Article Index
Umpire Plate Mechanics
Page 2
Page 3

 

CONFERENCES
It is the responsibility of plate umpires to enforce rules governing offensive and defensive conferences. The plate umpire shall inform the offensive or defensive team that a conference has been charged. While a defensive coach is visiting the pitcher during a charged conference, a super MECHANIC is to move down the foul line, stopping where the coach must pass on their way to the dugout. Inform him/her of the charged conference and be on your way back to the plate area. A conference will not be charged to the offense during a charged defensive conference. An offensive conference is one in which the offense (involving a player) delays the game to communicate. Do not allow more than one offensive conference per inning. If the offense insists, allow it and remove the offending coach. Remember it is not a charged conference if the defense takes advantage of the time during a charged offensive conference, as long as there is no communication between the pitcher or any other team member that is not in the game.

Another good MECHANIC is if a pitcher appears injured, walk around near the pitcher to make sure that the only communication taking place is the discussion involving the pitcher's injury. Inform the opposing coaches of the situation and tell them that the visit to the pitcher was not charged. However, once the umpire instructs the team that is charged with the conference to "play ball", the other team must immediately 'play ball' or be in jeopardy of having a conference charged against them.

NOT TO PITCH SIGNALS
There are a few points of emphasis governing these signals. The first signal of 'not to pitch' is conveyed to the pitcher only if he/she is ON the pitching rubber and about to quick pitch the batter. Do not over-use this signal. A quality mechanic is to use it only when necessary. The signal is an open hand aimed at the pitcher's face with the fingers spread wide. You must always use the hand that is FURTHEST away from the batter (towards the empty batter's box). If a pitcher constantly rushes you or the batter, advise the catcher to please slow down the sign for the pitcher. If that doesn't work, step forward and explain to the pitcher that they are rushing the batter. The second 'not to pitch' signal is used if you are not ready to work or if you have granted "TIME" to the batter before the pitcher has broken the pause. Remember, a batter must request 'TIME' and not be granted it just because they have their hand up in the air. The 'TIME - NO PITCH' signal is given physically (with two hands) as well as verbally while you are hustling AWAY from the batter in the direction of the open batter's box. Wait until it is safe to return.

HITTING THE BALL A SECOND TIME
The problem that most umpires have is that this can be extremely tough to see. It occurs most often on bunts and slaps, but it can also happen when the bat, after it is dropped by the batter and still moving, contacts the ball a second time. Remember that if the ball hits a dropped bat that is stationary, we disregard the contact. Also remember that when a ball hits a bat that is still rolling, you disregard the contact.

NOTE: The double batted ball must occur in FAIR territory. Signal and verbalize "TIME - BATTER IS OUT" and point towards the infraction.

BATTER HIT BY A PITCH
Batters are awarded first base anytime they are hit (unless, of course, they made NO attempt to avoid the pitch) and the award is valid even if the ball only contacts their uniform. Do not let batters wear sweaters or jackets at the plate just for that reason, although it's up to you what they wear in the field. At times, the batters' reaction can assist your decision as there is no substitute for PAIN. A batter can not be awarded a base when hit by a pitch if the ball is in the strike zone.

NOTE: Preventative officiating dictates that you must "SELL" this call when necessary. Step out in front of the catcher and point to first. This is an awarded base. You must always be prepared immediately to step in between the batter and the pitcher in case the batter's temperature begins to rise and TAKE CHARGE.

Once the situation has been diffused, walk the batter to first base, positioning yourself between the two. Most supervisors will tell you that strong game control in situations like this is often the difference between 'excellent' and 'elite' officials. Your partner may help you decide if the batter was hit by the pitch.

In confrontations, another important task is to make sure that you only have to deal with one person at a time. We call this CROWD CONTROL or creating a one-on-one situation. If you are involved in the discussion, only speak to one person (preferably the coach or a captain that attended your pre-game conference). Your partner or partners should jump right in and create a one-on-one situation for you. If your partner happens to get in a similar situation, you must immediately react to it and create the same one-on-one match-up for them. Never look at your partner's confrontation, just control the traffic for them. They will appreciate your professionalism.

BALL OFF THE BAT HITS THE BATTER OR BATTER-RUNNER
Make SURE that you see it. If not, your partner can be of great assistance on this call. The ball is usually off the batter's front foot or it will come off the ground, come up, and contact them. Once again BE CERTAIN that you see contact. Don't guess. You can always get help from your partner later, unless you killed the play. A batter's feet must both be on the ground COMPLETELY outside the lines of the batter's box if you are to get an out here. The ball must also be in FAIR territory.

