6/23/26 Softball Umpire Memo
It is almost playoff time. We have umpires who are getting sick on the field. If you are not well, don’t jeopardize the game if you are ill or have medical issues. Find a sub. Remember, you cannot start a high school game with one umpire. You may finish with one if one becomes incapacitated, but don’t do that to your partner(s).
Post Season Dates to remember:
Regional - 1A/2A July 6, 8, 10, 13
Regional - 3A/4A/5A July 9, 11, 14
State Tournament – Fort Dodge July 20-24
Registration/test/clinic/post season availability – The clinic/rules meeting and test are closed on Dragonfly. The post season form has been released, the deadline was June 15 – I allowed an extra day. If you completed the form more than one time – I will use the latest time stamp and DELETE the other completion. I WILL check for your certification before assigning games. My advisors will assist with assignments in other areas of the state – they know you and the schools and distances to each school. I trust their judgment.
Conferences – use the NFHS conference rule. A time out by the catcher to go and talk to the pitcher is not a conference. Record the conferences when a coach or bench personnel request and receive time out to meet with players. Rule 2-14-1. Umpires need to record this information – neatly – on their lineup card.
Professionalism – your conduct on the field should be impeccable. Do not fraternize with the players, coaches, or fans. I realize that some may be your neighbors and friends, but the other team does not know that. I receive multiple complaints each day from coaches about umpire conduct. We are short of officials, so do not jeopardize your involvement with softball by your on-field conduct. Learn the rules and, yes, we all make mistakes, including me – I messed up a call at third base last night. It happens. I made the call too soon, the play developed differently than I anticipated. It is the fact that we learn from those mistakes and do not make them again. Some of it may end up on social media. Go to the game, prepare yourselves, work the game to the best of your ability, post-game and learn to be better.
Weekend tournament – Remember, unless there is a run rule game, timed varsity games must be a complete game by rule, 4 ½ innings if the home team is ahead or 5 innings if the visiting team is ahead. This is important not for the umpire, but for the team. The stats – win/loss, pitching record, home runs, etc. will not count unless it is a complete game. The coaches and administrators should know this rule but as umpires, we can remind them.
Pre-pitch – What is pre-pitch? Umpires need to know the score, the outs, the batter’s count, which base the runners are located (is there a fast runner on 1B who may steal?), where the fielders are set up (perhaps the outfield is drawn in for a lefty), what the game situation is (is a bunt coming up?). These prepare you mentally for your next mechanic.
Post season – the post season list has been assembled and is ready for assignments. There are about the same number of umpires as last year that are available. Brackets will be released this week, assignments made on paper and I will place in DF this weekend. I plan to release assignments June 29 or 30. I will be out of town starting July 2, with limited access to internet and Dragonfly. I will return late on July 5. State tournament crews are being assembled now. This year is different; there are no consolation games. I will choose the best umpires from across the state.
Ejections – we have had five ejections so far, three for malicious contact. One was a fan (remember, the ejection is the umpire’s decision, but the physical removal is by school staff). Be sure to watch the players closely for illegal contact, even after the play is over. Be sure of the type of contact. Because once you eject, you cannot take it back. Here is the form: EjectionPolicyRevised2023 Be sure and send a copy to me and to Jason Eslinger, see his email at the end of this newsletter. These must be filed as soon as possible.
DP/Flex – The DP/Flex is not hard to understand. It is key to know ‘who has left the game’ or ‘who is sitting and not in the lineup’. The flex may only go into bat or run for the DP. Then the DP has left the game. Both starters and subs may re-enter the game one time – in the same spot in the lineup. So, if the flex runs for the DP and goes back to the flex position right away – has she left the game? No. When she returns to the flex position, she has NOT used a re-entry. However, the DP will use her re-entry if she comes back into that position.
Plate umpire duties – don’t pick up the bat during a play. You might toss it into someone on deck and may miss a play. Leave the bat, it is part of the field. it is necessary for plate umpires to write down – LEGIBLY – the subs on their lineup card, including the courtesy runners. Remember, a courtesy runner can be a substitute in the game but not in the same half inning where she was a courtesy runner.
Rule questions, mechanics of the game and such questions should be directed to the IGHSAU Softball Coordinator of Officials: Cathy Creighton at cathy@ighsau.org. I will take phone calls most of the day and emails (preferred method). I will check a couple times per day. 563-940-0164. Remember, I am a part-time independent contractor for IGHSAU. I work from home, and I am not in the IGHSAU office full time so do not call me there. You must identify yourself as an umpire, as I try not to respond to parents (that is the coaches’ responsibility) Please be patient, as I receive a lot of correspondence during the season and I do have personal things to do. Feel free to contact your regional advisor, too (see contact info below).
Regional Advisors and their areas of coverage:
Tom Burger, Northeast, and eastern Iowa, tomburger88@gmail.com.
Post season starts in a few days. I have observers out; many will not tell you they are there until after the game. Work every game as if I was watching. Advisors are watching games online. These evaluations mean more than recommendations for post season.
Keep working hard.
Cathy Creighton
