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Arrive at the game
site 20 minutes before the scheduled start.
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Make sure the field
is prepared for play.
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Notify the coaches
you are present.
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Tell the coaches
they should start their infield warm up. If there is a game currently
underway, advise them there will be 20 minutes from the end of the game
and the start of the next game. This allows 15 minutes for the teams to
share on field warm-ups. As soon as the current game as finished, identify
the start time for the next game and inform the coaches. The time between
this notice and the plate conference should be divided evenly between the
two teams. You can note the time on your watch and tell them specifically,
Coach, you have the field for warm-ups until 5:17
[Other] coach, you will have the field from 5:17 until 5:23
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Get the gear and
prepare yourself for the game.
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Conduct the
umpire-to-umpire conference, then look around the field to make sure there
are no unexpected conditions, such as a wet spot, a new hole in the fence,
a stick/log/rock on the field or a hole in the field, and so on.
Prior to the start of the game, the umpires should go over several things to
make sure they understand the work methodology of each other and agree on a
common approach where there are differences. The process is simply one of
reminding one another of mechanics and other issues. The Umpire-in-Chief
(plate umpire) takes control of this meeting. This meeting usually takes
five minutes or less and can be done as the umpires are getting gear on.
Following are some items that can be included in discussion.
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fair/foul coverage
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tagups/touches
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fly balls to
outfield
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fly balls to infield
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coverage of third
base
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live ball (restart
after foul/dead balls)
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batted ball hits
batter while in box
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half swing (checked
swing)
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umpire positioning
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signals
Just prior to the game, umpires come together at home plate and call for the
coaches of each team to attend a plate conference. Some issues you may wish
to raise include
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Inspect equipment
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Introductions (self
and partner and coach/manager)
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Playing field ground
rules
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One minute between
half-innings
Players:
No throwing helmets or
bats
Helmets worn at all times by offensive players on the field
No jewelry (except Medical Alert)
Hustle on and off the field
Are players properly
equipped
Cannot argue judgement calls
Do not come onto the field until proper time is called
Establish start and
end time for the game: designate official watch
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Keep an eye on the
clock and (if necessary) notify the coach on the field when he/she has one
minute remaining.
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Plate umpire will
get two new baseballs from the home team.
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At 5:23 (in the
example above) clear the field and call the coaches to the plate for the
plate conference. It will take them a minute to get there, but should
happen by 5:25 (five minutes before game time). See the Plate Conference
instruction for content ideas for the plate conference.
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Time of game is 2
hours. Note the exact time of the start of the game and make sure the
coaches know also. You can simply make a statement so that both can hear
The game start time is
now!
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If there is not a
result at the end of 2 hours, then you may continue play (provided there
isn’t a scheduled game immediately following). If there is still no
result, then the League officials will find a suitable time and place for
the game to be concluded.
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After the
conference, the home team should take the field. Give one of the new balls
to the pitcher for warm-ups.
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Take your
between-inning positions. Plate umpire monitors warm-ups and base umpire
can clean the bases and check players for things like
no jewelry
hats on
shirts tucked in
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At the scheduled
game time, the first batter should be stepping into the batter’s box.
Plate umpire should quickly look around the field to make sure the warm up
balls are in and everyone is ready, then check with the base umpire. Have
the batter step into the batters box and get ready, then point to the
pitcher and announce
Play!
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