2018 Varsity Playoffs

The ratings that are used for Varsity playoffs closed after games on Thursday May 11.  Section ran these ratings, which are based on the "REAL" rating system that the coaches complete after each game.  These scores are on a 1-5 scale.  When reading this, only look at the REAL ratings, not the auto or final.  The auto ratings have something to do with the 0-1 scale that coaches fill out, and is beyond my pay scale. The umpires are ranked on this sheet by the FINAL ratings.  But if you want to know how the coaches rated you, look at the REAL rating.

Varsity Ratings for playoffs 

Hello Varsity officials,

Sorry- this is going to be long. Please read it ALL. Some of it has been updated since my email this morning.

If you are working in a crew with umpires who are very unfamiliar with three man mechanics, this is what you SHOULD do: 

OPTION 1: Lowest rated umpire takes third base and when the ball is hit they go from the line at third to second base and will make all calls at second and that’s it. 

OR

OPTION 2: the third base umpire can stay at third the whole game and only make calls at third.  

IN BOTH OPTIONS:  If the ball is hit to left field or centerfield that third base umpire will go out. Do not make any calls. Get out of the throwing lanes. You will now be in familiar two man mechanics. At the end of the play go to your next position. Not sure where that is?  Third base umpire will head to third (foul territory).  The first base umpire will go to the B position and take all calls at first and second.  Remember, follow this only if the crew feels that inexperience with the three man crew will be a problem.  

Going with three umpire mechanics - here's some info to help you out. 

Here is a three umpire handout that will help with positioning. Please print, study it and bring it with you for your pregame with your crew. 

http://www.usasoftballsacramento.org/Assets/460/3-umpire-handout.pdf

My friend from Buffalo made this 3 umpire video for NYSSO playoffs. I want to share this with you so you can watch it and absorb the three man mechanics before you do your games. You may ignore the GB2 section, as we will avoid use of that for clarity sake.  Please acknowledge receipt of this and that you watched it. We have a lot of umpires working who are unfamiliar with the three man system and were not at my clinic. Plate umpires PLEASE REVIEW ALL OF THIS WITH YOUR CREW AT THE FIELD!  It is IMPORTANT that you communicate your movements on the field!  

NYSSO Three Umpire Mechanics - click here

Once again here are some important points:  

At no time should both umpires be off the line and in the infield at the same time at the start of the pitch. IF YOU ARENT SURE WHO IS WRONG, put the first base umpire back in the A position. Plate umpire should not start play if your base umpires are in the wrong spot. Direct them to where they need to be. If someone on the crew is familiar with three man mechanics, specifically NYSSO three man mechanics, they should take the lead in this direction. Don’t be embarrassed if you make a mistake in positioning and have to be moved. Just fix it and learn from it. 

If two umpires are heading to the same base to make a call, make eye contact and someone take the call. The other (trailing) umpire should fade away gracefully. Similarly, if there is a play heading to a base and there is no umpire there, someone better step up to take the call (closest umpire with the best angle will be the one the coaches will look at). 

IF YOU HAVE TO GET TOGETHER TO DISCUSS A CALL, ALL THREE UMPIRES MUST GET TOGETHER. DO IT AWAY FROM PLAYERS AND  COACHES. GET THE CALL RIGHT AND MOVE ON.

When the first base umpire rotates home, they go all the way home. Not half way. There is no holding zone in three man mechanics. 

When the ball is hit in the outfield with runners on base you all must say what tag up you will have to your crew!  Third base umpire is getting all tag ups at third unless they go out, then the plate ump gets it. First base ump gets all calls at first unless they go out, and then the plate ump gets that too. With multiple runners on base the first base umpire has all trail runners and the third base umpire has the lead. CALL IT OUT SO EVERYONE KNOWS YOU ARE WATCHING IT. 

Third base umpire will clean the rubber after every inning. Don’t worry about cleaning bases unless they are dirty and can’t be found. First base umpire gets first base third base umpire gets third and first base umpire will also get second ONLY IF THEY ARE REALLY DIRTY. 

COMMUNICATE COMMUNICATE COMMUNICATE ON ALL BALLS HIT. THIRD BASE UMPIRE SHOULD EITHER BE YELLING “I GOT SECOND” AS THEY RUN TO SECOND OR “GOING” IF THE BALL IS HIT TO THE OUTFIELD AND THEY CHASE. IF SOMEONE YELLS “GOING” YOU ARE IN A TWO MAN SYSTEM. The other two umpires must yell WE ARE IN TWO!

