SOFTBALL

KEEP IT BETWEEN US

Master the Mechanics of Bracketing Playing Action

By Joe Alfonse

Some unseen things that go on before, during and after a softball game would really surprise the casual or even rabid fan.

First is the amount of verbal and non-verbal communication during a game between umpires, whether a two- or three-person crew. Second is the amount of time prior to the games put in by the crews — studying rulebooks, casebooks or the manuals associated with each code. Third is the amount of time spent in pre- and postgame conferencing at higherlevel events. All of this hard work, whether in study, communication or actual in-game officiating, really does make a difference, regardless of level of play.

Take bracketing for instance. This frequently unnoticed mechanic is a basic staple of both two- and threeperson crews. Whether a pop-up in foul territory on the first- or thirdbase sides, or on steals or rundowns (often called pickle plays), umpires utilize a great technique to ensure they get all the information they can to get the call correct.

Let’s take a look at the “why” before the “how” on what makes this mechanic work. Bracketing provides a system of coverage that allows at least one umpire the opportunity to get a great look at routine and unusual situations. In cases where foul balls are close to the fence or dugouts, regardless of which way the fielder is facing, either the base or plate umpire will have a view of both the fielder’s glove as well as any fencing or other dead-ball territory. On steals and “pickles,” bracketing enables a sightline to cover both sides of the basepath to watch for any obstruction, swipe tags, dropped balls

Bracketing rundown plays allows umpires to see different elements of the play. Plate umpire Jerry Forkner, Duvall, Wash., and base umpire Bill Goldwyn, Kirland, Wash., work both sides of this play to cover all the angles.

or whether the runner deviated too far from the basepath to avoid a tag.

While bracketing opportunities in a two-person system are few and far between, they do happen. Most often it’s on rundowns, and that’s where pregame conferencing is critical. Knowing your plate umpire is going to come up on the play and provide coverage, either ahead of or behind you, provides you, as the base umpire, the ability to get to a mostly stationary position and let the play unfold, as opposed to chasing it. The key here, though, is the base umpire needs to continue staying on top of the play until the plate umpire has communicated being part of the action. This should generally occur when the runner is heading back toward the last base touched. This allows the base umpire to now be ahead of the play as the plate umpire becomes the trail and provides a second set of eyes on all action (unless the rundown occurs between second and third; then the plate umpire provides help in front of the base umpire). If the plate umpire is late joining the action as the runner continues toward the next base, the base umpire should take the play all the way to its conclusion. Again, communication is the key. There should always be only one calling umpire.

On a three-person crew, bracketing happens more frequently than people realize. Whether the crew is rotated, counter-rotated or in standard position, bracketing should occur on foul balls in the infield every time there’s an umpire on the line on that side. The mechanic is simple. Whether it’s a diving catch toward the plate or an over-the-shoulder catch toward the outfield, the calling umpire shall be whomever the fielder is facing when the ball is played. In those times when the fielder is up against the fence facing neither umpire, that’s when eye contact between the umpires should occur prior to making the call. The default is the plate umpire will make that call, but always be prepared based on the situation. Again, pregame discussion is critical in making these calls look routine.

Now, let’s get to the mechanics. With no runners on and a foul ball to the first-base side, U1 should bracket the catch. As noted above, as far as catch or no catch, it’s still the call of the umpire facing the play.

With no runners on and a foul ball to the third-base side, U3 has an easy job in this case. Stay on the play until its conclusion while U1 will move into the infield to provide an extra set of eyes.

With a runner on first and U3 rotated and a foul ball to the first-base side, U3 will watch for the tag at first base as well as take any plays at first or second. It’s important for U3 to

THEY SAID IT

“Officials and coaches and players really don’t understand exactly what the strike zone is. And when we have a rulebook that specifies a strike zone, our job as officials is to call it accurately — not to be aggressive, not to take certain counts and do something different, not to look at the scoreboard and do something different. It is our job as officials to pursue calling an accurate strike zone.” — NCAA National Coordinator of Softball Officials Craig Hyde, on the importance of calling an accurate strike zone

SOURCE: NCAA 2021 SOFTBALL VIRTUAL CLINIC

QUICKTIP

As a plate umpire, take the time to watch the warmup pitches of

each starting pitcher and each

substitute pitcher. This will give you an opportunity to train your eyes to the speed of the pitcher and you won’t get surprised on the first pitch of the game. It also allows you to see what type of spin the pitcher has and how well the catcher receives the ball. You should allow the catcher the opportunity to catch the first pitch without being behind her and then get into your position to watch the next three pitches. Take a look at the pitcher from both sides of the plate.

