Welcome 2017 General Meeting California Collegiate Softball - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Welcome

2017 General Meeting

California Collegiate Softball Umpires Association

CCSUA/ASSIGNORS

Joanne Venditto, Terry Ching Jim Johnson, Rich Kollen, Bruce Helsing

• 2

Pre-Game Meeting

Like your pre-game meeting - ground rules

• Independent Contractor’s Agreement
• Cell phones
• No side discussions
• Raise hand for questions but try to keep them to the end – use your

umpire voice

Agenda

Welcome and CCSUA Information Assignors Presentation Training Program / Rule Updates SUP Update Game Management Mechanics Game Management

4

CCSUA Organization

Committees Operations Assigning Instruction Logistics Special Events

Board of Directors

Chairman, Assignors, At-large Member

t

• f

t h a t s l

• t

. A s l

• n

g a s t h e D P h a s a b a t a Nonprofit, By-laws History, Records Minutes, Finance Billing, Budget Payments, Registration Forms, PayPal Insurance, NASO Fall Ball Preseason Nonconference Tournaments Conference games Postseason Recommendations CCCAA postseason & Finals Agenda, Planning Meetings, Testing Newsletters, Website Rules, Mechanics Observations SoCal, NorCal Hawaii, Utah, AZ, WA, OR, NV Registration Check-in Lunch, snacks Room set-up Glendale camp set-up Annual Meeting Mary Nutter Tournament Glendale Clinic & Classroom Fall Clinic Classroom & Fields

CCSUA Organization

Committees Operations Assigning Instruction Logistics Special Events

Board of Directors

CCSUA Organization

Committees Operations Assigning Instruction Logistics Special Events

Board of Directors

Chairman, Assignors, At-large Member

CCSUA Organization

Association Fees, Assignor’s Fee And Insurance will be dues in July & August

Next Year’s Fee Calendar

CCSUA Recognizes

CCCAA Playoffs and Finals NAIA D3 Regionals, Super Regionals and Championships D2 Regionals, Super Regionals and Championships D1 Regionals, Super Regionals and WCWS Special Recognition

Post Season Umpires

GSAC (NAIA) CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP: Kent Jacobsen; Mark Korras; JD Lambright; Vince Rojas; Zach Snell

SCIAC (D-III) CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP: Erik Geierman; Greg Germansky; Katrina Gonzalez

CCAA (D-II) CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP: Joe Campanella; Dan Cowan; Tom Eddy; Oscar Segura; Joe Torres

COMMUNITY COLLEGES- REGIONALS:

Alex Alexander; Sean Beaton; Frank Bispo; Jess Black; Tony Bretz; Tracey Canady; Harrison Cole; Bob Creamer; Darren Deckard; Tim Dickey; LJ Dolan; Lyle Dove; Tom Eddy; David Futterman; Tony Garcia; Mike Girouard; Paul Heathcote; Michael Herz; Joel Hessing; Dennis Hobart; Steven Kayo; Gary Krause; Wil Macedo; Mark Maciel; Orlando Mahone; Dan Marksbury

COMMUNITY COLLEGES- REGIONALS:

Bobby Martinez; Lamiia Massey; Myrie McLernon; Edward Mytinger; Rick Petros; Bob Raphael; John Ratliff; Vince Rojas; Mario Romero; Norman Schendel; Bob Senchy; Bill Smith; Russell Tanihana; Joe Torres; Ric Turner; Martin Vandenburg; Rick Vietti; David Viratos; John Williams; Steve Wilson; Danny Winders; Robert Zuniga

COMMUNITY COLLEGES - SUPER REGIONALS:

Alex Alexander; Sean Beaton; Tom Eddy; Harrison Cole; Lyle Dove; David Florentino; Mark Flunker; Michael Herz; Mark Maciel; Dan Marksbury; Bob McElroy; Rick Petros; Jason Robinson; Vince Rojas; Mario Romero; Norm Schendel; Stacy Stobo; Ronnie Strange; Joe Torres; Ric Turner; Hal Van Ryswyk; James Walker

COMMUNITY COLLEGES CHAMPIONSHIP:

Lyle Dove; Tom Eddy; Michael Hertz; Mark Maciel; Dan Marksbury; Mario Romero (Alt); Vince Rojas; Joe Torres (Alt); Dennis Wren (UIC)

NAIA - REGIONAL:

Kent Jacobsen; Bill Kinsella; JD Lambright; Bob McElroy

NAIA - CHAMPIONSHIP:

James Walker

DIII- REGIONAL:

Robert Pratt; Dennis Allen

D-II REGIONALS: Fred Barker; Joe Campanella; Dan Cowan; Brian Koon; Dave Long; Mindy Villa; Zach Snell; Hal Van Ryswyk.

