Leadership Opportunities For Softball Umpires
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1.
LINE-UP CARD MANAGEMENT: Reiterate need to put info on line-up card that could
prevent problems down the line. (Ref: Umpire Manual - POE and Chapter 4, Section
D, Para. 6, Pg. 16 and Pg. 53)
2.
PROFESSIONALISM: Demonstrate the ability to “move with a purpose” in all
situations. It doesn’t necessarily mean ‘running’ to each position. (Ref: Umpire Manual
Chapter 1, page 28)
3.
PRE CHAMPIONSHIP PREPARATION: Reiterating the need for preparing
mechanically and rules wise prior to working a National Championship (Umpire Manual
POE, Page 21)
4.
QUALIFICATIONS: Making sure that umpires assigned to National Championships are
qualified to be at that level of play. (Ref: Umpire Manual – POE, Page 21)
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STANCE/MOVEMENT: Reiterate all aspects of a proper stance in Slow Pitch as well as
the proper way to move from the plate. (Ref: Umpire Manual, POE and Definitions, Page
17 and 22-23, Chapter 4 Para. A1, Page 44 – (STANCE) and Elements of A Successful
Umpire, Page 28, Chapter 4, Para. B1-2, Page 47)
•
SET POSITION: Demonstrate the ability to go set, the reason we do it and that we go set
in Slow Pitch when the pitch starts. (Ref: Umpire Manual, Chapter 4, Para. A2, Page 45)
•
STANCE: Demonstrate the ability to set up properly on both sides of the plate so they can
view the pitch coming through the strike zone. (Ref: Umpire Manual – POE and
Definitions, Page 17 and 22, Chapter 4 Para. A1, Page 44 – (STANCE) and Elements of A
Successful Umpire, Page 28, Chapter 4, Para. B1-2, Page 47)
•
BETWEEN INNING MECHANICS: Demonstrate the ability to know where to stand and
what to look for between innings. (Ref: Umpire Manual. Between Inning Mechanics, Page
114)
•
HEAD HEIGHT: Be able to set your eyes at the top of the batter’s strike zone. (Ref:
Umpire Manual, POE, Page 17)
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REQUIRED STOP: Demonstrating total knowledge of the Slow Pitch Pitching Rule as it
pertains to the required stop. (Ref: Rule Book 6C, Section 1)
•
STEALING/SIGNALS: Prior to the Slow Pitch Championship, remind umpires that stealing
will be a part of what is allowed and the use of the dead ball signal when stealing is
prohibited. (Ref: Umpire Manual, Chapter 4, Para. C, 1b, Page 49 and Rule Book, Rule 7,
Section 4, Pg. 83 and Rule 8 Section 1, Pg. 88)
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MOVEMENT: Demonstrate the ability to move from the plate and get the proper angle as it
relates to a catch/no catch. (Ref: Umpire Manual, Chapter 4, Para B1, Pg. 47)
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DOUBLE PLAY: Demonstrate the ability to make a call at 2B on the move then let the BALL
turn your head to 1B. (Umpire Manual, Base Mechanics, Chapter 5, Section B, “Base Calls”,
Para. 1, “Force Plays/Tags/Plays at 1B, Pg. 56)
THIRD BASE: Understanding 3
rd
base coverage in both 2 and 3 umpire systems. (Ref:
Umpire Manual, Chapter 5, Para. A 1-5G, Page 54 – 61, Two Umpire System – Slow Pitch,
Pg. 80 and Three Umpire System, Pg. 94
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ANGLES: Be able to demonstrate proper angles and distances on tag and force plays. (Ref:
Umpire Manual, POE, Base Umpire, Force and Tag Plays, Pg. 18-19)
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U3 STARTING POSITION: Be able to start in the proper position with runners on base, no
runners on base or a runner at 3B. (Umpire Manual, Three Umpire System, Fast Pitch and
Slow PItch, Pg. 94 – 110)
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Be able to maintain game focus and refocus when necessary. (Ref: Umpire Manual, POE,
Pg. 16., Chapter 1, Section A, Para. 3 Pg. 30, and Chapter 4 Section A, Para. 3h, Page
46)
•
Demonstrate the ability to “move with a purpose” in all situations. It doesn’t necessarily
mean ‘running’ to each position. (Ref: Umpire Manual, Chapter 4, Para B1, Pg. 47)
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Making sure that umpires assigned to National Championships are qualified to be at that
level of play. (ref: Umpire Manual, POEs, Page 21)
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•
More involvement from Local Association UIC and staff during regular season
games
•
Continued training and use of the USA Softball Mechanic Manual and USA
Softball Rules knowledge
•
CONTINUED REVIEW AND TRAINING USING THE POEs IN OUR
MECHANICS MANUAL AND OUR MECHANICS MANUAL
•
Use local tournaments as evaluation time for your umpires prior to sending to
National Championship
•
Use Slow Pitch games to ensure knowledge of the 3 Umpire system prior to
sending to National Championship
•
Train your umpires and hold them to the highest standard, as their presence not
only reflects on them but on you as their UIC, your Local Association, and USA
Softball
Leadership opportunities for improvement for USA Softball slow pitch umpires as observed at the National Championships in 2018 include issues related to line-up card management, professionalism, pre-championship preparation, qualifications, plate mechanics, rules understanding, bases mechanics, and more. Recommendations focus on enhancing skills and knowledge to elevate officiating quality and efficiency in slow pitch softball. Visual aids and specific instructions are provided in the content for umpires to develop their capabilities.
