UMPIRE ASSISTANCE (CONTINUED) Once the opinion is shared, it is - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Points of Emphasis UMPIRE ASSISTANCE (CONTINUED)  Once the opinion is shared, it is the plate umpire who will make the final determination on the call or play. This entire exchange will be quick and intentional using umpire signals that are relayed to players, coaches and spectators. From: B. Elliot Hopkins [mailto:EHopkins@nfhs.org] I hope this note finds you all well. It was brought to our attention that in the 2017 NFHS Baseball Rules Book in the Points of Emphasis (POE) section under the topic of UMPIRE ASKING ASSISTANCE FROM HIS PARTNER that the plate umpire would be making the final determination after getting information from his partner. Some of the explanation was lost in translation. It has been a long standing practice at every level of baseball that the umpire who requests assistance from his partner be the one to make the final determination using the allowable signals for the players, coaches and spectators. In the POE, the example was used that the plate umpire was asking for assistance and consequently he should be the one making the final call. It was not our intent to suggest that the plate umpire would make every final determination. The umpire who asks for help, should make the final call. Sorry for any confusion this might have caused you. www.nfhs.org

Points of Emphasis NJSIAA Guidelines: When not to ask for help.  Catcher’s Obstruction  Batted ball hit batter out of the box  Batter hitting ball out of the batter’s box  Plate Umpire has other responsibilities such as following up on a force play slide at 2 nd base. If he saw swipe tag on the batter- runner, PU wasn’t looking where he was supposed to.  Judgment Calls  The catch/no catch of a fair fly with runners on base.

Points of Emphasis NJSIAA Guidelines: When to ask for help.  Batter hit by pitch – Did it hit bat or batter?  Swipe Tag  Pulled Foot  Dropped ball on a tag play  After calling a balk – Was the pitcher on the pitcher’s plate?  Rule Interpretation

Points of Emphasis NJSIAA Guidelines: Mechanics when an umpire requests help When a coach requests an umpire get help from his partner, AND, the umpire agrees to make the request: 1. Coach making request shall immediately return to his prior position; For example, 3 rd Base Coaching box or bench area. 2. After decision is announced and explained, coach shall not further discuss play. Coach is subject to penalties in rule 3-3-1. 3. If the call on the field is reversed, opposing coach shall be told by the umpires why the call was changed.

Points of Emphasis Role Play Activities: Asking for help.  Denying Request by coach to ask for help.  Dropped ball by catcher on play at home plate  Possible Pulled Foot at first base.

Points of Emphasis LOCATION OF TEAM PERSONNEL  Coaches, player, substitutes, attendants or other bench personnel shall not leave the dugout during live ball for any unauthorized purpose. www.nfhs.org

Points of Emphasis LOCATION OF TEAM PERSONNEL  Additionally, coaches or team personnel may not sit outside the dugout/bench area on buckets or stools.  Players are not allowed to stand or kneel outside their dugout/bench and/or make “cat - calls” or any other disparaging remarks while the other team is taking infield practice. This is unsportsmanlike behavior and will not be tolerated in interscholastic baseball. www.nfhs.org

Points of Emphasis TEAM PERSONNEL LOCATION (CONTINUED)  Umpires and coaches need to work together for the benefit of the students they officiate and teach. It is these game situations that provide coaches and umpires excellent “teachable moments” to reinforce proper behavior and perspective. The positive values that are learned at the baseball diamond will serve the young people long after their high school careers have ended. www.nfhs.org

Points of Emphasis LEGAL SLIDES  Players are never required to slide, but if they choose to do so, the slide must be legal. www.nfhs.org

Points of Emphasis LEGAL SLIDES  There has been a misnomer that given a particular play that the base runner has to slide into the base he is trying to acquire. Even the universally accepted “force play slide” is misconstrued as the player having to slide into the base. NFHS rules are specific and very clear that runners are never required to slide. However, if they choose to slide, then the slide must be legal. You can legally slide either feet first or head first. If you choose feet first, then at least one leg and buttock shall stay in contact with the ground. www.nfhs.org

