2017-18 Softball
Curriculum Guide
Class Objective: To educate and prepare individuals with the basic knowledge of the rules and to equip individuals with the appropriate tools to become a licensed official.
Session 1 Officiating Principles and Duties
Ø Philosophy of Officiating
Ø Umpire Game Equipment
Ø Umpire Uniform
Ø Officials Duties
Ø Technology
Session 2 NFHS Rules /Game Management
Ø Rules/Points of Emphasis/Editorial Changes
Ø Game Procedures/Pre-Game Conference
Ø Scrimmage Rules
Ø Two-Umpire System
Session 3 Game Procedures
Ø Dead Ball and Suspension of Play
Ø Different Plays so Far this Season
Ø NFHS Lookback Rule
Ø 2017-18 Rules Interpretation Review & Impact
Ø Concussion Protocol
Ø Three Umpire system
Session 4 Players and Equipment/Pitching
Ø Tournament Rating Protocol
Ø NFHS INT-OBS With Awards
Ø Obstruction at Home
Ø Possible Obstruction at Plate
Ø Plate Mechanics
Ø Pitching 101
SESSION I: OFFICIATING PRINCIPLES AND DUTIES
During this session, officials will discuss the various Officiating Principles in the Officials Manual and the importance of Officials Duties that should be demonstrated for all contests. This initial session provides opportunity to offer additional information regarding the benefits of joining an association as well as provide an overview on how to use the ArbiterSports web site.
Officiating Principles
Ø Discuss the Code of Conduct and the importance for all officials to demonstrate these very important characteristics.
Ø Discuss the Officiating Philosophy as it pertains to the importance of rules knowledge, language, and the proper use of NFHS signals/mechanics.
Ø Personal Characteristics: Explain the importance of conditioning, decisiveness, teamwork, and maintaining control.
Ø Discuss the importance of proper preparation prevents poor performance (examples include: rules study, practicing mechanics, attending association meetings, obtaining a schedule and sending back contracts).
Ø Working with coaches and players.
Working with Coaches and Players
Review the power point addressing this topic, which stresses preventive officiating and demeanor.
Field and Game Equipment
Ø Provide guidance on the different vendors that supply NFHS approved attire.
Ø Uniform and Equipment: Discuss the uniform/equipment guidelines (posted on IHSAA Central Hub). Stress that uniform policies is a MUST for EVERY game.
Officials and Their Duties
Ø Discuss umpire responsibilities when the umpire’s jurisdiction begins.
Ø Explain correctable errors.
Ø Discuss IHSAA concussion protocol.
Ø Discuss officials ratings protocol.
Technology Session
Ø The Officials Association Technology Chairperson will present information regarding the use of Arbiter and the Central Hub.
Ø Importance of checking meeting and clinic attendance on Central Hub.
Resources
Ø IHSAA Softball Umpire’s Uniform – word document
Ø IHSAA Code of Ethics – word document
Ø Working With Coaches and Players – power point
Ø Softball Diagram – pdf
Ø NFHS Arbiter Information – power point
Ø Softball Glove – Legal or Illegal? – power point
SESSION II. NFHS RULES CHANGES/GAME MANAGEMENT
During the session, officials will discuss and highlight the importance of Pre-Game Conferences with their partner(s). Officials will also discuss and illustrate the importance of following Game Procedures.
NFHS Rule Changes/Points of Emphasis/Situations - Officials will discuss NFHS Rule Changes and any Points of Emphasis, Editorial Changes, and Case Book Situations for the current year.
Game Management/Awareness
Ø Discuss the importance of being professional at all times.
Ø Discuss and explain the importance of communication with administration, coaches, and players.
Ø Discuss the importance of communication with fellow umpires.
Ø Discuss and define the importance of preventive game management and preventive officiating.
Pre-Game Conference
Ø Discuss the importance of conducting a Pre-Game Conference before every contest between you and your partner(s).
Ø Discuss NFHS/IHSAA standard procedure for pre-game conference with coaches and captains.
IHSAA Modifications
The IHSAA modifies several NFHS rules each year. Review the modifications.
Scrimmage Rules
Review IHSAA Scrimmage Rules per handout.
