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Details: Parent Category: Umpires

Fall Umpires and also NW Umpires,

Below are some ideas about some real basic mechanics ideas. More to come later. Most of this stuff is in the PBUC red Manual for the 2-Umpire System.

Reminder about the August 19 Fall Baseball Orientation Meeting at 6 pm at The International School of Minnesota in Eden Prairie. We will start promptly at 6 pm and finish close to 8:30 pm.

I have not yet received confirmation from some of you. I hate to be a pest but I am one. Let me know if you are going to be at the meeting or not. For applying umpires it should be of the highest priority for you unless your vacation or job takes you away at that time.

Peace, LG

Mechanics Questions for Fall Baseball Umpires and Evaluators.

Remember, an umpire should have a good reason for any action he takes on a baseball field. Read the red PBUC Manual for the 2-umpire system. There are good reasons listed for anything that is recommended you do here.

1. As a plate umpire, why do you follow the BR up the 1^st baseline when no one is on base? To observe the BR’s position in or out of the running lane, help your partner with a swipe tag or pulled foot and in case of an overthrow to go toward DBT to observe if the ball remains live or becomes dead.

2. How do you follow the BR up the first baseline? By getting on the line and straddling it as soon as you come to a stop.

3. What are some of the things you do as the BR hits a ground ball to the infield with no one on base?

a. P-R-R, Clear the catcher;

b. Remove your mask;

c. Work your way up the 1^st baseline on the dirt straddling the foul line;

d. Observe the release of the throw by the infielder;

e. Come to a standing set straddling the foul line;

f. Observe the play at 1^st base by no longer watching the throw once it is released but observe the play and be ready to help your partner in case of a pulled foot, swipe tag or over throw. You are also responsible for the BR being in the 45-foot running lane and it would be your call if there is interference at 1^st base by him.

4. What are the 3 possible decisions the base umpire has to make once the ball is hit?

a. Decide if it is a routine fly ball or not. If it is routine, he will come in and pivot. If it is trouble, he should move to develop the best possible angle for a catch or no-catch.

b. Decide if it is hit to the left side or right side of the infield. If it is hit to the left side of the infield, he will try to get a 90^oangle for the play at first and also getting about 15-20 feet from his play at 1^st base. If it is a ball hit to the right side of the infield he must determine if it is a pressure ball or not. If there is no pressure from the 2^nd or 1^st baseman, he should get the largest angle possible by going to about 1-2 steps in fair territory again with about 15-20 feet from 1^st base. If the base umpire reads pressure, he should take the play in foul territory on an angle that he can see the release of the throw and also be able to see if the fielder covering 1^st base has his foot touching it or not. Never get so the base is completely between you and the fielder that is covering 1^st base. The base will block your view and you will also have a blur going by you that you will not be able to determine the safe or out call. Don Denkinger play of 1985 in game 6 of the World Series.

c. And of course, you also need to get set for your play if you read a “true” throw and get the call correct. To get the call correct, you need to have good timing. Good timing will be there if you allow the entire play to occur, mentally digest the information you receive and then physically make the call. If it is a poor throw, i.e., the throw is off line, too high, in the dirt, etc. you will need to adjust based on where the throw goes. If it takes the 1^st baseman toward home plate and he is definitely off the base and there is a chance for a tag play instead of the force play, you should adjust by taking a step, look and a lean toward the 1^st base foul line. If it takes him toward the outfield, your direction of step should be toward the mound and you will be looking for the pulled foot this time and probably no tag attempt.

d. Good timing comes from proper use of eyes. This means that once you know the ball beat the runner and the fielder is on the base, you now need to get information that the ball is securely held by the fielder by shifting your eyes to the fielder’s glove or mitt. If he has it securely, now is the time to decide that you have an out or not. If the runner has already arrived before the ball, then you don’t need to wait that long to make your decision. Remember this statement – You will be able to call a safe earlier than an out on force plays.

Details: Parent Category: Umpires

ITEMS OF NOTE FOR FALL BASEBALL:

1. Check arbitersports.com for who your partners are for the game or games you are scheduled for during the fall. By double-clicking the game # to the left of your game, you and your partners will show up. By clicking your partners name you will be able to see their address, phone #’s and e-mail address.

2. Contact your partner at least 1 or more days ahead of time. Arbitersports.com will notify you about the game about 3 days before the scheduled game or games.

A. Decide on the color of shirt, which of you is doing the plate for the first game if you have more than one game or the plate if you have only one game.

B. Uniform for fall baseball means that everyone has a black or navy blue cap. NW Umpires may wear their NW cap. Those that are applying should wear their own black or navy blue blank cap even if you are working with a NW Umpire that has an NW cap.

1. The standard shirt for NW Umpires is the navy polo shirt with red, white and blue trim for collars and sleeves. However, you may wear any color as long as the two shirts match.

