Softball Mechanic Tutorial

•The following tutorial is for Softball Two Umpire mechanics •The following situations are meant to serve as a guide based on the field mechanic class •All situations assume a normal fielder setup •All situations assume no interference or obstruction •All situations have no umpire going out a fly ball

Plate Umpire Catch – No Catch Foul-Fair Strike - Ball

Responsibilities

Obstruction - Interference Base Umpire Look Back Leaving Early Tag Up Missed Base Obstruction - Interference

Softball Batters Box If lines are gone, you decide where the box is

NEVER draw lines

NEVER draw lines

8’ 5” 3’ 4’ 3’ Batter's Box 3 feet x 7 feet 10’ Catcher’s Box 10 feet x 8 feet 5 inches

Strike Zone ASA Rules Definitions 1.0

STRIKE ZONE

batting stance adjacent to home plate, the strike zone is the area over home plate between batter’s A

STRIKE

is any pitch that either enters the

strike

by the batter and missed.

Width of home plate is 17”. Diameter of the ball is approximately 4”. The effective width of the strike zone is 25”

25 inches

Bounding Ball Coverage w/ no runners FAIR BALL B Base Umpire makes this call Plate Umpire makes call P Plate Umpire needs to get on foul line as soon as possible Plate Umpire has call before the base Plate Umpire will straddle foul

Fly Ball Coverage

Plate Umpire • Move perpendicular to ball • Watch for obstruction • Help with touch calls Base Umpire • Button-hook inside • Watch for tag up • Watch runners touch

Fly Ball Coverage with no runners 1 st

Plate Umpire has all catch/no-catch calls Plate Umpire moves perpendicular to the ball Base Umpire watches for tag at 1 st

B 10-12 feet behind 1 st base in foul territory P P

Fly Ball Coverage w/ runners Button hook in and watch for tag-up at 1 st and be ready to make call at 2 nd 2 nd B 10-12 feet of left shoulder of 2 nd baseman Plate Umpire has all catch/no-catch calls R Base Umpire has tag up calls Base Umpire has touch calls Go up 3 rd base line if to LF Go up 1 st base line if to RF

Mechanics

Plate Umpire • Watch for obstruction • Help with touch/tag up • Be ready to make call on bases Base Umpire • Ball is outside – you go inside • Ball is inside – you stay outside • Move toward play

Starting Base Umpire Positions based on Runner No Runners 3 rd SS 2 nd 1 st B Start in foul territory 12-18 feet behind 1 st base BR P

3 rd Starting Base Umpire Positions based on Runner Runner on 1 st Start 10-12 feet behind and off the left shoulder of the 2 nd baseman SS 2 nd B 1 st R BR P

Starting Base Umpire Positions based on Runner Start 10-12 feet behind and off the left shoulder of the shortstop Runner on 2 nd Runner on 1 st and 2 nd B SS R 2 nd 3 rd 1 st R BR P

Starting Base Umpire Positions based on Runner Start 10-12 feet behind and off the right shoulder of the shortstop Runner on 3 rd Runner on 1 st and 3 rd Bases Loaded R B 2 nd SS R 3 rd 1 st R BR P

Summary of Mechanics

No runner Start in foul territory about 10 12’ behind 1 st base Runner on 1 st Start 10 12’ behind and off the left shoulder of the 2 nd baseman Runner on 2 nd Start 10 12’ behind and off the left shoulder of the shortstop Any time a runner is on 3rd Start 10 12’ behind and off the right shoulder of the shortstop

No Runner Ground ball to Outfield R B Take runner to 2 nd if she continues Take runner to 3 rd if she continues Buttonhook inside to see BR touch 1 st B B R B Start in foul territory 12-18 feet behind 1 st base P In case PU needs to help with call at 3rd Exit to the left of the catcher BR P P Plate Umpire trails runner to ½ way to start of running lane PU heads back home to take call

Runner at 1 st w/ ground ball to infield 2 nd 10-12 feet of left shoulder of 2 nd baseman B Ground ball to SS SS R PU will take play at 3 rd first play is at 1 st if the not 2 nd PU heads back home to play home P BR P P Plate Umpire trails runner to ¼ way to start of running lane

Runners on 1 st & 2 nd w/ ground ball to outfield 10-12 feet of left shoulder of short stop B R Move toward 3 rd for possible play SS Ground ball to Outfield R Go up 3 rd base line but watch for obstruction call at 1 st P BR P PU heads back home to take call

Plate Umpire Positions for play at the plate Be aware of the situation Be ready to move on a passed ball Try to maintain a 45 o angle to the play Avoid being part of the play There is no “PERFECT” position for a play There is a “BEST” position for a play

Plate Umpire Positions for play at plate Ball in coming in from foul territory Try to maintain 45 o angle to play P Watch to swipe tag Do not interfere with play P Starting position behind the catcher After play, return to starting position

Plate Umpire Positions for play at plate Ball in coming in from fair territory P Try to maintain 45 o angle to play Watch to swipe tag Do not interfere with play P Starting position behind the catcher After play, return to starting position