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Posted May 8, 2010
Can a player slide feet first going in to first base? By “going into” I mean running from home to first and sliding.
The answer is "yes".
Note there at least two references about over-sliding first base and needing to return to first immediately. These references are consistent with the answer that you can slide feet first in to first base. See Rules 7.08 (j) and 7.10 (c).
Jim Alexander
Umpire Director
Posted Apr 27, 2010
DLL Umpire Tip #8 - 2010 Local Rules - What's the policy on "Cups"? Intentional Walks? Time Limits?
Danville Little League has 27 "Local Rules" - extensions of existing rules in the Rule Book, clarifications and examples for other rules, and Danville unique rules. Here are a few of the 27: policy on the use of "cups", catcher moving to position of pitcher, timelimits, and intentional walks. Can you name some of the other 23?
It's important that we as umpires are familiar with the 2010 Local Rules. This document is posted on the DLL website under the "Documents" link. Please take the time to read it thoroughly.
Thanks.
Jim Alexander
Posted Apr 15, 2010
DLL Umpire Tip #7 - Pitch Count Scenario
A team has a game on Saturday and Sunday and wants to pitch the same pitcher in both games. In the first game the manager plans to have him throw 20 pitches. If that pitcher reaches 20 pitches in the middle of a batter, can he finish pitching to that batter, thus going over 20, and still pitch the next day?
The answer to the above is 'no', he cannot pitch the next day. According to the Rule Book, if a pitcher throws 20 pitches or less he is eligible to pitch the next day. (No calendar days rest is required.) Since he went over 20, he must observe 1 calendar day of rest assuming he did not go over 35.
Note: If a pitcher reaches the maximum pitch count allowed per day while facing a batter, the pitcher may continue to pitch until 1) that batter reaches base, or 2) that batter is put out. The maximum number of pitches a pitcher can throw in a day is determined by their league age:
League Age 11-12 - 85 pitches per day
League Age 9-10 - 75 pitches per day
Posted Mar 31, 2010
DLL Umpire Tip #6 - When Do I Get Paid?
If you are a "paid" umpire, you will receive your check around the 10th of the month following your assignment(s). Note that you must complete an Umpire Report Form in order to be paid.As an example, let's assume you umpire a game on March 15th. You must complete your Umpire Report Form by March 31st in order to be paid on April 10th. If you were to complete your Umpire Report Form on April 1st for your March 15th game, you would then be paid on May 10th.A good rule of thumb is to complete your Umpire Report Form right after you umpire your game.Thanks.Jim Alexander
Posted Mar 22, 2010
DLL Umpire Tip #5: Infield Fly. What happens if the infielder drops the ball?
An Infield Fly situation exists with runners on 1st & 2nd or with the bases loaded, and less than two outs. If the batter hits a fair fly ball to an infielder, and the infielder can make the catch in an ordinary manner, then we have an infield fly.
At this point one of the umpires must call "infield fly, the batter is out". Note that the batter is out regardless of whether the infielder catches the ball.
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If the ball is not caught, the runners do not have to tag and can advance at their own risk. There is no force play because the runners can go back to their “original” bases. The runners must be tagged in order to be put out.
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If the ball is caught, the runners must tag up and can advance at their own risk – the same as any fly ball. There is no force play if they attempt to advance so they must be tagged in order to be put out.
Posted Mar 21, 2010
DLL Umpire Tip #4: 10 Safety Tips to Enforce
1. The use of a helmet by the batter, all baserunners, child base coaches, and a player retrieving a bat from the playing field is mandatory. Each helmet must bear the NOCSAE stamp.
2. Catchers must wear a catcher’s helmet, face mask, and throat guard when warming up a pitcher. This applies between innings and in bullpen warm-ups. Managers, coaches, and parents are not allowed to warm-up a pitcher at any time.
3. Only the first batter of each half-inning is allowed to occupy the "on-deck" position outside the dugout. All other on-deck batters must remain in the dugout. This does not apply to the Jr/Sr division.
4. Only the first batter of each half-inning is allowed to have a bat in their hands. All other on-deck matters must not have a bat in their hands. This does not apply to the Jr/Sr division.
5. Head first sliding is not allowed going "into" a base. It is allowed going "back" to a base. This does not apply to the Jr/Sr division.