D-II SUPER REGIONALS: Dan Cowan; Dave Long; Zach Snell; Martin Vandenberg (Alt)

D-II CHAMPIONSHIP: Dan Cowan

D-1 REGIONALS: Jim Adrian (UIC); John Baca; Mike Bartling; Jim Bertuzzi; Brandon Bluhm; Ron Burkhart; James Colzie; Ed Cooper; Rick Cowan; Chris Drumm; Smokey Edds; Tanya Garig; John Garrett (UIC); Tracy Hart; Laura Head; Rob Hough; Katrina Kershaw; Mark Korras; Anthony Lewis; Geri Magwire; Erin Peterson; Megan Rabin; Jim Sanderson (UIC); Sue Sawyer; Calvin Walker

D-1 SUPER REGIONALS: John Baca; Mike Bartling; Jim Bertuzzi; Ron Burkhart; Ed Cooper; Chris Drumm; Tanya Garig; Tracy Hart; Katrina Kershaw; Anthony Lewis; Geri Magwire; Erin Peterson; Megan Rabin (Alt)

WOMAN’S WORLD SERIES: Mike Bartling; Chris Drumm, Tracy Hart; Katrina Kershaw

Let’s Have a Great Season

NEXT – ASSIGNORS PRESENTATION

26

CCSUA ASSIGNORS

JOANNE VENDITTO, TERRY CHING JIM JOHNSON, RICH KOLLEN, BRUCE HELSING HELSING CELL: 619 619-922-7723 EMAIL: SCHSA@COX.NET

27

2017 conference meetings

SCIAC * GSAC * CAL-PAC * INDEPENDENTS * COMMUNITY COLLEGE CONFERENCES IN CALIFORNIA January 6, 14 & January 23

IN COORDINATION WITH THE CCSUA TRAINING ORGANIZATION

 Comm

mmunit ity y Colleges es – Take & pass either the CCSUA test or the NCAA National test.

 NAIA – Take & pass the NAIA National test if you are trying to qualify for post

season consideration….OR take & pass either the CCSUA test or NCAA National test if you are just interested in working during the season.

 Divis

isio ion 3 – Take & pass the NCAA National test if you are trying to qualify for post season consideration…. OR take & pass either the CCSUA test or NCAA National test if you are just interested in working during the season.

 Divis

isio ion 2 - Take & pass the NCAA National test, attend an NCAA Region Meeting & view the online NCAA clinic if you are trying to qualify for post season consideration…. OR take & pass the NCAA National test if you are just interested in working during the season.

 Divisio

ision 1 - Take & pass the NCAA National test, attend an NCAA Region Meeting if you are trying to qualify for post season consideration…. OR take & pass the NCAA National test if you are just interested in working during the season.

REQUIREMENTS FOR TESTS

4 ARBITER GROUPS…..

Big West Arbiter Group 103019

Assignments for Big West

West Coast Arbiter Group 103717

Assignments for West Coast

Cal Col SUA (CCSUA) Group 102522

Assignments for Community College, GSAC, SCIAC,

Pac-West, CCAA & Independents NCAA Central Hub Group 104484

For rule updates clarifications

CONFERENCE EXPECTATIONS:

 For each game you are a plate umpire, complete a game

report in the Arbiter (The Big RED R) (within 12 hours after the contest ends)

 Take the year-round monthly quizzes on the NASO/CCSUA

website (September thru April)

 Review the Arbiter Announcements & visit the CCSUA

Locker Room weekly for rule updates, current bat list access, and training lessons

 Learn to block, open and share dates correctly in the

Arbiter

 Change your zip code in Arbiter to correctly reflect your

“leave from” location each day

CONFERE FERENCE NCE EXPECT ECTATIO IONS NS:

 Athletic

letic perfor

• rman

ance

 Ability to understand a coaches’ question & discuss rules

during ing a cont ntest est

 Demons

nstr trat ate conf nfidenc ence, , poise, , and ability ity to listen n in difficu icult lt situat ations ions during ing the game

