Uniform

Umpire Shirt

Looking serious and professional is an important part of umpiring and will help coaches and parents take you seriously.  There are a few items that you'll need purchase and the league will provide a few items for you.  If you are working with a partner you always want your colors to match, so for ease everyone should purchase Carolina blue (light blue)

https://amzn.to/41RDBv0

Umpire Pants

Umpire pants are grey slacks and should have belt loops in order to fasten a ball bag.  Note:  A ball bag is only used by the Plate Ump.  There are 2 different style of umpire pants - Plate pants are cut wider and allow leg guards to be worn beneath them while base pants are cut more like regular slacks.  It is great to have a pair of each, especially if you plan on umpiring a lot of games, but it is not at all necessary when you are just starting out.  Most company's make a pair called combo pants which  can be used both behind the plate and on the bases.  This is a good compromise when just starting out.  

https://bit.ly/4luvexp

https://bit.ly/4jgiSXr

Umpire Hat

An Umpire hat is similar to a baseball cap but the bill is shorter to allow for easy removal of the plate mask.

https://bit.ly/3XJF0kT

Other items...

Ball bag - This gets worn on the hip on your belt.  You'll keep your extra baseballs, plate brush, and indicator in your ball bag.  (League will provide)

Indicator - Hold the indicator in your left hand so that you can use your right hand for your strike calls.  You'll keep balls, strikes, outs, and innings on the indicator.  Remember, when you give the count you show balls on the left hand and strikes on the right.  You don't need to show the count on every pitch, but you should on the important counts,  especially if a strikeout can occur - 1-2, 2-2, 3-2.  If you give it on 2-2 you can just show it on 3-2.  If the balls is fouled off it is dead, so don't forget to put it back in play.  Wait until everyone is set, keep you hand help up as if you are letting everyone know to "pause or stop" then point to the pitcher and yell "PLAY!"  Do this each time you are putting a dead ball back in play ie.  after a time out, after any foul ball with runners on base.  (league will provide indicator)

Plate brush - When you are the Plate Umpire it's your job to keep the plate clean so that the pitcher has a good view of it.  When necessary, particularly after a. play at the plate, call "MY TIME!"  Go to the front of the plate with your back to the pitcher and brush the plate off.  Make sure your brush the dirt behind you and not onto the catcher.  Keep the plate brush in your ball bag.  (League will provide)

⚾ Understanding Balks: A Junior Umpire's Guide

By Michael Melman

 What Is a Balk?

A balk is an illegal act by the pitcher with runners on base, intended to deceive the runners. When a balk is called, all runners are awarded one base. 

 Why Do Balks Matter?

Understanding and correctly identifying balks is crucial for umpires, especially in divisions where runners can lead off bases. It ensures fair play and maintains the integrity of the game.

 Common Balk Scenarios

Here are some typical situations that constitute a balk:

1. Failing to Come to a Complete Stop: The pitcher does not pause in the set position before delivering the pitch.

2. Starting and Stopping the Pitch: Initiating the pitching motion and then stopping without delivering the ball.

3. Throwing to an Unoccupied Base: Attempting a pickoff to a base without a runner, unless it's an attempt to make a play.

4. Dropping the Ball While on the Rubber: Accidentally or intentionally dropping the ball while in contact with the pitching rubber.

5. Not Stepping Toward the Base: Failing to step directly toward a base when making a pickoff throw. 

 Umpire's Role in Calling Balks

As an umpire, when you identify a balk:

• Call it Loudly: Announce "Balk!" clearly so all players and coaches are aware.

• Signal Appropriately: Use the standard balk signal—pointing at the pitcher.

• Allow Play to Continue: In some cases, play may continue after a balk is called, depending on the league's rules.

• Award Bases: After the play concludes, award bases to runners as specified by the rules. 

 Tips for Junior Umpires

• Study the Rules: Familiarize yourself with the specific balk rules of the league you're officiating.

• Observe Pitchers Closely: Pay attention to the pitcher's movements, especially when runners are on base.

• Stay Confident: Make your calls decisively and confidently.

• Seek Mentorship: Learn from experienced umpires and ask questions to deepen your understanding.

