Baseball Clinic Level I

1. Baseball Clinic Level I Curriculum created and edited for the IHSA by Don Cobb, Jay Lyons, Bill Olsen, & Brad Stearns Revised and edited by Kevin Mallehan, Bill Olsen, Bob Rowatt, & Brad Stearns PowerPoint presentation created by Brad Stearns Revision 6, 1/10/10

2. Purpose • The Level I curriculum will cover general topics such as Professionalism, Sportsmanship, Conflict Resolution, and IHSA Policies. • Topics specific to baseball will include the pre-game conference, signals and communication, plate mechanics, balks, and a heavy emphasis on 2-person mechanics, with very little, if any, coverage of 3-person mechanics.

3. Outcome: • Having satisfactorily completed a Level I clinic will satisfy the IHSA requirement that all officials must attend at least one clinic every three years. • Completing this clinic will also earn each official two (2) points added to his Officials Power Rating. The official will earn five (5) additional Power Points for attending any baseball clinic in consecutive years.

4. Current License Uniform Patches Rules meetings and Clinics Special report forms Part 1 test Promotion State playoff availability IHSA Policies

5. Signals and Communications

6. Signals and Communications The use of signals and the communications between umpires in extremely important in the flow of any game.

7. Signals and Communications The use of signals and the communications between umpires in extremely important in the flow of any game. The use of signals is a method by which both umpires can communicate with each other to let one another know of a particular play situation that could happen.

8. Signals and Communications • Infield Fly Right hand to the bill of your cap.

9. Signals and Communications • Infield Fly Right hand to the bill of your cap. • Infield Fly Wipe-off Brush left arm with right hand.

10. Signals and Communications • Infield Fly Right hand to the bill of your cap. • Infield Fly Wipe-off Brush left arm with right hand. • Two out time play Two fingers from right hand to top of left wrist.

11. Signals and Communications • Movement By Umpires on Hit Ball • Rotating right hand to indicate movement by plate umpire on a hit ball.

12. Signals and Communications • Movement By Umpires on Hit Ball • Rotating right hand to indicate movement by plate umpire on a hit ball. • Pointing to the ground at home plate to indicate that he is not leaving the home plate area.

13. Signals and Communications • Infield Fly • Infield Fly Wipe-off • Two Out Time Play • Movement By Umpires on Hit Ball • All of these signals from one umpire should be acknowledge by the other umpire.

14. Signals and Communications • Infield Fly • Infield Fly Wipe-off • Two Out Time Play • Movement By Umpires on Hit Ball • All of these signals from one umpire must be acknowledge by the other umpire. • Even though two veteran umpires may be working together, it is still important to use and acknowledge these signals.

15. Pre-game Checklist

16. Pre-game Check List • Darkness: • Plate umpire’s (UIC) call

17. Pre-game Check List • Darkness: • Plate umpire’s call • Rain Delays: • Plate umpire’s call • Use common sense • If not a washout, wait at least 15 min. • If lightning in the area, clear the field immediately. • The 30 Minute Rule should be strictly enforced.

18. Pre-game Check List • Line-up card: • Kept by plate umpire

19. Pre-game Check List • Line-up card: • Kept by plate umpire • Time plays: • Return signal

20. Pre-game Check List • Line-up card: • Kept by plate umpire • Time plays: • Return signal • Fair/foul call: • Down 1st base line if base umpire is on line.

21. Pre-game Check List • Double play: • Plate umpire has interference call on front end.

22. Pre-game Check List • Double play: • Plate umpire has interference call on front end. • Fly ball coverage: • Base umpire on the line • Base umpire in the middle (use the “V”)

23. Pre-game Check List • Double play: • Plate umpire has interference call on front end. • Fly ball coverage: • Base umpire on the line • Base umpire in the middle (use the “V”) • Low line drives: • Infield and outfield

24. Pre-game Check List • Ground ball coverage: • Bases empty, runners on base

25. Pre-game Check List • Ground ball coverage: • Bases empty, runners on base • Base hit coverage: • Singles, extra base hits • Bases empty, runners on base

26. Pre-game Check List • Bunt coverage: • Bases empty • Runners on base • Plate umpire has running lane violation

27. Pre-game Check List • Bunt coverage: • Bases empty • Runners on base • Plate umpire has running lane violation • Tag-ups/Touches: • Who has what?

28. Pre-game Check List • Dead ball/Live ball: • After a dead ball, ball becomes live only after pitcher is on the rubber and batter is ready in the box. • Important:Plate ump, put ball in play after every dead ball.