 Ab

Abili lity ty to cond

• nduct

uct a col

• lleg

ege pre-gam game

 Ab

Abili lity ty to condu

• nduct

t a col

• lleg

ege po post-gam game

 Ab

Abili lity ty to partici ticipat pate e in a col

• lleg

ege post-gam game

 Ab

Abili lity ty to be cour urteous eous and respectful ectful of f partner tner or

• bser

erver er views

 Ab

Abili lity ty to take cha harge rge of f a difficult icult situa uation ion & step up to solve the pr problem

• blem in a confi

nfident, ent, cour

• urteous

eous way

NCAA BAT T LI LIST

Locat ate e the bat list st at eith ther er of these se 2 w websi sites es: :

http

tp:/ ://sup.arbit /sup.arbiter erspor sports.com/G ts.com/Groups/1

• ups/104484/Li

4/Li brary/f y/files/N iles/NCA CAA_Ap A_Appr proved ed_S _Sof

• ftball_Bat

tball_Bat_L _List.p ist.pdf df

www.college

• llegesof

softb tball llum umpir ires.org es.org

IT IS A RULE E BOOK REQUIREME IREMENT NT THA HAT BATS BE CHE HECKED CKED & COU OUNTED TED AGAINS INST THE HE NCAA AA BAT LIST T PRIOR OR TO EACH CH CONTES EST

CCSUA TRAINING WEBSITE

http://www.collegesoftballumpires.org/professionalism/

This is the CCSUA website called the Locker Room NASO uses this training website to promote college softball training throughout the country.

SAMPLE GAME REPORT

 USE THE BIG RED ”R” to do your brief report within 12 hours of the scheduled

game time…

 Please

e use the followin wing qu quest stions ns as a gu guidel eline to compl plet ete your r repor

• rt.

Cut/paste this to a WORD document…Save it & use it each time to fill in your response...then place in the "Comment" section of your report…

 Actual time the game started  Bat checks:  Did the coach have the current bat list?  Were the bat lists completed properly by the coaches upon pre-game

inspection?

 Were the bats laid out in front of the dugout in order?

Any items coaches were annoyed about? Warnings? Chirping issues?

 What could the crew have done differently, etc.  Any issues with illegal pitches?

ARBITER….

 The locatio

ion n of Forms s that t the Assigno gnors s place in Arbiter is in the tab called LISTS….Forms

• Sampl

mple e Emai ail l to college ge staff

• Conferen

rence ce Policie ies

• Game

e Report t Outli line ne

• Inde

depe pendent ndent Contra ract ctor

• r Agreem

reement ents

• + more…..

COMMUNICATION…..

 Email….How often do you check email?  When do you check the Arbiter…  Do you use your Smartphone or computer?  How do you accept an assignment?

If you look at it the Assignor sees the word “notified”,

but the college cannot see that anyone is on the game yet

If you look at it, and then go out….Go back in and click

ACCEPT and then SUBMIT….Now the college staff can see you are on the contest and pay you

SAMPLE EMAIL TO COACH

Send this 5-7 days prior to your game assignment NAME OF COACH /EVENT STAFF PERSON I am confirming that your umpire crew will arrive on DATE for the SINGLE OR DH scheduled for TIME. The game site is at xxxx. Please let us know where to park and where we pick up a parking pass. Just a reminder….please bring the NCAA bat list to the game. The list can be found on the NCAA website http://sup.arbitersports.com/Groups/104484/Library/files/NCAA_Approved_Softball_Bat_List.pdf My partner & I look forward to working this contest. Please alert me if there are any date or time changes. If weather becomes an issue, please contact us as soon as possible, so we know what to do. Contact us at: EMAIL CELL EMAIL CELL Thank you, Crew Chief’s Name

38

CCSUA Locker Room website.

Here is the infor

• rma

mation

• n to access

s the site and login n for the first time:

• 1. URL: www.collegesoftballumpires.org

You should add this site to your Bookmarks or Favorites Bar

• 2. Login the first time with your email address (the one you use for Arbiter) and

this password: softball ll

• 3. Change your password immediately by going to the Member Profiles tab,

select Your Profile, click on Edit Profile (box just below your name), scroll down to the Password field, enter your new password in the Password and Confirm Your Password fields, then scroll to the bottom and select Save Changes. Things ngs you need to do when n you u access s the site for the first time: Read the Newsletters if you have not already done so (Resources tab, select News for Blues)…… Go to the Testing tab and take the test(s)…… Take some time to get familiar with our new website……Check out the Resources tab and Video tab.

