Many times I have written about the importance of umpire training. This past month I had the opportunity and pleasure to conduct two training sessions for the Thiensville Mequon (WI) Youth Baseball Association (TMYBA). More than seventy- five (a record number for this organization) youth umpires attended and none of them older than 16. In the following weeks these same umpires will have an additional mandatory onfield training event. There will be no shortage of umpires in this program and the reason is caring.

The baseball board of this organization cares enough about the quality of their league and games to put in the effort to make sure the umpires have needed and consistent information. The three hour training sessions were basic: mechanics, signals, positioning, plate work and some rule discussion, and the umpires left each day knowing that their league cares about them and their difficult job ahead.

It's not always how much you know, but how much you care!

Many, many replies to my comments regarding the AMLU strike, most of them in favor of the umpires' union. As you may have perceived, I am pro-union and will remain in support of the AMLU.

I will continue to post information about the AMLU (minor league umpires) strike on The Umpire's Call blog.

The infield fly rule is often misunderstood and taking a short moment to review may provide a small future dividend.

In both NCAA (college) and FED (High School) rules the infield fly rule is in effect when before two are out and when 1st and 2nd base, or all bases are occupied. An infield fly ball is a fair fly ball that is not a line drive or bunt, that can be caught with ordinary effort by an infielder. The rule does not preclude an outfielder from catching a batted ball that has been ruled an infield fly. Either umpire or both shall declare,

"Infield fly, if fair."

The batter runner is out and base runners may advance at their own risk. If the fly ball is caught, base runners must tag up, it the fly ball drops to the ground, base runners may advance at their own risk.

In either situation, the batter runner is out.

Umpires need to make sure the infield fly ball is not announced too early as what may have started as an infield fly, many end up as a fly ball to the outfield. Once the infield fly rule is declared, it is in effect and cannot be reversed.

Both NCAA and FED rules are the same, but are worded differently. The NCAA rules call it catcher's interference, the Fed rules call it catcher's obstruction. Either way the catcher has interfered/obstructed with or prevented the batter from striking at a pitched ball.

If a play follows the interference/obstruction, the offensive team may elect to ignore the interference/obstruction and accept the play. If the batter reaches first base safely and all other runners advance at least one base safely, the interference/obstruction is ignored.

Any base runner attempting to advance i.e., steal or squeeze shall be awarded the base he is attempting.

If a base runner is not attempting to advance, the individual is not entitled to the next base unless forced to advance because of the batter being awarded first base.

Prior to the start of any game at any level ground rules should be determined and discussed.

The best place to discuss is at the coaches/managers meeting at home plate prior to the game. Let the home team coach explain the ground rules, if the game is at a neutral site or at an organization's complex, the home plate umpire should chair the discussion. That does not mean he/she sets the ground rules, each manager/coach should have input with the home plate umpire having the final word.

Dead ball areas should be kept to a minimum, which allows umpires to make less rulings and to keep the game moving.

When a ball, batted or thrown, goes into a dead ball area, the umpire should signal "Time" and make his/her ruling. On thrown balls going out of play, the umpires must know where the runners were at the time of the throw so bases can be awarded properly. Two bases are awarded to base runners from where they were at the time of the throw. If a pitch goes out of play, base runners are awarded one base.

On batted balls going out of play umpires will award four bases for a home run, and usually two bases for a fair batted ball, that has touched the ground and goes out of play. Some ball yards may have special rules that allow a three base award. Make sure umpires and coaches are aware of any special ground rules - take care of it in the pre-game meeting.

Camps, clinics, newsletters, and umpire associations are welcome to post their news in The Umpire's Call.

The following have been submitted for 2006, some are returnees and a few new ones as well.

Dave Mekelburg produces UmpNews.com a huge collection of information and articles 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

Midwest Umpires Association will include The Umpire's Call as a link on their website.

Umpires that wish to buy, sell, or donate equipment (to new umpires) are welcome to send information. Please include item, size, color, condition, price, and your contact information and I will be happy to list. This is for private individuals only and NO DEALERS PLEASE! (unless you wish to donate)

17" MLU Leg Guard by West Vest. Coolmax® lining to wick away perspiration, gray, expanded ankle plates for maximum protection, form fitting instep attachments. never used, $69.00 + 12.00 shipping, credit cards accepted. Contact Scott Ott

Wilson 3019 BLA-MLU Single bar mask, made of light weight tubing black mask and black absorbent synthetic padding, harness included, never used, still in plastic, $45.00 + $8.00 shipping, credit cards accepted. Contact Scott Ott

Wilson West Vest 3009X Dynalite hollow wire mask, navy with navy/doeskin padding, harness included, never used – still in plastic, $55.00 + $8.00 shipping, credit cards accepted. Contact Scott Ott

Diamond DLG-UXS Posi-Fit Size 18 Double knee leg guards, four strap design, medium weight, never used, $35.00 + $10.00 shipping, credit cards accepted. Contact Scott Ott

Minor league umpire Andy Russell, 608-780-7888 has for sale a Wilson Professional Gold chest protector model # A3210, black with the yellow Wilson logo on the chest and MLB logo under the Wilson logo. It has never been worn. Retail price is around $250.00, selling price $125.00 firm, shipping included.