NOTE: This is a tough call sometimes, but an out is an even bigger call for the batter. If you're not positive that they were out of the box, then they must have been in it. FOUL BALL!

STRIKE ZONE - MIND SET THEORY
Our game tends to go slowly at times and I believe that this topic is the key to getting the game off and running at a decent tempo. Set a brisk pace by calling more STRIKES.

Ê The plate is: 42.5 cm17.0 inches wide. The beveled edges are 5.0 cm (2.0 inches) together. The widths of two balls are18.75cm (7.5 inches) together TOTAL OF ALL THIS 66.25cm (26.5 INCHES) !!!

The point here is to go into your game LOOKING FOR STRIKES, saying to yourself over and over, there's one, "STRIKE" and there's another one, "STRIKE" and yet again, there's one,"STRIKE". If you do this enough times you will forget about 'looking for balls', begin to realize how wide the plate really is and start 'LOOKING FOR STRIKES'. More often than not, the batters will begin to swing more, rather than sit on pitches that are close. You will have more strikes, fewer walks and the entire Rhythm and Tempo of your game will improve. It is better for the game, better for the spectators, and most of all BETTER FOR US...THE HARD-WORKING BLUES!

 

POINTS OF EMPHASIS TO SPEED UP THE GAME

Don't let the batters wander away from the plate to get signals from their coach

Get a batter in the box within ten seconds

Hustle players constantly during the entire game

Don't let the pitchers eat up the clock by wasting time

Speak to a coach if he/she is too slow sending signals (pitches to be called by the catcher)

Encourage a team to have another person not in the game receive warm-up pitches until the catcher (who is not wasting time) is dressed and ready

Conserve our precious time IN BETWEEN INNINGS. Shaving off one minute each half inning would cut down every game you officiate by thirteen minutes. Something can and must be done to pick up the pace. As umpires, lets try to do our best to make the game more interesting for the spectators, while we still have them.

POINTS OF EMPHASIS ON USING THE NEW PLATE MECHANIC
As with anything new, it will take a lot of thought and effort to implement. You won't be able to rely on your natural instincts (auto-pilot), but a few small points will help assist you in deciding when and where to be, when and where to move, what to look for when you get there, and what to do with the on-deck batter who will be coaching the incoming runners and most likely be in your way.

We must now understand fully how important it is to keep all the 'ELEMENTS' (home plate or base, ball, offense, defense) in front of you at all times. Without all the 'ELEMENTS' we would only have part of the picture.

Set up for this new call near the THIRD BASE LINE EXTENDED and pick up the elements. You will have to decide what spot is best for you to move to so that you will have the best look possible, depending on where the catcher fields the throw, where the runner is in relation to a possible hooking slide, where the catcher is physically standing, and once he/she has the ball in their possession, exactly what you think they will do.

The optimum position to end up at seems to be at about a 45 angle from the plate, backwards from the diamond. This position is rarely the same. It will vary each and every time. That very important relationship with the 'ELEMENTS' will be your guide.

In a two person system that requires you to be in the third base - home plate holding zone, you will most likely have to use the standard position for calls at home plate.

In all experimental techniques it is important that you do what works for you. Although you're expected to try to incorporate these guidelines, remember that with this NEW PLATE MECHANIC there is really no MAGIC SPOT from which to make this call. You have to be able to adjust and improvise.

Imagine the ball getting away from the catcher and where you may have to be. The only correct answer is ADAPT, ADAPT and then ADAPT. The main key will be the ball and from where it is coming. By following the 'LITTLE WHITE PILL' (thanks to George Rayment), we will all learn the best way to prepare to make a call using this NEW PLATE MECHANIC. GOOD LUCK!

CREDITS:
I would to thank the following people and organizations for their time, thoughts, innovative ideas and publications. Alphabetically: Dr. Gregg Anderson, Bob Bargiacchi, Jimm Barr, Tom Bell, Bruce Bierman, Ed Bitz, Don Bracey, Jim Bradford, Wayne Brown, Merle Butler, Ron Cooke, Ron Clarke, Ken Culpitt, Keith Hazel, Doug Hadley, Gerry Howard, Chris Lee, Brent McLaren, Gene Mc Willy, John Masco, Les Novac, Max Pye, Bob Reid, Mike Renney, Bill Smith, Roy Stout, Brian Van Os and Tony Walsh.

Also, the Amateur Softball Association of the USA, the International Softball Congress, the International Softball Federation, Metro Umpires Association of Vancouver, Softball Australia, Softball British Columbia, Softball Canada and Softball New Zealand.