• fficials, or spectators, criminal activity or behavior, the use of a substance, especially alcohol or a drug on school property.

• Indemnification. Contractor shall defend, indemnify, and hold harmless the Assignors/Coordinators, and the CCSUA Training Group, from

• Insurance. Contractor shall obtain and maintain at his/her own expense types of insurance (e.g., medical, worker’s compensation) for

40

CCCAA Zero Tolerance Policy

Zero Tolerance is just that, no exceptions!

CCCAA Memo: Decorum, Sportsmanship and Professionalism If profanity heard by official - NO CHOICE, EJECT NO game reports which have

• An individual is cited for profanity and
• Allowed to remain in the contest!

CCSUA Annual Meeting 2017

Becoming a problem

 Big concern

 SUP – new sub-section in CCA Manual  CCSUA policy  Conference policies

 Consider comments as public at all times  You represent umpires, the CCSUA, the Assignors  Promote umpiring in a positive light

Guidelines

 No specifics about your assignments

 NO pictures after the game showing alcohol

Guidelines - 2

 Do not engage in specific plays or rulings  Communication with other umpires - private  NO pictures on the field or locker room  The NCAA as well as a few Conference Coordinators check

social media for umpires who are using it before making post season assignments.

SOCIAL MEDIA IS NOT YOUR FRIEND

CCSUA Annual Meeting 2017 Training Program Rules Update

CCSUA TRAINING PROGRAM

Welcome to our new umpires Fall Clinic and Fall Ball Mentors In-season observations Study Groups

Study Groups

• Leaders stand up
• Tell us about your Study Group

– Dates, times – Agenda, any room for more?

• Not too late to start one yourself *

Rules Updates

• Emergency rule change

New Rules

Suggested by ESPN because the sport is growing and we need less confusion

• Shortstop must be 5’4” or less
• Left-fielder must be left-handed
• Right-fielder must be right-handed

This is a joke….

ERA’s

• Projected Substitutions and re-entries not

allowed

• Questioning strike zone and any call on

the field based purely on umpire’s judgment.

• Scouting Info and Electronic Equipment

Use *

Points of Emphasis

No changes, just a review

• Hit by Pitch
• Obstruction
• Questioning strike zone or umpire’s

judgment *

SRC 1 and 2 - Facility

• Facility – padding on backstop (2016)
• 2017 field requirements

– On the Locker Room in CCSUA Forms – LF and RF: 4’ fence, 210’ distance – CF: 230’ minimum, 235’ maximum *

SRC 3 - 2018 Requirements

Fencing/netting front of dugouts

• Field side of the dugout- netting or fencing

not less than 6 feet from floor

Foul poles on institutional fields

• Minimum of 10 feet high
• Recommended height of 20 feet
• Either white or optic orange. *

SRC 4 - Student-athlete well-being

• Hit by pitch

– Last 10 years, risen 50% in D1 and D2 – Astonishing 100% in D3

• Alternative facilities (in-door, dome)

– Shortened outfield fences *

Warnings and Ejections

Warnings

• When to give

– Are we issuing instead of using people skills?

• Does coach get a warning the first time

arguing a judgment call which cannot be changed?

– Correct – Adheres to new rule and SRC’s emphasis *

Ejections

• Locker Room articles – Game

Management Corner

• Video Presentations

– Game Management: Preventive umpiring – Game Management: Arguments

Bat Inspection

Bat Inspection

• REASON FOR CHECKING EQUIPMENT IS TO

ENSURE THAT BATS ON THE LIST MEET ALL THE REQUIREMENTS - AS MANUFACTURED.

• BATS WITH A CRACK OR A DENT
• BATS WHERE THE CONNECTION OF THE TWO

PIECES IS COMPROMISED

• BATS THAT HAVE BEEN ALTERED OR OVER-

USED SO MUCH THAT DON’T RESEMBLE THE BAT THE WAY IT WAS MANUFACTURERED. *

Bat Inspection

• How much and how hard should an umpire be

shaking the bat while checking for wobbles and rattles?

