happens. You want to be firmly set, not
moving, when it's time to make your call.
#1 Rule in Umpiring-
Take your time to make a call!!
There is no call until you make it

39. Baseball vs Softball Differences
Topic Softball Baseball
How are runners affected by
the pitcher's circle?
- A runner must immediately
advance or retreat to a base
when the pitcher has the ball
within the circle. Failure to do
so is an out on that runner
unless a play is attempted on
the runner.
- There is no such circle or
rule.
When is a runner allowed to
leave a base?
- At 12u level, a runner may
leave a base once the ball is
released by the pitcher.
- At the 10u & below level, a
runner may leave a base once
the ball reaches the batter.
- At the Mustang and below, a
runner may leave a base once
the ball reaches the catcher.
What is the penalty for these
runner violations?
- In the case of a runner
leaving early and a circle
violation, the runner is out.
- In the case of a runner
leaving early, the runner is
not called out. In most
situations, the runner returns
to his base.

41. Breakout Sessions 2
Working Plate, Working Infield, Arbiter

42. What to Look For
Watch For
Potential Rule
Violations
Do This
Runners leaving early
Did any runners leave their base
early (prior to the ball reaching the
batter)?
- Baseball: If so, drop a red flag to
signal the violation and let the play
proceed. After the play has
completed, call "Time". During time
meet with your umpire crew to
make a ruling on which bases to
place the runner(s).
- Softball: If so, call the runner out
and "Time" to halt play.
Runner base touches
Did the runner(s) touch the
base(s)?
- If not, don't say anything and let
play proceed. Untouched bases are
rule violations that the defense
must appeal.
Tag-ups Did the runner(s) tag-up on a fly
ball catch?
- If not, don't say anything. This is
also an appeal call like untouched
bases.

43. Inclement Weather Guidelines
• When thunder is heard, or cloud to ground lightning is seen, the
thunderstorm is close enough to strike your location with lightning.
Suspend play immediately.
• Instruct the managers to move their teams out of the dugouts and away
from the field to a place of safety.
• Notify umpires on nearby fields, in case they are not aware of the weather
issue, then leave the field for a place a safety.
• Thirty Minute Rule:
• Once play has been suspended, wait at least 30 minutes after the last
thunder is heard or flash of lightning is witnessed prior to resuming play.
• Any subsequent thunder or lightning after the beginning of the 30-minute
count, the clock resets and another 30-minute count begins.
There are no exceptions to this rule!
• 45 minutes will be the maximum time a game will be suspended if there
are games to be played after the game suspended for inclement weather.

45. Attributes of Great Umpire
• The relentless pursuit of perfection can be applied to five skills areas if an individual is determined to achieve distinction as an
umpire.
• 1. RULES KNOWLEDGE
• An intimate knowledge and understanding of the rules and their accurate and clear implementation.
• Adopt a working knowledge of the rules in terms of advantagedisadvantage. Understand the intent of a rule not just the ability to
recite it word for word.
• 2. TIMING AND JUDGMENT (This means continuous refinement)
• Make a conscious effort to slow down, make this a part of your pre-game check off list.
• Read, pause, react - allow plays to develop and come to an end before making your decision.
• 3. MECHANICS
• Are all about your behavior and your willingness to put forth a focused, continuous, effort for the entire game.
• Be crisp in all of your actions.
• Hustle all the time. This always-overlooked behavior on the part of umpires creates respect from all and keeps coaches in the
dugout on close calls.
• 4. GAME MANAGEMENT
• It's your game to run.
• You are the final authority on the field, this means you have a duty to remain calm and in control at all times.
• 5. APPEARANCE
• Dress impeccably as an umpire; it speaks volumes about how you accept your professional duties.
• If you look rumpled you will be treated with disrespect, you single handedly compromise your own authority. Fact: The higher the
level of play the more profound this becomes. You earn respect by dressing the part. Remember more than 50% of how you are
judged by on-field personnel centers on your appearance.

46. How to Deal with these Issues
• Managers- Deal directly with them in a polite but direct manner
• Coaches- Go to the manager, unless it needs immediate action then go to
manage
• Parents- Go to the manager, unless it needs immediate action then go to
manage
• Safety- Stop Game IMMEDIATELY until the issue is corrected
• Weather
• Player safety
• Field Conditions

47. Types of Volunteer Coaches
• THE DRILL SERGEANT
You've seen this one: He runs practices and games in a strict, no-nonsense
fashion. He benches or chastises players for making a mistake. His philosophy
seems to be "The only way to have fun in sports is to win -- all the time.
• SCREAMING APOLOGIST
This coach takes winning too seriously, but he knows better. Early on, he tells the
team: "If I raise my voice during the game, please understand that I'm just yelling
because of the excitement and because I want you to play well.“
• THE BIG LEAGUE KNOW-IT-ALL
As you might suspect, this is the coach who wants all the players to do everything
precisely the way he says to. That can be a problem, especially if your child wants
to try a different approach-say, a batting stance that feels more natural to him.
• THE CONNIVER
Every community has one. This is the coach who looks for every loophole in the
league rule book to make certain his team is the best. There's often some
politicking or eligibility-rule bending to stack his team.
• THE CASUAL COACH
Believe it or not, the Casual Coach may do more to take the fun out of your child's
athletic experience than any other type of volunteer coach.

48. Umpire or Board Member Coach
• During the game they are just the manager or coach
• Sometimes they want you to know in a conversation like this
Joe Blow: Hey Tim, I’m Joe Blow and I’m and umpire as well
Tim: Great nice to meet you Joe please remember for this game you are the manager
This sets the tome politely.
DO NOT ever discuss with them your mechanics or positioning or anything you would
not discuss with another coach

52. 10 Commandments of Good Umpiring
• Keep your eye on the “ball” and focus on today’s game.
• Keep personality clashes or bias from previous issues out of your work. Forget and
forgive.
• Avoid sarcasm. Don't insist on the last word.
• Never charge aggressively at a player or coach. No finger pointing or yelling.
• Hear only the things you should hear - be deaf to others.
• Keep your temper. A decision made in anger is never sound.
• Watch your language and remain calm, no matter what.
• Take pride in your work at all times. Remember, respect for an umpire is created off
the field as well as on.
• Review your own work with a critical, unbiased eye. You will find if you are honest,
that 90% of the trouble is traceable to loafing or poor mechanics.
• No matter what your opinion of another umpire, never make an adverse comment
regarding him. To do so is despicable and unacceptable.