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This PowerPoint presentation is an overview of softball rules
interpretation for GPOA. Please review your ASA book for any rule changes for
the year.
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Summer Umpire Uniform w/Shorts
Navy ASA Cap Powder Blue ASA Polo Shirt Plain White Crew Neck T-Shirt Navy Blue Shorts
◦100% Polyester ◦No pleats ◦No markings of any kind
Black Belt White ASA Socks Black Shoes
◦Must be completely black
Standard Umpire Uniform w/Pants
Navy ASA Cap Powder Blue ASA Polo Shirt Plain White Crew Neck T-Shirt Navy Blue Pants
◦100% Polyester ◦No pleats ◦No markings of any kind
Black Belt White ASA Socks Black Shoes
◦Must be completely black
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Optional Umpire Uniform
Navy ASA Cap Navy ASA Polo Shirt Plain Navy Blue Crew Neck T-Shirt Grey (or Navy Blue) Pants
◦100% Polyester ◦No pleats ◦No markings of any kind
Black Belt Black/Navy Socks Black Shoes
◦Must be completely black
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Umpire Equipment
Ball BagIndicator Brush Coin to toss / flipWatch (all black-can be hung on the fence, in your pocket, or on your belt) Optional
(non-reflective) Bat Ring
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DOUBLERaise right arm showing two fingers. Verbally call, "Two
Bases."
TRAPPED BALLExtend arms straight out with
palms down. Verbally call, "Safe."
DELAYED DEAD BALLExtend left arm straight out
with fist closed.
INFIELD FLYRaise right arm with fist close.
Verbally call, "Infield Fly."
FAIR BALLPoint towards fair ground with
hand closest to infield. No verbal call.
SAFEExtend arms straight out with
palms down. Verbally call, "Safe."
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HOLD UP PLAYWith palm up, raise hand
farthest away from pitcher towards batter.
FOUL TIPFingers from both hands are
touched together chest high in front of body and then a strike
signal with no verbal call.
FOUR-BASE AWARD (SP)On any fair touched ball going
over the fence, raise right hand showing four fingers. Verbally
call, "Four Bases."
PLAY BALL Motion with either hand to the
pitcher. Verbally call, "Play Ball."
TIME/DEAD BALRaise both hands with open palms away from the body.
Verbally call, "Time" or "Dead Ball."
COUNTRaise both arms up, indicate strikes with fingers on right
hand and balls with fingers on left hand. Verbally give count.
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FOUL BALLGive DEAD BALL signal then
verbally call, "Foul Ball"
HOME RUNRaise right arm. With fist closed move it in a counter-clockwise twirling motion. Verbally call,
"Four Bases."
STRIKEBring left arm with hand closed
to midsection as right arm is extended straight up with hand facing ear. Then pull down at
elbow while closing fist. Verbally call, "Strike."
OUTWith hand closed, bring left arm
to midsection as right arm is extended straight up with hand facing ear. Then pull down at
elbow while closing fist. Verbally call, "Out."
