SOFTBALL

ONE ON ONE

Keep Additional Coaches Away During Conversations

By Brad Tittrington

Sports are emotional. In the heat of the moment, especially in big games, that emotion is turned up a notch. And when a team perceives a call goes against it, multiple coaches and players may react. In these situations all umpires need to be alert and make sure things don’t get out of hand.

One of the most important things to remember when dealing with these situations is we must do everything we can to limit the amount of participants in the discussion. The head coach should be the only coach we talk to when there is a disagreement about a call. When multiple coaches try to weigh in, it is important we do everything we can to usher the assistant coaches away. When multiple coaches are confronting one umpire, nothing good can come of it.

As partners, it is important to move in quickly and assist in getting additional coaches away from the conversation. A good way of doing so is positioning yourself between the assistant coach and the other umpire and simply directing them away. Verbal commands like, “Coach, step over here with me,” or “Come talk to me over here,” usually work to move the coach out of the way.

If you are the umpire involved in the discussion and multiple coaches approach you, communicate with the head coach and say things like, “Coach, I will only talk to you,” or say to an assistant coach, “Coach, I am only going to communicate with

It is important to only allow one coach to have a conversation with an umpire about a ruling. Pete Tapia, Pomona, Calif., knows he needs to get the second coach away and only deal with the head coach during this discussion.

the head coach, please step away.”

Never allow yourself or your partner(s) to have multiple coaches argue or discuss a situation. The calling umpire should only have to discuss the decision with the head coach and the head coach can then relay any messages necessary to the assistant coaches. When multiple coaches are on a single umpire, it is often extremely confrontational and the umpire is now outnumbered. Rarely does it lower the temperature in these situations; often it will quickly explode into a potentially volatile situation if not brought under control quickly.

The one thing to remember in these situations is to never touch a coach. If you are the partner coming in to move a coach away, refrain from putting your hands on a coach. Grabbing an upset coach most likely will make things worse and appear confrontational. Use your body and your voice to direct the coach away. Often, assistant coaches just want to be heard. If you can maneuver them away from the situation, they will be just as happy to voice their displeasure with you as opposed to directing it at the calling umpire.

This does not mean the assistant coach is given carte blanche. If assistant coaches have a legitimate concern, they can talk to you off to the side. However, they do not get complete freedom to bash your partner. One rule of thumb that works relatively well is head coaches get a long leash, assistant coaches get a shorter leash and players get an even shorter leash.

Remember to use the tools in your toolbelt if you need to get a situation under control. Do not be afraid to give coaches an informal or formal warning and if they continue to cross the line, remove them. Remember, we don’t eject coaches, coaches eject themselves. If an assistant coach or player refuses to move away from a situation or continues to exhibit poor behavior, deal with it. Just because a coach or player is upset with a call does not give them a right to exhibit poor sportsmanship. Hopefully once they are moved away from the situation they will calm down. However, if they continue to violate the three Ps (personal, persistent, public), you need to remove them.

This situation is something that will definitely be talked about in the postgame review. It should also be something discussed during the pregame with your partners. Remember, you are a team on the field and you should have each others’ backs when you take the field. Never allow coaches or players to gang up on your teammate. Whether you agree or disagree with the call, your job in that moment is to protect your partner. Once cooler heads prevail, if your partner needs help on a ruling, that partner can get together with you and discuss the situation. However, when multiple coaches start approaching your partner, the only thing that matters is getting additional coaches away to allow your partner the opportunity to have a discussion with one coach. Brad Tittrington is an associate editor for Referee. He umpires D-I softball and officiates women’s college and high school basketball, college and high school volleyball and high school football. 

Watch ’Em Leave

For umpires, one of the most important jobs is watching players leave a base. While some situations are second nature, there are others where umpires need to understand the nuances of the rules to make sure they enforce, or don’t enforce, penalties. Below are some of the times base umpires need to watch runners leave, the rules involved and the mechanics of those plays.