2. The pants should be either heather gray or the charcoal gray pants. Remember all uniforms need to be clean.

3. Black belt, black socks, plate shoes, indicator for the plate umpire. I recommend the base umpire not use an indicator. I also suggest a pen or pencil (not for lineup cards but for anything you might have a question about during the game so you don’t forget it) and a plate brush.

4. Plate Umpire – besides plate shoes, shin guards, chest protector and mask (conventional umpire mask or hockey goal style shell).

C. Make sure you know each other cell phone #’s in case of problems. Determine where you will be meeting for the game and what time to meet for the 1^st game.

D. Richfield has parking on the street and in a parking lot near a large garage on the west side of the railroad tracks. Alimagnet #1 and #2 have the same parking lot. It is quite large and I suggest you park at the end furthest from the fields as that keeps you away from the teams and any spectators. Siebert has very little parking. Sometimes they allow the umpires to park inside a fenced in area along the 3^rd base line where they keep some of their field maintenance equipment. I suggest that is where you park if you are not the first ones there that day. When I evaluate at Siebert, I usually park my car in that area. We are only at Siebert on Saturday’s 3 times out of the 6 dates. We are at Siebert every Sunday for 2 different doubleheaders. If you need any help make sure you contact me for directions and I can help you especially on the date of the games if you are coming in after we start the day because it will be crowded. I do not suggest that you park along the street because then it is too difficult for the two or three of you to communicate with one another.

3. The evaluator is always the 3^rd umpire listed for the game. The evaluator is not to call the umpires. The umpires should contact each other first and then one of the umpires or both should contact the evaluator to verify the date, site and time of the game or games.

4. Evaluator please let each umpire know what you are expecting of them and how you will do your evaluation.

5. I previously sent out the evaluation form along with some criteria for both the plate and bases. I will send it out again sometime next week so you can see it once again.

6. Evaluators should spend at least 2 or 3 innings observing the game from the press-box or bleachers prior to coming down to the field and usually spending time in the 1^st base dugout so it will be convenient to move to the 1^st base line to cover some area that you think needs to be covered and that the umpires can absorb in a short time between ½ innings. This can be a time of correction and/or praise for the umpires performing at an acceptable or above average level.

7. Once the game is completed, share a few items with the umpires while they change for their 2^nd game if they have one. If they do not have a 2^nd game, then all 3 of you should expect to spend at least 20-30 minutes in a post-game discussion.

8. The post-game discussion should start out with how the umpires believe they performed (individually and as a team). After that discussion, the evaluator needs to point out some of the things they need to cover such as basic ideas such as strike zone, positioning for plays on the bases, voice, rotations, etc.

9. Evaluators, please write up your report and send via e-mail to me at my e-mail address as an attachment. To do this, make a copy from the original evaluation document for each umpire that you are going to be doing during the course of the fall baseball season. You should be able to type your document and then save it again before you send it to my e-mail address of This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. I will then send it to the umpire with your comments. I will not include your recommendation for acceptance into NW Umpires at this time because that will not take place until after the fall season is over and we have a discussion about the needs of NW Umpires and how the tryout went for each applying umpire.

10. We will be covering some other topics in the next few days but I felt it timely to cover some of these topics before our orientation meeting on Wednesday, August 19, 2009 at 6:00 pm at The International School of Minnesota in Eden Prairie.

Details: Parent Category: Umpires

Hi NW Umpires and Applicants,

Below is the August 19, 2009 Northwest Umpire Fall Orientation Meeting notice.

Please read it and note it on your calendar.

This is my last e-mail for at least 5 days since I will be traveling tomorrow to Tucson, AZ for 5 days for the NASO Convention.

Peace,

Larry Gallagher

NW UMPIRES FALL BASEBALL UMPIRE

ORIENTATION MEETING NOTICE

WELCOME ONCE AGAIN TO FALL BASEBALL AS AN UMPIRE FOR NORTHWEST UMPIRES. WE EXPECT THAT YOU WILL GAIN A GREAT DEAL FROM YOUR ASSOCIATION WITH US.

OUR ORIENTATION MEETING WILL BE ON AUGUST 19, 2008 AT 6:00 PM AT THE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF MINNESOTA. THE ADDRESS IS 6385 BEACH ROAD, EDEN PRAIRIE 55344. IT IS ON THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF 494 AND HIGHWAY 62.

THOSE OF YOU THAT ARE UMPIRING IN THE FALL LEAGUE AT SIEBERT AND ALIMAGNET SHOULD TRY TO BE IN ATTENDANCE. PLEASE E-MAIL OR CALL LARRY GALLAGHER TO YOUR INTENTIONS. I NEED TO HEAR FROM ALL OF YOU THAT ARE UMPIRING.

Only those that have never been evaluated in fall baseball should be at the meeting. All of you are welcome to come but those that have been evaluated are not required to be there. I have already heard from some of you that cannot attend and I understand your situation. The rest of you need to let me know if you are able to make it or not. I need a count on how many umpire manuals I need to have at the meeting. Remember, they are $10 per copy.