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OVERHEAD “OUT”/PUNCH “OUT”
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With Partners
Bat Inspection Field Inspection
With Managers
Initial Meting Purpose Safety Keep it simple
Responsibilities
ASA Certification Holes in the fence
Don’t run a clinic
Entrance/Exit Cracks Batters box Review league rules
Help Dents Incorporate any ASA rules that may be applicable
Rules Altered
Time Check Grandfathered
FIRST IMPRESSIONS MEAN EVERYTHING – REMAIN CALM BUT CONFIDENT
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Crucial: check the bats, it is your responsibility to check bats prior to the game
If you fail to check bats (you lose credibility), do not toss someone if an illegal, altered bat is found
Make sure the scorer has the line-up for both teams at the start of the game
Make sure the field is playable
Call for a coach/team representative to go over ground rules/league rules
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Make sure you have the line-up for both teams before game time
Make sure you have the line-up for the second game before the end of the first game
To keep the game moving quickly, I want you to insert the names (keep the line-up card just in case there is a discrepancy)
The teams may/may not have a jersey number - it is ok to ask for the batter’s name if you lose track of the next batter
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I would suggest writing something specific to help you with identifying the next batter
It is not your responsibility to track batting out of order; however, great game management is to simply ask the batter for his/her name
Umpires in your pregame, notify both teams that you will provide a score at the top of each inning. This will keep teams from interrupting the scorer and the flow of the game
Scorers – Provide the umpire with the HOME TEAM SCORE FIRST AND THEN THE VISITORS SCORE AT THE BOTTOM OF EACH INNING
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The pitcher must take a position with both feet firmly on
the ground and with one or both feet in contact with the
pitcher’s plate
The pitcher must come to a full and complete stop with
the ball in front of the body. The front of the body must
face the batter. This position must be maintained at least
one second before starting the deliver
Effect: Delayed dead ball illegal pitch
The pitcher has 10 seconds to release the next pitch after
receiving the ball, or after the umpire indicates “play
ball” The pitcher shall not deliver a pitch from the glove
Effect: Ball on the batter19
Prior to the pitch, the batter must have both feet completely within the lines of the batter’s box. The batter may tough the lines, but no part of the foot may be outside the lines prior to the pitch
Adult Slow Pitch ONLY – The batter shall assume a one-ball one-strike count upon entering the box
The batter must take the batter’s position in the batter’s box within 10 seconds after being directed to do so by the umpire
Effect: The umpire will call a strike. No pitch has to be thrown and the ball is dead
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Batting out of order situations have always been considered difficult by many umpires. These situations can become easier to rule on by keeping three things in mind.
1. Has a pitch been thrown after the incorrect batter has batted.
2. Any outs made when the incorrect batter is at bat stand.
3. When a pitch has not been thrown, if the incorrect batter makes an out and an appeal is made, the batter who should have batted is out and the batter who batted remains out and is skipped if they are scheduled to bat.
Remember, however, if the batter who is scheduled to bat is the third out of the inning, the correct batter to leadoff the next inning is the player who would have come to bat had the player been put out by ordinary play. (Rule 7, Section 2 D 3)
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Play 1: With no outs, B9 is scheduled to bat but B1 bats. B1 hits a fly ball that is caught by F7. Before the next pitch, the defense appeals that B1 batted out of order.
Ruling: B9 is out as B9 is the correct batter and B1 remains out. B2 bats next with two outs. Per Rule 7, Section 2 D 2, after the incorrect batter has completed their turn at bat and before the next pitch, legal or illegal, to the following batter and before the pitcher and all infielders have clearly vacated their normal fielding positions and have left fair territory; the batter who should have batted is out and the next batter is the player whose name follows that of the player called out for failing to bat. EXCEPTION: If the incorrect batter is called out as a result of their time at bat and is scheduled to be the proper batter, skip that player and the next person in the line-up will be the batter.
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Play 2: With one out, B7 is scheduled to bat, however B8 bats. B8 hits a fly ball that is caught for the second out of the inning. The defense appeals that B8 batted out of order and the umpire calls B7 out for the third out of the inning. Who is the leadoff batter in the next inning?
Ruling: B8. In this case, since the second out of the inning was made by B8 and the third out was made by B7 for failure to bat in the proper order, B8 is now the leadoff batter in the next inning. When the batter declared out is the third out of the inning the correct batter to leadoff the next inning is the player who would have come to bat had the player been put out by ordinary play. (Rule 7, Section 2 D 2 d)
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Once you say play ball – time has begun
Take a position behind the catcher. Hold up pitch until all players are ready
Stay in upright position until height of pitch (6-12 feet) is determined
Do not place hands on knees as this locks you at the same height for every batter. Drop to a level equal to the top of the front shoulder. Be in the set position when the ball crosses the strike zone
Announce to the teams at least 10 minutes before time expires whether you are in the last inning
Scorers (keep time) notify the umpire when they have reached the 10 minute mark 24
The double base shall be used at first base in all divisions of play --the following rules should be enforced:
A batted ball hitting or bounding over the white portion is fair
A batted ball hitting or bounding over the colored portion is foul
When a play is being made on the batter-runner, the defense must use the white portion and the batter-runner the colored portion of the base
EFFECT: The batter-runner is out when there is a play being made at first base and the batter-runner touches only the white portion; providing the defense appeals prior to the batter-runner returning to first base Once the runner returns to the white or colored portion of the
base, an appeal shall not be honored. On plays at 1B when the batter-runner touches only the white
portion and collides with the fielder about to catch a thrown ball while on the white of the base
EFFECT M-9: Interference, the ball is dead, the batter-runner is out and runners must return to the last base occupied at the time of interference
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On any force out attempt from the foul side of first base the defense and the batter-runner may use either the white or colored portion of thebase
On an errant throw pulling the defense off the white portion of the base into foul ground, the defense and the batter-runner can use either the white or colored portion
On balls hit to the outfield with no play on the batter-runner advancing to first base, the batter-runner may touch the white or colored portion
Should the batter-runner return, the runner and defense can use the white or colored portion
When tagging up on a fly ball, the white or colored portion of the base may be used {THE TWO BECOME ONE}
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OVER-RUNNING FIRST BASEAfter over-running first base, the batter-
runner may legally turn to their left or right when returning to the base. IF any attempt is made to advance to second base, regardless of whether the runner is in fair or foul territory, they are liable for an appeal out if tagged with the ball by a defensive player while off the base..
