Rules meetings for high school umpires and coaches have concluded in the northern states, and the format doesn't change much, a welcome to everyone, reminder of test dates, discussion of sportsmanship issues, review of old-new rules, introduction of new rules, thanks for coming, fill-out attendance card, see you next year.

Total time, less than 35 minutes.

With time at a premium, fuel prices at a super premium, multiple sport coaches, second-shift workers, questionable early spring weather, and just plain tired at the end of the day humans, it is time for state associations to make use of available technologies to make these mandatory meetings much more user and customer friendly.

Fortunately, my commute to the local state high school association rules meeting took five minutes, but I saw area umpires and coaches that had to travel 30-60 minutes, one way, for a thirty-five minute meeting. In past years I witnessed umpires and coaches, who could not make their local area meeting, driving ninety minutes to two hours, one way, to meet their requirements.

My suggestion is the use of Internet meetings, uplink presentations, DVDs, or conference video calls. Presentations could be viewed by local officials associations from a common meeting place, coaching staffs could view meetings form their offices, or individuals in their pajamas could watch from the comforts of home. Umpire gear junkies could actually put on their uniform and/or equipment to watch the meeting and no one would know!

State associations would save the cost of sending rule interpreters out to remote areas and all dispersed information would be consistent.

Questions could be asked via email or by telephone and attendance could be taken by logging on to a web site and entering a user name and a timely password. State associations could provide local associations with study material and charge them to facilitate follow-up discussion. Copies of the meeting could be downloaded for future reference.

Presentations could be scheduled at various times of different days during a designated week so all umpires and coaches may have an opportunity to get smarter and fulfill all obligations. There may even be umpires or coaches who wish to view the information and ask questions for a second or third time.

College conferences, that have a beginning of the year meeting, could use the same methods, eliminating long distance travel in late winter weather.

Both groups may consider an eNewsletter; over 6,000 subscribers read this one!

Rulebooks leave much to the imagination when defining check swings. The Umpire Development Program's Manual for the Two-Umpire System states "The umpire's decision on a check swing shall be based entirely upon his judgment as to whether or not the batter struck at the pitch."

The best and most definitive description is on page 30 of the NCAA 2005 Baseball Rules. "A checked swing shall be called a strike if the barrelhead of the bat crosses the front edge of home plate or the batter's front hip. This does not apply to a bunt attempt when the batter pulls the bat back."

Decisions on check swings should be called loudly and clearly so there is no confusion.

If the pitch is a ball and the batter does not swing at the pitch, the plate umpire should say.

"Ball: no he didn't go."

If the batter commits on a check swing, the plate umpire should announce.

"Yes, he went." While pointing directly at the batter and signaling a strike.

If the defensive coach or manager requests an appeal on a check swing, the plate umpire should point at his partner and ask loudly.

"Scott (partner's name), did he go?"

If determined that the batter did not swing, the base umpire's call is:

"No, he didn't go!" giving the safe signal.

If determined to be a strike, the base umpire's call is:

"Yes, he went!" giving the strike signal.

The plate umpire should follow up with a thank you and announce the correct count.

The plate umpire may - on his own - ask for help on a check swing. Remember, once the plate umpire calls a strike, no appeal can be made.

Check swing and a passed ball with two strikes:
In a situation when there are two strikes on the batter and the next pitch is a passed ball or wild pitch on which there is a check swing, the plate umpire should ask the base umpire for help IMMEDIATELY while the defense is chasing after the ball, and WITHOUT AN APPEAL REQUEST FROM THE DEFENSE. This allows both offense and defense to be quickly informed whether the pitch is a ball or strike three!

Be aware of the situation and work hard to get it right!

The Running Lane

Only three feet wide and forty-five feet long, this small area can loom large in the batter-runner's last few steps to first base.

The first and most important determination involves whether the batter-runner is inside or outside the running lane. The lines are part of the lane and one foot in the lane and either foot touching either line = in the lane. One or both feet outside the lines = outside the lane and interference possibilities.

A throw must be made for running lane interference to occur - the batter-runner running outside the lane only is not sufficient for interference.

When there may be an interference situation the plate umpire needs to:

• Determine fair/foul, if fair - continue
• Determine if the batter-runner is inside or outside the lane prior to the throw.
• Move up the first base line to gain distance.
• Adjust to a proper angle.
• Get set prior to the play.

When running lane interference occurs, the plate umpire signals that the ball is dead, declares the interference and calls the batter-runner out. All other base runners return to the bases they occupied at the time of pitch.

Hustle and knowing the situation will always give you a chance to get this one right!

Both inexperienced umpires and players often misunderstand the infield fly rule.