TOOLS

2021 Softball Umpires Quiz

2021

How ready are QUIZ you for the 2021 season? Test your NFHS rules The batter’s momentum takes her across the plate after a swing and she interferes with the catcher’s ability to make a play on a runner stealing? Who is out and where do runners end up? See question 10. Sponsored by the National Association of Sports Officials and prepared by the editors of Referee magazine. knowledge by taking the annual softball umpires quiz, prepared by the editors 1 B1 hits a double. After her at bat, the defensive coach alerts the umpire that there is a crack in the bat B1 used. The plate umpire looks at the bat and notices a crack in it. What is the penalty? a. All play stands and the bat shall remain in play.b. B1 is ruled out and ejected for using an illegal bat. c. All play stands, the bat is removed from the game for being a damaged bat and no penalty is assessed to B1. 2 F1 takes her position on the pitcher’s plate to receive the sign from her catcher. All all true except: a. Her pivot foot may be on top of the pitcher’s plate.b. Her pivot foot may be in contact with the front side of the pitcher’s plate. for being a damaged bat c. Her pivot foot may be in contact with the back side of the pitcher’s plate.d. Her pivot foot may be behind, but not in contact with, the pitcher’s plate. 3 Which of the following is false in regard to the pitcher’s non-pivot foot as she takes her position on the pitching plate? a. It must be in contact with the pitcher’s plate.b. It must be within or partially with the 24-inch length of the pitcher’s plate.c. It can be moved backward, provided the step backward is prior to the start of the pitch. 4 R1 is on first base when B2 hits a ground ball to F4. F4’s toss to F6 is wide, but F6 catches the ball in her Each of the following includes a situation and possible answers. Decide which one answer is correct for NFHS fast pitch rules. (Answers on last page.) of Referee. The Copyright © 2021 by Referee Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved. Copy these quizzes for handout but not for resale or publication without the express written permission of Referee Enterprises, Inc. 20-question quiz — available to download or take online — is free at Referee.com.

TEST YOURSELF

Each of the following includes a situation and possible answer(s). Decide which are correct for USA, NFHS, NCAA or USSSA rules and which might vary. Solutions: p. 81.

1. With one out and R1 on first, B3 hits a ground ball up the middle. F6 dives and secures the ball and throws to first base to try to get B3 on the force out. The ball sails over the first baseman’s glove and into the dugout. At the time of release, R1 was on second base and B3 was about five feet from first base. a. R1 is awarded third base and B3 is awarded second base. b. R1 is awarded home and B3 is awarded second base. c. R1 is awarded second base and B3 is awarded first base. d. R1 is awarded home and B3 is awarded third base.

2. With an 0-2 count, B1 has her feet completely inside the batter’s box when she makes contact with a pitch. The ball goes almost straight down, comes back up and makes contact with B1 while one foot is completely within the batter’s box and the other foot is half in the batter’s box and half out. a. The ball is dead and ruled foul. b. The ball remains live. c. The ball is dead and the batter is ruled out for interference.

3. With R3 on third base and one out, B3 hits a ball down the first-base line. B3 runs down the first-base line. As she is about to be tagged by F3, she takes a couple of steps back toward home plate. R3 had crossed home plate prior to B3 stepping back. a. Ball remains live. R3 scores and B3 may still advance with liability to be put out. b. Ball remains live. R3 scores and B3 is ruled out for stepping back toward the plate. c. Ball is dead. B3 is ruled out for stepping back toward the plate and R3 is returned to third base. d. Ball is dead. B3 is ruled out for stepping back toward the plate, but R3’s run counts.

4. B1 hits a ball to right field. F9 fields the ball and fires it to F3 to try to tag the batter-runner out as she takes a wide turn at first. On F3’s swipe tag, the ball flies out of her glove and rolls into dead-ball territory. a. The ball is dead and the batter-runner is awarded the base the umpires judge she would have reached had the ball remained live. b. The ball is dead and the batterrunner is awarded second base. c. The ball is dead and the batterrunner is awarded third base. move to a good position to see both the tag and be able to close down in case of a play at first.

