Little League Canada

1. Little League Canada Umpires Clinic 2019 Modified!!

2. Clinic Overview

3. Keys to Success

4. The Rules It is impossible for us to teach you all of the rules during this clinic. It is your responsibility to learn the rules. Regulations: Majority of regulations direct league administrators; however some regulations affect Team Managers and the management of games as such umpires need to be familiar with pertinent Regulations Playing Rules 1.00 is basically all of the equipment rules, the diamond dimensions, the uniforms, as well as safety rules. 2.00 is definitions. Boring but most important. 3.00 pre-game activities as well as substitutions and field decorum. 4.00 Starting/Ending games, scoring, doubleheaders, field decorum, protests 5.00 Putting the ball into play: dead ball/live ball situations. 6.00 is about the batter. When a batter is safe, when they are out, and batting out of turn. 7.00 is about the runner. Base awards, interference and obstruction. 8.00 is about the pitcher. 9.00 is all about the umpire. Where their authority comes from and what their authority is. Tournament rules & guidelines.

5. Regulations Quick Hits – most important is Regulation VI concerning pitchers • Regulation VI – Pitchers: • Any player, who has played the position of catcher in four (4) or more innings in a game, is not eligible to pitch on that calendar day. • catcher receiving one pitch to a batter in the fourth inning constitutes having caught four (4) innings • A pitcher once removed from the mound cannot return as pitcher • Exception for Inter/Junior/Senior; however not used in interlock • Pitcher pitch limits and rest requirements • A pitcher who delivers 41 or more pitches in a game cannot play the position of catcher for the remainder of that day

6. 2019 Rule Changes Regulation VI(a) [Regulation VI(b), (d) NOTE for Challenger] (a) Any player on a regular season team may pitch. Exception: Any player who has played the position of catcher in four (4) or more innings in a game is not eligible to pitch on that calendar day. A player who played the position of catcher for three (3) innings or less, moves to the pitcher position, and delivers 21 pitches or more (15- and 16-year olds: 31 pitches or more) in the same day, may not return to the catcher position on that calendar day. EXCEPTION: If the pitcher reaches the 20-pitch limit (15- and 16-year-olds: 30-pitch limit) while facing a batter, the pitcher may continue to pitch, and maintain their eligibility to return to the catcher position, until any one of the following conditions occur: (1) that batter reaches base; (2) that batter is retired; or (3) the third out is made to complete the half-inning or the game.

7. 2019 Rule Changes (c)   The manager must remove the pitcher when said pitcher reaches the limit for his/her age group as noted below, but the pitcher may remain in the game at another position: League Age: 13 -16    95 pitches per day 11-12      85 pitches per day 9-10      75 pitches per day 7-8        50 pitches per day EXCEPTION: If a pitcher reaches the limit imposed in Regulation VI(c) for his/her league age while facing a batter, the pitcher may continue to pitch until any one of the following conditions occurs: • That batter reaches base; • That batter is put out; • The third out is made to complete the half-inning or the game.

8. 2019 Rule Changes NOTE: If a pitcher reaches 40 pitches while facing a batter, the pitcher may continue to pitch, and maintain their eligibility to play the position of catcher for the remainder of that day, until any one of the following conditions occurs: (1) that batter reaches base; (2) that batter is retired; or (3) the third out is made to complete the half-inning or the game. The pitcher would be allowed to play the catcher position provided that pitcher is moved, removed, or the game is completed before delivering a pitch to another batter. If a player delivers 41 or more pitches, and is not covered under the threshold exception, the player may not play the position of catcher for the remainder of that day. (k) Pitching in more than one game in a day: Minor League, Little League (Majors), and Intermediate (50-70) Division — A player may not pitch in more than one game in a day; Junior League and Senior League — A player may be used as a pitcher in up to two games in a day. 