• AS YOU WAGGLE THE BAT (WRIST FLIP

FORWARD AWAY FROM THE BODY AND THEN BACK TOWARD THE BODY), THERE IS A TIME LAG FOR THE BARREL TO CATCH UP WITH THE HANDLE. IT CAN CERTAINLY BE DONE WITH JUST ONE HAND MIDWAY UP THE GRIP *

Bat Inspection

• How can we determine if a mark on the barrel
• f the bat is just a scratch of the paint versus

a crack that appears to have affected the actual barrel?

• COMPOSITE BATS ARE NOW DESIGNED

TO BREAK FROM THE INSIDE OUT AND PAINT SCRATCHES ARE FROM THE OUTSIDE IN *

Bat Inspection

• LOOKING TO SEE IF THE EDGES ARE

EXPLODING OR IMPLODING USUALLY HELPS.

• SCRATCHES ARE USUALLY ALONE BUT

CRACKS OFTEN (BUT NOT ALWAYS) SPIDERS OR RADIATES AND ARE MORE A GROUP OF MARKS THAN A SINGLE

• MARK. *

Top Questions

Top Question 1

• The catcher requests time to talk with her
• pitcher. Can the base coaches meet without

being a charged offensive conference if they are back in their coach’s boxes once the catcher is back at the plate?

Top Question 1

• Yes, the coaches can meet and this is not

a charged conference because the game was not held up.

Top Question 2

• If you start the game with 10 players can

you drop to 9 players, then back to 10 players then back to 9?

Top Question 2

• Yes. If you start with 10 players you may

drop to 9 and then back to 10 as many times as long as you have enough substitutes.

• You cannot start a game with 9 and then

decide once the lineup card is official to

• switch to 10.

Top Question 3

• The second baseman is attempting to field

a batted ball. The base runner is advancing legally to second when the fielder stops to let the runner pass because she thinks a collision might occur. Is this interference?

Top Question 3

• Interference is an act that denies the defense

a reasonable opportunity to make a play.

• In this instance the fielder opted not to pursue

fielding the ball and allowed the runner to pass.

• In this case we cannot assume that this is

interference

Top Question 4

• Can a team stand in front of the dugout

while a pitcher or substitute pitcher is warming up? *

Top Question 4

• No, the only the batter and on deck batter

are allowed in foul territory

• near their dugout to warm up. The

remaining players may run in foul

• territory from the end of their dugout to the
• utfield fence.

Top Question 5

• There is a runner on second base with two
• uts when her teammate hits an out of the

park homerun.

• The batter missed first base.
• The defense properly appeals that the batter

did not touch first base for the third out.

• Should the run from second base count? *

Top Question 5

• The run from second base does not count

since the batter runner

• never reached first base. This is the third
• ut of the inning, no runs
• scored.

Top Question 6

• A coach calls time to talk to the first base

umpire about a judgment call. The coach was not argumentative and left the field after the umpire explained what they saw. Should this be a warning?

Top Question 6

• a. Yes, the coach should receive a warning because it was a

judgment call and they delayed the game.

• b. Exception: A coach can ask about a call regarding your

judgment but cannot question your judgment.

• The play: left fielder catches a fly ball near the tarp; the base

umpire calls her out. The coach can question whether you missed part of the play: foot on tarp; trapped on fence.

• You are missing a piece of the play and this would not be a

warning

Top Question 7

• Can the starting DP once she was

replaced offensively re-enter to her original spot in the batting order? *

Top Question 7

• Yes, if she does re-enter, she must bat/run for

the flex. She may play

• offense for the flex or, at the same time that

she plays offense, she may

• either play defense for the flex or play

defense for another player in

• the batting order who would become the OP

QUESTIONS?? Have a great 2017 season

• What are your goals?
• What is your plan – specific items to help you

accomplish your goal?

What Time Is It???

82

SUP Update

2016 General Meeting

California Collegiate Softball Umpires Association

Game Time=Shine Time

2017 Mechanics Update In Focus 2017 Working the Plate Camp Teaching Points

2017 Mechanics Updates

Uniform Plate Stance Equipment Movement & Management Positioning & Calling Responsibility

2017 Mechanics Updates

Uniform

2017 Mechanics Updates

Plate Stance Box, Modified Gerry Davis, Heel-Toe Adjust to batter. Eyes Chin Set, in slot, release to glove.

