2016 DLYBA Game Operation Handbook
I. Expectations
Managers and coaches are expected to be:
Courteous and respectful of umpires, other coaches, and players
Reasonably knowledgeable about the rules
Aware that there are NO ARGUMENTS on JUDGEMENT CALLS
Aware that discussions about rules interpretations are OK
Mindful of the Little League Pledge and Mission
Parents and spectators are expected to be:
Courteous and respectful of umpires, coaches, and players
Cheering positively for players realizing the weight your words carry as parents
Mindful of the Little League Pledge and Mission
Players are expected to be:
Courteous and respectful of umpires, other players and coaches
Doing their best to play fair and try to win
Having fun and enjoying themselves by learning to play the great game of baseball
Mindful of the Little League Pledge and Mission
Umpires are expected to be:
Prompt for games
Professional in manner and appearance
Knowledgeable about the rules (including in-house rules)
Consistent in game administration
Flexible relative to player level (e.g. 9 -10 year old Minors versus 11-12 Majors versus Pony versus higher level of baseball)
Courteous and helpful to players, managers, and coaches
Aware of safety issues
II. Manager Responsibilities
BEFORE THE GAME
- Each manager must understand the rules of play for their respective divisions. For T-Ball and Coach Pitch, these are in-house rules only. For Minors and Majors, Little League rules are followed except where specifically noted within in-house rules. Pony and Colt divisions will follow the rules set forth by the league in which they participate (Allegheny River League, Quad County, etc.). League presidents are responsible for providing any in-house rules to the managers in their league and the umpire coordinator prior the start of the season. These should be available at the player drafts, but at a minimum, must be distributed before the start of practices so managers can adequately prepare their teams for the season.
- Report to field at least 30 minutes prior to the start of games. The home team is responsible for preparing the field.
- Dragging and raking
- Lining the baselines and outfield lines
- Preparing the pitcher’s mound
- Lining the batter’s box
- (Coach Pitch only) Halfway marks and pitcher’s circle
- Home team provides two, new game balls for each game. Do not use practice balls for games. There is a difference. If you do not know the difference between a game and practice ball, please contact the equipment manager.
- Pitch counts must be maintained for every game and available for opposing manager review in future games (Minors and Majors only). NO EXCEPTIONS. Managers should confirm all pitch counts at the completion of each game. Pitch count forms and logs can be found on the league website.
- Attend a plate conference with the umpire five minutes before the start of the game. PLAYERSDO NOT TAKE THE FIELD UNTIL PLATE CONFERENCE IS OVER.
- At the plate conference, introduce yourself to the umpires, and learn their names. Go over the ground rules. Itiseasier to have a discussion later if you refer to each other by name.
DURING THE GAME
1. Help the umpires keep the game moving. Hustle your players into position and back to thedugout. Make sure your catcher is ready as soon as you can. If the catcher is on base and there are two outs, please consider using a courtesy runner, (last out if there are no reserve players on bench). Make sure your catcher and your pitcher know how to do the baseball-coming-down thing – 5pitches, call it before the 5thone, the ball goes down on the 5th one or 1 minute has elapsed. (1st inning the number of warmup pitches is 8, call before the 8th pitch and the ball goes down on the 8th pitch) or 2 minutes have elapsed.NO EXCEPTIONS UNLESS UMPIRE GIVES FURTHER DIRECTION.
2. Be a positive role model. Show good sportsmanship. Don't yell out questionable instructions,such as "Run over the catcher the next time he gets in the way!" Control your players, coachesand parents.
3. Understand that umpires make mistakes. It’s rare that an umpire affects the outcome of agame with a “bad” call. If there is a “bad” call, try and remember to keep it in perspective. There isbound to be far more mistakes by your players that lead to extra bases and runs thanthose from “bad” calls.
AFTER THE GAME
1. Win or lose, participate in the handshake. Again, another example of showing goodsportsmanship. Shake hands with the opponent even if things didn't go your way. Win graciously,and if you should be beaten, take it with some dignity.
2. Get your team and equipment out of the dugouts quickly. Be mindful of the teams playing after you. If there is a game after you and the next team is waiting, have any post-game meetings outside of the dugout.
3. If you choose to fill out umpire evaluations, do so both positively and negatively. It's onlyfair to all umpires that we don't hear from you only after they have had a “bad” game. Take a dayto gather your thoughts and submit an evaluation. There is a form on the website, and in thisdocument.
- The home team is responsible for raking and dragging the field at the completion of every game.
VII. Discussions with Umpires
All of our youth umpires ranging in age from 14 to 18, will be trained,but we expect they will occasionally make rookie mistakes. We expect you to give each of
these umpires the respect you would/should give an adult umpire, since they have exactly the sameauthority on the field. If they eject you, it WILL stand, and you WILL serve the mandatory 1-gamesuspension for an ejection, period.
