For The Current Umpire

• Always conduct yourself in a professional, business-like manner and at all times display a neutral, fair, and just attitude.
• Be alert at all times - hustle.
• Be neutral, show no partiality.
• Have the courage of your convictions.
• Be neat and well dressed in appearance.
• Have correct equipment - mask, protector, indicator and broom.
• Call all plays in a decisive manner and be firm in your decisions.
• Discuss questionable plays with the coach or manager only.
• Do not argue with players or parents. If there is an issue consult the coach of the player or parent and ask them to remediate the situation.
• Know your rules and study them continually.
• Do not offer an opinion to a fellow umpire, until requested.
• Never run away from responsibility. Have the courage to make your own decisions.
• Be on time for all scheduled games and ready to inspect the field, go over ground rules and take possession of game balls.
• Be on top and in complete control of the game.
• Keep your eye on the ball at all times.
• Do not linger on the field after the game to discuss a game with anyone.
• There is no substitute for hustle and knowledge of the rules.
• Get out in front of potential issues with open communication.

Basic Stance

• Good athletic position, bent at waist (avoid taking a knee - exposes upper leg and hard to get up and down when calling in field plays)
• Stay square - use the protective equipment
• Indicator in right hand, hands behind
• “In the slot” - over shoulder of catcher to batter side, arm's length from catcher, foot at point of plate.
• Decreases chances of getting hit and visual impairment from catcher trying to catch the ball.

Dealing w/Comments from Stands

• Call Time ask both coaches to meet and ask the coaches to address the comments.
• Never talk to parents (during/before/after)

Calling Ball, Strike, Out, and Safe

• Three S’s - See It, Say It, Show It
• Provides separation.
• Say it in the crouch, stand and show it - provide separation.
• Loud, confident and slow with action
• Don’t say Strike 1 or 2, but do say Strike 3
• Never say “Batter Out” Unless you have to - once all variables exhausted then say it
• Why? Dropped third and creates a 3rd out situation (Create separation)
• What to do when ball is hit in field of play
• Take 4-5 steps inside 3rd base line and situate (inside diamond)
• Try to stop prior to play to keep vision from bouncing
• Always focus on the bag, not the runner. Get eyes on the bag ASAP.
• Train eyes to bag based on where the play is going
• Tie goes to runner
• What to do with the mask?
• Calling - obviously on
• When ball is hit in field of play, while moving to advantageous view remove with non-indicator hand
• If play at plate or play at plate - keep on
• Don’t throw the mask on the ground.

Be confident, if you missed a call and are questioned by a coach. Take your time, recall your rules and the situation and if you feel like you may have missed it, tell them you may have missed a call. We all have grace and if you have any issues beyond that, contact Umpire-in-Chief

Lemont Baseball and Softball Club has adopted the PONY standard rules and subsidized them with the additional rules provided. Please review the cliff notes version below, as well as a few helpful reference videos.

(Maverick, Pinto or Mustang)

• Runners on 1st, 1st and 2nd, or 1st, 2nd and 3rd with less than 2 outs. Ball is popped up and infield positions are determined by the umpire as the most likely arbiter to catch the ball, batter is out.
• Base runners are protected if running, but if tag up and run its at their own peril.
• Bunts and line drives are exceptions - difference between/line drive and pop up is umpires' discretion.

• Once in set positions - 3 things you can do: pitch, legally disengage, or hop and throw.
• Must pause in the set position. Once in set position, can move head but not upper torso, can not jump and not throw ball.

• Baserunner has right to baseline if ball is not in possession of fielder (Obstruction)
• Batter/runner runs for double makes contact with 1st baseman while running.
• Can also be umpire interference.
• Both have right to baseline if ball is in possession of fielder.
• Fielder is hindered or confused from being able to make a play. (Interference)
• Ball hit and strikes baserunner.

Situations

• In/Under/Through/Bounce Over Fence
• Bounce Over - Ground Rule Double
• Under/In/Through - Dead Ball advance one base from dead ball
• Pitcher's Mound or Base Struck and bounced foul: Ball is fair
• Ball hits player and bounces foul: Ball is fair
• Ball is hit and ends up on home plate: Ball is fair
• Ball is hit and connects with batter or bat: Dead Ball/Interference
• Batter Bats Out of Order