Welcome to Issue #3 of The Umpire's Call, a monthly (January - May) newsletter for amateur baseball umpires and those interested in becoming baseball umpires. Response to Issue#2 was again overwhelming; please keep the feedback coming!

For some our 1st game is less than 3 weeks away, which may require cramming - reviewing old and new rules-and locating and preparing equipment. Starting now will prevent frustration later.

I hope this doesn't last more than 45 minutes.
Please don't show another boring video.
I already know all this stuff!
If I tell her the meeting lasted 2 hours, I'll be able to stop with the guys.
Why can't this meeting be closer to home? I drove an hour for this?
Where did they get this guy to lead the meetings?

All of us have uttered one or more of the above phases, maybe not aloud, but we've done it. It's the time of year for baseball rules and interpretation meetings. Whether your state high school association, college conference or local association requires them - you need to be there.

Many umpires dread these meetings and focus on the negative. Let's look at some steps to turn this into the positive experience it should be.

1. Attend with your partner or colleagues; make this the first pre-game conference of the year. Time spent now may save an argument or huge mistake later in the season. Also, bring along your schedule; you may be able to add a game or two.

2. Show up looking and feeling like a professional - the racing hat turned backward, the 3-day scruff on your face and the dirty blue jeans complimented by the tavern sponsored slo-pitch softball team jacket are not doing much to project the way you wish to be treated on or off the field.

3. Act friendly, smile, and look people in the eye. Greet your umpire friends and colleagues. If coaches are included in the meeting say hello to them as well, even the ones that may not be on your Christmas card list. Introduce yourself to people you don't know - they may be your partner later in the season.

4. Be prepared, just as you do on the field, to pause, read, and react. Give the interpreter the opportunity to present the material, the reasoning, and method of enforcement. Realize it is difficult to speak to a group that thinks they know it all. Take time to ingest and think abut the changes and procedures before you begin to convince yourself that you are going to do it the old way anyway!

5. Take notes for future reference; be detailed in items that seem uncomfortable. It is better to ask and discuss now than be unsure and embarrassed during a game. Ask if there is a group of umpires gathering to complete the test(s).

When you get home start a file for the handouts, put your rule and casebook where you can easily find them, locate your test(s), and know the due date(s). Your organization and attitude now will carry over and pay dividends later in the season.

Rules Meetings Dates and Sites:
Wisconsin: www.wiaawi.org/rules/springrul.html
Minnesota: www.mshsl.org/mshsl/officialsjudges.asp
Iowa: www.iahsaa.org/03-04rls.html#BASEBALL
Illinois: www.ihsa.org/official/rulesba.htm

	The Base Umpire - 2 Umpire Mechanics
Working the bases is most umpires' choice when given the option. As umpires get older and smarter they realize that working plate is actually a bit easier on the legs, especially for those of us who do not run as well as we once did. The following are generally recommended positions for the base umpire in a 2-umpire system. Positioning may vary according to situation and handedness of the batter. Position A 10-12 feet behind the 1st baseman in foul territory Body squared to home plate Adjust depth to 1st baseman's position Position B Midway between back edge of the grass of the pitcher's mound and the 2nd base cutout on the 1st base side of the infield Body squared to home plate in "Ready Position", hands on knees as pitcher comes to the set position Position C Midway between back edge of the grass of the pitcher's mound and the 2nd base cutout on the 3rd base side of the infield Body squared to home plate in "Ready Position", hands on knees as pitcher comes to the set position Situation No runners on base = Position A Runner at 1st base = Position B Runner at 2nd base = Position C Runner at 3rd base = Position C - some mechanics manuals prefer B position so base umpire is closer to 1st base Runners at 1st base and 2nd base = Position C, with less than 2 outs some manuals prefer B position so base umpire is closer to 1st base for a double play Runners at 1st base and 3rd base = Position B Runners at 2nd base and 3rd base = Position B Bases loaded = Position B When in doubt, common sense needs to prevail. Be aware of where the next play may be, avoid anticipation, and stay safe. Being in position C with a right handed power hitter using a non-wood bat may motivate one to move to position B.

	To the BAT poles
Inspecting bats is an important part of umpires' pre- game responsibilities. In games using National Federation (high school) Rules all non-wood bats must meet the Ball Exit Speed Ratio (BESR) performance standard and shall be so labeled with a permanent mark. Bats, both wood and non- wood, that are broken, cracked, dented or deface the surface of the ball shall be removed without penalty. In games using NCAA (college) Rules wood bats must be a smooth rounded stick and non-wood bats must be round with a constant radius. Umpires need to be very aware of flat spots in the contact area of non-wood bats. This flat spot is caused by use and turns the bat into a highly dangerous tool. Make sure the barrel is round and if you feel a flat spot, the bat must be removed. You will not be popular, but you have followed the rules and may prevent a severe injury.

