• Written exam regarding the rules
• Clinic/evaluation regarding positioning, movement, and mechanics for base umpiring
  

• Consists of two sections, one for base umpire certification and one for plate umpire certification (the latter section can be skipped by those only pursuing base certification)
• Consists of multiple choice questions
• Closed book/phone (a pencil and clipboard will be provided; phones and any other items must be stashed during the exam)
• Certification score will require significant knowledge of the following sections of the LL Rulebook:
  • Base umpiring: Rules 2 and 6-9
  • Plate umpiring: Rules 1-9

• Prerequisites: Consumption of and familiarity with the LL base umpiring videos linked within the Keys to Success section below (instructors will assume and build upon that content)
• Duration: Approximately 2.5 hours
  • Ninety (90) minutes of instruction, review, discussion, and group practice
  • Sixty (60) minutes in live scenarios (overlapping with a LL practice)

1. Certified umpires
2. Uncertified umpires who attempted (with a positive/cooperative attitude and with mental toughness) the written exam and clinic/evaluation
3. All other umpires

KNOW THE RULES

• The Little League Rulebook mobile app is free and contains the complete rulebooks for Baseball, Softball, and Challenger.
  • Plate umpires should be familiar with the entire Baseball or Softball rulebook.
  • Base umpires should be familiar with (at a minimum) Rules 2 and 6-9.
• In addition to the official LLI rules, SCLL operates with local rules.
  • Baseball
    • Major
    • Minor AAA
    • Minor AA
  • Softball

KNOW THE CORRECT POSITIONING, MOVEMENT, AND MECHANICS

• Base Umpire
  • Set Position
  • Basic Mechanics
  •  A Position
  •  The Pivot
  •  B Position
  •  C Position
• Plate Umpire
  • The Slot
  • Putting Ball in Play
  • Uncaught Third Strike

***Many additional resources are available via the LLI website.

DRESS THE PART

• Pants or shorts (must be finger-tip length or longer)
  
  • Color: Gray (preferred) or should match/complement shirt and hat
    
  • Ideal
• Plain shirt
  • Coordinate color with partner prior to game (light blue, black, and navy are common)
  • Polo (preferred)
  • Ideal
• SCLL or neutral hat (NO travel team hats)
  • Ideal: Fitted or FlexFit
• Sneakers or umpire shoes (NO flip-flops, sandals, or spikes/cleats)
  • Ideal

BE EQUIPPED

• Plate
  • Mask
  • Chest protector
  • Shin guards
  • Cup
  • Indicator
  • Plate Brush
  • Ball Bag
  • ***Some umpire plate gear may be available in the equipment sheds at Montresor, Gill, Ferguson, API, and Sichler.
• Base
  • Indicator
  • Running violation flag

PREPARE PREGAME

• Arrive at least 15 minutes before the advertised start time of the game

• Connect with your partner to align expectations

• Introduce yourself to the managers (if unfamiliar)

• Ensure teams vacate the field 10 minutes before the start of the game

• Check for errant balls, equipment, or debris on the field

• Ensure all gates are shut and securely latched

• Ensure all tarps are completely removed from the field of play

• Obtain 2-3 game balls from the home team with an approved Little League logo on them, i.e., RS or RS-T models for Major, RS models for Minor

• Ensure playing of national anthem (if possible) and recitation of LL player's pledge

PROCEED WITH EXCELLENCE

• Hustle! (during each play and between pitches/plays)

• Focus! (after every play/pitch, reevaluate the situation and/or your position)

• Stay connected! (maintain nonverbal communication with the other umpire)

• Home plate umpire calls balls/strikes, fair/foul, and all catches.

• Base umpire is responsible for all calls at all bases, along with fly ball tags/leaving early.

• Review other hand signals with your partner:  infield-fly, drop/caught 3rd strike, count.

• The position of the ball, not the position of the player, determines whether fair or foul. The position of the ball determines fair/foul as it passes first or third base.

• Only an umpire can grant timeout. Only a player, not a coach, can ask for a timeout when the ball is in play. Coaches can ask umpires for time when the ball isn’t in play.

THE BATTER

• Both feet must be within the batter’s box. The chalk lines are part of the batter’s box.

• The strike zone is the region directly above home plate that extends from the top of the knees to the armpits, when the batter is in a "natural" batting stance.

• If any part of the baseball (in flight) passes through the strike zone, it is a strike.

• If the batter makes contact with the pitch with at least one foot completely outside of the batter's box, the batter is out.

• A pitched ball that bounces can be hit safely but can only be a strike when swung at.

• If the batter hits the catcher’s glove on the forward swing, it is catcher’s interference, and first base is awarded.  Only forced runners on base advance.