EVALUATORS ARE WELCOME TOO AND PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU CAN MAKE IT OR NOT ALSO VIA E-MAIL OR A PHONE CALL.THE PURPOSE OF THE MEETING IS TO SET SOME GUIDELINES FOR THE FALL, OBJECTIVES AND ALSO TO GO THROUGH SOME OF THE MECHANICS THAT WE WANT ALL OF OUR UMPIRES TO USE AND TO HELP WITH IMPROVING EVERY UMPIRE WE COME INTO CONTACT. I WILL BE HANDING OUT THE PBUC MANUAL FOR THE 2-UMPIRE SYSTEM AT THIS MEETING. THE DVD I WILL USE FOLLOWS THIS MANUAL PRECISELY

HAVE FUN EVERY TIME YOU UMPIRE AND TRY TO GET BETTER EACH TIME YOU ARE ON THE FIELD WITH THIS WONDERFUL GAME OF BASEBALL.

LARRY GALLAGHER AND NW UMPIRES

Details: Parent Category: Umpires

NW Umpires and applicants,

I made a mistake on the previous e-mail about the date for our August Fall Baseball Orientation Meeting.

I have tried to e-mail all those that noticed my mistake. I hope I succeeded but in case I did not, the Fall Baseball Orientation Meeting is on

August 19th at 6 pm at the International School of Minnesota.

The address is on our website but here it is again:

International School of MN (The)

6385 Beach Road
Eden Prairie, MN 55344-5234

If you go to www.mshsl.org you will pull down the name of the school and they have a map to show you the location.

You may also contact me and I can talk you through how to get there.

Remember, let me know if you are coming or not. Only those of you that have never been to our orientation in the past are required to be at our meeting. We will be handing out the red PBUC Manual for the 2-Umpire System for the cost of $10.00 for those that have never purchased one.

I will be sending out an agenda in the near future so you know what to expect at the meeting. All members are welcome to attend but only the applicants and brand new umpires are expected to be at the meeting.

I just returned from the NASO Convention in Tucson, AZ and it was a great time and wonderful opportunity to rub elbows with top notch officials in our profession. Some are at the high school level, NCAA level and other in professional sports. We learned a tremendous amount of information that should help us plan for next year's convention in Minneapolis.

Many of our membership are expected to be volunteers in conducting this convention and we also hope to encourage many of our members to attend the convention as participants.

There are 2 parts to the convention: Part one = for all registered officials in Minnesota. Part two = for all those in leadership positions in our officials association.

More on this in the future and it will more than likely come from the MSHSL, our NWAU, Ltd. Board of Directors and of course, me.

Peace,

LG

some additional information........

Hi guys,

Below is the Orientation Outline for the August 19 Meeting for Fall Baseball.

Again, this is for all members but it is especially important for those of you participating in fall baseball. No one is required to attend but it is especially important to those that are first year members and those that are applying for membership.

If you have not contacted me about your attendance yet, please do so as soon as possible. I have heard from many of you but I still need to hear from a few of you in regards to if you can attend or not.

For those that cannot attend, I will send them a detailed description of what they missed. Basically we will cover some of the items that we expect each umpire to be aware of as they umpire and that they are attempting to be in the proper position and getting set on time and using good timing and judgment on calling their pitches and plays.

Peace,

Larry Gallagher

FALL BASEBALL ORIENTATION

August 19, 2009

The International School of Minnesota

6385 Beach Road
Eden Prairie, MN 55344-5234

OUTLINE OF ACTIVITIES

1. Greeting and Sign-in.

2. Distribution and Purchase of the Red PBUC Manual for the 2-Umpire System.

3. Answering of questions from the umpires to our staff.

4. Review of the evaluation form and what it entails.

5. Positioning on the bases – A, B & C and why we expect umpires to be in these starting positions. Demonstration and Practice Session.

6. Angle/Distance demonstration and discussion with a brief practice session.

7. Pickoffs and Steals – Demonstration with a brief practice session.

8. Pivoting – Demonstration and a brief practice session.

9. Step up, Turn and Face the ball. Pause, Read and React. Double Play footwork.

10. Plate Demonstration and calling balls and strikes.

11. Wrap-up & Miscellaneous.

For a map to The International School of Minnesota you might go to www.mshsl.org for the activity page for the Minnesota State High School League and use the pull down menu for the schools and push the I key to pull up the schools that begin with I and then scroll down to (The) International School of Minnesota and select it. From there you will be able to click on the map to the school for directions and the map.

More information will follow soon in the next few days about fall baseball. Stay Tuned.

Remember, that the first games begin on August 22 and the last games are scheduled for October 4. All game assignments have been made at this time and all have been accepted except 3 as of this date.

We hope to see as many of the umpires as we can at our orientation meeting on August 19, 2009 at 6 pm. We promise that we will be finished by 8:30 pm at the latest. Remember to wear activity clothing for our meeting as you will be doing some physical activity. It is not just a discussion but an active learning session.

Larry Gallagher