Donny7

Thank You ousafe... You are absolutely correct. That is very good to know. I and many others have real issues with not having the legal ability to call (an untagged or un-played upon at 1B) BR out until he enters the dugout, prior to 1B.

Just to clarify... Listed as one of the possible remedies was to call R3 out for Abandonment. Unfortunately, that's not possible in Fed. The player must enter the dugout before being called out. The OP states that he was returning to the dugout. If he entered it, he is Out.

What maven said, and; Good, quality coaches will occasionally come out just to show their players (and fans) that he's got their back... and may even say something like, "I saw the same thing you did. Great call, just give me minute and I will go back to the dugout"

Coachhimup, StatsUmp, Thunderheads, MadMax Real world, very knowledgeable coach's view vs umpires' opinions. How important is it for a NEW umpire to know ALL the rules as compared Mechanics, Safes/Outs or all of the other tangibles? Not very. Tangible: Capable of being clearly grasped by the mind; substantial rather than imaginary: tangible evidence.

4 Habits of Successful Officials If you took a poll of coaches and players and asked them to name the skills and habits that are important for a game official to possess, what do you suppose would be on the list? More importantly, where would “rules knowledge” fall on the list? Rules knowledge is undoubtedly important but how often will it enter into their thinking? Probably only if a controversial ruling came up during the game you worked, and how often does that happen? The bottom line is that you’re often judged by the little things you do that get noticed rather than your two most crucial skills: rules knowledge and mechanics. While there is no substitute for strong rules knowledge and solid mechanics, the best officials also possess qualities that are independent of those skills. They have a demeanor or confidence about them that sets them apart from most officials. How can you rise above the rest and, with minimal effort, make yourself look better to everyone who views your performance? As in other areas of life, there are “little things” that you can do right now — starting with your next assignment — that will enhance your performance, improve your image, increase your comfort and confidence levels and simply make you a better official. The following skills and habits won’t be ingrained overnight but improving a little bit at a time with each of them doesn’t require any significant study or exceptional effort. 1. Keep moving Hustle really doesn’t take all that much extra effort. It’s simply a matter of being dedicated to being in position and looking interested and athletic during your games. If you know where to be, it is usually easy to get there. Just remember the basic hustle rules: Get as close to the ideal position as possible while ensuring that you are not running when the play happens, you don’t interfere with the play and you don’t leave a potential secondary play uncovered. 2. Look professional No one should underestimate the value of appearance. Buy the standard clothes and equipment for your level of play and wear them properly. Iron your shirts and pants and shine your shoes. Be dressed and ready before you appear on the field or court and dress professionally when arriving at your changing room before the game. Looks are seldom deceiving; make sure your first impression is one that you can try to live up to and not one that you have to overcome. 3. Arrive early As with appearance, arrival time is a first-impression issue. It should surprise no one that the official who comes running up to the field a few minutes before game time creates a terrible impression on everyone at the location. Plan your game days carefully to ensure that you’re able to observe the 15-minute rule for arrival time. The absolute latest you should arrive is 15 minutes early. Most games at the high school level and above will require you to arrive between 45 minutes to an hour and a half early. If you arrive 15 minutes earlier than that, you will always be on time. You will need to properly warm up for your duties, inspect the playing surface, equipment and teams before the game and conduct a managers’ or captains’ conference in addition to your own pregame conference with your crew. 4. Meet the teams Don’t underestimate the potential value of a meeting with coaches and captains, which gives you an opportunity to get the game started on the right note. Know what you’re going to say before you talk to the coaches. That diminishes the possibility of you stumbling over your words, creating a negative opinion of your ability or comfort level. Speak in a confident, yet friendly tone, introduce yourself and give a firm handshake. Cover everything you need to cover, no more or no less and finally, offer to answer any questions. Then there is only one thing left to do. “Let’s Play Ball”

I wish I lived in Clearwater Beach, Florida. I wouldn't be doing 200 games a year.