• There is no penalty for unintentionally throwing the bat unless the thrown bat hinders the defense from making a play on a batted ball. Get the coach to talk to the batter.

• Batting out of order is rare. If discovered (by either team) while the errant batter is still at bat, replace the errant batter with the correct batter, maintaining the current ball-strike count.

• There are no on-deck batters.  Only the current batter can have a bat in hand.

THE PITCHER

• Must be in contact with the pitching plate to deliver a pitch.

• May not wear items that create a distraction or a safety concern, e.g., jewelry, sunglasses, or an arm-sleeve on the throwing arm. Long sleeve shirts may not be white or light gray.

• Is allowed 8 warm-up pitches or 1 minute -- whichever is reached first -- after arriving at the pitching plate before each inning.

• Must give the batter reasonable time to become set in the batter's box before delivering each pitch. Otherwise, it is a "quick pitch," which is an illegal pitch even without a runner on base.

• With at least one runner on base, it is an illegal pitch if the pitcher drops the ball while in contact with the pitching plate or stops their motion before delivering the pitch. 

• An illegal pitch is a ball and counts against the pitcher's pitch count, even if the pitch is not thrown.

• Major/Minor do not require a "pause" of motion for the set position before delivering a pitch and have no balks.

• Catcher must be in the catcher’s box until the pitch is delivered.

• A coach may warm up a pitcher on the field and in the bullpen.

• A player must wear a mask and a cup to warm up a pitcher on the field or in the bullpen.

• Regarding mound visits, a Major pitcher must be removed on the second visit in the same inning or third visit in the same game. A Minor pitcher must be removed on the third visit in the same inning or the fourth visit in the same game.

THE RUNNER

• Nobody on base - the base umpire is in foul territory in position to make the call at 1st. Plate ump has the fair/foul call. “Position A”

• Lead runner on 1st base - the base umpire is behind the second baseman in position to make the call at 1st and 2nd. “Position B”

• Lead runner on 2nd base - the base umpire is behind the shortstop in position to make the call at all three bases. “Position C”

• Lead Runner on 3rd base - Convention suggests the base umpire should be in “C” position.  But “B” is also acceptable.

• Remember! There are no bad calls in Little League, only calls made when you are in a bad position.

• Stealing - The runner can leave the base when the ball reaches the batter. If the runner leaves too soon you send them back to the base. They are never out. This will happen often.

• The runner cannot steal if the pitcher is on the mound and the catcher is in the box.

• Local (SCLL) Majors/Minor/Pee Wee league Rules  - Click Here https://dt5602vnjxv0c.cloudfront.net/portals/23350/docs/localrules/2021%20scll%20%20local%20rules.pdf

• When two runners occupy the same base and are both tagged, the preceding runner is out if forced. Otherwise, the following runner is out.

• Obstruction - a fielder blocks/hinders a runner without the right to do so. For example, the first baseman often stands on/near first base on a hit to the outfield, blocking the path of the runner who is trying to make a turn around first base toward second base. Obstruction should be called immediately but may have immediate (if the defense is attempting a play on the runner) or delayed (if the defense is not attempting a play on the runner) enforcement. Delayed obstruction may have no consequence, depending upon the result of the play and the umpire's judgment.

• Interference - a runner hinders a defensive player without the right to do so. Runner is out.

• A runner establishes their own baseline. Once the fielder is in position to make a tag, the baseline becomes a straight line (from the runner to the base that the runner is attempting to reach) with 3 feet to each side as a boundary.

• Courtesy Runner. Pitcher or catcher with 2 outs. If using a regular batting order this must be a sub. If using a continuous batting order, the runner is who made the last out.

• With 2 outs ask the coaches if any of the runners are pitchers or catchers? This keeps the game moving. One of our main jobs.

THE FIELDER

• Foul tip - a sharp hit directly from the bat to the glove. This is a live ball. Not a catch if trapped against the catcher’s body or stuck in equipment.

• Legal Catch - fielder has secure possession of the ball. A throw happens when a fielder makes a voluntary or intentional release of the ball.

SAFETY

• Only the current batter may have a bat in hand. Get the coaches to enforce this rule and control their dugout/team. No on-deck batters.

• Catchers must wear a dangling throat guard.

MISC

• Talk to both coaches at the same time if there is a question. Remember! You must still make the call, not the coaches. If you make a mistake,  admit it and move on.

• This is Little League not Major League.

• It is ok to say that you don’t know. Talk to the coaches and move on.

• Any coach-fan problems contact me as soon as possible. 

• We have zero tolerance for poor sportsmanship!

• We are using the Assignr app for scheduling and reimbursement.  Umpires need to sign up and enter their information. Pay will be a direct banking account to banking account transaction within 2 to 3 days  Assigner will be the Umpire SCHEDULING & REIMBURSEMENT platform