With a runner on third, or multiple runners on base, this is where we earn our money. When bracketing, the umpire facing the play will make the call. So, in the instance where the plate umpire makes the call, U3 will take the tag and any calls at third for runners advancing or returning. In the event U3 makes the call, the plate umpire needs to be prepared to take the tag-up call on the runner at third base or any tag plays on R3 at third base but must hustle back to the point-of-plate holding position after the catch in case R3 advances. U3 is then responsible for all other calls at third base.

It’s also important to realize all umpires have a responsibility on steals and pickoff plays. When a runner on first attempts to steal, U1 should come out of the set position and close down along the first-base line to provide a set of eyes on the back end of the steal. What should happen at the end of the play is U3 will be on the outfield side of second base while U1 will have come to a position on the infield side of first. The reverse should occur in the event of a snap throw for a pickoff. A word of caution: Remember to be hyper-aware of any hit ball before closing down. The same bracket should occur when a single runner on second attempts to steal third. The philosophy will always be to try to establish an inside/outside approach to covering the running lane.

Subtleties like that make our job both easier and more enjoyable. These mechanics are hardly ever noticed by the fans or coaches, but a veteran umpire and those working hard to improve will always notice the unseen movements by a wellprepared crew meant to capture information on any given play. Don’t ever think a good pregame won’t include some time spent on covering plays that need to be bracketed because when the need arises, it’s always good to know what your partner is going to do. Joe Alfonse of Woburn, Mass., is a collegiate and USA Softball umpire. He also officiates men’s and women’s collegiate volleyball and high school basketball. *

‘Right’ It Down

One duty of the plate umpire is to write down all conferences, both offensive and defensive, for both teams. This simple task is often overlooked and can lead to problems if not recorded. Each time a team takes a conference, the plate umpire should mark down whether the conference is offensive or defensive and in which inning the conference took place. This information is vital, especially in long innings when a coach may forget if a conference was taken earlier in the inning or if a defensive coach has used up the allotted conferences in an inning or game and wishes to take another.

The failure to write down and record conferences could potentially allow a team an unfair advantage by allowing a conference that could be illegal. It could also lead to a protest by an opposing team, and without proper information written down, it is nearly impossible to adjudicate properly. The plate umpire should not rely on base umpires to remember if a conference was taken. All plate umpires should carry a lineup card holder and a pen in the ball bag and the information can quickly be written down while the conference is taking place.

The rules regarding conferences are pretty simple. For USA Softball, NFHS and USSSA, a team is allowed three defensive conferences per seveninning game. A team may take all three conferences in the same inning or spread them out without penalty. After the third defensive conference, the pitcher must be removed from the pitching position. Each team is allowed one additional defensive conference per extra inning.

While on offense, each team is

allowed one conference per inning. Umpires should not allow a second offensive conference in an inning.

NCAA rules differ. In games not using the media format, each team is allowed one offensive and one defensive conference per inning. If a coach initiates a second one, the coach is ejected. There is no penalty to the pitcher or batter. In games using the media format, teams get a total of seven conferences in a seven-inning game and they may not take more than one offensive and one defensive conference per half-inning.

There is no excuse for not tracking this information. There is plenty of room on the back of every lineup card. Take the time to accurately record the information and save the crew a lot of headaches and a potential protest. *

5 MINUTES WITH DESTINI ROBINSON

NCAA Division I umpire discusses importance of physical fitness.

Residence: Pensacola, Fla. Experience: Master’s degree in exercise science; Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist with Distinction (CSCS*D); owner/strength and conditioning coach at MOVE PERIOD Inc.; former college strength and conditioning coach; 16-year NCAA umpire working in the AAC, ACC, Big Ten, SEC and Sun Belt conferences; worked two D-II Softball National Championships, one D-I Regional and one D-I Super Regional.

REFEREE: How did you get involved in strength training?

ROBINSON: I started officiating beforehand. I was working on my doctoral program at the University of West Florida. I was doing some training on the side but I was also the strength and conditioning coach, and then decided to go the private route, the private sector. I didn’t end up finishing my doctoral program. I figured since I was doing the private stuff to make something out of it. We came up with MOVE PERIOD. I’ve been in business since 2009, really been training a few of our members before that, but decided to make it official then.