9. Rule 1.00OBJECTIVES OF THE GAME Quick Hits • NO on-deck batter until Intermediate (50/70) • NO metal spikes can be worn until Intermediate (50/70) • NO Jewelry at all except for Medic-Alert • NO casts are allowed • The catcher MUST wear a catcher’s mitt, a long or short model chest protector, shin guards, cup, helmet, mask, and dangling throat guard • The pitchers glove may not, exclusive of the piping, be white or light grey, nor, in the judgment of the umpire distracting in any manner • No pitcher may wear sweat bands on their wrists or forearms • Pitchers may wear a batting glove under their glove so long as it is not white, gray, or optic yellow

10. Rule 1.00Notes 1.04 The Playing Field – Bad Foul Lines??? If the foul lines, batter’s box lines, or other lines are not correct, the umpire may choose to: • utilize the lines as placed; • eliminate the lines; or • re-line the field.

11. Rule 1.00Notes 1.06 If a base is dislodged from its position during a play, any following runner on the same play shall be considered as touching or occupying the base if , in the umpire’s judgement, the runner touches or occupies the dislodged bag or the point marked by the original location of the dislodged bag. Double First Base • White (fair) – Used by Defense and on Tag Ups. • Color (Orange or Green) (foul) – Used by Batter/Runner whenever a play is being made running to 1B. • Either can be used by Batter/Runner when no play is being made and rounding the base for extra base hit or when running to 1B after uncaught third strike

12. Rule 1.10 (Baseball Only) BATS

13. Rule 2.00Definitions “Definitions” is not the most exciting rule to review, but it is one of the most important. We will review several definitions today.

14. Rule 2.00 – “Bunt”Definitions A BUNT IS A BATTED BALL NOT SWUNG AT, BUT INTENTIONALLY MET BY THE BAT AND TAPPED SLOWLY TO PREVENT THE BALL FROM GOING FAR. THE MERE HOLDING OF THE BAT IN THE STRIKE ZONE IS NOT AN ATTEMPTED BUNT.

15. Rule 2.00 – “In flight” Definitions IN FLIGHT - Describes a batted, thrown, or pitched ball which has not yet touched the ground or some object other than a fielder. For example: If the pitch touches the ground and bounces through the strike zone, without being struck at by the batter, it is a ‘ball’. If such a pitch touches the batter, the batter shall be awarded 1st base…

16. Rule 2.00 – “Catch”Definitions SECURE POSSESSION (in hand or glove) COMPLETE CONTROL OF THE BALL VOLUNTARY RELEASE CATCH IF FIELDER DROPS BALL IN THE ACT OF THROWING NO CATCH IF FIELDER DROPS BALL AS A RESULT OF COLLISION OR FALLING NO CATCH IF BALL TOUCHES OFFENSIVE PLAYER, OR GROUND, FENCE OR UMPIRES

17. Rule 2.00 – “Fair / Foul Ball” Definitions Batted ball that: (A) Settles (B) Is Touched (C) Judged by the position of the ball • There are no foreign objects in fair territory, only in foul.

18. Rule 2.00 – “Fair / Foul Ball” Definitions FAIR BALL FIRST TOUCHED BEYOND THE BASE BEFORE A BASE HOME PLATE

19. Fair or Foul? Is Touched Judged by the position of the ball.

20. Fair or Foul? Is Touched Judged by the position of the ball.

21. Fair or Foul? Is Touched Judged by the position of the ball.

22. Rule 2.00 – “Foul Tip” Definitions SHARP AND DIRECT FROM BAT TO CATCHERS HAND OR MITT MUST BE CAUGHT BY CATCHER IS A STRIKE BALL REMAINS ALIVE RUNNERS ARE IN JEOPARDY NOT A CATCH IF REBOUNDED UNLESS IT FIRST HITS CATCHER’S HAND OR MITT

23. Rule 2.00 – “Dead Ball” Definitions Dead Ball – Ball out of play because of a legally created temporary suspension of play. • When the ball is dead – no runners may advance, no runs score, no outs may be made • Runners either advance or return dependent upon why time was called and the ball became dead

24. 2019 Rule Changes Synopsis: Defines Dead Ball Area Rule 2.00 DEAD BALL AREA is the area beyond any intended physical boundary, such as a fence, rope, chalk line, any stands, bleachers, dugouts, player’s benches, or designated media areas, or any other boundary line as determined in the pregame conference. If a ball becomes lodged in a fence, backstop, umpire’s equipment, or catcher’s equipment, it is considered to be in a dead ball area.