THE THIRD BASE UMPIRE NEVER GOES HOME TO MAKE ANY CALLS. EVER. 

PLEASE watch the video on three umpire mechanics below.  Then watch it again.  Acknowledge watching it. Again. Keep this in mind:  If you do start your game the plate umpire will make the call on suspending the game. However, if baseball, track and field, lacrosse, or any other event on that campus calls their game due to lightning or weather, so do you. Remember we have to wait 30 minutes for all lightning strikes for playoffs. The day is not over, however we know the weather is not going to get better. When you do call the game, tell the coaches that they should call section in the morning and report the game situation.  Home scorekeeper is the official scorer and should get your lineup cards before you leave the field in a suspended game so the next days umpires can pick up where you left off. On the home lineup card write the game situation and have both coaches sign. 

Should any questions come up PLEASE email me. 

There is no run rule in the playoffs.

NYSSO Three Umpire Mechanics

Please do your due diligence and study this video and the handout link I’m providing. 

Good luck!  

Yours in officiating,

Jeremy 

Having a good pregame and post game with your partner is VITAL.  Don't have one?  Don't know what to go over in the parking lot before the game?  Use this:

• Enter field where? - Bat Checks - Ground Rules - Game rules (run rules, time limit/advances/walks)- Exiting field - Post game talk  

• Base umpire shared responsibility/chase area/coverage 

  • • • 1BU: In on the line starting position, from CF to RF dead ball line  3BU has CF to LF dead ball line.  When off the line, 3BU has the wedge from LF to RF and 1BU when off the line has the V from CF to RF.   

      • If in doubt, turn and look, if you are going to make the call on catch/no catch make sure plate umpire knows (GOING or TWO MAN)

      • You should help/turn and look/chase on: tough catches, 2 players converging, bloopers, fair/foul decisions (when in "A"), balls heading to fence or dead ball line

      • After your decision in OF on the hit, observe play or hold up hand and tell plate that you have call at your base also. COMMUNICATE!

• Tag up responsibilities: 

  • • • 1BU gets all tag ups at first base unless back is to the play to see catch/no catch - then PU must help.

      • 3BU gets all tag ups at third base - even the hit down the RF line that the plate must get fair/foul call, catch/no catch; they must then glance at third.  If in doubt, benefit of doubt goes to runner.  1BU may help, but they have other responsibilities. 

      • 3BU gets lead runner when there are multiple runners on base.  1BU gets all trail runners.

      • 1BU gets sole runner at second base.  

• Plate coverage:

  • • • All bounding balls fair/foul

      • Base umpires will only call fair/foul if they turn.  Do NOT have double calls!

      • Line drives to infield - base umpires can take the catch/no catch if they have it - STRONG SIGNAL.  PU wait half a second for BU before you call it.  Glance at partner before making the call.  No double calls! 

      • Uncaught third strike:  signal strike, verbalize "batter's out" if she is not eligible to run. Signal "safe" (and optional verbal "no catch") if she can run.  

      • Ball hits batter off pitch or bat - let the PU get that call first - BU, if you are sure, hold the call until you see PU not calling and BR is halfway down line.  Kill play with strong "DEAD BALL".  Go to PU to tell what you saw.  PU will make out/foul call.

• Fair/Foul fly ball coverage

  • • • Bracket fair foul balls between home and base umpire when BU is in A and ball is hit first base side.

      • Fielder facing plate or fence - PU makes call; Fielder facing BU, base umpire will make call

      • Ball in RF foul territory and BU is in A - BU must turn and take catch/no catch, fair/foul

• Leaving early

  • • • Dead ball signal, followed by loud verbal "dead ball - early (point to runner) - OUT!"  Benefit of doubt must go to runner

• Check swings

  • • • Open umpire

      • BU be alert

      • PU will step out, remove mask, and call partner by name, followed by "swing?"

      • BU will reply "Yes" with strike signal for swings, "No" with safe signal for checks

      • BU should look for:  Did she break her wrists?  Did the barrel and end of the bat go beyond her body?  Did she make an attempt to hit the ball?

      • PU should go for help right away with 2 strikes and the batter moves her bat at all

• Conclusion of play

  • • • Hold position until all runners have returned to base and pitcher has ball in circle.  After this, base umpire hustle to position.  If you have a runner(s) on base, make eye contact with plate umpire, allowing them to get back into position behind plate.  PU will then put on mask and give any umpire to umpire signals necessary before they step in behind catcher.