Please remember once the game starts, even though they may be 14 and you may be 30 or 40, they are incharge of the field!. You should never use your age or position to assert authority over them. If there is a more seniorumpire with them and you question a call, go to the umpire that made the call, not the senior umpire. Ifyou spot an adult umpire in the crowd, do not appeal to them for help – they cannot by rule. If the juniorumpire feels the need to confer with his partner (or that lurking adult umpire), he will, but he doesn’t haveto confer. If they do not confer, and they stick by his or her call, live with it. If you feel an umpire is not being fair or honest, contact either your League President or theUmpire-in-Chief immediately, and let the League handle the problem from there. Don’t start screaming at the Jr umpire or adult umpire. You will be ejected immediately.
Key points to remember:
1. Listen for key phrases or actions:
"In my judgment…", "Coach, I’ve heard enough on that. Time to play baseball"
One hand up means you're getting too close or too agitated. Calm down.
Two hands up means you are about to be ejected if you keep it up. Back off, or you may bewatching this game from the parking lot, not the bleachers or stands, and hearing about the next game from your assistantcoach. Remember, ejections carry a mandatory one-game suspension, current game and the next gameplayed. Period. No exceptions !
2. You cannot argue judgment calls, i.e. balls and strikes, safe or out, catch or no catch, fair or foul, bump an umpire or make a comment about a “make up” call. There are no make up calls and the umpire has the authority to eject on any of the items that are mentioned in this key point..
3. You can and should discuss any rules you think are being misinterpreted.
4. When approaching an umpire do NOT argue. You are making a sales call:
1. Ask for time and make sure it has been granted by the umpire before coming out.
2. Leave the rulebook back in the dugout. If it’s needed, you’ll be asked for it. Bringing a rulebook out during and at the time of the discussion without being asked for it is an immediate ejection.
3. Speak in a normal tone of voice. Call the plate umpire by name, or by "Sir” or “Ma’am”. If youknow an umpire doesn’t mind being called “blue”, then use it, otherwise don’t. Try to avoid using the term “Blue”. Some don’t mind being called this, but a majority prefer not to be called this. Call them by their name.
4. Ask the umpire, "What did you have on that play ?" or “I have a question about that play”.
5. Listen to what he says, and think about it for a second. If it makes sense, then say “Thanks” andwalk back to the dugout. If it doesn’t, then it’s your duty as manager to discuss it further.
6. Continue the sales call by saying something like "yes, but this is what I saw." Or “OK, but did yousee …” or “Are you sure that’s what the rule says ? I thought it was…”
7. Listen to his reaction and think about it.
8. If you hear “in my judgment” that means “I know I got the call right. Let’s play baseball.” Unlesshe’s misinterpreting a rule, the discussion should be over. If you think he has the rule wrong,keep talking, but confine your discussion to the rules.
9. If you still aren’t satisfied with a rule interpretation, you should play the game under protest ifyou think that’s the right thing to do. You owe it to the kids to make sure the umpires have it right.
10. Just because the umpire refuses to accept a protest because he says “it’s a judgment call”doesn’t mean he’s right. That will not affect the validity of the protest. Just make sure to mention why you are protesting before play starts, and note the point of protest and the rule you think isbeing misinterpreted in your book and in your letter to the Protest Committee.
11. Then, get back to playing ball. Let it go. It’s over. If you win, no protest (but report the incident)!
12. Assistant coaches are not to charge the field, dispute a call other than in the coaches box, or engage in an argument. It is up to the manager to do this. If an assistant coach is warned and elects to continue the “discussion”, they will be restricted to the bench or ejected and are subject to the mandatory one-game suspension, current game and the next game played. Period. No exceptions.
13. The ejecting umpire is required to submit a report to the DLYBA chairman within 24 hours of an ejection. The report shall state exactly what happened, what was said, the play and call that resulted in the ejection, etc…
DLYBA Umpire Evaluation
Send to Umpire-in-Chief:Rob Baumgartel.
Umpire’s Name: ______
Game Date/Time/Location: ______
Division & Team: Manager: ______
Grading:
1. Exceptional - Some may equal, but none will exceed
2. Very Good - Much better than required standards
3. Average - Meets required standards
4. Marginal - Does not entirely meet required standards
5. Unsatisfactory - Does not meet expected standards
1. Personal appearance on the field (neatness & proper dress) _____
2. Judgment on the field (decisiveness & consistency) _____
3. Field mechanics: 1. Communications/teamwork _____
4. Positioning _____
5. Timing _____
6. Fair/foul coverage _____
7. Movement of game _____
8. Plate mechanics: 1. Communications/teamwork _____
9. Position (balls/strikes) _____
10. Head height _____
11. Strike zone _____
12. Consistency _____
13. Timing (balls/strikes) _____
14. Fair/foul coverage _____
15. Movement of game _____
16. Positioning (calls @ plate) _____
17. Timing (calls @ plate) _____
18. Composure (handling situations with players, coaches, etc.) _____
19. Attitude _____
20. Rules knowledge _____
GENERAL COMMENTS: ______
______
______
______
______
Signature: ______Date: ______
Permission was granted for use from the following:
Adapted with permission from materials prepared by:
Manny Aponte, Central Springfield, VA Umpire-in-Chief
Jeff Buxton, NABCLL Umpire-in-Chief, MA District 14
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