25. Rule 2.00 – “Force Play” Definitions A FORCE PLAY OCCURS WHEN A RUNNER LEGALLY LOSES THE RIGHT TO OCCUPY A BASE BY REASON OF THE BATTER BECOMING A RUNNER.

26. Rule 2.00 – “Tag” Definitions A tag is the action of a fielder in touching a base with the body while holding the ball securely and firmly in the hand or glove; Or touching a runner with the hand or glove holding the ball, while holding the ball securely and firmly in the hand or glove.

27. Rule 2.00 – “Infield Fly” Definitions “Ordinary effort” will change from division to division and is impacted by field and weather conditions - umpires must evaluate the relative age group of the players, not the individual ability of the respective player when judging ordinary effort Determining an infield fly or not is solely the judgment of the umpire and may not be protested • Infield Fly – A fly ball (not a line dry or attempted bunt) which can be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort, with runners at 1B and 2B or bases loaded, with less than 2 outs. • During an infield fly the ball is live and runners may advance at the risk of that ball being caught. *(must tag up if ball is caught) • If an infield fly is allowed to fall untouched to the ground and bounces or remains foul, it is a foul ball. • As long as it is ordinary effort, an infield fly may be called if an infielder can make the catch on the outfield grass.

28. Rule 2.00 – “Interference” Definitions Definitions • Offensive Interference: Any act by the batter or runners that obstructs, hinders, impedes or confuses a fielder attempting to make a play Examples: Runner running into or impeding fielder in act of fielding a batted or thrown ball; batter impeding catcher from throwing out a runner who’s stealing, runner from 1st sliding into fielder attempting to turn a double-play, runner who is hit by fair ball before it passes by a fielder. • Defensive interference: Any act by a fielder that hinders or prevents a batter from hitting a pitch. (most often committed by the catcher but could be committed by any defensive player) • Umpire’s interference: When (1) the plate umpire interferes with the catcher’s throw attempting to prevent a stolen base or (2) when a batted ball hits a base umpire in fair territory before passing a fielder • Spectator interference: When a spectator reaches out of the stands or comes onto the field and touches a live ball. Most common

29. Rule 2.00 – “Obstruction” Definitions • Any act of a fielder who, while NOT in possession of the ball, impedes the progress of any runner. Examples: Fake tags, blocking a base, base path or home plate when not in possession of the ball. • Concepts to understand when determining if obstruction has occurred • Fielders have a right to be where needed to field a batted ball. Therefore, even if they do not yet have possession of the ball, but are moving to or in a position to field a batted ball, they have first right of position. The runner needs to move around or avoid the fielder in this case (otherwise they risk being called for interference). • The above concept does not apply to fielders who are fielding a thrown ball. A fielder cannot be in a position or moving to a position that impedes a runner or blocks a base, home plate, or the base path, even while a thrown ball is in-flight and the fielder is preparing to make the catch (i.e., the catch is eminent). The determination of whether obstruction has occurred is a judgment call and is not subject to appeal or argument by managers/coaches.

30. “Obstruction” 2 – Types – Rule 7.06 • What happens when obstruction occurs (and what penalty is enforced) depends on which of the two types of obstruction has occurred. • Type A – Immediate Dead Ball • Occurs when a play is being made on the obstructed runner or when obstruction occurs on batter who hasn’t yet reached 1st • Penalty enforcement • Immediately call “Time! That’s obstruction!” Then award runner one base. Note: even if runner was going back into a base, the award is the next base. • Type B – Delayed Dead Ball • Occurs when no play is being made on obstructed runner • Penalty enforcement • Call “That’s obstruction” (but do not call time). Let the play continue. When play is over, award the runner whichever base the umpire deems the runner would have reached had obstruction not occurred. (Note: the umpire may not award any additional bases beyond where the runner ended up.) • After the play: “Time! We had obstruction on the runner! Runner ended up at second, and runner stays at second!”