      • Know ball status as you are moving to next position, don't look at ground or stare at indicator, watch players

      • Know runner/team tendencies on running bases; don't give up runner too soon

      • Plate umpire have wide vision angle - see all bases while BU is moving

      • Don't grant time until runners have gotten to their bases and aren't moving and ball is in circle

      • If a player gets hurt - wait to kill play until runners get to their next base.  If serious enough, and you kill play, you must place runners on base they would have reached.  On serious injuries, it's usually the base they were going to IF they are forced, or if they were more than halfway at the time of the injury

• Umpire to Umpire signals

  • • • Who?  When?  

      • Infield fly

      • Timing plays/2 outs (any time a runner is on base, except for sole runner at third, tap wrist with two fingers) 

      •  Uncaught third strike - plate and base

      • every new batter with a situation that requires a signal, PU needs to give

      • If PU forgets, BU can do it before next pitch

      • Anyone can call Infield fly - discuss how you and your partner want to do it TODAY.  (Only PU?  Either one?)

• Rundowns

  • • • Bracket rundowns - have an umpire at either base IF POSSIBLE

      • "I'm here!"  "I have this end!"

      • Umpire who has play coming toward them makes call on tag

      • If in doubt, umpire at leading base should make call - make eye contact first!  No double calls!

• Tag on BR

  • • • When BU is in A, PU will call a tag from home plate to halfway up line (start of runners lane or 30 feet); BU will call from halfway to first base

      • When tag happens around halfway, defer to PU first - if he/she doesn't call it BU should

      • If BU is off the line, PU will take that tag all the way to first base

      • BU finishes play and makes out call

• Interference, Obstruction, No violation, warnings

  • • • Closest umpire to the call has first right of refusal

      • If not seen/called by closest umpire, be assertive with the call and be ready to explain

      • Kill interference, signal obstruction, signal no violation with safe sign (essentially saying "I saw it, and it's nothing")

      • Warnings on arguing balls/strikes, etc. should be recorded by plate umpire and official book

• Going for help

  • • • Don't do it just to appease a coach, MUST be missing part of the puzzle

      • Must go on check swings when asked by a coach

      • May get together with partner on bunt/swing if not sure and asked by a coach

• Confrontations 

  • • • Confine discussion to play just made, make them ask a question

      • Listen first, then talk

      • Use their words to clarify you understand what they are asking/saying

      • Use words from rule book to cite rule ("in my judgement...", "obstruction is...")

      • BE HONEST!  If you missed it, you missed it.  Tell coach and assure him/her you will work hard to not allow that to happen again.

      • Partner must be aware of discussions between coach and partner.  

      • Discussions should involve head coach, unless assistant coach was close to play and wants clarification

      • 1 on 1 discussions only - keep all other coaches and players away

        • • Head coaches can join discussion already initiated by assistant coach, get your partner and transfer conversation over to head coach 

      • If you have to get together with your partner, do it away from players and coaches!

      • What are umpires individual signals that they are done with a discussion?  I put my mask behind my back.  That signals to partner to walk coach back to dugout area.  Please help partner with this!  This is the hardest part of the job at the most tense moment!  There should be no shouting from a coach, OR an umpire.  Get the discussion over, get the coach off the field, and get back to playing ball. 

• Pre-pitch preparation 

  • • • What is the game situation?

      • What if BU chases/turns?

      • Check swings?

      • Interference/Obstruction?

      • What are your tag ups/partners tag ups?

      • Steals

      • One on deck batter (BU sees this, and addresses it with coach)

      • Players should not be out of dugout during game play (BU sees this, and addresses it with coach)

      • Where are my fielders set up? 

      • What if the ball is hit to IF?  OF?

•  Overall game attitude

  • • • Know the attitudes of coaches, players - Are coaches/players getting frustrated at umpires?  Umpires fault or teams?  Know teams attitude towards each other

• Final comments

  • • • Prepare every pitch, every play

      • Give the game your best 

      • Make all signals crisp

      • Call in your area, see in all areas

      • between innings and during pitching change, base umpire count pitches and stop pitchers from throwing too many (no more than 5)

      • One thing I am working on to make myself better is....can you help watch me for it?  I will ask after the game

Post Game

• • • • Things we did well

      • Things we need to work on

      • Things we got right - Play/rules

      • Things we got wrong - play/rules

      • Controversial plays/coaches

      • Rules/Mechanics we need to look up

      • Things we learned

      • Did we do what we said we would do at pregame?

      • How did I do on what I was working on as an umpire?