Fill Out the Little League Volunteer ApplicationThis form is required of all of our volunteers. You can even fill in the form on your screen, then print it, so we don't have to read your handwriting! (Your information never leaves your computer, just so you know.) Get Some Great TrainingSee our training event page. Here's a full training syllabus that we're working on. Little League's Tips for Being a Successful Umpire Little League's Tips for Conducting an Effective Plate Conference Learn From OthersHere are some umpiring tips from some previous training sessions. And here is Brent McLaren’s excellent paper on The Mechanics of Umpiring. An Excellent Review of the Fundamentals The umps of Stockton, California, have done a nice job here! East Orange Little League has 2-man, 60-ft mechanics (which we work a lot!) Washington County's site also has the 2-man system Utilize Our Training MaterialsWe have copies of the standard umpiring guide, “The Umpire in Little League”, which is an excellent starting place for new umpires. This guide comes with your registration at the Online Umpire Registry explained on this wiki. You'll need to know our League ID number and official name, which are: 02382202 and Cheltenham Little League District 22, respectively. The following video tapes are available in our Woodland Avenue field clubhouse: “Behind the Plate with John McSherry” – a great review of the positioning and some tips “See a Balk, Call a Balk” “Rules for Idiots” – a simple review of the basic rules "60-Foot Mechanics" and "90-Foot Mechanics" - Both excellent reviews of very common game situations (NEW) Online Umpire Training Videos90-ft Base Mechanics in A & B Positions And look for anything YouTube from "Carl Childress" or "Umpire Training" eHow has some great videos here The Little League 2009 eRules videos are also available online now! Common Signals for Umpires Google for "umpire signs signals" and you'll find a bunch!
Umpires also have signals that only other umpires will know. Here they are: Pat Your Chest - means - There is a potential infield fly situation. Specifically, there are less than 2 outs and there are runners on 1st and 2nd or 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. Pat Your Head - means - I'm an idiot or I've fallen asleep and I've lost the count. Can you please tell me the count? Umpires
typically share the outs after each out by displaying them on each hand
out to their sides. If there is an infield fly situation, one hand
will be on the chest. Are there more? What do umpires keep track of?As little as possible, but we do keep track of balls, strikes, outs, visits to the mound (any defensive timeout is this, too, unless there's a health reason), offensive time-outs, lineups, substitutions, and Rule 7.14 substitutions. We also keep track of light level, not time. Games are rarely time-limited, although local league games with games that follow will typically cut off play within 15 or so minutes of the start of the next game. This respects everyone's time. Tournaments do not work this way. We DO NOT keep track of the score. This is a major faux pas and will generally be perceived as bias in the umpire. That said, when it is obvious that one team is trouncing another (trouncing is not a score), umpires will typically react with gentle changes to keep games moving along. Everyone knows this and it is not a show of bias, but rather compassion. Here are some great tipsEvery new umpire wants to know the best way to signal, stand, work with your indicator and mask. Check this out! A Tidbit - Setting Up the Strikezone"I’ve always wondered—when umpiring—do you visualize an imaginary strike zone. What is the process for calling balls and strikes? I line up my eyes with what I call the top of the strike zone. I know if my eyes have to go up, I call it a ball. I work a slot where I can see the outside corner of the plate. We’re trained to watch the ball with our eyes and not move our head. Also we’re trained to watch the ball into the glove. Don’t call the pitch too soon." — Larry Brewer Looking for a Batters Box Template in PowerPoint? |