Umpire Pregame Checklist

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 

  • • • In "A", from CF to RF dead ball line         - In "B" and "C", turn on hits from LF to RF; call catch/no catch NO NEED TO CHASE

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

      • 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: 

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

      • PU 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.  BU may help, but they have other responsibilities. 

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

      • BU gets sole runner at second base.  

• Plate coverage:

  • • • All bounding balls fair/foul

      • 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

  • • • 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?