On the Pitch

Base umpires are tasked with watching runners leaving the base on every single pitch. Why? Because

SIDELINE

Venditto Joins WCC

In September, the West Coast Conference (WCC) announced the retirement of Terry Ching, who served as the first WCC coordinator of softball umpires since the conference’s inaugural season in 2014. The conference announced Joanne Venditto to replace Ching.

Venditto serves as the softball coordinator of officials for the Pac12 and Big West conferences and serves as a regional advisor for the NCAA Softball Umpire Program.

“We are pleased to add Joanne Venditto to our West Coast Conference team,” WCC Commissioner Gloria Nevarez said. “Joanne brings a wealth of experience and passion to the position.”

QUICKTIP

Practice your signals in front

of a mirror. Most umpires don’t know what their signals look like unless they’ve seen themselves on video. Practicing in front of a mirror helps you see exactly what your signaling looks like and allows you to practice until you get it right. Practicing will allow you to develop muscle memory so when you need to make the signal in a game, it will come naturally, your signal will look correct and it will build credibility.

TOOLS

Robic Universal Game Timer

Are you looking for a way to keep track of the time in time-limit games or track time between innings? Then the Robic Universal Official Game Timer is perfect for you. The timer fits securely on your belt and allows you to set both in-game time intervals as well as complete time without needing multiple devices. It features onebutton touch start and stop reset, allows multiple countdown times and has a strong vibrating signal at the completion of time. It can be found at your favorite officials’ gear retailer and sells for $39.99.

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. 85.

1. With R2 on second base, B2 singles to center field. As R2 nears third, the third-base coach leaves the coach’s box in foul territory toward home to signal R2 to attempt to score. F8’s errant throw strikes the third-base coach in foul ground just outside of the coach’s box. The coach did not intentionally get hit by the ball. a. The ball is live and in play. b. The ball is dead, R2 is out due to interference by the base coach and B2 is placed on the last base touched at the time of interference. c. The ball is delayed-dead and the umpires may place runners based on their judgment once play ceases.

2. B1 bats a ball in front of the plate. F2 fields the ball and starts to throw to F3 at first base. However, F2 withholds the throw because B1 is running completely in fair territory about 15 feet from first base. a. The ball is dead and B1 is ruled out for interference. b. The ball is delayed-dead and it is the umpire’s judgment if B1’s actions prevented the out at first. c. The ball is live and play continues as a throw must be made in order to have interference.

3. R2 is on second with one out when B3 singles to left field. F7 throws to F2, who fields the ball in a crouched position along the third-base line just to the left of home plate. R2 avoids F2’s tag by hurdling over F2 and landing on the plate. a. Legal play and R2 scores. b. R2 is ruled out and the run does not score. c. R2’s run counts but R2 is ejected. d. R2 is ruled out and ejected.

4. With R1 on first, B2 hits the ball to right field. On the swing, B2 makes contact with F2’s glove. B2 reaches first base safely and R1 is thrown out at third base. a. The ball is dead immediately on the swing due to catcher’s obstruction. B2 is awarded first base and R1 is awarded second base. b. Delayed-dead ball is signaled. Once B2 reached first and R1 reached second, catcher’s obstruction is canceled and all play stands. c. Delayed-dead ball on catcher’s obstruction. At the end of the play, the offensive coach has the option of taking the result of the play or B2 awarded first and R1 awarded second. failure to maintain contact with the base prior to the release of the pitch results in a possible penalty. In NFHS, USA Softball and USSSA, if a runner leaves the base prior to the pitcher releasing the ball, it is an immediate dead ball, “no pitch” is declared and that runner is out (NFHS 8-6-18; USA Softball 8-7s; USSSA 8-18k). In NCAA, it is a delayed-dead ball and the defensive coach has the option of taking the result of the play or “no pitch” is declared and the runner is out (12.14.2).

It is important for base umpires to get an angle to see the release of the pitch and also see when the runner’s foot left the bag. Many baserunners will have one foot on the edge of the bag closest to the next base and then have the other foot behind the bag. In these instances, runners may start their movement to the next base, but still have a foot in contact with the bag. Don’t let that initial movement fool you. It is important to know when the runner actually loses contact with the bag so as not to falsely penalize the runner. When there are multiple runners on, do your best to get an angle to see both runners, but the lead runner should be the priority. The one rule of thumb on this play to consider is if in doubt, the runner did not violate the rule. Never guess an out.