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Obstruction is the act of fielder:A. Not in possession of the ball, orB. Not in the act of fielding a batted ball
It is obstruction if a defensive player is blocking the base or base path without the ball and the runner or batter-runner is impeded. Defensive players must catch the ball, block the base and the make the tag.
Effect: Dead Ball Signal – award bases in your judgment the runner would have gotten if there were no obstruction
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Fake Tag – a fake tag occurs when a fielder without the ball deceives the runner by impeding their progress; for example, causing a runner to slide, slow down or stop running.› Effect: This is called obstruction (delayed
dead ball). Continued fake tags should result in an ejection. If the act is deemed flagrant-no warning is given
› If the runner continues without breaking stride there is no obstruction, but the defensive player should be given a warning
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Interference is the act of an offensive player or team member that impedes, hinders or confuses a defensive player attempting to execute a play. Interference may be in the form of physical contact, verbal distraction, visual distraction , or any type of distraction that hinders a fielder in the execution of play. Defensive players must be given the opportunity to field the ball anywhere on the playing field or throw the ball without being hindered.
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RS#33: Interference is the act of an offensive player or team member that impedes, hinders or confuses a defensive player attempting to execute a play. Interference may be in the form of physical contact, verbal distraction, visual distraction , or any type of distraction that hinders a fielder in the execution of play. Defensive players must be given the opportunity to field the ball anywhere on the playing field or throw the ball without being hindered.
Effect: Ball is Dead, offensive player is called out
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Batter Batter Runner Runner Offensive player/team Coach Spectator Umpire
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ASA RS13. CRASHING INTO A FIELDER WITH THE BALL. (INTERFERENCE)
In an effort to prevent injury and protect a defensive player attempting to make a play on a runner, a runner must be called out when they remain on their feet and crash into a defensive player who is holding the ball andwaiting to apply a tag. To prevent the out ruling, the runner may slide, jump over the defender holding the ball, go around the defender or return to the previous base touched. If the act is determined to be flagrant, the offender is ejected. A runner may slide into the fielder.
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A. When a runner is called out for crashing into a fielder holding the ball, the ball becomes dead. Each runner must return to the last basetouched at the time of the crash as this constitutes interference.
B. When, as in A above, the runner crashes into a fielder holding the ball before being put out and, in the judgment of the umpire, it was an attempt to break up an obvious double play, the immediate succeeding runner is also called out. Rule 8, Section 7 J.
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C. When a crash occurs after the runner is called out, the runner closest to home plate is also out. Rule 8, Section 7 P.
D. When an obstructed runner crashes into a fielder holding the ball, the obstruction is ignored and the runner is out. (Rule 8, Section 7 Q) › This type of award, Rule 8, Section 5 B (2 and 3), does
not give the runner the right to violate Rule 8, Section 7 Q.
E. When a runner runs outside the three-foot lane to avoid a crash with a defender holding the ball and waiting to apply a tag, the runner should be called out.
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F. When a defensive player is fielding a thrown ball and the flight of the ball carries or draws them into the path of the base runner, it is not a crash.
