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Umpire Signaling |
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| Play | Safe - Fielder Off Bag | Foul Tip | Time |
| Ball | Strike | Check Swing Appeal | Out |
| Safe | Foul | Balk (Award of Bases) | |
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Putting The Ball In Play Any time the ball is not in play (dead ball) and at the beginning of the game, the plate umpire (only) must put the ball in play. This is one of the most under used signals for amateur baseball, but should be used every time the ball is put back into play. This signal is particularly important at the Junior, Senior and Big League levels because of lead-offs, attempted steals and pick-off attempts. Prior to the ball being put back in play, no action may be taken. Remember that anytime a foul ball occurs, the ball is dead and must be put back into play. The ball is not put back into play until the pitcher is touching the pitching rubber.
Step 1 & 2 |
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"Play" |
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Ball
Step 1 |
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"Ball" |
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Safe
Step 1 Step 3 Step 4 |
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"Safe" |
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Safe - Off The Bag
You will start this signal mechanic
the same as the normal safe signal in steps 1 through 3, above.
This is a call that needs to be "sold" to everyone because most of
the time no others but you and possibly your fellow blues will
detect the fact that the fielder pulled his/her foot off the base. |
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"He's off the bag!" |
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Strike
Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Note: Most umpires have their own customized third strike call (also known as a punch-out). If you use a customized third strike call, use one that still allows you to keep an eye on the ball. The only time you should use a "punch-out" call is when it is a non-swinging strike call. |
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"Strike" or "Strike 3" |
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Foul
Step 1
Step 2 & 3 |
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"Foul" |
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Foul Tip
Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Note: A foul tip is a live ball. Runners can steal. Do not verbalize anything on a foul tip - it is a swinging strike and any verbalization of "foul" would kill any subsequent action. (It might cause runners to believe the ball is dead if they heard any version of the word "foul".) |
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Check Swing Appeals Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 |
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"John, did he go?" |
"No, he didn't." or "Yes, he did." |
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"Then that's a ball" or "Then that's a strike" |
"The count is three balls, two strikes." |
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Balk
(90 Foot Field - Juniors & above) This mechanic is the same for both the plate umpire and base umpire. The only difference, from this depiction, is that the plate umpire does it from behind the plate with the gear on.
Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Step 5 Step 6 Step 7 Repeat step 6 & 7 for each runner - but be sure to start with the runner closest to home and work your way backwards around the bases. |
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"That's a balk!" |
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"Time" |
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"That's a balk!" |
"You!" |
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"Second base!" |
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"He's Out" |
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