2021 MECHANICS UPDATES / POINTS OF INTEREST - JANUARY 24, 2021 - College Softball Umpires ...
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2021 MECHANICS
UPDATES / POINTS OF
INTEREST
CCSUA ANNUAL MEETING
JANUARY 24, 2021
Tony Cooper / Smokey EddsSECTION 1 – In Focus
• RISING TO THE CHALLENGE
• Fluid, Go-With-The-Flow, Adapt & Overcome, DEAL with IT, etc.
• Time off the field now more critical than at any time in our entire careers. Do we
really need to discuss this? YES !!!
• Commitment to Professionalism
• CREWNESS THRU MECHANICS
• Perform mechanics based upon this umpire manual
• Deviations may occur in EXTREME circumstances…it says EXTREME!
• Decisions to “umpire my way” are “not acceptable”
• We can’t cherry pick rules, what makes us think we can cherry pick mechanics?
• Consider deviations, don’t plan them
• Someone always watching
• Present a constant example for other less experienced umpires to learn the craft
VALUE OF THE VERBAL
• “Simply, verbal communication with partners strengthens the bonds with a crew”
• Know when to carefully listen, and know when listening has ended
• Professional titles and last names when on the field . They call us by first name OK,
we must refrain from doing the same
• Get in the habit of talking as a Crew on the field.SECTION TWO (NEW)–
MECHANICS CHANGES
2020-2021POSITIONS
U3 - Rotated Starting Position
• Base your starting position and depth on the
probability of a steal, your check swing responsibility
the current game situation, your secondary
responsibility at 1B, the position of the CF, and your
knowledge of the offense & the defense
• Once a play develops, move from the starting
position to a calling position (see manual for
examples)
• On stolen base attempts –
• If the fielder sets up in a CLASSIC position (straddling
the base allowing the BR full access) choose a
CLASSIC 90
• If the fielder sets up anywhere else (inside the
diamond) choose a wedge view• U1 Starting Position Options (3-Umpire System with U1 Counter rotated or 2-Umpire system with BU off the line) 1. Come to a Set prior to the pitch or 2. Remain standing athletically during the pitch or 3. Take a step with the pitch • Base Umpires Set on the line – Option to walk-the-line or start in a Set position when no base Runner responsibilities • PU – Force Play at Home – Consider choosing a location between depp point-of-plate and 3B extended to enable an adjustment to the play should it change from a force play into a tag play should the throw be off-line.
New/Modified Signals
• Base Umpire Signal – 3rd strike Not Caught /
Caught
• Only when Batter Runner is entitled to run.
Do not give signal if Batter-Runner is out
by rule
• No need for either of these signals should
the pitch be obviously caught / not caught
• If any doubt, give a signal.Spectator Interference
• Verbal of “Dead Ball”
• Clasp one hand over the other wrist with palms
facing forward
• Move towards the location of the interference
• Following the call turn to the field and indicate
outcome and any possible base awards
(consult with crew if necessary)Tag up Responsibilities for R2
• Could be U1 or U3 based upon the situation
• Applies to all scenarios with R2 and the PU has
fly ball coverage
• U1 has the tag-up on fly balls between CF &
LF Dead-Ball-Line
• U3 has the tag-up on fly balls between CF &
RF Dead-Ball-Line (U3 should attempt to
stay in foul territory for this determination)
• ADDITIONAL TAG-UP RESPONSIBILITIES
FOR R1 / R3 REMAIN UNCHANGED*** Appeal for R2 leaving early when U3 has Tag-up responsibility & U1 is in the Infield (counter-rotated) • U3 will have tag-up appeal plays at 2B but U1 has all other plays at 2B. U3 should “close” to render call. • If R2 leaves and returns, U3/U1 must hesitate to determine if play is a live- ball appeal or not.
Coverage at 3B
• With R2/R3, less than 2 outs, U1 covering:
• PU will have all calls on R2 @ 3B when it is the initial play from the
outfield
• Possible Timing play at the plate. U3 responsibility. “Close” to render
the call.
• The remaining base-umpire (U3) may need to take R2 to 3B if the plate
umpire has a call on R3 at the plate (See page 258)
• Other possible applications of this mechanic (R1/R2 with 2 outs, fly-ball
drops which U1 has covered, F9 throws to 3B in an attempt to get R1
advancing to 3B, etc.)
• See Section 6.14 in the Manual for additional infoPlate Umpire Movement – May not have to time to go to the
front of the circle and then proceed to next responsibility in
certain situations (i.e. R1 with a clean base hit to the outfield,
movement is straight to 3B in lieu of going to the front of the
circle, etc.)
Infield Fly – All umpires share authority for the judging and
indicating an infield fly. All other umpires will echo.