 Visual Learning

For a visual explanation of balks, check out this informative video:

 Further Resources

• Little League Official Rules

• Baseball Rules Academy: Balk Regulations

In order to understand what is a strike it is necessary to completely understand the strike zone and what is a strike.  Obviously swings and misses are strikes, but let's put those aside for now.  

THE STRIKE ZONE SHALL BE DETERMINED FROM THE BATTER'S STANCE AS THE BATTER IS PREPARED TO SWING AT A PITCHED BALL

WIDTH OF THE ZONE

Different levels describe the zone differently.  Let's look at the High School Rule

A strike is charged to the batter when a pitch enters any part of the strike zone in flight and is not struck at.

But how wide is the strike zone?  Home plate is 17 inches wide along the front edge, so we will use that as a starting point.  A baseball is between 9 and 9.25 inches in circumference, which makes the diameter of a baseball just under 3".  Remember - if any part of the ball touches crosses any part of the plate it is a strike. 

If the absolute edge of the baseball touches the absolute edge of the plate it is as wide as it gets  - 23" and that gives us the rulebook strike zone.  But even in the pros the zone is called wider.  Umpires at even the highest levels will usually call a ball off the plate.  When an umpire refers to calling "a ball off the plate" he is generally referring to the rulebook strike zone of 23" (22.88 to be exact).  

MLB Umpires are graded on every pitch that is called during a game.  A ball off the plate on either side which gives us a width of 26.88" is considered a strike or "acceptable" by grading standards.  How can you use this information?  

On a properly drawn field, the distance from the inside edge of on batter's box to the other is 29".  That is a difference of only 2.12 inches or just more than an inch wider on either side than what is considered acceptable in the pros.  Let's bring back to the zone as we discussed it at the clinic.  

The Outside Corner

So long as a ball is not at the very top or bottom of the zone (which we still need to define) and outside pitch can be called almost to the chalk of the batters box opposite the batter.  You'll want to track the ball into the back of the catchers glove with your eyes and that will help you determine if it is an acceptable strike.  

The Inside Corner

It's important to call the inside corner as this is where good pitchers earn their money, but we don't want to expand as much as we do outside.  Call the rulebook zone inside which is a ball of the plate.  

If you position yourself in the slot and lower yourself above the catchers head with your eyes at the top of the zone you should have a great view of the outside corner and should be able to get those pitches right.  

Pulling vs. Framing

Some catchers believe that pulling a pitch back into the zone is framing.  It is not.  There is an art to framing the ball, but yanking the ball into the zone is not it.  If you see a catcher doing this it's a good indication that the pitch was not a strike.

Working the top and bottom of the zone is a bit trickier because it varies based on competitive level, size of the batter, among other factors.  Let's compare the height of the zone among at the highest levels:

So What is a Strike?

The most important factor is being aware of the level you are umpiring.  At the least competitive levels the top of the zone is the armpits.  You should never call strikes above the hands as players are taught not to swing at anything over the hands.  As the level gets more competitive the top of the zone moves to the middle of the letters.  Don't be afraid to call strikes.  You want to encourage the batter to swing.  

The best thing you can do is bring any questions you have or things out of the ordinary that might have occurred at your game to the junior umpire group chat.  The same sorts of things are going to happen at most of these games so you will each learn a lot by discussing and questioning.  I'm in the chat along with Joey's dad and Christian's dad, so we can all assist.  

This page will be growing with information that will help, but if you want to get up to speed quickly watch YouTube videos on umpiring.  We discussed interference and obstruction at the clinic, but you want to really understand the difference between them and how to handle them.  This will come through experience, but watching videos will help.  Some good channels are Umpire Academy, Official finders, and umpires classroom.  

Every game begins with a plate conference.  Whether you are working alone, with a partner, or with a Senior Umpire you should congregate at home plate 5 minutes before game time for the plate conference.

You want coaches to take you seriously and to think you are serious, so it's important to follow these protocols closely.  The Plate Umpire is considered the Umpire in Chief.  He assumes his position behind home plate facing the field.  The base umpire, if there is one, will stand facing him on the other side of home plate.  The teams managers will position themselves on either side.  What do you discuss?