29. Pre-game Check List • Getting help: • Rule interpretation • Check swing: only when called a ball and asked for by plate umpire. Make an honest call. • Swipe tag at first, if asked by partner. • Pulled foot at first, if asked by partner. • Ball dropped on blind side, if asked. • Hit batsman, if asked. • Two umpires, opposite calls. • Dropped foul tip, U2 call immediately. • Batted ball off of batter in box, U2 call immediately.

30. Pre-game Check List • Signals: • Infield fly (bill of cap) • Infield fly wipe-off (brush arm with hand) • Time play (point to wrist) • Lost count (finger roll or show counter) • Situation communications (U1 rotating or staying home; how many outs)

31. Two-Person Mechanics

32. Two-Person Mechanics Designations: • The Plate umpire is designated as U1. U1

33. Two-Person Mechanics Designations: • The Plate umpire is designated as U1. • The field umpire is designated as U2. U2 U1

34. Field Positions Position A • On the 1st base foul line, with both feet in foul territory at approximately the edge of the outfield grass, and always at least a foot or two behind the 1st baseman. A

35. Field Positions Position B • In the middle of the infield on the 1st base side. B

36. Field Positions Position C • In the middle of the infield on the 3rd base side. C

37. Field Positions All of these positions may be modified depending where the runners are during the various game situations. C B A

38. Diagram 1 No one on base U2 U1 U2 in the standard A position.

39. Diagram 2 U1 No one on base Ground ball hit to the left side (from the 2nd baseman to the 3rd base foul line). U2 U2 U3 U1 U1 has the fair/foul call all the way down the 3rd base line.

40. Diagram 2 U1 No one on base Ground ball hit to the left side (from the 2nd baseman to the 3rd base foul line). U2 U2 U3 U1 U1 move up the 1st base line. Be prepared to assist U2, if asked, on a swipe tag or pulled foot.

41. Diagram 2 U1 No one on base Ground ball hit to the left side (from the 2nd baseman to the 3rd base foul line). • • U2 U2 U3 U1 U2 make the two step move to 1st base or move into the infield to get the 90o angle on the throw, depending where the ball is hit.

42. Diagram 2 U1 No one on base Ground ball hit to the left side (from the 2nd baseman to the 3rd base foul line). • • U2 U2 U3 U1 U2 be prepared to take the play into 2nd and 3rd, if necessary, on an error.

43. Diagram 3 U1 U1 No one on base Ground ball hit to the right side (from the 2nd baseman to the 1st base foul line). U2 U2 U2 U3 U3 U1 U1 move up the 1st baseline; be prepared to judge possible running lane violation. Be prepared to assist U2, if asked, on a swipe tag.

44. Diagram 3 U1 U1 No one on base Ground ball hit to the right side (from the 2nd baseman to the 1st base foul line). U2 U2 U2 U3 U3 U1 U2 move up the line in foul territory to get the best angle. This is especially important when the pitcher takes the throw at 1st. This will usually be the same coverage on bunts.

45. Diagram 3 U1 U1 No one on base Ground ball hit to the right side (from the 2nd baseman to the 1st base foul line). U2 U2 U2 U3 U3 U1 U2 must be prepared to take the play into 2nd, and 3rd, if necessary, on an error.

46. Diagram 4 U1 U1 No one on base Fly ball hit down the RF line, or possible trap play in short RF or right CF. U2 U2 U2 U3 U3 U1 U2go out down the line on ball down the line and rule on catch/no-catch, fair/foul. On the possible trap play, move out at an angle not in a direct line to the ball to get the best look, and rule on catch/no-catch. Do not come back in to make a call at any base, other than to possibly help on a run-down between bases.

47. Diagram 4 U1 U1 No one on base Fly ball hit down the RF line, or possible trap play in short RF or right CF. U2 U2 U2 U3 U3 U1 U1 move out into the infield; watch BR touch 1st. On a no-catch, be prepared to take the BR back into 1st, or into 2nd, 3rd, or the plate, if necessary.

48. Diagram 5 U1 U1 No one on base Fly ball hit to any- where outfield ex- cept down the RF line or possible trap in short RF or right CF. U2 U2 U2 U3 U3 U1 U1 move out into the infield, taking fly ball coverage and the fair/foul call down the 3rd base line.

49. Diagram 5 U1 U1 No one on base Fly ball hit to any- where outfield ex- cept down the RF line or possible trap in short RF or right CF. U2 U2 U2 U3 U3 U1 U2 come into the infield, and make the pivot. Watch batter-runner touch 1st base. Be prepared to take batter-runner into 2nd and 3rd, if necessary. U1 will have plate coverage if necessary.

50. Diagram 6 No one on base Routine ground ball or line drive hit to outfield with no chance of a catch. This includes obvious extra base hits into the gaps. U2 U1 U1 move out into the infield to observe all action.