Umpiring is a skill and a craft, an art and a science. It requires knowledge of the rules, sound judgment, athleticism, knowledge of mechanics and position, and game management skills. It is often said that an umpire has done his or her job well if no one has noticed the umpire at all.

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Weekly Q & A

This page will consist of "issues" that might arise at a game, field or park.  We will post things that happened before, during or after a game that may not necessarily be covered under the rules, but is still important.  Of course rule issues can also be covered here.  Do you have something to contribute that you think others may benefit in knowing?  E-Mail it to webmaster@smua.org  and we'll post it, along with any input from others.

Latest updates will be in this color.

Last Update: 03/20/2008 09:40 AM 

1.  Lights - Here's one that happened to us between the first and second game on Field 4 at Shades Mountain.  The people in the score box turned the lights on during the first part of the first game, which began shortly before 5:30 pm.  The game ended at 7:15 pm.  At 7:21 pm the lights went out, since the timer had wound down.  It takes about 20 minutes for the lights to come back on at full strength.  This, of course, delayed the start of the second game.

At Shades Mountain Park, it is always best to check the timer on the lights after the first game.  Although some coaches will do it, as an umpire take it upon yourself to make sure this gets done.

2.  Coaches in the Outfield - On the 6 year old field, the coaches that are in the outfield must stay in the outfield.

3.  8 Run Maximum - If you are umpiring 9 & 10 year olds at SMP, there is an 8 run maximum per half inning that can be scored by one team.

4.  Strike Zone - Make sure you fine tune your strike zone. Remember what we learned at the onfield clinic. Get in a good position so you can see the entire strike zone and do not flinch. If you get hit with a ball it will only hurt for a minute and remember do not rub it. Keep in mind that's why we wear equipment. (Ed.- The last two sentences were provided by Durbin and may not reflect the feelings of everyone...).

5.  9 & 10 Year Old Outfielders - Rule change for conference games to allow 5 outfielders to play just like non-conference.

6. Sliding Head First - No head first sliding into a base is permitted. No matter what field. It is an automatic out and it is a dead ball. It is for the kids safety. Call the kid out immediately if he is sliding head first into a base. He can go head first only if he is going back into a base. 

7. Home Run - A ball that hits the yellow piping on the outfield fence and falls back into the field is not a home run. It must go over the fence to be a home run. 

8. Non-Working Scoreboard - On fields that do not have a scoreboard that is working, the home team will keep the official book.

9. Slinging the Bat - If a batter has been warned about slinging the bat and then slings the bat again when he bats again, he is called out and the ball is dead.  Since it is a dead ball, no runners may advance or be put out.

10. Strike zone - Where the ball crosses the batter at the letters down to the knees and across the plate. Keep in mind that if a ball bounces to the catcher and he is in the normal catchers box behind the plate this should never be called a strike unless the batter is holding a golf club and not a bat. 

11. Slide Rule - The runner must slide OR attempt to avoid the fielder making the play. Do not call a runner out just because he did not slide. The rule is there for safety sake.

12. 11 & 12 Year Old Pitcher Shades Mountain- If a pitcher is pulled from the mound he cannot return to pitch in the same game. It does not matter if he is the starter or not.  The 9 & 10 year olds and the 13 & 14 year olds do allow the starting pitcher to return to the mound in a different inning. (Only the starter may return).

13.  10 Run Rule - If a game is officially over due to a 10 run rule the umpires are under no obligation to continue umpiring the game if coaches want to continue using up the time remaining.

14. Tournament Guidelines posted on the Weekly Events page.

15.  If a coach crosses the baseline to talk to his pitcher or other players between innings, do not charge him with a visit.

16. For 6 year olds: on any batter - including the last batter - if the batted ball hits the pitching machine or the pitching coach - the ball is dead immediately and each runner gets one base.  This is different in the 7/8 year olds where the pitch count starts over at zero.

17. For 7/8 year olds:  There is no 10 run rule for this age group, but - with a team only being able to score a maximum of 8 runs per inning, if a team is ahead of the other team by 9 or more runs in the last inning there is no need to continue.  Example 1 - home team is up by 9 or more runs at the end of the 5th inning - the max the visiting team can score is 8 so they can't win or tie the game.  Game is over.  Example 2 - Start of 6th inning, Visiting team score is 8, Home team score is 1.  Visiting team scores 2 runs before the 3rd out is made making the score 10-1 - they are now more than 9 runs ahead of the home team - even though Home team typically gets last bat they in no way can tie or win the game - game is over.

18.  Remember, when making an out or safe call - delay for just a moment to make sure you see the play finish before you make the call.  Get into position with a good angle to see the whole play then be confident, loud and be heard.

19.  Sliding into first base is perfectly legal.  Don't let a coach mislead you into believing it is an out.  They just can't slide head first.  If they start telling you something that sounds wrong - it probably is.  If you are in doubt about a ruling - make them show you the rule.  Since they usually can't produce a copy of the rule, then go by what you know.  A good reason to keep up with the rules.

20.  At the end of your games when you are getting paid - if the concession stand is busy - be patient and courteous and wait at the door.  They will serve their customers first.

21. Make sure that if you have a situation where the ball has become dead (ex: foul ball, time is called for any reason), make sure you put the ball live again. Wait until the pitcher is on the rubber and then point to him and say play. Nothing can happen until you put the ball live again. No outs can be made and no runners can advance as long as the ball remains dead and you have not put the ball back in play.

22.  Here's an excellent source for Umpire Mechanics.  Take some time to read it, as it contains some very useful information.

23. Coach calls time to talk to his pitcher and infield. The coach leaves the field and pitcher is in the dirt area of the mound. The first baseman has the ball with a runner on first. THIS IS NOT A BALK since the pitcher does not have the ball and the home plate umpire cannot put the ball back into play until the pitcher is on the rubber (with the ball) and the batter is in the box. Make sure you understand this.

24. Batter interference. A runner is on second base attempting to steal third on the pitch. The batter is allowed to stay in the batters box and the catcher must throw around the batter. This is not interference. If the batter backs out of the box and gets in the way then call interference and call the batter out and send the runner back to second. If the batter is at third attempting to steal home and the batter gets in the way call interference and with 2 outs the batter is out and with less than 2 outs the runner is out. This is only with a runner at third attempting to steal home. Any other base and the batter is out and the runner must return.

 

Contact Information

Shades Mountain
11-14 Year Olds Contact:
Lance Weems
weemsl@ci.hoover.al.us
444-7750 Work
259-3254 Cell
7-10 Year Olds Contact:
Bill Wilder
wilderb@ci.hoover.al.us
739-6704 Work
229-3373 Cell
 
 
 
 
Shades Mountain Park Rain-out Number
205-822-4606

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