REFEREE: How important is physical fitness for umpires?

ROBINSON: It is imperative. It’s definitely a must because as they say to us at the meetings, these college athletes, they’re the same age every year and we’re getting older and older. So that much more of a reason for us to be in great shape because they can do some pretty incredible things out there. Just with officiating in general, why not be better? Why not become more? Just means you have to give more of yourself, that is all.

REFEREE: What are some of the first things you tell umpires on how to get started with fitness?

ROBINSON: It’s just one day at a time. The hardest part is getting started. Once we get started, you get those first couple weeks under your belt. You do everything within reason. Everything we do is a little bit at a time. Taking your time, work on the technique, work on range of motion, things will get better from there. The main thing is being consistent with it because you’ll only see growth if you keep working at it.

REFEREE: During the season, what do you recommend umpires do to stay healthy and injury free?

ROBINSON: Take the time to take care of our bodies. Stay hydrated — that’s huge. Because hydration can affect other areas. Sleep and hydration are key. If you don’t have enough sleep, it slows down your reaction time. It actually makes you add weight and a few other things. Hydration is key because it keeps things flowing through us and if we’re not hydrated, we’ll experience other things on the field. There’s no fun part of being dehydrated. That’s one less thing we should have to worry about when we’re out there on the field. But also recovery from the games and getting ready for the games — taking the time to actually stretch. How many of us actually just go out on the field and try to go right at it? Taking that time to actually stretch, possibly get a little warmup in, go through some functional movements, range-of-motion movements. If you need to recover at the end, bring a foam roller with you or stretch out later on. These are the things that will help make us ready for the next day and recover better.

REFEREE: What things do you recommend umpires eat before the game?

ROBINSON: Something that is going to load you up pretty good for the morning. We don’t want to eat literally right before we get on the field. Have a meal at least a couple hours before we get on the field. We have that for our energy. Food is our fuel. And we need to think clearly and if we are going out there not satisfied, not having enough in us, then we’re not able to do our job as effectively.

REFEREE: And after a game, what is the best recovery nutrition?

ROBINSON: Depending on the time we finish, if it is late at night, we don’t want to eat heavy, but we want to get something good in our body so to get something good in our body so we’re not starving the we’re not starving the next morning. We eat next morning. We eat heavier earlier in the heavier earlier in the day and then lighter at day and then lighter at night. There’s nothing night. There’s nothing wrong with having wrong with having carbohydrates, it’s carbohydrates, it’s balancing everything out, having a variety of foods.

CASEPLAYS

Catch/No Catch

Play: B1 hits a long fly ball to right-center field. Running full speed, F8 catches the ball and takes two steps. She then hits the wall, causing the ball to fall to the ground. Ruling: In all codes, this is not a catch. In order to make a catch, the release of the ball must be voluntary. The wall knocking the ball out of the glove is not voluntary. If the fielder reaches into the glove, pulls the ball out and then it falls, it would be voluntary and considered a catch (USA Softball 1 – Catch/No Catch; NCAA 9.2.1; NFHS 2-9-2; USSSA 3 – Catch).

Collision On Hit

Play: With the bases loaded, B4 hits a hard ground ball up the middle, just to the left of second base. R2 takes a couple of steps toward third base on contact and makes contact with F6, who is moving to her left toward second base. F6 is roughly 10 feet away from the ball and the ball is already in the grass when the contact occurs. Ruling: In all codes, this is obstruction on F6. F6 had no opportunity to make a play on the ball and she impeded R2’s progress while running the bases. It is a delayed dead ball and the umpires should wait until the conclusion of the play to potentially award bases, if necessary (USA Softball 1 – Obstruction, 8-5b, R/S 36; NCAA 9.5.1, 9.5.3.1; NFHS 2-36, 8-4-3b; USSSA 3 – Obstruction, 8-13).

Batter Backs Out

Play: On a 2-1 pitch, the batter steps out of the batter’s box after F1 delivers the pitch to the plate. Time was not granted to the batter. Ruling: In USA Softball and NCAA, the umpire shall call a ball or strike, depending on the location of the pitch (USA Softball 7-3f; NCAA 11.2.2 Eff.). In NFHS and USSSA, a strike shall be called and the ball remains live, regardless of the location of the pitch (NFHS 7-3-1 Eff. 2, 7.3.1B).