1. Introductions - Introduce yourself to each manager by telling him your name and shaking his hand.  Speak clearly and look him in the eyes.  Remove any sunglasses if you are wearing them.  
2. Ground Rules - You can ask the home team coach to go over the ground rules until you feel you know them well for that field.  Ground rules will include dead ball areas, hazards that might exist on the field of play ( a tarp, or a fence opening).
3. Division Rules - You will want to discuss time limits, run rules (better not to refer to it as a mercy rule) and other things that deviate from standard baseball rules.  
4. Finally, you go over sportsmanship.  Let the manager know that he is responsible for the behavior of his players as well as the parents on his side.  Let him know that you are a cadet.  You are looking forward to gaining a lot of experience umpiring, but you are still new, so if anything occurs that they have a question about to wait until the play has completed and then to ask for time (they must ask for and be granted time out, they don't just call it themselves) and you will discuss with them your reasoning for the call.  This is not a time to discuss judgment calls and there will be no discussion of balls and strikes.  When you call time your hand goes up and you loudly call time so everyone can hear.  
5. Ask both coaches if they have any question.  Check your phone for the start time and then put it away until the end of the game.  Announce the start time to both coaches and wish them both good luck

That completes the plate conference

When the offense interferes it is called interference.  When the defense interferes it is called obstruction.  There are many types of interference.  Let’s look at the general concept of offensive interference.

Offensive interference is an act by the team at bat which interferes with, obstructs, impedes, hinders, or confuses any fielder attempting to make a play. If the umpire declares the batter, batter-runner, or a runner out for interference, all other runners shall return to the last base that was in the judgment of the umpire, legally touched at the time of the interference, unless otherwise provided by these rules."

A fielder who is making a play on a batted ball is "protected" from interference by a base runner. In other words, the fielder gets the right-of-way in cases where a base runner converges on a fielder who is making a play on a batted ball. The fielder's protection begins the moment the ball is put in play and the fielder goes in motion to make a play on the ball. The protection continues until the fielder makes a play or makes a throw after fielding the ball. From beginning to end of this sequence, the fielder has the right of way and runners must avoid impeding the fielder.

Here's the rub. The rules protect only one fielder. Just one. In cases where two or more fielders are in motion on a batted ball, you have to decide which fielder is best able to make the play. That's the protected fielder. If a base runner impedes this fielder, you have interference. However, if a base runner collides with any fielder other than the protected fielder, then you have obstruction on the fielder, not interference on the funner.

Here's an example: Say you have a batter who hits a slow-roller up the first base line. Both the pitcher and the first baseman are closing on the ball. Let's say the pitcher has the best chance at the ball, so in your mind the pitcher is your protected fielder. The batter-runner moves off the baseline to avoid the pitcher fielding the ball, but in the process collides with the first baseman. What do we have? Interference? Train wreck (nothing)? Obstruction?

Probably obstruction, because the player who collided with the base runner is not the protected fielder. Here's the bottom line:

• If the protected fielder and base runner come together in such a way that the fielder is hindered or impeded, you probably have interference on the base runner.
• If an un-protected fielder and base runner come together in such a way that the base runner is hindered or impeded, you probably have obstruction on the fielder.

By Michael Melman

Ready to take your umpiring to the next level?  First impressions are half the battle.  Make sure you show up on time.  Nothing conveys a lack of seriousness and disrespect for the game more than arriving 5 minutes late or even right at game time.  Here are some other keys:

1. Look the Part

First impressions matter. Show up looking sharp—clean shirt, tucked in, hat on straight. Even if you're new, looking the part builds instant credibility with coaches, players, and fans.  Your shirt should be color matched to your partner with dark pants (preferably grey) equipped with a black belt.  If you are working the plate you must have ball bags and a cup.

2.  Pre-game umpire conference

• If you are working with a partner it is important that you review responsibilities so that you communicate properly on the field.  Talk about coverages, tag-ups, communications, signals, and anything else that will help your gamed go smoothly.  
• Both umpires should walk onto the field together.  It looks great and sends the message to the teams that you two are also a team
• Greet the coaches and introduce yourself if they do not know you.  

3.  Start Strong with a Solid Plate Meeting

The pre-game plate conference isn’t just tradition—it’s your chance to set the tone. Go over ground rules, check equipment, and remind both teams that sportsmanship is expected. Be confident, but friendly.

3. Respect the Game and Expect the Same

Good umpires don’t just call balls and strikes—they keep things respectful. Don’t let players or coaches cross the line. Be fair, be firm, and stay calm if things get heated.