Points of Emphasis LEGAL SLIDES (CONTINUED)  The consequence is that the runner is called out and based upon his actions there could possibly be malicious contact and the runner would be ejected from the game. Attention to when it is appropriate to slide and to do it legally will improve the overall process of base-running, reduce unnecessary injuries to the runner and the covering fielder, and make for a more exciting game to watch and enjoy. www.nfhs.org

DEAD BALL AND DELAYED DEAD BALL TABLE  Under Activity Section (page 36) • #10 A coach physically assists a runner……..5 -1-2f  Under Awards or Penalties Section (page 36) • #10 Involved batter-runner or runner is out. Outs on play stand. Other runners return to bases occupied at time of infraction………3 -2-2  Rationale: With the new rule change in 3-2-2 and 8-4-2s, this activity and accompanying award and penalty is no longer needed. www.nfhs.org

RULE 5-1-2F  ART. 2… It is a delayed dead ball when: • Sub-articles a-e remain the same. • f. a coach physically assists a runner (see 3-2-2); or • g. New f. a ball touches an illegal glove/mitt.  Rationale: With the new rule change in 3-2-2 and 8-4-2s, this is no longer a delayed dead ball situation. www.nfhs.org

NFHS OFFICIALS ASSOCIATION CENTRAL HUB www.nfhs.or g

NFHS OFFICIALS ASSOCIATION CENTRAL HUB HTTPS://NFHS-BASEBALL.ARBITERSPORTS.COM/FRONT/105406/SITE  Contains: • Sport information • Rules information • Rules library • Searchable rules book • Video content on officiating sport, competition situations and interpretations www.nfhs.org

NFHS OFFICIALS EDUCATION COURSE AND VIDEOS   Ideal for new officials or those in first Sports such as soccer, basketball and few years of officiating baseball offer direct illustrations of  30-45 minutes to complete the rules book, including rules  Topics include: Basics of Becoming references and officials signals  and Staying an Official, Science of Animated mechanics videos for Officiating, Art of Officiating softball and baseball umpires   Course is FREE to NFHS Officials Video interpretation of the NFHS Association members, non-members Basketball Rules Book created fee is $20 through a partnership with the  NFHSLearn.com International Association of Approved Basketball Officials www.nfhs.org

NFHS NETWORK

NFHS NETWORK  By 2020, every high school sporting event in America will be streamed live.  The NFHS Network will be THE DESTINATION for fans to view these broadcasts. www.NFHSnetwork.com

NJSIAA Umpire Requirements 1. Register on Time 2. Pass the NJSIAA Baseball Examination 80% 3. Attend an Interpretation Meeting 4. Complete Concussion course on NFHS Learn.

NJSIAA Baseball Exam  On line 2 -3 days after the last Regional Meeting; Most likely February 8-28.  Pool of 80 Questions; each umpire will receive different questions.  Everyone will receive the same 10 mechanics questions.  Remaining 40 questions will be selected at random.  Testing period will be 20 days.  Each Chapter Interpreter will receive the 80 questions with accompanying rule citations on the day that the test opens.

State Tournament Assigning  Jack Venezia North Section 1  Vic Dudka North Section 2  Craig Yetman Central  Paul Reagle South  Jack Venezia and Vic Dudka Non-Public North  Paul Reagle Non-Public South

State Tournament Eligibility  Must have attended an NJSIAA Regional Meeting.  Must have scored at least an 86% on NJSIAA Baseball Exam.  Depending on size of chapter, lists of highly competent officials were submitted to the committee.  Umpires for the 3 man games are individually vetted by the committee.  In addition to the names submitted by each chapter this year, the committee has vetted between 9 and 30 umpires from previous years we can select to work high profile games.

State Tournament Assignments State Final, Public Semi-Final and Non-Public Sectional Final assignments will be published on the Arbiter a few days after the last NJSIAA Regional Meeting. 3 Man crews will be used on the Sectional Semi-Finals this year. Each Sectional Assignor will publish assignments for Rounds 1 – 4 between March 1 st and April 1st.

THANK YOU AND HAVE A GREAT SEASON! www.nfhs.org