What Every Umpire Should
WHAT EVERY UMPIRE SHOULD
KNOW
Before going to a
QUEENSLAND
State Championship
MESSAGE FROM THE STATE DIRECTOR OF UMPIRING
This booklet is designed to assist umpires who wish to continue their development in the National Umpire Program by applying for appointment to umpire at a State Championship.
Appointment to a State Championship is another step in the development of umpires to achieve National and, potentially, International accreditation.
To be successful in achieving the highest degree of competency it must be understood that umpiring is a special skill. With the increasing skills of the players, demands are ever increasing for the umpire to be in good physical condition and to keep current with the rules and umpire mechanics.
Australia’s top umpires are among the most skilled in the world. Acquiring the skills necessary for further accreditation is primarily the result of concentrated study and game experience, supplemented by continuous evaluation and continuous efforts to improve. It should be the objective of every umpire to do the same.
Umpires who keep all this in mind will inevitably succeed.
Darren Sibraa
State Director of Umpiring
2016
WHAT EVERY UMPIRE SHOULD KNOW
(Before going to a State Championship)
1.ELIGIBILITY
To be eligible to officiate at a State Championship you must:
- have attained and be currently active in your local association at the appropriate accreditation level in the National Umpire Program;
- have completed a State Championship Availability Form and returned it to the State Championship Coordinator; and
- have notified your Umpiring co-ordinator and been endorsed by your District Association.
2.APPOINTMENTS TO OFFICIATE AT A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
State availability forms are forwarded directly to District Association Umpiring Coordinators and available on the Queensland Umpire’s website. These forms are to be signed and recommended by the District Association Umpiring Coordinator or District Secretary and returned to the State Championship Coordinator by the due date.
3.PRIOR TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP
The State Championship’s Umpire-in-Chief (UIC) will notify you of your appointment to the State Championship, via email, if it is provided in your application, or alternatively by other means. Email notification will be provided 4 weeks prior to the Championship.
Travel
Umpires will be responsible for their own transport. District Associations may organisetransport for their umpires. Any cost incurred in relation to travel arrangements will be the responsibility of the umpire concerned.
Accommodation
At each Championship the UIC and Examiners are accommodated together. Umpires may choose to be at the same place, be accommodated with teams, or make other alternative arrangements.
Officiating Uniform and Equipment
- When appointed to a State Championship umpires are expected to arrive with their uniform and equipment in good order and repair.
- Check all your equipment thoroughly so that any repairs can be arranged and carried out well before the date of your departure for the Championship.
- Umpires must arrive with the following items of uniform and equipment:
-Official Softball AustraliaOn-diamondumpire shirts – appropriate for both plateand base work;
-Dark navy trousers/slacks – appropriate for both plate and base work;
-White undershirts;
-Navy cap – long peak cap for bases and short peak cap for plates;
-Navy or black belt;
-Dark navy or black socks;
-Black shoes – suitable for both plate and base work;
-Mask with throat protector;
-Navy ball bag;
-Counter;
-Plate brush;
-Chest protector (worn under shirt);
-Leg guards (worn under trousers/slacks)
-Wet weather gear;
-Working equipment:
- shoe polish;
- Note book and pen;
- Equipment Bag;
- Rule Book.
-Water bottle, sunscreen, and hat.
Quantities of uniform items are at the discretion of each individual umpire.
Fitness
Fitness should play a very large part in your preparation to officiate at a State Championship.
State Championships are conducted over a three (3) day period and, in many cases, night games are scheduled which ensures extremely long days. This requires a sustained level of stamina and fitness.
It is suggested that you plan out a fitness program to enable you to maintain the level of performance required.
Arrival at the Championship Venue
Umpires usually arrive at the venue on the evening prior to the Championship.Please advise the UIC of your arrival. Mobile phone contact for the UIC will be provided in the email notification sent by the UIC.
Pre-Championship Umpire’s Meeting
All umpires must attend the Pre-Championship umpire’s meeting, which is conducted by the UICone hour prior to the first game on the first day of the Championship. Umpires will be given game allocations for the Championship at this meeting. Neat casual attire should be worn.
