1. The Volunteer Little League® Little League Baseball®
Umpire
Little League Baseball®
Umpire
Clinic Presentation
Introduce yourself and give a brief presentation on what you will cover, what
they can expect and what you will allow and not allow. Such as, do not get
caught up in the “What if” questions or 3rd world plays.
Mechanics

2. PLATE UMPIRE Signaling “OUT” -Mask always in left hand
-Right arm creates right angle
Signaling “SAFE”
-Mask always in left hand
-Arms outstretched parallel to ground
-Fingers together
Making sure the mask is always in the left hand.
Don't ever call an out while having the mask in that hand.
You might hurt someone.
Give count with fingers, not with fist (3-2).
Giving Count:
Always use fingers to indicate count. Do Not use closed fists to indicate full count.

3. SIGNALING “PLAY”
After time has been suspended or to start the game, it is advisable for the umpire to signal “Play!” The plate umpire should not call “Play!” until the pitcher has the ball in his possession, is on the rubber, and the batter is reasonably set in the batter’s box.
Rule 5.11 requires you as plate umpire to call "Play" or "Play Ball".
DO IT AND DO IT EVERY TIME THE BALL IS DEAD FOR
WHATEVER REASON.

4. CALLING “TIME”
It is very important that everyone on the field know when you have called “Time.” The clearest signal for you to use is both arms raised high into the air. This signal should be repeated by your partner whenever you stop play.
Don't call time everytime someone requests it just to dust off the uniform
or just because the ball is in the infield from the outfield.
Use "Time" outs sparingly.
Remember if you hold up one hand to stop the pitcher from pitching
while the batter gets set you have stopped ALL action from happening.
This signal may be used to allow a hitter to get set. It cannot be seen as clearly as both arms raised and should not be routinely substituted for the better signal. Make sure your partner, the pitcher, and everyone else is aware that Time Is Out! This signal has the same impact as both arms high in the air.

5. FAIR / FOUL Plate Umpire ….Indicates Fair Ball Down Third Base Line….
(NO VOICE)
Pump “Fair” As Necessary
….Indicates Fair Ball
Down First Base Line….
(NO VOICE)
Pump “Fair” As Necessary
Fair is no voice just a point into fair territory.
Foul is a loud, forceful, take charge kind of voice with point into foul
territory with hands extended about the head slightly forward with
palm of hands forward.
“FOUL!”
If practical, you shall remove
your mask for fair/foul decision.
Sometimes, you will not have time to
remove your mask (e.g.. Screaming line drive
down the line or bunt near the line
that the catcher pounces on.)

6. STRIKE / BALL -There is no visual signal for “balls.”
Stay down on the call of "Ball".
Come up to your total height and while making a fist with the right hand,
the upper arm is slightly forward of the body and while calling strike one,
two or three hammer the wall while verbalizing "Strike One".
You know the rest.
“Strike!”
-“Strikes” are called while coming out of your plate set position or standing upright.
-There is no visual signal for “balls.”
-“Balls” are called vocally while remaining down in the plate set position.

7. THE SLOT (SIDE VIEW) Forward body tilt Proper head height Drop Foot
This is what it should look like.
Drop Foot
Slot Foot
HEEL
TOE
HEEL
TOE

8. THE SLOT (FRONT VIEW) Proper head position is controlled by:
Width of stance
Amount of squat
Forward body tilt
Proper use of protective equipment facing front
Proper head height
And this also is what it should look like.
Wrist relaxed and forearm wrapped
Nice wide stance shoulder width or greater

9. THE SLOT (TOP VIEW) Catcher HEEL Good view of the outside corner TOE
Proper use of protective equipment facing front
And again.
HEEL
TOE
HEEL
TOE
Good clearance
from the catcher
Right hand on or behind the thigh

10. THE BOX STANCE
Feet Parallel a line connecting 1st and 3rd bases Set on a line slightly behind and parallel to catcher’s heels At least shoulder width apart Weight distribution favors balls of feet Slot foot set first
Shoulders Square to plate Parallel to ground
Chin Parallel to ground Level with top of catcher’s head (see Note pg. 43)
Torso Slight lean forward to comfortable position Angle of torso works in conjunction with squat to regulate head height
Arms and Hands Options:
Forearms rest on thighs with the elbows tucked close to body. Hands positioned between legs for protection.
Hands grip legs above the knees with the elbows tucked close to body.
Same as before except the feet are even and not heel to toe.
Head height and location is the same.

11. THE SCISSORS STANCE
Feet Slot foot established on a line even with catcher’s heels. Slot foot set first, square to mound. Trail leg positioned straight back with weight on ball of foot. Trail heel pointed straight up. Width of stance determined by distance needed to establish 90° angle in slot leg.
Shoulders Square to plate. Parallel to ground.
Chin Parallel to ground. Level with top of catcher’s head (see Note pg. 46). Positioned over slot leg.
Torso Upper body leans forward to create virtual straight line from trail foot through head. Head positioned over slot leg at some preferred spot between mid-thigh and knee.
Arms and Hands Options:
Slot forearm rests comfortably on thigh with hand hanging naturally. Trail hand grips outer leg for stability.
Slot hand grips knee with elbow tucked close to body. Trail arm hangs straight down naturally and is protected by catcher.
Same as other two.
Head height......head location the same as others.