Tagging Up

The most important thing for

umpires when determining if a runner left too early while attempting to tag up is getting the proper angle. All four codes agree when a runner can legally leave the base on a fly ball when attempting to tag up. Runners may leave as soon as the ball is first touched by a fielder and it is not the responsibility of the runner to wait for the ball to be caught (NFHS 8-66; NCAA 12.10.14; USA Softball 8-7f; USSSA 8-18j). If a fielder bobbles a ball, many coaches will attempt to appeal the runner left early because those coaches will wait until the ball is caught before shifting their eyes to see the runner. A runner may already be a step or two off the bag and it will appear to the coach the runner left early. It is imperative the base umpire has the proper angle to see the first touching of the ball and know the rule allows the runner to leave as soon as the ball is contacted. Umpires should work as hard as possible to get a zero angle, meaning they are in a direct line with both the runner tagging and the touch of the ball to see all elements of the play.

One other rule involving tagging up that umpires need to be aware of is a baserunner may not start behind the bag in order to get a running start on a tag up (NFHS 8-6-20; NCAA 12.10.14; USA Softball 8-7v; USSSA 8-18r).

Ball in Circle

When the ball goes back to the

There are many instances in a game when umpires need to know exactly when a runner leaves a base. Mary Ann Melove, San Clemente, Calif., keeps an eye on the baserunner to make sure no rules are violated.

circle, umpires need to know the location of the baserunners. This is why it is imperative umpires do not advance to their next position until the ball is in the circle and all runners have stopped on a base. The first thing umpires must do is make sure the pitcher is the one with the ball in the circle. Often, the first baseman or another infielder will receive the ball while the pitcher is backing up third base or the plate. Don’t be in a rush to assume the player holding the ball is the pitcher. Also be aware there are different rules of what constitutes “control” in the four codes. In NFHS, NCAA and USSSA, pitcher’s possession includes the ball in the glove, the ball held between the pitcher’s knees or legs, under the pitcher’s chin or under the pitcher’s arm pit (NFHS 8.7.1B; NCAA 12.16.1; USSSA 8-2). In USA Softball, the pitcher must have the ball in the hand or the glove to have control (R/S 34k).

Once the pitcher has control of the ball in the circle — which is defined as having both feet within or on the lines of the circle — a runner may not leave the base. If the runner leaves the base, the runner is out. Umpires should remain in their current position until they see the pitcher in control of the ball and see all runners stopped on bases. Once this criteria is met, umpires should move to their next position while keeping an eye on the runner and the pitcher to make sure runners don’t vacate their bases and the pitcher doesn’t leave the circle, lose control of the ball or make a play.

It’s important to understand the rules for baserunners leaving the base, but it is also important to know mechanics and angles to see everything. Slow down, read and react to the play, get in proper position, and nail these calls that could potentially be gamechangers. 

CASEPLAYS

Pitcher in Circle

Play: With R1 on first, the pitcher receives the ball back from the catcher after a pitch. The pitcher has returned to the circle, having both feet completely inside the circle. She then takes the glove off her hand and puts the glove between her knees to fix her ponytail. R1 leaves first base and advances to second base. Ruling: In NFHS, NCAA and USSSA, pitcher’s possession includes the ball in the glove, the ball held between the pitcher’s knees or legs, under the pitcher’s chin or under the pitcher’s armpit. In these three codes, the ball would be dead and the runner would be out for violating the look-back rule (NFHS 8.7.1B; NCAA 12.16.1; USSSA 8-2). In USA Softball, the ball must be in the hand or glove and having the ball between the knees is not considered possession. The ball would remain live and all play stands (R/S 34k).

Removed Pitcher Returns

Play: Team A’s starting pitcher, A1, is removed from the pitching position in the sixth inning with two outs and replaced by A2. After A2 walks three straight batters, team A’s coach asks to put A1 back into the pitching position. Ruling: Legal in all four codes. However, A1 is prohibited from throwing any warmup pitches when returning in the same half-inning (NFHS 6-2-5 Note 1; NCAA 10.19.3.4; USA Softball 6A-9; USSSA 6-1l).