4.DURING THE CHAMPIONSHIP
During the Championship the UIC and management crew, appointed by the State Umpiring Committee, will guide you. If you require assistance on any matter, the UIC is your resource person. The UIC will endeavour to assist you with any problems that you may encounter. You should take all your instructions from the UIC during the Championship.
At under-age Championships a clinic will be conducted, with practical and/or theory components. These clinics are COMPULSORY for all umpires attending the Championship.
The UIC, at the Technical Meeting and Umpire’s Meeting, will announce the time and venue of the clinic.
The management crew will provide feedback, both personally and with umpire crews, as appropriate throughout the Championship.
Umpire protocol
It is mandatory that during the Championship your on diamond appearance be neat and tidy, ensuring shoes are polished, your shirt is clean and trousers/slacks are pressed. If you are to gain the respect of coaches and players, you must be properly dressed and equipped.
You are required to be in the umpire’s dressing room at least 30 minutes, and ready 15 minutes, prior to each game to which you have been allocated.
When going to games, all umpires leave the dressing room together and return together after the conclusion of the game.
During the State Championship all umpires will be assessed by the UIC and appointed examiners.
On the final day of the Championship, umpires will receive a tournament evaluation report, which summarises their performance.
The assessment is based not only on your on-diamond performance but your entire presentation at the Championship and should be used to further your development in the umpiring program.
As a Candidate
Your practical examinations will be examined over six (6) games consisting of 3 plates and 3 bases.
You may also be allocated to games in which you will not be examined and you will be advised when this is the case.
The UIC and two other examiners will conduct the formal examination.
The UIC may utilise other senior umpires to assist with feedback.
Discipline off the Diamond
It is a requirement that for the duration of the Championship, your conduct is exemplary and entirely appropriate to that of a representative of Softball Queensland. Breach of discipline may result in the umpire being removed from the roster for the remainder of the championship.
Smoking is strictly not permitted within the Umpire’s change rooms or while in uniform.
If you consume alcoholic beverages, do so only after the last game of the day and only in moderation after you have checked with the UIC.
Extremely late hours should be avoided. Each game is a big game during a State Championship and you never know when you might be called upon to work anextra game, so be prepared at with the crew from the game, UIC or examiners.
When your game is over, you are requested to change out of your officiating uniform immediately. At no time should you socialise with players and coaches while in uniform nor should you be in any team bench area.
Following a game, you are advised not to answer any questions or discuss specific plays of the game with anyone, other than in a post-game debrief. In particular, do not criticise players, coaches or your fellow umpires. Direct all questions to the UIC.
When amongst spectators by all means applaud the plays, however it is advisable not to barrack and in no circumstances are umpires to sit on or near the bench. Again, you are not to be in uniform at this time.
Any issues during the tournament are to be directed to the UIC.
It is requested that should you need to leave the park at any time, you must notify the UIC prior to your departure.
In the process of watching other umpires you can often pick up points that will enhance your officiating. You will, by discussion with your fellow umpires, learn more about umpiring softball.
5.FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS
Responsibility of Softball Queensland
Costs for travel and reasonably priced accommodation for the UIC, Examiners, and Queensland umpires appointed to all Championships will be met bySoftball Queensland, as per the current Softball Queensland travel guidelines.
All Umpires
All umpires are responsible for their own day-to-day expenses. This includes thecost of their meals and their own incidental expenses (phone, fax, dry cleaning,laundry etc.) during the course of the Championship.
6.GENERAL
Principles
The proper handling of any softball game requires that three (3) essential factors be part of the umpire’s make up.
They are:
*Knowledge of the rules;
*Judgement; and
*Technique
One important aspect to remember is, if you respect the role of the coaches, players and spectators, they will in turn respect you as an umpire.
They will also appreciate the responsibilities and the many decisions you have to make on the diamond.
While you are on the playing field, you must show all participants that you possess a good positive attitude, proper conduct and, most of all, a pleasing temperament at all times.
ON THE DIAMOND THERE ARE THREE TEAMS
THE TWO TEAMS PLAYING THE GAME AND
THE THIRD - THE OFFICIATING TEAM
ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT YOU ARE PART OF THAT TEAM