SAAA Officials

Umpire Tips

  1. Arrive on time and be prepared (45 minutes prior to start time in the umps room, 15 minutesat home plate on the field prior to game start time).
  2. Look sharp and dress the part.Buy and wear a fitted plate/combo hat. Turning your hat around backwards at the plate looks very unprofessional.
  3. Always have a pre-game meeting with your partner.
  4. Conduct an authoritative, all businesspregame conference with both coaches.
  5. Check bats after pregame conference every game.Do not allow the unauthorized bats back in the dugout.
  6. Safety is more important than anything.If a player appears to be injured AND is in the vicinity of play that IS still going on call “time” LOUDLY and get close to this player BUT let coaches deal with the injury NOT YOU. If a player appears injured and is NOT in the vicinity of play wait until play has stopped and call time.Example: first baseman goes down BUT the runner is past first OR the pitcher goes down BUT is not in jeopardy.
  7. Hustle- This distinguishes the umpire that is a pro VS a slacker.
  8. ALWAYS STAY FOCUSED on the game, just like playing baseball. #1 rule is “Keep your eye on the ball”.The only time you don’t do this is a quick glance to see if runners touch the base as they advance.
  9. If players are slow to come out of the dugouts in between innings each umpire should choose adugout and
    “hover” around it “encouraging” players to take their positions, complete warm up pitches, get ready to bat and play. Umpires should notice if the catcher is in gearand ready to come out if he/she is not coming to bat soon and “encourage” the coach to remedy this so the catcher is the first one out of the dugout when the inning changes.
  10. Use – give - respond to signals with your partner (not just in an infield fly situation).
  11. Don’t verbalize swinging strikes. A visual is all that is needed.
  12. Move out from behind the plate sharply with your mask off when the ball is put in play UNLESS you have a runner on third.
  13. When cleaning the plate, move out in front of the plate to face the crowd - never show your back side.
  14. Slow down your out calls – wait for the play to be over – then make your call. If the player is safe he will be safe forever; if you call out and the defender drops the ball- OOPS!
  15. On a play where the defender may have tagged the runner BUT you cannot see the ball in his hand or glove, ask him to show you the ball BEFORE you call the runner out.
  16. ALWAYS put the ball back into play. Point to the pitcher and call “Play.”
  17. As the BASE umpire, NEVER leave the infield with runners on base while the ball is live.
  18. Really hustle to get in position to line up tag plays on balls hit to the outfield and loudly shout “I have the tag at third,” or whatever base(s) you are watching.
  19. As the BASE umpire with NO ONE on base, only leave the infield on fair/foul calls down the first base line or possible trouble balls from the right fielder towards the foul line.
  20. If you are the BASE umpire, do not make out calls on balls hit to left/center field with no one on base.
  21. NEVER turn your head away from the field when calling balls and strikes.
  22. Watch EVERY touch of the bases by the runners.
  23. DO NOT point the batter to first baseon a walk (simply state “ball four” after the pitch). Here is why: The plate umpire points to first base alerting the batter that he is to go to first base because it is a walk. The first base umpire misinterprets the plate umpire’s signal and thinks the plate umpire is appealing to him on a check swing. The first base umpire indicates that the batter did – in fact – swing and calls the pitch a strike. OOPS!
  24. Appeal to the base umpire on a check swing by pointing with your LEFT hand and shout, “did he go?”
  25. On a hit batterShout,“Dead Ball, hit batter” and do not point to first base. Get you mask off, clear the catcher and walk between the batter and the pitcher for 2-4 steps as the batter goes to first. This is Preventive Umpiring.
  26. Do NOT indicate and/or verbalize pitch location on called balls and strikes.
  27. Do not call “time” until the base runners return to their bases.
  28. Do not call “time” every time a defensive player asks for it. Evaluate why, as some players will call time to juke an aggressive runner.
  29. On a walk do not let the defensive coach call time and cross the base line before all runners have reached their base and play has stopped. The ball is live on a walk and a coach that is anxious to talk to his pitcher will want to rush to the mound and MAY stop runners that want to advance further!
  30. Work the slot and keep your eyes at the top of the strike zone.
  31. Keep your head motionless – you must “lock in” your head position.
  32. Do not constantly look at your ball/strike indicator.
  33. NEVER make a call or a decision on the run – always STOP moving before making any call.
  34. A foul ball is NEVER a foul tip and a foul tip is NEVER a foul ball.
  35. Do not get talked into asking for help on your call after it has been made if you are sure you made the correct call.
  36. Do not fraternize with any fans, coaches or players during or going to and from your game.
  37. ALWAYS enter and leave the field with your partner(s).
  38. Do not hold your mask by the strap – ALWAYS remove it with your LEFT hand.
  39. Always be careful what you say – you never know who is listening.
  40. Stay down an extra second on your ball calls – timing is important – be consistent.
  41. On check swings do not be so hard headed that you will not ask your partner for help.
  42. When working the plate and a batted foul ball is heading up and towards the back toward the backstop, follow the movement of the catcher,not the flight of the ball (see which way his shoulders turn when he comes up).
  43. Stay off the catcher – give him space to do his job.
  44. Do not be a human scoreboard – when working the plate, it is not necessary to indicate the ball/strike count before every pitch. Verbalize balls/strikes after every 3rd pitch OR when play has been interrupted/paused by some event.
  45. If the scoreboard is NOT being operated by a competent person ask for it to be abandoned. The home team scorebook keeper is official. Communicate with this person ever 2 innings or so.
  46. Keep the plate clean BUT do not interrupt play to do this if the game has a rhythm to it.
  47. Base umpires should clean the pitching rubber and bases between innings. Do not let dirt build up on the approaches to bases as it may obscure your view of a foot or hand touching the base on a slide or dive back.
  48. Do not make "stadium calls." Astadium call is when the umpire is loud and emphatic when he doesn’t need to be. Example: An obvious foul ball does not need a loud emphatic “foul” if everyone in the stadium knows it’s foul.
  49. Do not forget to put the ball in play after a foul ball or a time out.
  50. Do not wear a ball bag while umpiring the bases.
  51. Have and use an indicator when umpiring the bases.
  52. Do not carry a rule book on your person AND don’t let a coach bring one on the field!
  53. Read the rule book regularly – no one is so good that they could not use a regular refresher.