From the Rules Interpreter

There is now the EP option in high school softball.  Please check to see if a JH, JV or V team is batting 9, or 10.  Please check the lineups before the game and ensure that they are batting 9 or 10, and if they have 11, that must be the FLEX, and she DOES NOT BAT.  There's only one player she can bat for.  Do you know who that is?  (answer at the bottom) 

I was asked about color of uniform pants.  Our association is now adopting the "grey" pants as our standard uniform pant.  The correct color grey will be "heather grey".  Charcoal grey (darker) is for baseball use.  

There are three main brands of heather grey umpire pants: 

• Smitty

• Fechheimer

• Gerry Davis

My recommendation, not requirement, is Fechheimer Western cut pockets, non pleated (sold from officialgear.com).  These are the pants that have non-traditional pockets that run horizontal to the belt.  This is the type the pro softball umpire uses, and the kind the NCAA requires.  Smitty does not make western cut pockets, their pants tend to be lighter and fade over time to show hints of pink, and it is hard to find plate and base pants.  Combo pants are like balloons when you wear them on the bases.  The good thing about Smitty's is that they have an adjustable waist band for those days you need a little extra room in the gut.  Gerry Davis pants are nice alternatives, however they tend to be darker, do not come in western cut pockets, and are pleated (i.e., they are more baseball-like).

Any umpire to umpire signal is given by the plate umpire after he puts his or her mask on, and before he steps in behind the catcher.  Since it is an umpire to umpire signal, it should be quick and discrete.  That means the whole world should not see you getting everyone's attention by being obvious about giving this, or any other signal.  

Many umpires make their calls too fast.  One of the things that bother coaches is that calls are made before the play comes to an end.  Here's an example:  Runner on first stealing second.  Throw comes in and runner slides.  Umpire calls safe as second baseman is making the tag.  Coach believes, fairly, that the umpire's mind was made up before conclusion of the play.  Umpire will say, "but she was safe...I can call her safe as soon as she is safe."  Wrong.  What if that runner knocks the ball out of the glove in an unsporting act?  What if she overslides the base? Now you have to do, "safe....no wait...out!" Even if your call is right, what is the harm in waiting 2 seconds to make the call?  The coach will think your judgment is based on anticipating the play, and not on your decision making.  I have seen good, Varsity, playoff-caliber umpires do this too often.

If you are moving, you should not make a call.  GET SET first.  Another good way to slow down is to call it in your head, then verbally call it, and then give the signal.  

SLOW DOWN.  

Pause....read....react.  Then, stop, set, focus, hold, and THEN call.

• Varsity and JV games have a run rule of 12 after 5 at bats by the losing team.  

• Varsity and JV games will go to the tiebreaker in the top of the 10th inning.  The runner on second will be the player who is scheduled to bat last in that offensive inning, OR an eligible substitute, OR that last batter's substitute can reenter (if there was a sub already for her), OR if that last batter is the pitcher or catcher, an eligible courtesy runner.

• JH run rule is 15 after 5 at bats by the losing team, and if a team bats their entire lineup in an offensive inning, you end that inning, unless it happens in the 7th inning.  Then you have to get three outs.  

• JH games have a 2 hour time limit, meaning NO NEW INNING begins two hours after the start time.  Clock starts at the end of the coaches conference, not on the first pitch.    

• JH is limited to three walks and three advances per offensive inning.  After three walks, only strikes are recorded.  Batters hit by pitch do not count as walks.  After three advances, the ball is dead on a walk so that the batter-runner only will get the base on balls award of first base, and other runners advance only if forced.  The base umpire can help in keeping track of the walks and advances.   

• If a team wants to intentionally walk a batter, they must still throw the 4 pitches out of the strike zone.

• In USA softball rules, the batter DOES NOT have to pull the bat back.  As long as she does not move the bat forward, call the pitch based on the location of the pitch, not the fact that the batters bat wasn't pulled back.

• OBSTRUCTION is defined as a defensive player, not in the act of fielding a ball or throwing a ball, can not impede, alter, or hinder a runner's path of running the bases.  The runner chooses her path, and if it changes because of the actions of a defender without the ball, it's OBSTRUCTION.  With that being said, there is a lot of confusion about the ball, runner, and fielder coming together at the same time when the fielder is receiving a thrown ball.  On a THROWN ball, if the runner, ball, and fielder all arrive at the same place and time it is GENERALLY considered a wreck and no obstruction or interference is called.  That being said, it's not a one size fits all.  If the ball is thrown off line, you should give the benefit of the doubt to the runner, and when knocked down or impeded on the play, and the fielder didn't have POSSESSION and CONTROL of the wild throw, be aware that obstruction may need to be called here.  The bottom line is, a fielder who doesn't have the ball, can't block the pathway of the runner.  Period.

• Teams are allowed one offensive conference per inning, and 3 defensive conferences in 7 innings.  The defensive conferences can take place in the same inning.  Teams will get one defensive conference per inning starting in the 8th inning.  If they want more than they are allowed, the pitcher must be removed from pitching, but can play anywhere else.  Ask the coach first before you allow him or her to do it.  WRITE DOWN THE CONFERENCES ON YOUR LINEUP CARD.  Offensive conferences should be marked OC and inning number next to the player who the coach calls time to talk to.  For example, OC 3 next to #19 to note an offensive conference in the 3rd inning to talk to batter number 19.  Defensive conferences should be marked at the top of the lineup card DC followed by the inning number.  For example, DC 2 to show defensive conference in the second inning.  DON'T feel bad that it takes so long to write it down.  Hold up play to write it down.  That is your job as the home plate umpire.