	2004 Spring Training for Amateur Baseball Umpires
La Crosse, WI area umpire training What: 2004 Spring Training for Amateur Baseball Umpires When: Wednesday March 17, 2004 Time: 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM, Cost: $10.00 Where: UW La Crosse - Mitchell Hall Fieldhouse This session will be a hands on, activity-based format for umpires of all levels and especially targeting new and younger umpires. Please come dressed in uniform and bring equipment. Instructors: Ben Kapanke, 2002 Jim Evans' Academy graduate, 2002 Northwoods League Staff NCAA Div.2, NCAA Div.3, NAIA, WI, MN High School Umpire Andy Russell, 2003 Jim Evans' Academy graduate, NCAA Div.2, NCAA Div.3, NAIA, WI, MN High School Umpire Scott Ott, 1976 Al Somers Umpire School Graduate, NCAA Div.2, NCAA Div.3, NAIA, WI, MN High School Umpire - instructor at clinics in The United States, Canada, The Netherlands, France, and Germany. Pre-registration and pre-payment are highly recommended and greatly appreciated. Please click on the link below to register. Appleton, WI area umpire training: Fox Valley Technical College, Appleton, WI, March 26 (6pm-9pm) and 27 (8:30am-4:00pm). Saturday is scheduled to be outdoors weather permitting. Contact Cynthia Whitely at Fox Valley Technical College 920-735-5642 or whitely@foxvalleytech.com. Plymouth, WI area umpire training: When: Saturday, April 17, 2004 Time: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM, Cost: $10.00 Where: Plymouth High School Contact: Rex Beebe, 920-893-0249, rbeebe@wi.rr.com La Crosse, Appleton, and Plymouth training sessions have been approved by the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association. Umpires who successfully complete either course and are WIAA registered baseball umpires will be given credit for 1 varsity contest if he/she is a L4, L5, or Master official, or will be allowed to advance one level in classification if he/she is a L1, L2, or L3 official. This applies to baseball only. Advancement or game credit will be applied to 2004-2005 renewal. Attendance at either clinic does not exempt umpires from attending required WIAA sport/rule meetings.

	Help! The Catcher Is Making My Life Miserable
There are two ways the catcher may be making your job tougher than it should be. 1. The catcher does not have the skills to be back there 2. The catcher is complaining more than you think necessary In the first case there's not much that can be done. Encouragement and fortitude will be your best allies. In the second situation, what is done before the game may prevent much of your misery. Here are some tips: A. Get to know each catcher prior to the beginning of each half of the 1st inning. Introduce yourself and ask the catcher his first name. Call him by his first name and ask him to call you the same. B. As you take some warm-up pitches with the catcher ask him for his help in getting foul balls back in the game promptly, especially if you want him to throw in the new ball. D. Remind the catcher of the five warm-up pitches allowed between innings. E. Tell him if he is not dressed and ready to come out for the new half inning to send out a warm-up catcher to keep the game moving. F. Assure him that if you both hustle and work together all will go well.

	Situations From the Audience
Jason Bittner, an umpire from Madison, WI, submits this for your review and input. You may reach him at bittner@engr.wisc.edu. Please copy me into to any answers or advice you may have for him and I will post it next month. I really don't know the best way to handle the unfortunate situation of opposite calls. The place where this happened to me was, as UIC, covering a play at third with 2 outs, runner on first. After a base hit, I called to my partner that I had the play (lead runner into third), but he either didn't hear or ignored it. I saw it safe; he called it out. I'm sure my angle was better, but after a brief discussion, the (older, more seasoned) base umpire "convinced" me he had it right (it didn't really matter in the outcome of the game, but I hate that argument for "justifying" a call). Other issues that could arrise: 1. What if R1 proceeds home during the discussion as time was never called? What if defensive coach comes out to argue, while the 2 umps are talking, while R1 is headed home? 2. What if R1 leaves base (R1 thinks he's already out by the verbal announcement), is tagged by F5, steps back on the base, and then subsequently the umpires say he beat the throw? 3. What if Batter-Runner rounds first, hears the base umpire declare out at third, and then leaves the basepath to return to his dugout? Is he automatically called out for leaving the basepath? What if instead Batter Runner removes his helmet for the batboy to take back after overrunning first?

	Will You Help?
Thanks for reading the issue#3 of The Umpire's Call. In return there are again a few things you can do to help: 1. Click on my email address below and provide feedback. Include any questions, concerns, criticisms or announcements. 2. Share this newsletter with others by clicking "Forward Email" at the bottom of the page. 3. Spread the word and attend one of the above mentioned umpire training sessions. Have you found that new umpire recruit? Thanks for your help and my best regards, Scott

Quick Links...

January 2004 The Umpire's Call February 2004 The Umpire's Call NCAA Baseball Umpiring webpage

Register for 2004 Spring Training for Amateur Baseball Umpires Collegiate Baseball Umpires Alliance website