Umpires
FROM THE UMPIRE DIRECTOR: June 2, 2010
Some things have been miscalled or not called at all during the Girls 8U games. Please take note of the specific things we are having a problem with below and adjust your calls accordingly.
If the pitch is too high or too low you need to call a no pitch.
When play is over...
The rule is: Play stops when any defensive player makes or attempts to make a play on a runner or has control of the ball in the circle. Not when the ball is in the outfield and a player is running to the ball.
Not every hit is a single and sometimes a girl deserves to go a couple of bases.
Schedules
- As soon as I receive all game schedules I will make schedules in 2 Week blocks. These will be posted on the CLEVEHILL BASEBALL WEBSITE and at the concession stands. If you know now that you will not be able to ump at a certain time right now because of vacations, or on certain days, et al. let me know now and I won’t schedule you. If you are scheduled for a game that you cannot be at let me know as soon as possible so I may find a replacement.
- I am happy to schedule friends to work together as long as they work well together. Let me know if you prefer to work someone specific or if you don’t want to work with someone. The smoother things go the better.
- If you are scheduled and do not show up to that game I will contact you to find out what happened ONCE. If it happens again I will assume you no longer want to ump games and remove you from the list.
Show up to games no later than 15 minutes before game time.
This is new: You will each receive Umpire Cards. They need to be filled out for every game that you ump.
By following #2 you will have enough time to talk to both coaches to explain the following:
- The Strike Zone: Slightly wider than the plate from knees to chest or logo
- YOU ARE THE UMPIRE. You call the game, not the coaches! If a coach calls time or starts to yell from the sidelines (you may call time at this point) because he/she doesn’t like the call you made calmly explain to him or her why you made the call, if necessary call your side line judge to the plate and ask for his/her opinion. If this does not resolve the issue refer him/her to me but explain that your call stands. I will be happy to listen to both sides and try to resolve the matter for future games. If this is not acceptable to the coach the coach will receive a warning, if that does not resolve the issue the coach will be asked to leave and his or her assistant will remain. THROWING OUT A COACH IS A LAST RESORT AND SHOULD ONLY BE DONE IN EXTREME CIRCUMSTANCES!
- Any interference from the ‘fans’ on either side will not be tolerated. The coach from the offending side will receive one (1) warning to have the fan stop his/her interference. If the fan continues you may need to ask the coach to remove that person from the game. DO NOT TALK TO THE ‘FAN’ DIRECTLY! Sometimes, VERY RARELY, things may get out of hand if this is the case do not continue the game until the offender has been removed.
An umpire talking to friends between innings is unacceptable. You should be moving the game along. Most games are under a time limit and if the players are waiting for you to have a conversation it cuts into that play time. You are being paid to call games not socialize so talk to your friends before or after the game.
Along with # 4 goes no texting or phones. Again, this eats up playing time and we wouldn’t want your phone to get damaged by being hit with an overthrown ball while players are warming up.
If an issue comes up during a game that you think I should know about but isn’t interfering with the game please let me know about it as soon as possible after the game. It is impossible for me to be at every game so I depend on you to let me know what is happening during the games. The sooner I know about a situation the sooner I can work to resolve it.
Last but most definitely not least BE NICE. If you remain calm and respectful during a difficult situation (refer to #2) chances are the situation will not escalate or get out of control. It is a lot easier for me to resolve a situation after the fact if I do not have to defend umpires who make inappropriate comments or who are disrespectful or rude to coaches and/or fans. So BE NICE.
Think it's fun to ump? You make the calls! www.macroweb.com/ibrules