The rule is intended to protect the base runners and here is a quick review.
An infield fly is a FAIR fly ball, that is not a line drive, nor a bunt attempt, which can be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort, at a time when first and second bases or all bases are occupied, and there is less than two outs.

The pitcher, catcher and any outfielder may be considered infielders for the purpose of the rule.

Umpires are to communicate non-verbally when the infield fly rule may take effect. Normal procedure is to signal your partner by placing an open hand on the chest, or touching the forefinger to the bill of the cap.

As the ball is hit, do not follow the flight of the ball, but watch the fielders as they will take you to the play. Wait until the ball reaches its apex before you raise your had with a fist and loudly proclaim.

"Infield fly, the batter is out!" If the infield fly is near the foul lines, add the words, "If fair" to your proclamation.

Waiting until the ball reaches its highest point will allow umpires to be sure it is an infield fly and not anything else. Once the infield fly rule is declared, it cannot be changed - so wait the extra second and give yourself the opportunity to be right!

Two NEW Entries!

Hey Blue! is a monthly eMagazine for baseball umpires. Twelve solid pages each month specifically about umpiring and how to be a better official. Email Kent Walker, writer and publisher, at kentwalker@pei.eastlink.ca for a sample copy - $15.00 for 12 issues

Fred Abboud sends information about Metro Umpires serving the surrounding Omaha, NE area. With over 200 members, the Metro Umpires have linked to The Umpires Call on their interactive website.

Videoump.com offers online and video umpire training; I am especially impressed with 60 ft. and 90 ft. diamond mechanics. This would be very appropriate for youth leagues and umpire training sessions. Please enter YBUC in the source code box on the bottom of the billing/shipping page.

Ken Jones VP of the Midwest Umpires Association in the St. Louis, MO area has added The Umpires Call to their website, they have over 100 umpires in the fold.

Nick Marlin, Secretary/Treasurer of TARA Georgia's largest umpire association writes that 112 umpires are active and 14 are working at the collegiate level.

Mile High Advanced Umpire Clinic - Denver, CO, June 23-27, is in their 18th year and offer complete training plate/field mechanics (cage work and diamond work) coupled with a live Connie Mack and Class A Legion tournament (paid games), Contact Dan Weikle, Dweik34@aol.com or phone 303-469-4868.

Dave Mekelburg produces UmpNews.com an absolute cornucopia of information covering all levels of baseball umpiring - a must see.

Mark Wehrwein invites umpires to sign up for Fed Play of the Day sponsored by the Greater Huntsville, AL Umpire Association

The Toughest Fair/Foul Quiz in the World! With acknowledgements to Richard Siegel

• I cannot find two people who understand or agree on the new FED-pitching rule that allows shoulder turning.
• Base umpires need to understand the concept of taking a pivot and work harder on doing it.
• Base umpires who are well-seasoned and may not run well enough to take an effective and correct pivot should be allowed to use the "B" position with no one on base. (I need a name for this mechanic)
• Let's pick a color for amateur umpire shirts and stay with it. (I am not buying a black shirt or hat!)
• Hats on plate umpires are mandatory.
• Unless you are Ed Montague, the beanie hat is out!
• I have never carried a broom while umpiring the bases nor swept off the pitching rubber in my life, please go stand on the outfield grass between innings.
• One pitch outs are the best.
• Double plays are better than best - one pitch, two outs.
• After working six days in a row one learns how to do a rain dance.

Does your umpire association or local youth baseball league experience any of the following problems?
· Shortage of umpires
· Poorly umpired games
· Too many on-field disagreements
· Games that take forever
· Fans, coaches, and parents constantly complaining

Designed for young umpires as well as veterans, Youth Baseball Umpire Clinics, a division of USJT, is in its 5th year of educating baseball umpires with a comprehensive "HANDS ON" format.

NOT "sit and listen, take notes, watch a video" instruction - YBUC participants come dressed for activity and take an active part in learning pre-game responsibilities, consistent umpiring techniques, on field positioning, and proper game administration.

2005 Youth Baseball Umpire Clinic training schedule:
Black River Falls, WI, Saturday, April 30
La Crosse, WI, Sunday May 15
Mayville, WI, Saturday, May 21
Please email or call for more information.

Thanks to all who wrote and called.
Next issue (May) will be the last for 2005, any items that need to be included from umpire associations etc, need to be forwarded ASAP! I will happy to include your announcements, please submit them soon.

Please forward The Umpire's Call to your colleagues; just use the link at the bottom.

As always, your feedback, announcements, suggestions, and questions are welcome, even the dissenters get a shot! I do want to hear form you. All 2004 and 2005 issues of The Umpire's Call are available at U.S. Junior Tours

Be careful what tournament assignment you wish for!

My best regards,

Scott

email: ott@usjuniortours.com

phone: 608-793-1956

web: http://www.usjuniortours.com