I have seen the situation you described above many times. Partners by having different strengths, complementing each other in their abilities. In today's, shortage of official's world, wise Assigners will often make game assignments with just that mix of strength/weakness in mind. It was with that line of thinking that I suggested, placing a priority on mechanics before learning "ALL" the rules. My statement was: "although rules are important, knowing the mechanics and being at the right place and angle at the right time, is much more important than knowing all of the rules." My statement was used in the context of giving advice to a new umpire. When a "partial quote" is taken out of context... it can have an entirely different meaning. I did begin the sentence with "rules are important"

Got a GREAT one for you! Follow the link below, click on Camps and Clinics... BOOM Doug McClure - Triple Play Umpires https://tripleplayumpire.com › the-coordinator Been to 3 of his camps, one was right in your backyard in Georgetown... At the oldest college in Texas. Southwestern University. Another one in a new Minor League Complex in Cleburne and a third in the Houston area. As well as being excellent instructional camps... All of these are just what you said you are looking for. Live tryouts for recruiting college officials. Tell him Donny sent you ⚾

Although a "lodged ball" has always been in the rule book... the NFHS added a definition in the new 2022. Lodged ball - A lodged ball is a baseball that contacts something on or within the playing field and becomes stuck, out of reach, or lost, thus becoming unplayable by a fielder. Key Points: •Remains on playing field, •Has become wedged, stuck, lost, unreachable, etc., •Has impacted something and stopped abruptly and does not fall or roll immediately. • Ball is dead. • Two bases are awarded to runners on base when lodged in: • Defensive player’s uniform, • Umpire’s uniform or equipment. • If ball was a pitch, one base is awarded to runners on base. • If lodged in an offensive player’s uniform or equipment: • One base beyond last legally acquired base, if • In Umpire’s judgement runner was attempting to advance at time ball became lodged, • If lodged when batter-runner attempting to reach first base, the batter-runner awarded first base and any preceding runners awarded as needed to award batter-runner. Exception: A ball that becomes stuck in a glove remains in play. The glove/ball combination is treated as a live ball.

Coach, Welcome to Umpire Empire You received great advice from the guys above. An NFHS Rule Book, Case Book and a mechanics manual is a lot to digest and all of the hardcopies you need to get started. You can find no cost, on-line instructional videos, on almost any subject or situation you can think of. Just make sure that they are following the same rule set that you will be officiating. All baseball rules, from youth to the MLB, do have differences. Many of us would argue that, although rules are important, knowing the mechanics and being at the right place and angle at the right time, is much more important than knowing all of the rules. Since you have been coaching in HS for 23 years, you obviously know all of the proper protocols that go along with HS sports. Although coaching football, I'm sure you know the game of baseball. So, you are already way ahead of the curve. Whether behind the plate or in the field, I will offer these two things to you as being two of the staples of good umpiring. TIMING TIMING TIMING - Slow down and take your time. It ain't nothing until you call it! The ANGLE is much more important than the distance Now latch on to a veteran umpire mentor, one that you have trust and confidence in, wear him out with your questions and soak the answers up like a sponge. And last but certainly not least, you can be professional and HAVE FUN all at the same time. It's good to smile on a baseball field... it's contagious.

NFHS 2022 - AKA High School Fed rules were modified/clarified this 2022 season to allow the pitcher to take signals, signs etc. from the dugout, as long as he "simulates" taking a sign from the catcher prior to beginning the pitching motion. The directive given in my state is that the wristband, if worn by the pitcher, shall be on the non-throwing arm and shall not be white or a light color. The existing rule for the umpire to have any glove, sleeve or accessory removed that he deems distracting to the batter has not changed.

Don't know if you have an interest in this, down under, but, NFHS 2022 High School Rule Book can be purchased via hardcopy or App. 2020 which is also 2021 (because there were no changes, a 2021 book was not printed) is attached. With Table of Contents links and multiple links within the document. NOTE: The one and only rule change in the 2022 vs 2020, is that: No matter where he receives a sign, number, etc., the Pitcher must simulate receiving a sign from the catcher before he begins his motion. NFHS Rule Book 2020-2021.pdf

Translation Please. 🤔

Had one of these balk, 3 run homeruns in a playoff game this past season. Thankfully me nor the other 3 umps either didn't see it or like me weren't quick enough to call it. And to your point about Fed Rules giving one team or the other an advantage... You would think that it shouldn't matter which dugout you were in, but in Fed you would be wrong. An untagged batter who has technically struck out on a ball in the dirt is not considered OUT until he/she enters the dugout. If you happen to be in the 1B dugout you are likely at least halfway to 1B. Advantage 1B Dugout Team

The enforcements/options are: Accept the CI... or Decline the CI and Accept the result. FED 8.1.1e ART. 1 . . . A batter becomes a runner with the right to attempt to score by advancing to first, second, third and home bases in the listed order when: e. the catcher or any other defensive player obstructs him. The coach or captain of the team at bat, after being informed by the umpire-in-chief of the obstruction, shall indicate whether or not he elects to decline the obstruction penalty and accept the resulting play.