Woody Miller is looking to purchase a "Plus POS Ultra Lightweight Umpires Mask"

2006 FED Baseball Rules Test Part 1 answers and rule references.

1. False 1-3-6 2. False 1-3-6 3. True 1-3-6, 6-2-1f 4. False 1-3-6 5. False 1-5-12 6. False 3-3-1d 7. False 3-3-1d penalty 8. True 1-5-12 9. False 10-2-2 10. False 10-1-2

11. True 10-3-1 12. True 10-2-3m 13. True 5-1-1g-4 14. True 5-1-1h 15. False 5-1-2f 16. True 5-1-1k 17. True 3-2-1, 3-3-1 penalty 18. True 3-2-3 19. False 3-2-1 20. False 3-2-1

21. False 8-2-4 22. True 8-2-3 23. False 8-2-5 24. True 8-2-8 25. True 7-3-6 26. False 7-3-5 penalty 27. False 7-3-5d 28. False 7-3-5 penalty 29. False 2-5-1a, 1-2-6 30. False 2-5-1e

31. True 2-16-1e 32. False 2-5-1g, 1-2-6, 8-3-3a 33. True 4-2-4 34. True 4-2-1 35. True 4-2-2 Note 2 36. False 4-4-1f 37. False 1-3-2 38. True 1-3-2 note 39. True 1-3-4 40. True 1-3-5

41. False 8-3-3c 42. True 8-3-3d 43. True 8-3-3f 44. True 8-3-3d 45. False 7-2-1f 46. True 8-4-1c 47. True 8-4-1d, note 48. True 8-4-1h, 8-4-2b penalty 49. True 2-42-1 50. True 1-2-1

51. True 1-2-6 52. True 1-2-4 53. False 2-10-2 54. True 2-10-2, 4-1-3a 55. True 2-10-2 56. False 2-10-2 57. True 1-5-1 58. False 1-5-4 59. True 1-5-5 60. False 1-5-5

61. False 8-4-2c, note 62. True 8-4-2e, note 63. False 8-4-2k exception 64. True 8-4-2r 65. True 6-1-4, 6-2-4a 66. False 6-2-1h penalty 67. False 6-1-1 68. True 6-1-2 69. True 3-1-1 70. True 3-1-2 note: 6-2-2 exception

71. False 3-1-3 72. False 3-1-1, 2-36-2 73. False 3-1-2 74. True 3-4-2 75. False 3-4-3 76. False 3-4-1 77. False 2-22-1 78. False 2-22-1, 5-1-2b 79. True 2-22-1, 8-3-2 80. True 2-22-2, 3-3-1b penalty, 8-3-2

81. True 3-3-1a 82. True 3-3-1a 83. True 3-3-1a 84. True 2-10-2 85. True 3-3-3 penalty 86. False 3-3-1p penalty 87. False 3-3-1l penalty 88. True 3-3-1b penalty 89. True 8-3-3f 90. True 8-3-3f

91. False 8-3-3f 92. False 8-3-3f 93. True 7-2-1b 94. False 7-2-2 95. True 2-35-1 96. True 2-35-1 note 97. True 2-32-1 98. True 2-32-2f exception 99. False 2-32-1 100. True 2-32-2c

2006 FED Baseball Rules Test Part 2 answers and rule references.

1. False 2-9-1 2. True 2-9-1 3. False 2-9-1 4. True 2-9-1, 5-1-1i 5. True 4-1-3, 3-1-1, 2-10-2 6. True 3-1-2 Note, 6-2-2 Exception 7. False 3-1-1, 2-36-2 8. True 2-36-3b, 3-1-1 9. False 8-3-2 10. False 2-22-1, 5-1-2b, 8-3-2

11. False 8-3-2 12. False 2-22-1 13. True 1-2-11 14. True 1-2-1, Diagram 2 15. False Diagram 2 16. False 1-2-8 17. True 2-10-2 18. False 2-10-2, 4-1-3 19. True 2-10-2 20. True 2-10-2