31. Interference vs Obstruction • The fielder always has the right to field a ball. If a runner interferes with that fielder, that is INTERFERENCE. • If a fielder does not have possession of the ball, that fielder shall not hinder the runner. If this happens, that is OBSTRUCTION. • INTERFERENCE the ball is DEAD (except for catchers, batters, or umpires interference). • OBSTRUCTIONthe ball is dead only if there is a play being made on the obstructed runner.

32. “Umpire Interference” • ONLY TWO WAYS • INTERFERENCE WITH CATCHER'S THROW – 5.09(b) • HIT BY BATTED BALL BEFORE PASSING A FIELDER – 5.09(f) • NO UMPIRE INTERFERENCE • BEING HIT BY A THROWN BALL • BEING HIT BY FIELDER • BEING HIT BY A RUNNER

33. “Catcher Interference”Rule 6.08c • 6.08(c) The catcher or any fielder interferes the batter. • No Interference When: • Batter reaches first base AND • All other runners advance at least one base. • Key Elements: • Allow the play to continue • Call TIME and award the batter 1st • Runners not attempting to steal or not forced to advance remain on the base they occupied at the time of the interference.

34. “Spectator Interference”Rule 6.08c What is it? A spectator reaches out of the stands into the playing area, and touches a live ball. • What do you do? • Call “TIME”. • Give signal (Grasp LEFT wrist with RIGHT hand with hands above head). • Impose penalties that will negate the actions of the spectator.

35. Rule 2.00 – “Pitch” Definitions A Pitch is a ball delivered to the batter by the pitcher. For the purposes of pitch count, an illegal pitch shall count as a pitch, even if a pitch was not actually thrown.

37. Rule 3.00GAME PRELIMINARIES Rule 3.00 covers game preliminaries, substitutions, the umpire’s authority with regard to weather conditions and calling games. It also deals with player substitutions however with house league and interlock using continuous batting order much of this section is not in-force • 3.03 (c) A pitcher once removed from the mound may not return as a pitcher in the Minor and Major Divisions. In Intermediate (50/70), Junior, Senior; A pitcher remaining in the game, but moving to a different position, can return as a pitcher any time in the remainder of the game, but only once per game (note - this is not allowed by our current interlock rules). • 3.04 Courtesy runners are not permitted. *** house rules – for catchers • 3.08 – If a substitute pitcher takes a position on the pitcher’s plate and throws a warm up pitch, they are officially in the game. • 3.14 Ensure that there is no loose equipment lying on the field.

38. Rule 3.00GAME PRELIMINARIES 3.09 – • Players, managers and coaches of the participating teams shall not mingle with spectators, nor sit in the stands…… • Managers and coaches must not warm up a pitcher at home plate or in the bull pen or elsewhere at any time. They may, however, stand by to observe a pitcher during warm-up in the bull pen.

39. Rule 3.00GAME PRELIMINARIES 3.10 • The managers of both teams shall agree on the fitness of the playing field before the game starts. In the event that the two managers cannot agree, the president or a duly delegated representative shall make the determination. • The umpire-in-chief shall be the sole judge as to whether and when play shall be suspended during a game because of unsuitable weather conditions or the unfit condition of the playing field; as to whether and when play shall be resumed after such suspension; and as to whether and when a game shall be terminated after such suspension. Said umpire shall not call a game until at least thirty minutes after play has been suspended. The umpire may continue suspension as long as there is any chance to resume play. Lightning Policy!! - if either thunder is heard or lightning is seen, the game needs to be suspended and the 30 minute delay process begun.

40. Rule 4.00Starting and Ending the Game Rule 4.00 covers the plate meeting, the exchange of line-ups, what constitutes a regulation game, tie games and extra innings, the so-called mercy rule, players arriving late to games, protests and more.

