2025 UMPIRE TRAINING INTRODUCTION BAC – Carrie

slide1. 2025 UMPIRE TRAINING<br>
slide2. INTRODUCTION BAC – Carrie Westrum – Shawn Bjonfald
VAA – Liz Pare
Umpire Coordinator – Jennifer Erickson

We are here to support you!<br>
slide3. TRAINING AGENDA REGISTRATION
TESTING AND CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
BASIC INFORMATION AND PROFESSIONALISM
AGE SPECIFIC INFO
ON-FIELD BASICS – PLATE AND BASE UMPIRES
THE STRIKE ZONE AND SLOT POSITION
SIGNALING
BASE UMP POSITIONING<br>
slide4. REGISTRATION FOR 2025 SEASON IF YOU HAVEN’T FINISHED REGISTERING YET, PLEASE DO! THIS IS HOW YOU WILL GET PAID.

TO REGISTER: VISIT THE VAA WEBSITE: vaasports.org.
Click on Open Registrations, and click on Community Baseball Umpire

You will then be invited to join our scheduling system. This is how you will know what games you are scheduled for and if you want to accept the day and time or decline.<br>
slide5. TRAINING EXPECTATIONS<br>
slide6. Rule Books<br>
slide7. REQUIREMENTS -TESTING AND CERTIFICATION COMPLETE THIS TRAINING SESSION (Including tomorrow)

COMPLETE THE ONLINE TEST – 75% SCORE REQUIRED TO PASS
The link to the test will be e-mailed to registered umpires.
Open-book, open-note
Retake up to 3 times
Important Note – your test results (along with your age/player level if applicable) will determine what game levels you may umpire!

PLEASE NOTE– first-year umpires typically start with Squirts-level games.<br>
slide8. BASIC INFORMATION UMPIRING IS A JOB – TREAT YOUR ASSIGNMENTS AS SUCH
COACHES WILL RATE YOU AFTER EACH GAME
Best umpires get moved up, receive tournament assignments.
BASIC UMPIRE EQUIPMENT
BAC Hat, BAC Umpire shirt (If you are working with another association (such as PLAY or MNUA), their standard hat and shirt are OK)
Optional – gray slacks, ball bags, clicker, brush
Face mask, chest protector, shin guards (PPE) supplied at Squirts, Minors and Majors fields.
PPE not supplied at 90ft (Ponies, Seniors) fields. Generally, Ponies and Seniors umpires have their own PPE.
Something to keep time, Watch/Phone<br>
slide9. BUT…SPEAKING OF CELL PHONES… If you are using your cell phone to keep time, and something happens, BAC will not replace your phone. Please don’t be on your phone in between innings. You should keep track of warm-up pitches or ensure the head coaches don’t have any questions for you, not distracted by your phone!<br>
slide10. Scheduling Jennifer will assign games based on your level and availability
Accept or decline promptly
It is okay to decline assignments
If you find you are declining a lot of assignments, get in touch with Jen and talk about your availability.
If you do Accept, SHOW UP
No-shows will impact future assignments and eligibility for championship weekend<br>
slide11. Scheduling Website Scheduling assignments will be handled through the website: Referee Scheduler
You will receive a sign-up email and code
You MUST register on this website in order to receive assignments
Register with the email address and cell phone that YOU will see!
Some of you may have already signed up. Thank you! Questions??<br>
slide12. Championship Weekend A good opportunity to get many games in one weekend while working around your game schedule.

Preference will be given to those with the best ratings who most consistently accepted and showed up on time for games.

Elevated pay rates!<br>
slide13. PAY RATES(per game)<br>
slide14. Questions so far? This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-ND<br>
slide15. LOOK LIKE AN UMPIRE Umpire Shirt
Hat on straight when you arrive
Optional grey pants with shirt tucked in
Always wear the appropriate gear – safety first!<br>
slide16. MAKE CALLS WITH CONFIDENCE Be loud and clear
Being loud is not the same as being over-the-top
Once the call is made, or you’ve conferred with your partner, stand by your call<br>
slide17. PRE-GAME MEETINGS ARRIVE AT THE FIELD 20-30 MINUTES BEFORE GAME TIME
Meet with your partner (2-man games) and discuss who’s covering what and where, what signals are to be used, etc.
Assess the field conditions for any interference

MEET WITH HEAD COACHES 15 MINUTES BEFORE GAME TIME
Introduce yourself.
Review basic game-level rules (leading off, runs per inning, etc.).
Review field conditions
Get game balls from the home team.
Ask coaches if their teams have legal equipment when needed<br>
slide18. DEALING WITH COACHES AND FANS Questions on rules or calls should come from the HEAD COACH ONLY
Always be respectful
Do NOT allow coaches to influence or reverse your calls
Confer with your partner and reach a consensus on rule understanding
Coaches are responsible for their players and fans
Do NOT engage with unruly fans, issue bench warnings, and explain to the Head Coach and let them deal with it
Ejections
ABSOLUTE LAST RESORT
Profanity or physically aggressive actions should be dealt with immediately
If there are issues, let Liz, Carrie, or Jen know immediately
WE HAVE YOUR BACK!!!!<br>
slide19. RATING COACHES A rating form will be available on bacsports.org
Hold coaches accountable
Important opportunity to collect feedback on coach behavior
Provide clear, reasonable, honest comments, bad AND GOOD!
If there are issues with fans that go unresolved, include that in the feedback.
Depending on the information provided, we will take immediate action on a poor rating. We will also keep track of ratings across the season and talk to coaches if poor ratings remain consistent. Coaches can and have been removed.
We WILL NOT share your name or direct comments with coaches.<br>
slide20. WEATHER NOTE – THE SAFETY OF PLAYERS, COACHES, AND SPECTATORS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT ASPECT OF BAC’S WEATHER PROTOCOLS!