Let’s Talk About It

Talking about situations while they are fresh in your mind is important. From left: Paul “Smokey” Edds, Anaheim, Calif., Davis Nicksic, Kirkland, Wash., and Steve Andersen, Snohomish, Wash., take a moment after the game to learn from each other.

By Chad Vanderstelt

It’s the bottom of the seventh inning, bases loaded and two outs in a one-run ballgame. After multiple 3-2 pitches, runners moving, foul balls and high-stress situations, the visitors finally record the third out and win the game.

Time to relax, right?

Wrong! One of the most important parts of an umpire’s day is still to come: the postgame conference. This is an integral part of your game assignment. No matter if you are a rookie, seasoned veteran or twotime Women’s College World Series umpire, there is valuable knowledge to be gained from your postgame.

The postgame conference is part of the game, no different than bat checks, balls and strikes, or safes and outs. Avoiding the postgame is not only shorting your assigner and your partner(s) but it is shorting yourself.

Jim Fitrakis, an NCAA umpire and assigner, tells his staff that “a good postgame is essential to umpires getting better.”

Chris Calkins, a high school assigner in Michigan, said “the immediate feedback from postgame while the game is fresh in your mind is invaluable.”

There is little doubt that veteran umpires, as well as their assigners — no matter the level

— all agree the value of a good, proper postgame conference is immeasurable.

So what makes a good postgame? The crew chief will usually lead the discussion. Be sure as a crew chief to keep it short and allow your crew to have input. Remember this is a discussion, not a training session, and certainly not an opportunity for the crew chief to tell the crew everything it missed or could have done better. Keep in mind, for a postgame to have optimum value it must be an open discussion. The crew chief must encourage the crew to be open and honest throughout the discussion.

Begin with issues and incidents. Did a coach have an argument? How did we handle that situation? Did this argument result in an ejection? If so, were we all in the proper place and did we all carry out our responsibilities? Handling issues and incidents throughout a game is a major part of umpiring, and becoming better at handling them is a result of a proper postgame conference.

Look at what your crew did and didn’t do well. Discuss how you as individuals could improve as well as how the crew could have done something better. Understand this is a situation in which umpires should always want to find themselves: sitting in a quiet room, with friends, anxiety-free, discussing our craft. We must understand as we are discussing things we could have done better, nothing is a knock on you personally, or for that matter professionally. This discussion is simply what we could have done to handle a situation better and make the game smoother. Would you accept a compliment from your crewmates? If so, you absolutely must take constructive criticism and advice with the same smile on your face and jolly demeanor with which you would accept the praise.

Unusual situations or issues are not something we go into a game expecting, but we should prepare for them. The postgame conference is the perfect forum to discuss any unusual situations we may have had. Did we as a crew handle this situation properly? Did I as an individual handle it properly or is this something we can all learn from? While discussing this situation, it is essential we take the time to look up rule support for what we did — and in some situations what we should have done. We may also need to look at the manual to make sure we covered a specific play the way we should.

Younger umpires will often see situations they have never seen before. This is an amazing opportunity to learn from the veteran umpires on the crew who may have had that experience or may have been in a camp or clinic with someone who had. Take the time necessary to learn while the situation is still fresh in your mind and while you are still with the crew and those who fought the battle with you. We should all walk away from our postgame as a better umpire, with new, perhaps better, rules knowledge.

As you leave the game site, take the time to reflect on the game and the things you learned. Use the quiet of the drive home or back to the hotel for self-evaluation. Look inwardly at how the things discussed in the postgame pertain to you. Learn from the situations in which you may have found yourself or may have put your partners. If there are mechanics on which you need a refresher, grab the manual when you get home and find out where you went wrong or could have done better. Find the improvement category for this game and focus on it; exhaust it until you understand and are 100 percent sure you understand it.

A great umpire once coined the term, “Don’t get bitter. Get better.” Use the postgame conference to get better, not only for you and your partners but for the game. Chad Vanderstelt is an NCAA umpire from Fruitport, Mich., working multiple D-I, D-II and D-III conferences. He has worked multiple NCAA regional and super regional tournaments. He has also worked several USSSA World Championships, including the finals in 2017 and 2018. *