Injured Player

Play: With no outs and the bases loaded, B4 hits a line drive back at the pitcher. The ball hits the pitcher in the head, rendering the pitcher unconscious. The ball ricochets into the outfield. Ruling: In all codes, the umpire should call time for the safety of the injured player and award bases in his/her judgment the batter and runners would have attained had time not been called (NFHS 5-2-1d Note; NCAA 6.11.3.3 Exc.; USA Softball 4-10, R/S 29; USSSA 5-9a).

R2, R3 With 2 U’s

With runners on second and third, there is a decent amount of communication and movement for a crew of two umpires when there is an extra-base hit to the outfield.

First, let’s look at the base umpire. In this scenario, the base umpire needs to move into the diamond, as shown in the MechaniGram, in order to see the batter-runner touch first base. The base umpire should also watch for potential obstruction against R2 as R2 advances toward third. The base umpire also needs to allow the runner to clear the basepath before trying to make a beeline into the diamond. The last thing the base umpire wants to do is cause a collision or force R2 to alter her path. Keep an eye on the runner, allow her to pass and then move into the diamond to focus on the batterrunner. The base umpire will take the batter-runner all the way to third base in this instance.

The plate umpire should move into the holding zone and watch R3 touch home plate and then watch to make sure R2 touches third base. As R2 rounds third base and heads for the plate, the plate umpire should retreat back to the plate for any plays on R2 at the plate, as well as watch R2 touch the plate if no play is imminent.

Because of the potential of two umpires being at third base, the umpires must communicate. While the plate umpire has plays at third involving R2 and R3, the base umpire has all plays at third involving the batter-runner. If the batter-runner rounds second and starts for third, the base umpire should be able to see out of his or her periphery if the plate umpire has started moving up to third base. If the plate umpire starts to move, the base umpire should say, “I’ve got third,” so the plate umpire is aware the call belongs to the base umpire.

While some plate umpires pregame taking third in this scenario, that is not the prescribed mechanic. The only time the plate umpire should take third in this situation is if the base umpire somehow forgets to take third, gets injured in the middle of the diamond or otherwise gets trapped and can’t make it to third. In those instances, the plate umpire should communicate he or she is taking the play at third, a deviation from the normal mechanic. 

R2

B

B

B

R3

P P

Move Them Back

While it would be nice to work every game in a beautiful stadium with well-defined out-ofplay areas and no spectators near the field of play, this is not reality. Many schools and parks are not enclosed and it can cause headaches for umpires when having to deal with potential blocked balls.

The most important thing for umpires is to walk the facility prior to the game to see what you are in for that day. If there are spectators near an out-of-play line, as shown in the PlayPic, have them move back. If you need to enlist the onsite administrator to do it, make sure the lines are free and clear of spectators. This is not only important so you don’t have to deal with spectator interference, it is also a safety rule as fielders could potentially contact spectators who have encroached onto the field.

If a fan does encroach and is hit by a live ball, you need to be prepared to enforce the rules. Thankfully, all the codes are in agreement when it comes to spectator interference.

If a spectator is in the field of play and interferes and it did not prevent a fielder from making a play, the ball is immediately dead and it is umpires’ judgment where the runners would have ended up had the interference not occurred (NFHS 8-4-3j; NCAA 12.12.6.2; USA Softball 8-5l; USSSA 8-14e-1).

If a spectator reaches into the field of play and interferes with a fielder making a play on a fly ball, the ball is immediately dead, the batter-runner is out and umpires will place runners on the bases they would have attained had the interference not occured (NFHS 8-2-12; 12.12.6.2; USA Softball 8-2o; 8-14e-1).

It does not matter what level of play you are working on that particular day, umpires must be diligent in keeping spectators behind out-of-play lines. Do not get complacent and assume no batted or thrown balls will end up in the vicinity of the fans down the line. Take care of the problem before the game starts so it doesn’t become a bigger problem once the first pitch is thrown. thrown.  

SOFTBALL

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