Alternative HR mechanics – R0 or R3 only, clear and obvious
HR that PU is covering, U1 can take responsibility for
watching the Batter-Runner touch both 1B & 2B, U3 stays at
3B, PU stays at the plate
Minor changes – Not all of them. (Reference numbers listed
below are correct) READ THE MANUAL
5.2 Warnings 6.4 Correcting the Count
6.6 Base Umpire returning 6.7 Checking the Resin bag
6.8 Runner’s Lane 6.11 One Umpire Calls Obs. &
6.12 Int, Obs. or Contact 6.13 Collisions
6.14 Timing Plays 6.17 Conclusion of Game
7.1 Point of Base 7.1 The Classic 90
*** Some detailed information has been deleted from the
2021 Manual. It is suggested that you keep your 2020 Manual
for possible future referenceSECTION 6 (NEW)
IN GAME UMPIRING
SITUATIONS6.5 Outfield Ball Coverage (A MUST READ)
• If outfielder is breaking in or moving laterally towards you, simply turn and set
• If outfielder is moving away from you, move into the outfield parallel to the flight path of the ball
• Near Foul Line, don’t overrun it !
• There is no such thing as a late cover. If your original decision was to remain, and then the situation
develops that needs an umpire…go get it! Verbal communication within the Crew is critical in these
situations.
• Non-Covering umpires – always be aware of what your partners are doing. If they cover, we fill.
There is not enough time to cover these items, but make sure you read them. They have a lot of new
information as well as material moved from other Sections in the manual
6.4 Correcting the Count
6.6 Base Umpires returning from the Outfield
6.7 Checking the Pitcher’s Resin Bag
6.8 Runner’s Lane
6.11 One Umpire Call Obstruction and Another Umpire has a Play on the Runner
6.12 Interference, Obstruction, or Contact Between Two Umpires
6.13 Collisions
6.14 Timing Play
6.15 Getting the Call Right / Going for Help – Especially paragraph #3SECTION 7 - MECHANICS ALL UMPIRES • Force Plays - Work for a 90 from the throw. If not possible or practical, adjust. • Infield Fly – All umpires can decide. Ordinary effort defined as “fielder can nearly settle under the ball while facing the infield” PLATE UMPIRE • Prioritize an accurate strike zone over exact foot placement • Tracking the pitch - “with your eyes moving your head slightly…” SECTION 8 - SIGNALS • It is now acceptable for Crews to develop additional umpire-to-umpire signals to enhance communication. DO NOT MODIFY A STANDARD SIGNAL. See page 67 for guidance. • Always notify your partners when a warning has been given to a Coach or player • Base Umpires should return umpire-to-umpire signals from the PU • After a steal attempt the PU should show the count to partners
SECTION 9
3-UMPIRE SYSTEMOverview of revised Section 9
• Combined all hit pages (Single, Double, Triple, Extra Base Hit) into one page for all the scenarios, for
plate umpire or U1 or U3 covers – this one page is: Plate (or U1 or U3) covers – Ball is Not Caught.
• Added Alternate Mechanic for Home Run (Out of the Park) in R0 and R3
• Removed wording for base umpires as first bullet on almost every play “Read and process where the ball
is hit and the fielder(s) movement. (Was used 247 times in previous.) Still do it -it is assumed!
• Removed wording on pages when a base umpire covers for umpires to “verbally communicate”. Still do it
-it is assumed!
• Completely removed the section for the base umpire who covers a fly ball.
Being Set on the Line
• Standing upright or set:
o Stay in set or move forward a maximum of 2 steps ending in prepared set or stopped position
Starting positions
• U1 and U3 - starting position on line with runner on that base changed to 6-12 feet; was 6-10 feet.
• U3 Rotated Starting position-10 to 18 feet from 2b between 1b and 3b baseline extended toward CF.
o Was 10-12 feet beyond 2b toward CF.Plate umpire movement on hits to outfield • No need to go to front of circle with R0 or R1 • When going into infield, follow path of ball; was parallel to ball • May go directly to 3b with R1 and base hit to outfield • Movement is now more restricted with R3 and a possible play at the plate Adjustments to rotations during live ball • R1 and hit to infield - if high potential for play on BR at 1b, U1 stay with play until U3 can take over. • R1, PU covers, outfield hit not caught - if U1 unable to rotate home, U3 should be prepared to take any calls on BR at 2b and 3b. • R3, PU covers, outfield hit not caught – U1 be prepared if R3 does not immediately score to take BR to 2b. Tag up Responsibility for R2 when plate umpire covers - Now shared between U1 and U3; all scenarios with runner on 2b and PU covers • U1 - all fly balls between CF and left field dead ball line • U3 - all fly balls between the CF and the right field dead ball line; recommend stay in foul territory. • U3 has the appeal play and U1 takes all other type of plays at 2b • Split coverage so needs clear communication • See Manual for handling appeals when U3 has tag-up and U1 is in the infield
SECTION 10
2-UMPIRE SYSTEMStarting positions • BU when on the line start in upright standing position and walking with the pitch; or can start set. Still states 18-20 feet; should be no closer than 18 feet. • BU when off the line – options: set, remain standing, or take a step with the pitch. Plate umpire movement on hits to outfield • No need to go to front of circle with R0 or R1 • When going into infield, follow path of ball • May go directly to 3b with R1 and base hit to outfield • Movement is now more restricted with R3 and a possible play at the plate Covering fly balls and returning to infield • Added bullet: Return if you can during a rundown when the play is moving away from you. Verbally communicate that you are back. Runner on First, Steal • CHANGED!! PU NOW HAS CALL AT 3B IF R1 ADVANCES (assume a typo as it has “BR”)
QUESTIONS (TIME ALLOWING)
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