Baseball Officials Training

North Texas Independent Sports Officials

Training Overview

• We will review each Rule in the Officials Rule Book

• Specialize on high probability issues• Stress Field Mechanics• Above all, understand the purpose and

meaning of the Umpire in baseball

Rule 2.00Definition of Terms

• In Rule 2.00, there are 92 terms• We will cover the main terms• Remember, terms are the heart of the

Rule book• Terms are a rule!

Balk

• A balk is an illegal act by the pitcher with a runner or runners on base, entitling all runners to advance one base without jeopardy of being put out

• We will train on balks in this training

Bunt

• A batted ball not swung at, but intentionally met with the bat and tapped slowly in the infield

• Infield fly rule does not apply to bunted balls

A Catch

• The act of a fielder in getting secure possession in his hand or glove of a ball in flight and firmly holding it, providing he does not use his hat, protector or any part of his uniform

• It is a catch if the fielder makes the catch and in the process of throwing, drops the ball

Dead Ball

• Is a ball out of play because of a legally created temporary suspension of play

• See Rule 5.10 – calling time• See Rule 5.11 – putting ball back into

play

Foul Ball

• A batted ball that comes to rest in foul territory

• If a fielder touches the ball, it is the position of the ball, not the fielder that determines fair or foul

• Ball is ALWAYS dead

Fair Ball

• Is a batted ball that settles in fair ground between home and first or home and third base

• Always judged according to the relative position of the ball, not the position of the fielder

Foul Tip• Is a batted ball 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• All foul tips are strikes• The ball is in play

Illegal Pitch

• A pitch that is delivered without the pitcher having his pivot foot on or in contact with the pitcher’s plate

• With runners on base, this is a balk

Infield Fly

• A fair ball which can be caught with ordinary effort when 1st, 2nd or 1st, 2nd and 3rd are occupied with less than two outs

• Ball is always alive• Umpire declares “infield fly”, but lack of

umpire action does not nullify the infield fly• All fielders are part of this rule

Interference

• An act by the offense that interferes, hinders obstructs, impedes or confuses any fielder attempting to make a play

• Offense commits this act• On any interference, the ball is dead

Obstruction

• The act of a fielder who, while not in possession of the ball and not in the act of fielding a ball, impedes the progress of any runner

• Defensive act• Delay-Dead ball

Overslide• Act of an offensive player when his slide

to a base, other than when advancing from home to 1st base, is with such momentum that he loves contact with the base

• Remember “runner must not commit” to 2nd base to remain protected under this rule

“Play”

• The umpires order to start or resume the game following any action that produces a “dead ball” condition

• Pitcher and catcher must be in position, with catcher in squat

Overthrows

• Rules governing overthrows overlooked• An overthrow that goes into dead ball

areas causes immediate dead ball• If pitcher throws, 1 base• If fielder throws, 2 bases

Appeals to a Call• Official nearest play makes call (?) Dual calls

are tempting the Devil himself• Once call is made, you can call time and confer

with fellow official• No umpire is to overrule another umpire unless

help is requested• Don’t look like a jerk; always call time and

confer if a call is in question.• But only official that makes call can ask for help

Hit Batter• Must attempt to avoid pitch, by rule• Ball is always dead, proper call is “Dead

Ball”• Awarded 1st; runners advance if forced• Swings, hits batter’s hand (Rule 2.00(e)

and 6.05(f)• Swings, hits hand as batter swings

Rule 9.00The Umpire

• Each umpire has authority and is required to enforce all of the rules of baseball

• Has authority to order a player, coach, manager to refrain from doing anything which affects administering baseball rules or to enforce penalties

The Umpire• Each umpire has the authority to rule on

any point not specifically covered in rules

• Each umpire has the authority to disqualify any player, coach or manager and to eject such disqualified person from the playing field for unsportsmanlike conduct or language

The Umpire

• Has authority to remove anyone from the playing field that are not authorized

• Any decision which involves judgement is final and not appealable

• No player, coach or manager shall object to any such judgement

The Umpire

• Coaches, players or managers may question an umpire’s decision as it is in conflict with the rules

• Any such appeal is made only to the umpire who made the protested decision

• Any umpire may ask another umpire for information prior to making a final decision

The Umpire

• No umpire shall criticize, seek to reverse or interfere with another umpire’s decision unless asked to do so by the umpire making the decision

• An umpire is always courteous, but firm when the situation requires

Comments to Umpires• Umpires are the not only the enforcers

of a set of rules• They must be seen as enforcing the

rules in a fair manner• Respect comes to umpires that call a

game fairly• This includes not trying to make up for a

previously bad call

Comments to Umpires• We stress the appearance of our uniforms• We stress the courteous performance of our job• We stress being open for questions from

coaches and managers• We allow the greatest game ever played to

continue within the bounds of the rules• We are the rules. We are the game because

we insist that it is played to a common enforcement of the rules