Two Umpire System
Ø Using the animated power point, discuss positioning in the two umpire system.
Resources
Ø NFHS Softball Rules Changes - .pdf
Ø NFHS Point of Emphasis- word document
Ø NFHS Comments on the Rules – .pdf
Ø BFHS Comments on the Rule Changes – word document
Ø Angles and Distances-power point
Ø IHSAA Modifications – word document
Ø Scrimmage Rules – word document
Ø Two-Umpire System – power point
SESSION III. NFHS – GAME PROCEDURES
During the session, officials will outline the details of Game Mechanics.
Game Procedures
Ø Discuss and define Terminology.
Ø Discuss and explain the Pregame Duties that should be completed.
Ø Discuss and explain the communication signals/mechanics that should be used.
Ø Discuss Batting Out of Order penalties.
Ø Discuss Pre-game and post-game responsibilities.
Ø Discuss Substitutes and illegal substitution.
Discuss the following:
Dead Ball and Suspension of Play
Different Plays so Far this Season
NFHS Lookback Rule
NFHS Batting Out of Order
Pre-game and Post-game
Substitutes, DP/Flex, illegal subs
Review of 2017-18 IHSAA Rule Interpretations
Rule interpretations are compiled each year from questions received during the IHSAA contests season from coaches and officials. Discussion will center on issues that arose during the last season.
Concussion Protocol
Review procedures that must be followed when a concussion is suspected.
Three Umpire System
Ø Using the animated power point, discuss positioning in the three umpire system.
Resources
Ø NFHS Batting Out of Order – power point
Ø Pre-game and Post-game – power point
Ø Substitutes, dp-flex, illegal subs – power point
Ø DP/Flex Strategies – power point
Ø Dead Ball and Suspension of Play – power point
Ø NFHS Lookback Rule – power point
Ø 2017-18 IHSAA Rules Interpretations – .pdf
Ø Concussion Protocol Policy – word document
Ø Three-Umpire System – power point
SESSION IV. PLAYER EQUIPMENT/PITCHING/BATTING
During the session, officials will discuss and study Players Equipment, and umpire responsibilities with regard to pitching and batting.
Players, Substitutes, and Equipment
Ø Discuss and explain the concept of a team and the responsibilities of a captain.
Ø Explain the process and the importance of having starters listed on the lineup card and possible penalties if not entered correctly.
Ø Discuss and define the substitute’s role and the process for entering the game.
Ø Discuss and define the DP/FLEX role and the process for entering the game.
Ø Highlight the importance of adhering to proper uniform and numbering standards.
Ø Discuss the equipment/apparel that is appropriate and not appropriate based NFHS standards.
Tournament Ratings Protocol
Explain the tournament ratings protocol using the word document as a teaching tool.
Discuss the following:
NFHS INT-OBS With Awards
Obstruction at Home
Possible Obstruction at Plate
Plate Mechanics
The Plate Mechanics videos will help initiate a discussion on appropriate umpire mechanics. Animated video will clearly illustrate the expectations behind the plate.
Pitching 101
Using the videos that are included in the educational resources, review pitching requirements and what illegal pitches look like.
Resources
Ø Pitching – power point
Ø Rule 7 Batter – power point
Ø Rule 8 Batter Runner and Runner – power point
Ø NFHS INT-OBS With Awards – power point
Ø Tournament Ratings Protocol – word document
Ø Plate Mechanics (Calling the Pitch) – power point
Ø Plate Mechanics (Movement after the Pitch) – power point
Ø Plate Mechanics (Plays at the Plate) – power point
Ø Plate Mechanics (The Set Position) – power point
Ø Pitching 101 (24 inch length) – video
Ø Pitching 101 (Behind the Back Delivery) – video
Ø Pitching 101 (Crow Hop) – video
Ø Pitching 101 (Double Touch) – video
Ø Pitching 101 (Ephus Pitch) – video
Ø Pitching 101 (Leap) – video
Ø Pitching 101 (Legal Drag) – video
Ø Pitching 101 (Legal Removal) – video
Ø Pitching 101 (Sidearm Delivery) – video