41. Rule 4.00Starting and Ending the Game 4.04 - While using a continuous batting order: - If a player is injured during the game, their spot in the batting order shall be passed over with no penalty. - If a player arrives late for a game, that player will be inserted at the bottom of the team’s batting lineup (regardless of where they are currently at in the order

42. Rule 4.00Starting and Ending the Game 4.05 The offensive team shall station two base coaches on the field during its time at bat, one near first base and one near third base. - May be players or a manager and/or coach. If a player they must wear a helmet - At least one adult manager or coach must be in the dugout. - Base coaches must remain within the base coaches’ boxes at all times, except as provided in Rule 7.11 - Base coaches may only talk to members of their own team An offending base coach shall be removed from the base coach’s box.

43. Rule 4.00Starting and Ending the Game 4.06 --- No manager, coach or player, shall at any time, whether from the bench or the playing field or elsewhere - • incite, or try to incite, by word or sign, a demonstration by spectators; • use language which will in any manner refer to or reflect upon opposing players, manager, coach, an umpire or spectators; • make any move calculated to cause the pitcher to commit an illegal pitch; • Take a position in the batter’s line of vision, with the deliberate intent to distract the batter The umpire may first warn the person. If continued, remove the person from the game or bench.

44. Rule 4.00Starting and Ending the Game Ejections 4.07 --- When a manager, coach or player is ejected from a game, they shall leave the field immediately and take no further part in that game. They may not sit in the stands and may not be recalled. A manager or coach ejected from a game must not be present at the game site for the remainder of that game. Any manager, coach or player ejected from a game is suspended for his or her team’s next physically played game and may not be in attendance at the game site from which they were suspended.

45. EjectionsPart 1 of 2 • Can only eject persons from the playing field, not from the bleachers • Players, managers, coaches, photographers, scorekeepers, etc. • Cannot eject spectators outside the playing field • Players – Reasonable causes for ejection • Threats or cursing either verbally or via body language • Repeated complaints about calls (again, try to have thick skin) • Reserve ejections to those who really deserve it …. But don’t permit anyone to continually demonstrate disrespect to either the umpire crew or anyone else involved in the game • Gross unsportsmanlike behavior • Flagrant malicious behavior • Example: “Plowing” the catcher while attempting to score

46. EjectionsPart 2 of 2 • Managers/coaches – Reasonable causes for ejection • Same as for players • Encouraging or “egging-on” spectators to complain about umpires calls • Arguing a call and not giving up on it

47. Rule 4.00Starting and Ending the Game 4.09-- HOW A TEAM SCORES (a) One run shall be scored each time a runner legally advances to and touches first, second, third and home base before three players are put out to end the inning. EXCEPTION: A run is not scored if the runner advances to home base during a play in which the third out is made (1) by the batter-runner before touching first base; (2) by any runner being forced out; or (3) by a preceding runner who is declared out because that runner failed to touch one of the bases (appeal play). Note: A tag-up is not a force play…… it is an appeal.

48. Rule 4.00Starting and Ending the Game 4.09 – Application - Timing Play Runner attempts to score during a play in which the third out is made • Umpire must judge when the runner touched the plate • If the runner touches the plate before the out – run counts • If the runner touches the plate after the out – run does not count • Umpire must insure the scorekeepers are informed as to whether the run counted or not

49. Rule 4.00Starting and Ending the Game 4.16 --- A game may not be started with less than nine (9) players on each team, nor without at least one adult as manager or substitute manager. In the interest of preventing forfeits, both the interlock and CRLL House league has decided to override rule 4.16 and allow an 8 player minimum. A team must have eight (8) players dressed to play the game. There will be no automatic out for a 9th player when playing with an 8 player lineup.

50. Rule 4.00Starting and Ending the Game 4.19 --- PROTESTING GAME – • Protest shall be considered only when based on the violation or interpretation of a playing rule or the use of an ineligible player. No protest shall be considered on a decision involving an umpire’s judgment. Equipment which does not meet specifications must be removed from the game and shall not be the basis for a protest. (Exception 6.06(d)). • The managers of contesting teams only shall have the right to protest a game (or in their absence, coaches). However, the manager or acting manager may not leave the dugout until receiving permission from an umpire.