G. When the ball, runner and the defensive player arrive at the same time and place, and contact is made, the umpire should not invoke the crashrule, interference, or obstruction. This is merely incidental contact, or what some persons commonly call, “a wreck.” › NOTE: If the ball does not enter dead ball territory in either E
or F, the ball remains live.
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A catch is a legally caught ball, which occurs when the fielder catch a batted, pitched or thrown ball with the hand(s) or glove/mitt› To establish a valid catch, the fielder shall hold the ball
long enough to prove control of it and/or that the release of the ball is voluntary
It is not a catch if the fielder while gaining control collides with another player, umpire, or a fence, or falls to the ground and drops the ball as a result of the collision› If a ball strikes anything other than a defensive player
while it is the same as if the ball struck the ground.› When the fielder catches the a batted or thrown ball
with anything other than the hand(s) or glove/mitt in its proper place
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Infield fly – a fair ball, not including a line drive or an attempted bunt, which can be caught by an infielder, pitcher or catcher with ordinary effort when first and second or first, second, and third bases are occupied with less than two outs
RS#30: Intentionally dropped ball-the ball cannot be intentionally dropped unless the fielder has actually caught it, and the drops it. Merely guiding the ball the ground is not an intentionally dropped ball. This usually happens when defensive players are trying to get two/more outs
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1) TWO THINGS PITCHER WANTS FROM UMPIRE› a) Control of game› b) Consistency in strike zone. Strike zone
is a strike zone is a strike zone
2) DON'T CHALLENGE OR CONFRONT PITCHER DIRECTLY
3) MAKE IT ENJOYABLE – MANAGE THE GAME
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Coach Argues for Three Reasons:› 1) He thinks you might have made a mistake› 2) To keep his players in the game› 3) Because of temporary insanity
For a coach to request an interpretation of the rules should be expected -THE UMPIRE SHOULD HAVE THE ANSWER. Remember:
1. Umpires are tested by coaches2. Particularly the newer officials
Veterans have either gained respect OR "DUG THEIR OWN GRAVE"
Respect comes from:› 1) Sound judgment› 2) Common sense› 3) Proper attitude› 4) Disposition, and› 5) Self control
When you take charge - they notice40
BUT IT IS SOMETIMES NECESSARY› A) Some umpires look for ways to eject› B) Some umpires use ejection as a means of game control› C) Some umpires never eject- they are afraid to lose a
friend
EJECTION:› 1) If handled at the right time – good game control› 2) If too quick- chip on shoulder› 3) If too late- You are an umpire that can be pushed around
IF YOU EJECT A COACH OR PLAYER- ASK YOURSELF:› 1) Did I do anything to lead to the ejection?› 2) Did I challenge the player or coach?› 3) Did I lose control of myself?› 4) Did I offer opportunity to the player or coach to keep
from his losing control?41
Hear Only What Should be Heard› 1) Every crowd will include a heckler› 2) Many believe it is part of the game
If Umpire Reacts:› 1) Crowd will sense evidence of umpire frustration and increase
jibes and heckling› 2) Soon crowds and players lose respect for umpire
Umpire Should Be:› 1) DEAF (easier said than done)› 2) Ignore any and all spectator comments
Fans Have Three Characteristics:› 1) They are ignorant of the rules› 2) They are highly emotional - highly partisan› 3) They delight in antagonizing officials
Remember: They are not against you . . . They are against the blue shirt.
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Eight concepts
› 1. ENLIGHTEN - Don't Debate› 2. EXPLAIN - Don't Argue› 3. CONVERSE - Don't Make A Speech› 4. TALK - Don't React Critically› 5. SPEAK CALMLY - Don't Shout Back› 6. BE POSITIVE - Don't Be Negative› 7. BE FRIENDLY - Don't Be Arrogant› 8. BE CONFIDENT - Don't be meek
When dealing with people - look them in the eye. Nothing gets across if you're looking at your shoe tips.
(FROM: "Winning At Confrontation" by Arch Lustberg)
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› 1. Consistency› 2. Character› 3. Courage› 4. Coverage› 5. Communication› 6. Control
Bear down at all times . . . The only umpire who can take it easy during
a game, is one who buys a ticket and sits in the stands.
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GAME ASSIGNMENTSCONTACT COMMISSIONER EARL TAYLOR
SOFTBALL UICLORRAINE GLOSTER
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