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Umpire Basics Manual

Application to the Rule Training Guide

Umpire Training - Little League University Trainings

Key Factors determining your Strike Zone

- Little League Rule Book states: "The strike zone is that space over home plate which is between the batter's armpits and the top of the knees when the batter assumes a natural stance. The umpire shall determine the strike zone according to the batter's usual stance when that batter swings at a pitch."

- During the game, the consistency of your strike zone is key, especially during a batter's at-bat sequence. I've heard many a coach and parent mutter complaints about a strike zone but then finish with "... but it was consistent". Translated = great job!

Batter's natural and usual stance -
Some batters crouch when they swing. Others stand more upright.
You should observe the first swings of a batter to determine their stance and adjust your strike zone accordingly. For example, you should tighten your strike zone on a batter who crouches during his/her swing.

Age of the players -
The younger they are, the bigger (height and width) your strike zone should be. A generous strike zone for younger players (< 11 years old) will have them swinging often, keep the defense alert and speed up the game for everyone.

Time of season -
At any age, your strike zone should be bigger at the beginning of the season and become smaller as pitchers become more proficient.

Just because ... -
Whether it's a game with inexperienced pitchers, nasty weather, kids that won't swing, a bad stomach ache, or all of the above - you will find times when your strike zone is just not big enough!
(Little League Umpiring 101)

Tips for establishing a consistent strike zone:

Umpires should always “think strikes” and make a ball convince you that it is a ball. “Borderline” pitches should always be called strikes. This will encourage the batters to be more aggressive at the plate and swing the bat. This is not showing favoritism, because the teams switch sides each half inning.
A called strike is a pitch that is not swung at, and in which any part of the ball passes through any part of the strike zone. This is a very important concept for all Little League umpires to understand and remember. The umpire should call the strike zone as stated in Rule 2.00 – Definition of Terms, regardless of where the catcher catches the ball or, as happens in many Little League games, doesn’t catch it.
Consistent plate mechanics, including proper “slot” placement, will establish a quality strike zone. In turn, you are likely to earn the respect of the game’s participants.

The main objective of a volunteer umpire is to support the children’s efforts to have fun and learn to play baseball and softball within the context of Little League rules. Umpires are expected to be perfect at the start of the game, and get better as the game progresses.
(Little League)

The pre-game conference is essential to a well-officiated game

Here is a list of general areas and topics that the plate umpire, crew chief, or league UIC is to cover with the crew before approaching the playing field.

Introductions
Fair-Foul Coverage (who has what and where)
Tag ups and base touches
Fly balls to the outfield
Fly balls to the infield
Coverage of third base (in a two-man system)
Live ball (restarting the game after foul/dead balls)
Uncaught third strike (used in Major, Intermediate (50-70), Junior, and Senior Division baseball)
Batted ball hits batter while in batter’s box
Half swing (check swing)
Umpire positioning on the field
Signals

The Junior Umpire Program

Our Junior Umpire program comprises boys and girls aged 9 and older who have experience playing baseball, softball or umpiring, and who have a lot of self-confidence and enjoy the sport. Junior umpires, start out umpiring at the Coach Pitch level (9 and 10 year old), then, as skills and experience grow, they move on to umpire at the Minors and Majors levels. Junior umpires will be paired with adult umpires during games (Minors and up). If you would like more information or would like to volunteer for become an Umpire, please contact your UIC (youth).

The youth umpire must be older than the level that they are umpiring. They must not be in the same grade of school of the players that are on the field playing the game.

10 Commonly Misinterpreted Little League Rules

The playing rules governing organized baseball and softball have been evolving for nearly 150 years. The interpretation of some rules may be confusing if not fully explained.

Since the first season of Little League Baseball® in 1939, the playing rules have also undergone several incarnations and evolution.

Below is a list of 10 current Little League® misinterpreted rules that have caused a consistent level confusion for umpires, coaches, and fans. These rules, and their explanations using “Layman’s terms,” are intended to provide clarity and understanding, so that when it is necessary to use rulebook terminology, you are able to illustrate your description of events in a way that is clear to you, and the manager asking the question.

1. The hands are considered part of the bat. If a pitch hits the batter’s hands it is either fair or foul.

Approved Ruling: The hands are part of the batter’s body. Therefore, an umpire must judge if the ball hit the bat or the batter first. This scenario is covered by Little League rule 6.08(b).

2. If the batter “breaks his wrists” when swinging, it’s a strike.

Approved Ruling: The term “breaks his/her wrists” does not appear in the Little League rulebook. The umpire must judge whether, or not, the batter attempted to swing at the pitch as stated in the definition of a strike in Rule 2.00.

3. If a batted ball hits the plate first it’s a foul ball.

Approved Ruling: Home plate, first, second, and third base are all completely within fair territory. The foul lines are also within fair territory. In order to rule the ball foul, it must have come to rest in foul territory or be touched in foul territory. See Rule 2.00.

4. The batter cannot be called out for interference if he is in the batter’s box.

Approved Ruling: Offensive/Batter Interference is defined in Rule 2.00, and there is no specific exception for the batter’s box. The batter’s actions are what causes interference and not necessarily where he is, as defined in Rule 6.06(c) (1), (2) and (3).

5. The ball is dead on a foul-tip.

Approved Ruling: As defined in Rule 2.00, the ball is always live on a foul tip. Therefore runners may be put out or advance at their own risk.

6. The batter may not switch batter’s boxes after two strikes.

Approved Ruling: The batter may switch batter’s boxes at any time while the ball is dead. According to Rule 6.06(b), the batter may only be called out for stepping from one batter’s box to the other while the pitcher is in position ready to pitch. The number of balls or strikes on the batter is not relevant.

7. The batter who batted out of order is the person declared out.

Approved Ruling: According to Rule 6.07, the batter that is supposed to bat (the proper batter) is the one that is declared out, when the defensive properly appeals the infraction.

8. The batter is considered “out” if he/she starts for the dugout before going to first base after an uncaught third strike.

Approved Ruling: In order to declare the batter “out” for abandoning his/her effort to advance, he/she must step into “dead ball” territory.

9. The batter-runner is always out if he runs outside the running lane after a bunted ball.

Approved Ruling: The batter-runner may be called out for interference if he fails to run within the runner’s lane for the last half of the distance to first base. Furthermore, the defensive team must throw the ball in order for the interference to occur Rule 6.05(j).

10. If a batter swings at a pitch, and the pitch hits the batter in the batter’s box, the batter is awarded first base.

Approved Ruling: The batter is not awarded first base. A strike is defined in Rule 2.00(e). Since the batter swung, a strike is recorded, and, if it was the third strike, the batter is out. No uncaught strike situation occurred since the ball is dead once it contacts the batter.

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South Kitsap Eastern Little League