Before the start of the game, the coaches are responsible for decisions regarding weather-related postponements and cancellations.

Once the game has started, the umpires are responsible for weather-related decisions.<br>
slide21. WEATHER PROTOCOLS Criteria for suspension and resumption of play

As soon as lightning is seen or thunder is heard, the thunderstorm is close enough to strike your location with lightning. Suspend play and take shelter immediately.

For facilities with multiple ball diamonds, coordinate activities with the adjacent teams and/or umpire crews, when possible, to maintain consistency in actions taken.<br>
slide22. Weather Cont…. 30-minute rule: Once play has been suspended, wait at least 30 minutes after the last flash of lightning is witnessed or thunder is heard prior to resuming play.

Any subsequent thunder or lightning after the beginning of the 30-minute count should reset the clock and another 30-minute count should begin.

Games may be postponed or cancelled in their entirety if weather conditions support the decision.<br>
slide23. Questions so far?<br>
slide24. THINGS TO KNOW FOR ALL LEVELS Pitch Counts – Coaches are responsible for tracking pitch counts
Pitchers can finish an at-bat when reaching their pitch limit
Innings Limits
Bat Rules
Time Limit
12-run rule after 4 at bats for the losing team for minors, or 5 at bats for the losing team (majors and above)
10-run rule at Seniors
8 warm-up pitches for new pitchers, 5 - if returning – Keep the game moving!!!
Sliding
Obstruction/Interference
What pitchers are allowed to wear…
2-hour time limit will be considered a legal game
Clarification on courtesy runners<br>
slide25. LEAGUE (AGE LEVEL) SPECIFIC INFO<br>
slide26. Partner Communities by Level<br>
slide27. BASIC RULES SQUIRTS Squirts 2: Called third strike warning. No walks or hit by pitch.
Squirts 3: Kid pitch – NO called third strike warning.
Squirts 3: Pitchers must be pulled after a combination of 6 walks or hit batters in an inning
6 run per inning limit
Play stops when the ball IS CONTROLLED on the infield as defined by the BASEPATHS – not the dirt. Runners may not advance past the base they are going to once the ball is controlled.
Only ONE BASE on any overthrow, REGARDLESS of subsequent overthrows.
No leadoffs, no stealing
No bunting<br>
slide28. BASIC RULES MINORS Runners can lead off and steal AFTER the ball crosses the plate**
No curve balls
Bunting is allowed
No sliding required (recommend)<br>
slide29. MAJORS, PONIES AND SENIORS High School Rules apply, except were noted in the BAC rules
Lead-offs and stealing
Balks
Infield Fly Rule
Dropped third strike
Sliding
Be aware of legal bat guidelines – most violations occur at these levels.
Especially important to verify during tournaments.<br>
slide30. Questions so far?<br>
slide31. DEBUNKING SOME BASEBALL MYTHS The tie goes to the runner
False – This is a “sandlot” rule. The runner must always beat the ball.

2. The hands are part of the bat
False – The hands are not part of the bat, they are part of the batter. If the ball hits a player in the hands, they have been “hit by pitch.”

3. If a batted ball hits the plate, it is a foul ball
False- Home plate is actually fair territory, just like the lines on the field and if the ball hits first or third base.<br>
slide32. DEBUNKING SOME BASEBALL MYTHS 4. The runner is safe if he gets hit by the ball in the base path.
False – The runner is out for interference.

5. A runner is out if he runs out if he runs out of the baseline.
Not always True – If the runner is avoiding a fielder, who is making a play, they can leave the baseline.

6. A pitch that touches the ground before reaching the plate cannot be hit.
Actually, it can. It just cannot be called a strike. However, if a player swings at it, it can be called a swinging strike.<br>
slide33. DEBUNKING SOME BASEBALL MYTHS 7. The batter is not awarded first base if they are hit by a pitch that bounces.
False – Hit by pitch is hit by pitch.

8. If a fielder holds a caught fly ball for 2 seconds, it’s a catch.
A player must secure possession of the ball. There is no time requirement that makes it a catch. They must secure and voluntarily release the ball.