2017 Mechanics Updates

Equipment Bat list, highlighted with number of bats. Pregame warm-ups, other bats allowed. Only legal bats in on-deck circle during game. Bat check before all games.

2017 Mechanics Updates

Movement & Management Hustle Move to your next position Chasing Ejections Charged Conferences

2017 Mechanics Updates

Force Play Distance:

no closer than 18 feet

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Tag Play Distance:

10 – 12 feet

2017 Mechanics Updates

Rundowns: Shared responsibility

Umpire with the best look makes the call Teamwork, eye contact, communication

In Focus 2017

Strike Zone Hit by Pitch Illegally Batted Ball Code of Conduct Social Media Guidelines

Working the Plate

Movement: Fair/Foul – Get to the Line Trail BR Bunt, R2 and/or R3 Point of Plate Situations: Hit by Pitch Illegally Batted Ball

Camp Teaching Points

Concussion Plate Stance Movement from Plate Plate Situations

Camp Teaching Points

Base Umps: Chasing, Fair/Foul Starting Position Set, Square with Plate Areas of Concern: Secondary Plays Distances Pace of Game

Past Review Pics

Pushmi-Pullyu COMMUNICATE

A BIG Thank YOU

CCSUA Annual Meeting January 8, 2017

CCA Manual (2017)

 In Focus

 Strike zone – and last 4 years  Hit by pitch  Illegally batted ball

 Previous years

 Game management  Sportsmanship  Angles and Distance  Line-up card management  Professionalism

CCA Manual – Section Headings

 In Focus  Responsibilities  Game Administration  General Game Information  Mechanics  Signals  Three-umpire system  Two-umpire system  Definitions

College Signals

 Out, Strike – hammer!  Safe – also used for No Infraction  Foul ball – not for obvious, no ball status  Point – indicate or sell an abnormality in the play

 Use it but do not overuse it

 Umpire-to-umpire

 Infield fly on, off  Two-out indicator  Third strike not caught – base and plate

Dropped 3rd Strike

SUP gives the umpires special tools to use & ways to communicate On this oftentimes difficult situation for umpires

No Catch Batter is out

Essential Concepts

 Know where you would like to be on any given play  Work ahead of the play

 Read the play; move to the most likely play  Arrive ahead of the play and STOP

 Keep elements in front

 Ball, base, runner, fielder

 Adjust to the individual play

 Primary position…then calling position if necessary  Must see the elements as they change during the play

Essential Concepts -2

 Efficient movement

 Start and end all movement in control  Use crossover steps - not side-to-side or back-pedaling  Choose a position before moving

 Move directly to it, no looping  Achieve angle first, then adjust distance

 Discipline and control your body

Essential Concepts -3

 Pre-pitch preparation

 Where are the runners  Am I in the correct starting position  Do I have an umpire to umpire signal to give  How many outs and what is the count  Is there a potential for a steal or pickoff play  Where do I go on an infield hit - bunt, grounder, line drive  Where do I go on an outfield hit - fly, single, gapper, tag-up responsibility

Every Game

 Angle – 90o for tag, throw, and 1b force play (30o-50o)  Distance

 Primary position - calling depth force play no less than 18’, tag play 10-12’  Calling position - adjustment to play, secondary positions

 Holding areas

 Circle, 3b/plate  POP – rarely used

Every game - 2

 Movement

 Parallel movement, efficient movement  Commitment to the play, rhythm, timing

 Comportment

 Body language, signals, crewness,  Game management, handling conflict

Call in your area; observe in all other areas

The Big Differences

 Working outside the diamond  Working between pitches  Dropped third strike  Tag-up responsibilities  Thinking umpire

Working Outside

If the ball is inside the diamond

– Umpire is outside

If the ball is outside the diamond

– Umpire is where he needs to be to do his job – Probably outside – Maybe inside – Maybe neither in nor out but simply in a good position

Not mandatory

– Based on individual circumstances of the play – Should NOT be “always outside”

Benefits of Working Outside More time to “Read”

– Don’t just move at the crack of the bat

Time to “Process”

– Can actually see what is happening – Don’t have to figure out what happened after button-hooking

Ability to “Choose Your Action”

– Don’t have to play catch-up – Don’t have to settle for inferior position

Working Between Pitches What Umpires Do On A NON BATTED BALL

Move out of the set position Watch the ball and the catcher’s movement Move and remain ready for a play

Tag-Ups

BU has 1b and 2b PU has 3b If R2 or R1R2

PU has R2 to 3b

If R2R3 or BL

If R3 tags BU has R2 to 3b If R3 stays, PU has 3b, BU has 2b

– Both umpires commit to their base!