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Presentation Transcript
USA Softball Slow Pitch Issues Observed at National Championships in 2018
Leadership Opportunities For Improvement 1. LINE-UP CARD MANAGEMENT: Reiterate need to put info on line-up card that could prevent problems down the line. (Ref: Umpire Manual - POE and Chapter 4, Section D, Para. 6, Pg. 16 and Pg. 53) PROFESSIONALISM: Demonstrate the ability to move with a purpose in all situations. It doesn t necessarily mean running to each position. (Ref: Umpire Manual Chapter 1, page 28) PRE CHAMPIONSHIP PREPARATION: Reiterating the need for preparing mechanically and rules wise prior to working a National Championship (Umpire Manual POE, Page 21) QUALIFICATIONS: Making sure that umpires assigned to National Championships are qualified to be at that level of play. (Ref: Umpire Manual POE, Page 21) 2. 3. 4.
Plate Mechanics Opportunities For Improvement STANCE STANCE/MOVEMENT: Reiterate all aspects of a proper stance in Slow Pitch as well as the proper way to move from the plate. (Ref: Umpire Manual, POE and Definitions, Page 17 and 22-23, Chapter 4 Para. A1, Page 44 (STANCE) and Elements of A Successful Umpire, Page 28, Chapter 4, Para. B1-2, Page 47) SET POSITION: Demonstrate the ability to go set, the reason we do it and that we go set in Slow Pitch when the pitch starts. (Ref: Umpire Manual, Chapter 4, Para. A2, Page 45) STANCE: Demonstrate the ability to set up properly on both sides of the plate so they can view the pitch coming through the strike zone. (Ref: Umpire Manual POE and Definitions, Page 17 and 22, Chapter 4 Para. A1, Page 44 (STANCE) and Elements of A Successful Umpire, Page 28, Chapter 4, Para. B1-2, Page 47) BETWEEN INNING MECHANICS: Demonstrate the ability to know where to stand and what to look for between innings. (Ref: Umpire Manual. Between Inning Mechanics, Page 114) HEAD HEIGHT: Be able to set your eyes at the top of the batter s strike zone. (Ref: Umpire Manual, POE, Page 17)
Plate Mechanics Opportunities For Improvement RULES REQUIRED STOP: Demonstrating total knowledge of the Slow Pitch Pitching Rule as it pertains to the required stop. (Ref: Rule Book 6C, Section 1) STEALING/SIGNALS: Prior to the Slow Pitch Championship, remind umpires that stealing will be a part of what is allowed and the use of the dead ball signal when stealing is prohibited. (Ref: Umpire Manual, Chapter 4, Para. C, 1b, Page 49 and Rule Book, Rule 7, Section 4, Pg. 83 and Rule 8 Section 1, Pg. 88) MOVEMENTS MOVEMENT: Demonstrate the ability to move from the plate and get the proper angle as it relates to a catch/no catch. (Ref: Umpire Manual, Chapter 4, Para B1, Pg. 47)
Base Mechanics For Improvement MOVEMENTS DOUBLE PLAY: Demonstrate the ability to make a call at 2B on the move then let the BALL turn your head to 1B. (Umpire Manual, Base Mechanics, Chapter 5, Section B, Base Calls , Para. 1, Force Plays/Tags/Plays at 1B, Pg. 56) THIRD BASE: Understanding 3rdbase coverage in both 2 and 3 umpire systems. (Ref: Umpire Manual, Chapter 5, Para. A 1-5G, Page 54 61, Two Umpire System Slow Pitch, Pg. 80 and Three Umpire System, Pg. 94 ANGLES AND DISTANCES ANGLES: Be able to demonstrate proper angles and distances on tag and force plays. (Ref: Umpire Manual, POE, Base Umpire, Force and Tag Plays, Pg. 18-19) STARTING POSITIONS U3 STARTING POSITION: Be able to start in the proper position with runners on base, no runners on base or a runner at 3B. (Umpire Manual, Three Umpire System, Fast Pitch and Slow PItch, Pg. 94 110)
Base Mechanics For Improvement FLY BALL COVERAGE CHASING: As a BU in the two umpire system or counter-rotated in the three umpire system, knowing when and when not to chase as it pertains to balls near the foul line. (Ref: Umpire Manual, POE, Section A, Para 2b c, Pg. 29, and Fly Ball to Out Field, Two Umpire System Slow Pitch, Pg. 80 93 and Fly Ball Coverage, 3 Umpire System, Pg. 112 114)
Overall Performance For Improvement PROFESSIONALISM Be able to maintain game focus and refocus when necessary. (Ref: Umpire Manual, POE, Pg. 16., Chapter 1, Section A, Para. 3 Pg. 30, and Chapter 4 Section A, Para. 3h, Page 46) Demonstrate the ability to move with a purpose in all situations. It doesn t necessarily mean running to each position. (Ref: Umpire Manual, Chapter 4, Para B1, Pg. 47) QUALIFICATIONS Making sure that umpires assigned to National Championships are qualified to be at that level of play. (ref: Umpire Manual, POEs, Page 21)
National Championship Observations How do we improve on these? More involvement from Local Association UIC and staff during regular season games Continued training and use of the USA Softball Mechanic Manual and USA Softball Rules knowledge CONTINUED REVIEW AND TRAINING USING THE POEs IN OUR MECHANICS MANUAL AND OUR MECHANICS MANUAL Use local tournaments as evaluation time for your umpires prior to sending to National Championship Use Slow Pitch games to ensure knowledge of the 3 Umpire system prior to sending to National Championship Train your umpires and hold them to the highest standard, as their presence not only reflects on them but on you as their UIC, your Local Association, and USA Softball
