Umpire Manual Pre-Requisites For Good Umpiring

UMPIRE MANUAL
CHAPTER 1
PRE-REQUISITES FOR GOOD UMPIRING
Successful umpires posses certain common qualities. They include:
A thorough knowledge of the rules
Effective communication skills: both verbal and listening
Effective game management, self control, and a current knowledge of ASA
mechanics.
In short, there is no substitute for game experience. The quality of judgment is only
achieved through lessons learned in game situations.
The game of softball demands hustle at all times by every umpire. Athletes who play
the game of softball work hard on conditioning to perform at a peak level, umpires
should too, Successful umpires have to achieve physical fitness prior to the start of
the season to be able to move at the player's speed. Rules study and experience
won't cover up for an umpire that is out of position because they are not fit enough to
match the movement of the players.
ELEMENTS OF A SUCCESSFUL UMPIRE:
Professional Appearance - a clean, pressed ASA uniform with shoes

shined, Official ASA cap, ball bag, indicator, plate brush and appropriate
protective equipment for the game being played. A professional appearance
should be a habit you never break.
Communications:
0 Always be business-like and professional when communicating with
anyone about the game.
0 Support your crew throughout the entire game. If an information
request comes from your partner stick to the facts and give only the
information requested.
0 When having a discussion with a manager or coach demonstrate good
listening skills and answer the question directly using the language
from the rulebook.
0 Verbalize loud enough for your partners to hear you when rotating
to cover plays. Communication only works when it is acknowledged,
therefore respond to your partner so that they know that they have
been heard.
Conditioning: Maintaining a good level of fitness not only helps an umpire's movement but also improves their ability to maintain focus throughout j
the game.
Game Management: Comes from leading by example. If you want players
to hustle on and off of the field then you should hustle to your next position
at the end of the inning. Use preventive umpiring techniques to handle little
problems such as equipment left on the field or ball players bantering, "Nip
it" early and avoid problems later.
Judgment: Can be best described in the saying "umpiring judgment is
mainly experience salted with cool headed common sense." It takes years
to develop good judgment. Umpires earn the respect of the players by
the way we render decisions. Umpires should keep a tight reign on their
temperament and remember that no provocation, not even a physical attack, should cause an umpire to lose sight of their primary responsibility
- keeping the game under control. The players will relax and trust the good
judgment of the umpire if the call makes sense. Calls that don't make sense
put players on edge and are cause for question. To develop good judgment
umpires should take time to learn the common sense application of the
rules during game situations.
Mechanics: They are the backbone of umpiring. The ASA National Umpire
Staff spends a large amount of time developing effective mechanics designed to give every umpire the best opportunity to judge each play. Plate
mechanics begin with calling balls and strikes and end with the required
movement by an umpire to complete their other duties. This includes the
elements of stance, the set position, calling the pitch and movement from
the plate when required. Base mechanics begin with the fundamentals of
positioning followed by timing, judgment, signals and a verbal call. Umpires
should work on improving their mechanics during every game.
Positioning: Equals credibility. Every umpire must be a "student of the
game" to prepare for every situation that may occur during a game. Successful umpiring requires complete concentration, full energies and undivided attention from the first pitch to the last out of each game. A current
knowledge of ASA mechanics will place you in the proper position to umpire
each play successfully.
Rule Knowledge: Is essential for successful umpiring. To develop a
complete knowledge of the rules each umpire should study their rulebook
regularly and attend Local and Regional Rules Clinics as well as a National
Umpire School. Umpires who are committed to becoming the very best
should attend the Advanced Camps offered in both Slow Pitch and Fast
Pitch.
Timing: Is essential for believable umpiring. A call made before the umpire
has seen the "whole play" can be a mistake. A call made after an extended
delay is often viewed as a lack of confidence in the call by the umpire.
Calls made too quick or too late have the same effect on ball players...NOT
BELIEVABLE! Good timing is equally important on the bases and at the
UMPIRE MANUAL
plate. A successful umpire will allow themselves to see the whole pitch or
the whole play, then after a slight hesitation, make the call.
DIFFICULT SITUATIONS
Appeal plays require a thorough knowledge of the rule. An appeal play is a
unique part of the game initiated by the offended team.
Appeals include:
1. Batting out of order
2. A runner missing a base or touching the wrong portion of the double
base if a play is being made
3. Attempting to advance to 2B after overrunning 1B
4. A base runner leaving too soon on a caught fly ball
Appeals may be made:
A. During a live ball or dead ball
B. Prior to the next pitch
C. Before the defense has left the field
D. Before the umpires leave the field at the end of the game.
Ejections: happen when an umpire removes a participant from the game.

The ejected person must leave the field and have no contact with other
participants or umpires. The plate umpire will not restart the game until the
ejected participant has been removed. Explain the time frame to the manager and let them handle the situation.
The ejected participant should be allowed to return for the next game unless they have physically attacked an umpire. When working with a partner,
remember that the ejecting umpire's duties are finished when the ejection
occurs. It is now time for the partner to step in and remove the ejected
participant from the field and out of the park.
Forfeits: are a "no win" situation. If working with a partner(s) always consult
the crew before declaring a forfeit. All umpires can declare a forfeit, but be
sure to exhaust every option before arriving at the decision. Although the
rule book allows the umpire to rule a forfeit if the ejected participant is not
removed in one minute use good judgment. Pulling a watch only antagonizes all concerned.
Protests: happen when a team member doesn't understand the ruling the
umpire just made. An umpire's top priority is to get the call right. Once a
protest is filed, notification must be given to the opposing coach prior to
the next pitch. In Championship play a Protest Committee will convene to
render a decision before the next pitch. If the protest is upheld the game will
resume from the point the protest was filed.

Umpire Manual Pre-Requisites For Good Umpiring

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Umpire Manual Pre-Requisites For Good Umpiring

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Umpire Manual Pre-Requisites For Good Umpiring

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

UMPIRE MANUAL

Professional Appearance - a clean, pressed ASA uniform with shoes

Game Management: Comes from leading by example. If you want players

Ejections: happen when an umpire removes a participant from the game.

You might also like