12. THE SET POSITION The Set Position Shall:
RIGHT
WRONG
The Set Position Shall:
Be assumed by the Base Umpire before every pitch
Be assumed by all umpires before calling most plays (Note: There will be situations that dictate a Standing Set.)
Assuming The Set Position:
Lower your seat; do not bend over from waist.
Place hands on knees or thighs; not inside legs.
Keep your head up; do not drop the chin.
Align elbows with arms.
Relax your shoulders; dissipate the physical tension.
Keep your weight forward in your stance. This enhances agility.
Hands on knees, thumbs on the inside of the knees.
Elbows locked, but not locked so tight that you can't move.
Butt down, eyes focused on the play.
Explain why, set position. Reason: To make sure the eyes are not moving
when the play happens.

13. “Signal “Time”Then Point Foul
FOUL BALL
Base Umpire
“Signal “Time”Then Point Foul
As You Declare, “FOUL!”
A “foul” ball is first indicated by raising both
arms and signaling “Time.” This kills all play
and alerts the runners and coaches. The umpire then points toward foul territory. The arm and hand signals are accompanied by emphatic voice…. “Foul!”
FAIR BALL
Foul ball is loud and hands above head slightly forward, the point to foul
territory.
Fair no voice and point to fair territory.
Call may have to be repeated and demonstrated several times if ball is
very close to being fair or foul.
No voice is ever used to indicate that a ball is fair.
By pointing into fair territory, the umpire indicates fair ball.
Point Fair
(no voice)

14. Making The “Safe” Call “Safe”
THE “SAFE” MECHANIC
Totally up right
Arms extended straight out in front of the body and while moving the arms
to the side of the body, straight out from the shoulders, verbalize "Safe".
Making The “Safe” Call “Safe”
Set Position
Return To Set Position
It is imperative that the umpire is set to see each play. Whenever possible, it is advisable to assume the hands-on-knees set position. After the play is completed, the umpire initiates his safe call and returns to his set position.

15. (Fielder Is Off The Bag)
THE “SAFE” MECHANIC
(Fielder Is Off The Bag)
Same as previous slide, but this time you are telling everyone why the
runner was safe.
Goes along way in keeping managers/coaches in the dugout.
“Safe!….
….He’s Off The Bag!”
On plays in which the ball “beat the runner” but the fielder came “off the bag” to make the catch, the umpire should indicate the reason for his decision by signaling appropriately after he has rendered the safe call.

16. Making The “Out”Call “He’s OUT!”
THE “OUT” MECHANIC
Totally upright upper arm slightly forward of the body.....bringing
the hand up behind the ear while making a fist and then hammer the
nail in the wall.
While verbalizing, "Your out!"
Making The “Out”Call “He’s OUT!”
Set Position
The hands-on-knees set position is advisable on all force plays in which the umpire has time to set-up with no subsequent play possibility. The “out” signal should be accompanied by appropriate voice….louder and more emphatic on close plays and quieter, less demonstrative on routine plays.

17. CATCH NO CATCH On questionable plays in the outfield or infield, the
Umpire should always indicate whether or not the
Ball was caught. This is the only way runners and
Coaches are made aware of the status of the ball.
NO CATCH
“That’s A Catch! He’s Out!”
Signals are just like safes and outs.
Safe for No Catch.
Out for Catch.
The No Catch signal in an emphatic safe call
Accompanied by the proper voice…. “No Catch! No Catch!”
“No Catch! No Catch!”

18. GROUND RULE DOUBLE HOME RUN
“Time!”
….That’s Two Bases!”
On the ground rule double, the umpire should first kill the ball by indicating “Time!” He then raises two fingers to indicate a two base award.
No big deal. Just show slide and move on.
HOME RUN
This signal indicates the four base award for the home run. Unlike the ground rule double, it is not necessary to indicate that the ball is dead.

19. INFIELD FLY SIGNAL TO PARTNER
Pregame should clue both umpires in as to what signal they are going to use.
Talk about it and use it.
This is a signal which is flashed between umpires as a reminder of the infield fly rule. If a fly ball is hit which an infielder can handle with ordinary effort, the umpires shall invoke the infield fly rule.

20. DECLARING BATTED BALL AN INFIELD FLY
….The Batter’s Out!”
“That’s An Infield Fly……
Either or both have equal responsibility and authority to call it.
If one calls it the other should echo the call.
Ordinarily, either umpire may initiate the call of “infield Fly!” However, on balls hit near the foul lines, the plate umpire is responsible for the initial call. When the signal is given by one umpire, his partner shall “echo” the call. The call should be given loudly and clearly so there is no confusion for the runners.