• Jog to and from your positions in between plays.  Walking indicates a lack of interest.
• Do not congregate with your partner between innings unless there is something specific to discuss.  The field umpire should wait in short right field while the plate umpire should alternate between waiting on the 1B base and 3B lines.  DO NOT TAKE OUT YOUR PHONES DURING GAMES UNLESS CHECKING THE TIME LIMIT.
• If a coach wants to question a call, make sure you call time and let the coach have his say.  State the reason for your call, then politely send him back to the dugout.  

4. Keep It Moving

No one enjoys a dragged-out game. Hustle between innings, keep batters in the box, and encourage catchers to be ready. On foul balls, toss the pitcher a replacement from your ball bag.  If there is a runner on base make sure to put all dead balls back into play by pointing and yelling "Play!"  There should be 1 minute allotted between innings.  Pitchers should get 8 warmup pitches to begin the game and 5 each inning after (unless a new pitcher comes in, in which case he gets 8). Encourage the players to hustle to their positions. 

 The quicker the tempo, the better the experience for everyone.

Umpiring can be one of the most rewarding roles in the game. When you show up prepared, act professionally, and treat the game with respect—you’re not just making calls. You’re setting the standard.

See you behind the plate!

TIME LIMIT - 1 HOUR 45 MIN "DROP DEAD"

RUN RULE - 5-RUN MAX PER INNING (EXCEPT LAST)

PITCHING - 2-2-2

• The first and last two innings will be coach pitch.   
• Each batter will get 6 pitches to hit the ball. The batter will be out after three swinging strikes or at the end of six pitches. If the batter has not put the ball in play after six pitches, it is an out. During the player pitch innings there will be four balls and three strikes.  
• If the batter fouls off the final pitch, they may continue their at-bat, as per standard baseball rules. The batter will remain at the plate until they either put the ball in play, swing and miss, or take a pitch without swinging.
• During coach pitch, the player-pitcher must position themselves to the immediate left or right of the coach within the circle of the mound.

1.    No bunting.

2.    A batter hit by a pitch is not awarded first base in coach pitch. It will count as a pitch. A batter hit during player pitch will be awarded first base.

3.    There is no infield fly rule.

4.    No base stealing is permitted. Runners can only advance on a ball in play.

5.    Each team will get one warning for a runner leaving the base early. The second violation will result in an out.

6.    All runners must slide feet first. Head-first slides will be called as an out.

7.    Play will only be stopped when the ball is returned to the pitcher (not the coach, the player) and in control on the mound. If the base runners are between bases, they will be given the next base if the umpire determines the runner to be halfway or closer to the next base.

8.    On an overthrow, the runners may advance only one base at their own risk.

9.    Speed-up rule: When the offensive team has two outs, if the catcher for the next inning is a base runner, that player must be replaced by either the last batted out or a player not in the lineup.

10.  Umpire will stand in either the B or C position depending on baserunner configuration.

Time limit - No new inning after 1:45

Mercy Rules -

1. 5 run max per inning except for last.  If approaching the time limit Umpire, in consultation with Managers, must determine which inning is likely to be last so proper run limit applies.
2. 15 runs after 3, 10 after 4

In addition to OBR (Official Baseball Rules), the following  applies:

• There is no infield fly rule
• no advancing to 1B on a dropped third
• Runners can steal 2nd or 3rd after the pitch crosses the plate.  There is no stealing of home.  Runners on 3rd base MUST be batted in - No Exceptions
• Entire lineup must bat

OBR (Official Baseball Rules apply).  

Junior umpires will always be paired with a Senior Umpire.  This division will really help you develop as a base umpire.  In addition to knowing when to be in the A, B, or C positions, you will need to learn more about specific responsibilities during various scenarios.  This information can be found further down on this page.  Review this often.  You will not memorize it before 1 game, but keep going over it and your confidence will skyrocket.

You should arrive at the game at least 15 minutes before start time.  You should meet your Senior Ump partner in the parking lot.  The Senior Umpire will show you a few basic hand signals and go over game specifics.  

Both umpires should enter the field of play together for the plate meeting.  During the plate meeting the Junior Umpire should stand opposite the Senior Umpire with his back to the pitchers mound in front of home plate.