Bourne Youth Girls Softball uses umpires trained in ASA rules

To become a BYGS umpire

Each candidate must successfully complete the current ASA Umpire Exam and be certified by an authorized ASA Representative. Youth umpires must be at least 15 years of age, must be ASA certified by an authorized ASA Representative, and/or demonstrate a good knowledge of the game, ASA rules and local rules. All candidates must have completed and passed a CORI check. A recent ASA rule book and local guidelines may be used and will be supplied to serious candidates. Each umpire is outfitted with a safety mask, clicker and base brush. Each umpire is to supply their own ASA uniform of a hat and shirt. Each candidate must agree to abide by Bourne Youth Girls Softball By-Laws and conduct themselves with outstanding sportsmanlike decorum at all times while representing the league. If you are interested in becoming a BYGS umpire please contact our Umpire-in-Chief.

Safety

For the safety of all participants all protective items must be worn. When players on the team are warming up pitchers they must wear the catchers mask. All the players in all the softball leagues must wear the required safety equipment specified. Umpires must wear their protective equipment which allows them to focus on calling balls and strikes as well as knowing the game situation, without having to worry about getting out of the way of foul tips.  Please, all umpires wear your safety equipment!

Time factors

As the umpire (and coaches can really help here) it is your responsibility to start the game on time and keep it moving.  Coaches, have your lineup for defense ready and hustle the girls on and off the field (have someone help the catchers get ready early).  Umpires limit the number of warm-up pitches between innings.  A pitcher coming back only should get 5 warm-up pitches, a new pitcher should be warmed up before entering the game, but you can allow 10 pitches from the mound. Usually this would be allowed only for a mid-inning replacement. Umpires hold your ground rules discussion 5 minutes before the start of game, even if one of the teams is still doing infield practice.

Pitching Rules

We will be following the ASA rules for pitching for all Leagues.  These rules can be summarized with the following as the important rules to maintain:

1.        Both feet must start on the pitching rubber. 

2.        Pitchers must pause to look for a sign from the catcher (one does not have to be given); this assures that there will not be ‘quick pitches’.

3.        Pitcher must present the ball and touch it to the glove once before delivery.

4.        No “rocking” is permitted (both feet must be in contact with the rubber until the step forward)

5.        No “Crow Hopping”  (A foot must be in contact with the rubber until release or the back foot can be dragged until the release)

6.        No double windups.

Given the ages of the specific leagues more of the rules must be enforced as the girls get older, but it is very important to teach the girls in the younger leagues the proper ways to pitch.

Illegal Pitch (balk)

In softball, a balk or illegal pitch results in a ball awarded to the batter with no runners being awarded any extra bases.

Out of Baseline

When the base runner goes more than three feet out of the baseline to ‘avoid a tag’, the runner is out.  The baseline is not necessarily the straight line between the two bases (or home plate).  The baseline is established by where the base runner is currently running; any attempt to avoid a tag by moving laterally more that three feet, the runner should be called out.  The fielder must be attempting to make a tag for the runner to avoid.

Running to first base: If the base runner is on the inside of the first baseline and is struck by a throw, the runner is out.  (This occurs on bunts and possibly dropped third strikes, if it happens at all) 

Look Back Rule

When the pitcher has the ball in the pitcher’s circle (8-foot radius from pitching rubber) the runner may stop once, but must immediately return to the previous base, or attempt to advance to the next base.  Failure to immediately return or proceed will result in the runner being called out.  EXCEPTION: the runner will not be called out if a play is made (a fake throw is considered a play). 

If the ball is in the pitcher’s possession within the 8-foot circle, and the batter-runner, after overrunning first base, commits back to the base, the batter-runner must then return non-stop to first base. (Committing to a base is the act of moving toward that base.)

COMMENTS: Runners have been able to overrun first base, start back for the base but before reaching the base, run for second after fielders leave second base. This new rule now reads that if a runner commits to first base (moving towards first), the runner must return to first base. She cannot change her mind and advance to second once it looks like she is moving directly to first following the overrun.

Taunting Rules

Cheering for your own team is highly encouraged.  Teamwork and building an enjoyable experience for all the girls in the league is our desired goal.  However, there comes a time when the line can be crossed over, and it is up to the umpire to be aware of the incidents and to try to maintain a level playing field for both teams.  This issue is not only between girls from both teams, it involves coaches and parents.  Negative cheers about the other team should not be tolerated.  Sudden noises (shouts, horns, foot stomping, “swing”, or other noise making devices) shall not be tolerated.  Yelling things like “good pitch”, “ball”, “strike”, etc. should not be allowed until after the pitch is over.  These are manipulative techniques to influence the batter and the umpire.  The Umpire should stop the game to give a warning the first time and expel the person the next time it happens. 

Sportsmanship

Coaches and Parents are responsible for teaching good sportsmanship.  Whenever there are concerns over rules, the parents should ask their coaches to get a ruling from the umpire.  Remember the umpires are learning a lot each game they go out and if approached politely instead of twenty people yelling, a better decision can be made.  Not all rules are understood the same way by everyone.  Especially for parents that know baseball rules, softball rules are not always the same.  Calmer heads should prevail and the two head coaches with the umpire should work out the issues.  Remember that the umpire does have the final word.  Coaches and Managers, please ask all of your parents to talk to you and not to scream at the umpires.  Remember if the umpires do not come back you will have to find someone to umpire your game, and they may not know as many of the rules the current umpire knows.