WilmetteUmpires Meeting

Pinto League

April 11, 2015

Thanks for umping in the 2015 Pinto League for the Wilmette Baseball Association! Here’s some important information:

Scheduling / You will be able to schedule your games online beginning Monday morning.
  • Log into with the email address & password you received when your umpire account was created.
  • Click on “Request Assignments” and you will see a list of available assignments at the bottom of the page.
  • Click on the green check marknext to the game you would like to be assigned to.
  • Once assigned, you will receive weekly email remindersforthe games you are scheduled to ump. Also at any time you can view the games you are assigned to ump by click on “Officials Management”, then “Assignments”.
  • If you have any issue, please send an email to

Attendance / You are responsible for your games. If you cannot make a game, you are responsible for finding a replacement.Ask your friends. You will be given an E-Mail distribution list of other umps so that you can contact them.
As soon as you find a replacement, send an mail to and to the replacement umpire, with the following information:
  • Your name,
  • The date, time, and location of the game you were assigned to ump, and
  • The name of your replacement.

Game Locations / Almost all games will be at Thornwood. A few games will be at Roemer Park and at Hibbard South, which is adjacent to the Community Recreation Center on Glenview Road and Skokie.
Number and Rotation of Umps / Depending on how big the umpire pool is, we intend to schedule three umps at each game. Rotate positions every two innings. If two umps are at a game, rotate after three innings. (H, 1, 3)
Game Cancellations / Game cancelation procedures will be sent out with your schedule. There will be a phone hotline and a website screen. Details to follow. Always assume that your game will be played.
Pay Scale – Base Pay / Pinto: $17 per game.
Disputed Calls /
  • Judgment Calls. Examples – Out v. safe; fair v. foul; ball v. strike. A good ump says:That’s the way I saw it and that’s my call. Let’s play ball.
Once you make the call, stick with it and resume playing the game. Be decisive. If a manager argues with you over a judgment call, tell him that the call has been made and the game is moving on.
  • Rule Interpretations. Example – Ball hit off tee reaches the grass in front of home plate, then spins back to the dirt in front of home plate. Catcher picks up ball, throws to first, and ump calls batter out. Manager of batting team contends that the ball should be called foul. If the manager of the fielding team disagrees, consult the rule book, see that the ball is not in play, and change the call.

Recurring Umping Issues /
  • Call a Consistent Strike Zone – However you see the strike zone, stick with it. Even if it’s not perfect, it’s fair as long as both teams play with the same strike zone.
The Pinto strike zone is big. We want the kids to learn to swing the bat. If you’re not certain about whether a pitch is a ball or a strike, it’s a strike. ( Strike zone is 1 ball outside the plate.)
  • BE LOUD – The players and coaches must hear your calls. It also shows you have confidence in your calls and are in control of the game.

Communications / You should check your email at least once every day.
Attendance Information / All umpires should meet at Home Plate with the Team Managers just before the game. Give each Manager your name and your Umpire Number. The winning Manager will enter your information when he enters the score of the game. This is how you get credit for the game – and you should receive an E-Mail stating that you umped the game. If you have not received credit after 10 days – send an E-Mail to nd list the game information. Payments will be sent out at the end of May and June by mail.
Questions or Comments? / Rick Hrabe & Aaron Fink /
Jason Klingler for Technical issues /

The weather is bad. I’m not sure if my game will be played. What do I do?

  • Thirty (30) minutes before game time, call the UMPIRE RAINOUT HOTLINE: 847-604-1201, then press 1. (Do NOT leave a message on this line.)
  • If your game is on the Hotline, do not go to the assigned field.
  • If your game is not on the Hotline, go to your game as scheduled. Be sure to arrive 15 minutes before game time. Bring a cell phone in case the game is later cancelled and you need a ride home.

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