• Speaking of writing things down, mark courtesy runners for the position they run for.  On your lineup card, where the subs are listed, find the eligible sub and mark it next to their name and the inning they are running.  For example, C2 next to number 23 indicates courtesy runner for the catcher in the second inning.  P5 indicates courtesy runner for the pitcher in the 5th inning.  Do not circle those players, as they are NOT in the game.  Remember that courtesy runners can not sub in the same half inning they ran in, unless an injury to a starter forces them to sub for that injured player.  

• Do NOT go to the field alone.  Call your partner, find him or her, park next to each other, and walk down together.  When the game is over, walk off together on the exit of least resistance.  We are a team and better act that way from pre-game to end of game.   

• Do not have conversations with fans.  It will do you no good.  If they say good job, say thanks.  But if they ask you about a play, say sorry, it's not professional or appropriate to talk about the game.

• Don't forget to sign both score books, and put your position next to your name:  Jeremy Johnson - P  Richie Clark - B

• Remember your between innings position.  Plate umpire next to home plate area opposite from and facing the team coming up to bat.  Base umpire at the edge of the grass, 15 feet off the foul line.  It's okay to get together occasionally to talk to your partner, but don't do it every half inning and keep the conversation about the game, if possible.  Remember, the defense gets one minute to be ready to play.  That goes fast. On cold days, be lenient with the one minute and up to five pitches.  Be sure the pitcher is ready.  

• Jackets in the field are okay, but up to bat should not be worn simply to be able to see the player's uniform number.  Also, be sure shirts are tucked in when coming to bat, if they are not form fitting.  If a player's jersey is hanging loose, she should be instructed to tuck it in.  Uniforms must be worn properly.

• Plate umpires need to remember for batters to keep one foot in the batter's box after taking a pitch.  It's okay for her to take a practice swing, or for her to look at her coach for signs, but she has to keep one foot in the box and not go for a walk.  This doesn't apply if she swings and makes contact or if the pitch or a play forced her out of the box.  I use these words, "okay batter, get yourself set..." or "batter, keep one foot in the box please, and I will hold up play for you".

• One on deck batter at all times, especially at the beginning of the inning.  Plate umpire is monitoring this.  Have the had coach help you if you are consistently seeing a violation.  It's a liability and safety issue.

• Reminder that the coaches have to wear their helmets when coaching on offense.  

• Chin straps are not mandatory but if worn must be worn properly.   

• Metal cleats are allowed!

• Jewelry is allowed!  

• Checking bats - we are looking for the 2000 or 2004 ASA stamp.  2013 is NOT allowed as it is a men's fast pitch bat.  The minus number on a bat means nothing for us.  It's basically to state how much less it weighs than how long it is.  -10 bats weigh 10 less oz. than it's length.  The bigger the drop number, the lighter the bat.

• Remember the new rule of having all equipment that needs to be checked OUTSIDE the dugout at pre-game for inspection.  If it is in the dugout, ask that it be placed outside.  If it is next to the dugout area, that's fine.  For example, Half Hollow Hills West and Sayville are two teams that have their equipment in the dugout bat and helmet holder at the end of the dugout.  They have to lay it outside the dugout. Otherwise, we are pulling out bats and helmets one at a time from the holder to check them, and some helmets will have batting gloves in them and some we will not even know if we checked yet because we lost track.  Bay Shore and Kings Park are two teams that keep their equipment next to the dugout but not in it.  This is fine.  They do not have to put it outside on the field.  The idea and spirit of the rule is to speed up bat and equipment check, and to keep umpires out of the player's dugout. Keep this in mind when enforcing the rule.  Don't be over officious.

• There is NO running the LAST BATTED OUT. Any substitute or courtesy runner must be a player who is not in the game, and has never been in the game.  If teams run out or have no available players, they can not have a courtesy runner or a sub!   

• Be professional, be courteous, be fair.  If a coach asks, go to your partner only if a piece of information is missing.  Ask the coach, "what would you like me to ask my partner?"  Judgement calls can't be sent to your partner.  Get your own calls right.  Work hard to do that every time.  

• Work hard to get the calls right.  Be a good partner, and work hard for the girls.  If you are out of position, work hard to do better next time.  

After a steal attempt, the plate umpire should give the count to his/her base umpire partner.  Similarly, on a passed ball at the plate and a runner comes home, after the play the base umpire should give the count (by signal) to remind his plate umpire what's the count.  I am pretty sure the plate umpire will appreciate the help here.  

Do you know when the plate umpire covers third?  Do you know who gets which tag up responsibilities?  This is vital to your pregame with your partner.  

• Plate umpire watches all touches of runners at 3rd and home.  Base umpire watches all touches of 1st and 2nd.  Base umpires should NOT be watching a runner round and/or touch third UNLESS she is the trail runner and there's a runner scoring at that moment.  

• Plate umpire comes up to make calls at third on any secondary play at third base, (i.e. play at first, followed by the throw to third - that secondary play at third is the PLATE umpire's call) or on any FIRST play at third from the OUTFIELD (unless they are stuck at home because a runner is scoring at that time).

• Plate umpire will have all tag ups at third base, base umpire will have all tag ups at first base.  Plate umpire will have lead runner tagging up with multiple runners on base (i.e. Plate umpire will have the tag up at second with runners on first and second).  Base umpire will have sole runner at second tagging up, and Plate umpire will take the sole runner into third.  

Best of luck as your season begins!  Keep your eye on this space for updates!     

Jeremy

The Flex can only bat for - the DP.  When she does, the DP is out of the game.  If you knew that, good work!