6. All players should remain safely behind the dugout fence when the game is in progress. They should not stand in the dugout opening(s) or sit on a bucket in the dugout opening.
7. All bats must be 33" or less in length, not more than 2 1/4" in diameter, and have a BPF of 1.15 or less. This does not apply to the Jr/Sr division. Any bat that has a crack or dent must be removed from play.
8. All male players and the plate umpire must wear a protective cup.
9. Players must not wear watches, rings, jewelry or any other metallic items. Exception: Jewelery that alerts medical personnel to a specific condition is permissible.
10. A Field Marshall must be present when one of the two umpires is not an adult.
Posted Mar 5, 2010
DLL Umpire Tip #3: What happens to my assignment if a game gets rained out and I was scheduled to umpire the game?
Answer: If the game gets rescheduled, then your umpire assignment is automatically moved to the rescheduled date too. It is your responsibility to ensure you can make the rescheduled date. If you cannot, then you must un-assign yourself from the game and I ask that you do this as soon as possible.
Some practice and/or regular season games may not be rescheduled. In this case, your umpire assignment is cancelled too.
Posted Feb 28, 2010
DLL Umpire Tip #2: What Should I Do If It's Been Raining And The Games May Be Cancelled?
If it's been raining and the fields are wet, there's a good chance the games will be cancelled. Umpires are instructed to call the Danville Sports Field Information line at (925) 314-3484 to see whether the fields are open. If the fields are open the games will be played. The Sports Field Information line is updated by noon on weekdays and by 7 am on weekends.
If the Sports Field Information line states the fields are closed in advance of the game start time, and you show up to the fields, you will receive no pay.
If the Sports Field Information line states the fields are open in advance of the game start time, and you show up to the field and the game is cancelled at the field before the game starts, you will receive $10 "show up" pay.
You will receive partial pay if the game is started but gets suspended while in progress.
Posted Feb 20, 2010
DLL Umpire Tip #1: What happens if neither of the two umpires is an adult?
Answer: The Visiting team must provide a Field Marshall (an Adult Umpire-In-Charge).
Little League Rule 9.01 (a) requires an adult (age 18 or older) umpire be present at every game for which there are umpires. In the event at least one of the two umpires is not an adult, the plate umpire will ask the Visiting team to provide a “Field Marshall”. If the Visitors cannot provide a Field Marshall, then the game cannot be played. (It is their responsibility to provide a Field Marshall, even if that person ultimately comes from the Home team.)
The scorekeeper will write the name of the Field Marshall in the official scorebook. The Field Marshall will be stationed at 3rd base, off the field of play, and near the 3rd base coach. The two umpires will officiate the game from their usual positions. The Field Marshall must stay for the entire game.
Posted Feb 9, 2010
Hello Returning Umpires!
It's time to dust off your rule book and umpire clothes... the 2010 season is upon us. The Majors and AAA games are now in the system, and the February and March games are available for self-assignment.
Here are the guidelines:
- Father/Son pairs can self-assign starting today, Feb 9th.
- All others can self-assign starting Saturday, Feb 13th.
- Please sign up for a maximum of 3 games for the month of March.
Also, please familiarize yourself with the 2010 Local Rules. These rules can be found under the Documents link off the Danville Little League home page. More to come on the 2010 Local Rules in a future email.
Lastly, please stop by my house on Sat, Feb 20th, between 12 - 4 if you need a new shirt, hat, patch, or rule book. My address is 172 Saint Helena Court in Danville.
Thanks, and have a great season!
Jim Alexander
Posted January 4, 2010
Umpire Training for 2010
Training for first year umpires for the 2010 season is as follows:
- Rules training will be held on Feb 23, 24, and 25 from 6-9 pm at the John Baldwin Library.
- Mechanics training will be held on Feb 27 from 8-12 at Sycamore Valley Park, turf fields.
This training is mandatory for first year umpires and highly recommended for second year umpires.
Posted January 4, 2010
Umpire Registration - Update
Umpire registration for the 2010 season will open on November 18th. Online registration will close on January 15, 2010. As we are always in need of adult umpires, adults can register anytime after January 15, 2010, by emailing me or calling me directly.
Posted November 15, 2009
Umpire registration for the 2010 season will open on November 18, 2009. If this will be your first year as a Danville Little League umpire you must register through the Danville Little League website.
All returning umpires do not need to re-register.
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