And Some More…

Efficient path

– PU trailing BR left or right of catcher

Infield fly call – PU… Going for help

– If missing a piece, go unsolicited prior – Ask partner what you need to know – Follow with final call/signal

Plate stance choices Foul tip signal optional

Plate Umpire

 Help with pickoff, steal

 Trail BR with R0 or R1, only if play at 1b

 With R0 15’, with R1 no more than 10’

 Multiple runners

 All plays on lead runner at 3b & touching 3b

 Except - imminent play at plate; catcher/cut-off throws to 3b  Start moving to 3b/holding area as soon as you determine no play at plate

 Watch runner touch plate while moving to 3b or holding area

Base Umpire

 Plays on BR at 3b and BR touching 3b

 Exception: R0: if BR stops at 2b or throw to 2b

 Chasing - if tough call for PU (use common sense )

 May return, but rare –

 Starting positions

 R0 (A position): on 1b line 18‘-20‘, walking the pitch  R1 (B position)

 No closer to 1b than 15'  No farther than midpoint between 1b and 2b in a set position behind F4

 All other situations (C position)

 Behind F6, the middle 30’ in a set position

 For B and C, have a reason for where you start

Base Umpire

 Single/extra base hit

 Stay outside???, read ball/fielders

 Glance BR and R1, fielder/ball, BR and R1, fielder/ball

 Read & get to priority play  Ready to help PU with R1 at 3b

 Lots of possible secondaries

 Can you get back outside?  Keep reading play until it is over

 Pickoff = parallel or intersections  Between inning position – don’t give it up-no more than 15’ where grass

starts in front of the outfielders

Working together

 Bracket fly ball - your call if play facing you  PU holds when partner is moving to next position  Communication (verbalize!)

 What happens when you do not hear partner?

The BIGGEST of All

The Thought Process

Above any particular mechanic difference, this is the single most striking difference for NCAA

Makes THINKING an actual named part of what an umpire does prior to umpiring, prior to every pitch of every game… Is the Basis for nearly all differences between NCAA and other codes

Thank You

for your commitment to our Collegiate Athletes and the Game of Softball

Questions / No war stories

Katrina Kershaw

What is “Game-Flow”

 Game moves along, few delays  Stays on schedule  Players playing, hustling onto / off of the diamond  Pitchers working ahead of batters primarily  Hitters swinging the bat, not “taking” too many

pitches

 Fielders making the plays, few or no errors  Good ball rotation (on balls hit out of play, etc.)

CCSUA - January 2017

Why is it important to Manage Game-Flow?

CCSUA - January 2017

Managing the “Flow” of the Game

Can Control Can not control

 Game ball rotation  Conference length  Comportment  Efficient coach interaction  Rule & Mechanics Knowledge  Umpire-to-Umpire non-

verbal communication

 Numerous walks, hits and

errors.

 Pitching accuracy  Weather  Field issues  Substitutions, pitching

changes

CCSUA - January 2017

How can we accomplish this? What tools do we have?

• A few time limit rules, time between pitches…
• Warnings regarding questions on strike zones

and judgement calls

• Managing delays, awareness
• Our own demeanor, presence, focus and

hustle

CCSUA - January 2017

Risk if we don’t manage it

 Potential for more conflict with coaches and players  More potential for warnings and ejections  Lack of umpire and/or player concentration  Longer game times  Disjointed games that lack flow and are full of

delays, discussions and arguments….

 are bad TV. Bad for participants and fans.

CCSUA - January 2017

Our Goal

 …is to improve the Presence and

Demeanor of

 All CCSUA Umpires  So that as a team we consistently project

as calm and confident professionals

CCSUA - January 2017

Managing the “Flow” of the Game Lets talk about the warning.

Or

CCSUA - January 2017

Everybody’s toolbox is a little different

CCSUA - January 2017

Questions?

• And now….

Jim Sanderson to wrap things up.

Post-game Meeting Wrap-up

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A BIG Thank YOU

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