21. False 3-3-1n Penalty, 8-4-2e 22. False 3-3-1n Penalty, 8-4-2e Note 23. True 3-3-1n Penalty 24. False 3-3-1n Penalty 25. False 5-1-2b 26. True 8-1-1e 27. True 8-1-1e Note 28. True 8-1-1e 29. False 3-1-4 30. False 3-1-4

31. True 3-1-4a 32. True 3-1-4b 33. True 1-3-7 Penalty 34. True 8-3-2 35. False 8-3-3f 36. True 8-3-3e 37. False 3-4-1 38. False 3-4-3 39. False 3-4-1 40. False 3-4-3, 4 Notes

41. True 7-4-1f 42. True 7-4-1a 43. False 7-3-5 Penalty 44. OMIT 45. True 1-5-1 46. False 1-5-5 47. False 1-5-4 48. True 1-5-1 Exception 49. False 1-3-6 50. True 1-3-6, 6-2-1f, h Penalty

51. False 1-5-7 52. True 1-3-6 53. True 5-1-1g, 4 54. False 5-1-2g 55. False 5-1-1h 56. False 5-1-2e 57. True 2-5-1a 58. False 2-16-1e 59. True 2-5-1g, 1-2-6, 8-3-3a 60. True 2-5-1f

61. True 3-2-1, 3-3-1 Penalty 62. True 3-2-1 63. True 1-5-10, 4-1-3a 64. False 3-3-11 65. True 3-2-3 66. False 2-4-3, 5-1-3 67. False 3-2-3 Penalty 68. True 5-1-2d69. True 9-1-1c 70. True 9-1-1b

71. True 9-1-1a 72. False 9-1-1b, c 73. True 2-10-2, 4-1-3a 74. True 3-3-1g Penalty 75. False 3-3-1g5 76. True 3-3-1g1 77. True 4-2-4 78. True 4-1-1 79. False 4-4-1f 80. False 4-2-2 Note 1

81. False 10-1-2 82. False 1-5-10, 4-2-2 83. False 10-2-3m 84. False 10-1-1 85. True 2-28-3 86. False 1-1-4 87. False 2-28-3 88. True 2-28-3 89. True 2-3-1 90. True 6-2-4b

91. False 6-2-1g Penalty 92. False 6-1-1 93. False 8-2 Penalty 94. False 8-2-6f 95. True 8-2-6c 96. True 8-2 Penalty 97. False 8-4-2a Exception 98. False 8-4-k 99. False 7-3-5d Penalty, 8-4-21 100. False 8-4-2h Exception

Through my golf and travel business, USJT Golf Travel, I am very fortunate to be in touch with many opportunities both domestic and international. Below are a few ideas and opportunities that can become available based upon interest.

Umpires that golf and golfers that umpire! Three golf experiences for baseball umpires, their family, friends, and colleagues. Of course non-golfers are welcome! Target dates August/September 2006, and spring 2007

1. Golf and MLB, top-quality golf courses in or near Major League cities. Golf during the day and baseball at night - does it get any better? 5-7 days, programs - call for details.

2. Golf Scotland, a fully escorted experience to the "Birthplace of Golf", St. Andrews, Scotland. Play Carnoustie - host of the 2007 British Open, St. Andrews Links Courses - New, Eden, and Jubilee, outlying courses Ladybank, Scotscraig, and Crail. Ballot for the Old Course!

For the true golfer - travel to the country that lives the history of golf. Call me to plan the trip of a lifetime!

3. Golf and MLB Spring Training 2007, top - quality golf courses combined with spring training games. Programs available in Florida and Arizona, please call for details.

Use these trips as an end of the year reward for your crew, association, or just yourself.

Wish to go at a different time of year? Contact me to custom plan a golf/baseball trip to any destination in the U.S. or golf to Scotland and Ireland!

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, has just completed its 6th 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.

2006 Schedule
April 29 - Farmington, MN
May 21 - La Crosse, WI, 430-730, Boys and Girls Club, 1331 Clinton St.
June 3 - Richland Center, WI

YBUC is still accepting bookings for 2006 season

Basic Umpiring 90' Diamond Mechanics and Basic Umpiring 60' Diamond Mechanics are outstanding educational resources for umpire associations and youth leagues. They are sold separately for $29.95 plus shipping and are available on VHS or DVD. Please contact YBUC office to purchase. Credit cards accepted.

Thanks for reading our April 2006 issue - Keep the comments coming!

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

Continued best wishes to all on a great 2006 season

Click here for all 2004, 2005, and 2006 issues of The Umpire's Call

My best regards,

Scott

email: ott@usjuniortours.com

phone: 608-793-1956

web: http://www.usjuniortours.com