9. The home plate umpire can overrule the base umpire calls.
False! No umpire can overrule the other umpires’ call. If there is a disagreement, the two umpires should confer and come up with the call on the field.<br>
slide34. RULE CLARIFICATIONS - RUNNERS RUNNERS ARE REQUIRED TO SLIDE INTO BASES ON CLOSE PLAYS

This is NOT a current high school level rule – runners ARE NOT required to slide.
Runners ARE required to avoid contact if possible, and CANNOT intentionally or maliciously interfere with fielders making a play.
If, in the opinion of the umpire, any resulting contact is deemed intentional, the runner is called OUT regardless.
If the umpire considers the runner’s contact malicious, the runner is called out and ejected from the game.

RUNNERS OVER-RUNNING FIRST BASE (WALK OR HIT) AND TURNING TO THEIR LEFT (TOWARD SECOND) ARE AUTOMATICALLY IN JEOPARDY OF BEING TAGGED OUT

Runners are only in jeopardy when they, in the opinion of the umpire, show intent to advance to second base. SHOW INTENT is the key phrase – they don’t have to run to second base to be in jeopardy. This is an umpire judgment call.<br>
slide35. INTERFERENCE FIELDERS ARE ENTITLED TO BE ABLE TO MAKE A PLAY ON THE BALL
Immediate dead ball
Interfering runner is out
All other runners return to their bases
Batter-runner gets first, and any runners forced to advance may do so

OBSTRUCTION: A FIELDER NOT MAKING A PLAY ON THE BALL PREVENTS A RUNNER FROM ADVANCING
Delayed dead ball, award bases based on judgment of what would have occurred if the obstruction had not occurred
Be observant of baserunners<br>
slide36. OTHER THINGS COACHES MAY GET WRONG FOUL TIP – (Determined by the catchers catching the ball)
*Live ball – Runners CAN steal
*The batter is out on a caught foul tip for the 3rd strike
BAT RULES
ADVANCING RULES AROUND BALKS AND INFIELD FLY
HIDDEN BALL TRICK
Pitcher may not be on the mound, otherwise it is considered a balk
ANY MAJOR LEAGUE RULE
BAC follows NFHS Rules, which can be very different from MLB rules. This is stressed to the coaches at the coach’s meeting, but they may need a reminder in the moment<br>
slide37. Questions so far?<br>
slide38. UMPIRING BASICS<br>
slide39. SIGNALS<br>
slide40. PLATE UMPIRE<br>
slide41. STRIKE ZONE DO NOT DISCUSS YOUR STRIKE ZONE DURING THE PRE-GAME MEETING WITH THE COACHES.<br>
slide42. STRIKE ZONE<br>
slide43. STRIKE ZONE SQUIRTS, MINORS
SQUIRTS, MINORS, MAJORS PONIES, SENIORS MAJORS, PONIES, SENIORS ALL LEAGUES<br>
slide44. SLOT POSITION & SIGNS Left Hand – Balls
Right Hand - Strikes<br>
slide45. PLATE UMPIRE TIPS:<br>
slide46. Questions So Far?<br>
slide47. BASE UMPIRE<br>
slide48. HANDS-ON-KNEES-(HOKS)SET POSITION<br>
slide49. BASE UMPIRE TIPS:<br>
slide50. UMPIRE POSITIONS – SMALL FIELDS (2-MAN GAMES) PLATE, BASE (A,B,C)<br>
slide51. UMPIRE POSITIONS – SITUATION 1 NO RUNNERS ON BASE
BASE UMPIRE IN A-POSITION<br>
slide52. UMPIRE POSITIONS – SITUATION 2 RUNNER ON FIRST BASE ONLY
BASE UMPIRE IN B-POSITION<br>
slide53. UMPIRE POSITIONS – SITUATION 3 RUNNER ON SECOND BASE ONLY
BASE UMPIRE IN C-POSITION<br>
slide54. UMPIRE POSITIONS – SITUATION 4 RUNNER ON THIRD BASE ONLY
BASE UMPIRE IN C-POSITION<br>
slide55. UMPIRE POSITIONS – SITUATION 5 RUNNERS ON FIRST AND SECOND BASE
BASE UMPIRE IN C-POSITION<br>
slide56. UMPIRE POSITIONS – SITUATION 6 RUNNERS ON FIRST, SECOND AND THIRD BASE
BASE UMPIRE IN C-POSITION<br>
slide57. UMPIRE POSITIONS – SITUATION 7 RUNNERS ON SECOND AND THIRD BASE
BASE UMPIRE IN C-POSITION<br>
slide58. UMPIRE POSITIONS – SITUATION 8 RUNNERS ON FIRST AND THIRD BASE
BASE UMPIRE IN B-POSITION<br>
slide59. Last questions?<br>
slide60. NEXT STEPS ATTEND FIELD TRAINING – TOMORROW 10 AM

IF YOU’RE NOT YET REGISTERED FOR UMPIRING, PLEASE GET THAT COMPLETED
SCHEDULER WEBSITE SIGNUP
COMPLETE THE ONLINE TESTING
-An email with the testing link will be sent to all registered umpires (see above if not registered).
-75% correct on the test is required to umpire.
- 3 tries to get to the 75%
-Note that you may be assigned lower-level games if your test scores at higher levels are too low.<br>
slide61. Contact Info:<br>