Cathy's Corner - Softball Umpires Newsletter - 5/28/21
The 2021 long awaited IGHSAU softball season has started! This first newsletter will outline the some of the points of emphasis and changes for the 2021 season. Our focus this year will be pitching, the look-back rule, obstruction, and interference.
TEST DATES TO REMEMBER: All varsity umpires must view the short rules video and take and pass the online rules test prior to their first game. The entire test consists of 80 questions and you must answer 50 questions. Passing grade is 75% or better. Your rschool account has a study guide to print the entire group of 80 questions to view prior to taking the test. The test questions and answers will be released after May 31. Remember, I only see pass/fail.
Postseason Tournament Dates to remember:
Regional Dates
1A/ 2A: July 6, 7, 9, 12
3A: July 6, 9, 12
4A/5A: July 8, 10, 13
State Tournament – Fort Dodge: July 19-23
During the 1A, 2A and 3A regional dates, some 4A and 5A are playing regular season games. With the shortage of tournament eligible umpires, you may be asked to work multiple post season nights. Please keep your rschool availability updated. If you need assistance with rschool, we would be happy to help.
Updated protocols: This year with the COVID-19 virus still present, there are less COVID protocols for games. They are detailed on IGHSAU.org at this link: https://www.ighsau.org/news/covid-19-guidance-for-2021-softball-season/ This link has also been emailed to you. We will be handling game balls this year. You MAY wear a mask, but it is not required. To protect the game participants and yourself, wash your hands often. Umpires are encouraged to bring hand sanitizer with you onto the field and use it frequently. When you arrive home, we suggest you shower and launder your uniforms. The COVID protocols are for everyone’s safety - be patient with the players, coaches, your partners, and yourself.
Evaluations: This will be our fourth season of evaluations. A few umpires have requested evaluations, but we also have umpires who we want to see. We are always looking for the next state tournament umpire. Someone may be at your game, watching you, at any time.
Player uniforms: Umpires do not like to be the “uniform police”. But it is our job. Hats, visors, jerseys, all must be worn as intended. No backwards hats, jerseys with cut off sleeves, no optic yellow gloves or gloves with an optic-colored marking that give the appearance of the ball. Chin straps are required and are to be worn properly – under the chin.
Umpire uniforms: The new shirts are very lightweight and look comfortable. A navy-blue shirt may be worn only if both umpires agree, but powder blue is default. White shirts with red or blue side insets may still be worn for non-varsity games. Your t-shirts may be navy or white, but both umpires should match. The IGHSAU has a patch you may purchase for your shirt or hat instead of purchasing a new shirt. They are available by calling Sherry at the IGHSAU. The powder blue shirt with logo and the logoed hat will be required for post season.
Regular season games – Two (2) certified varsity umpires are REQUIRED for varsity high school games. Freshman, JV, sophomore need one certified varsity official. DO NOT work a varsity game with less than 2 certified umpires. Keep your availability updated, as assignors are struggling to fill games.
Pitching: Pitching rule for IGHSAU is simply NFHS rule 6. IGHSAU no longer has a pitching adaptation. Umpires should recognize, call, signal and penalize the illegal pitch early in the game and all season long. The pitch which is very easy to correct - stepping on the pitcher’s plate and immediately placing the hands together is our point of emphasis this year. Call this early and often for the players and coaches to correct before post season rolls around because it WILL be called there. How many times have we heard, “It hasn’t been called all season!”
Game Flow: The pitcher has 20 seconds from the time the ball is received from the catcher after a pitch that is not hit. Umpires oversee the flow of the game – some pitchers like to work very fast. Remember the intent of the rule (>>>>), the pitcher and the batter both need to be ready for play. Umpires can control this starting with the catcher. Ask her to slow down her signals to the pitcher. If she does not, then the umpire must hold up the pitcher until the batter is ready. Do this early in the game so the players are aware of how the game will flow.
Rules Review: Rule 1-7-3: Any non-adult, warming up a pitcher at any location within the confines of the field shall wear an approved catcher’s helmet and mask combination and throat protector. There are no exceptions as this is a SAFETY issue. Umpires must enforce this. When and if, the coach asks why, use the word “safety”. A batting helmet is not a catcher’s helmet and is not to be used for warming up pitchers.
Courtesy runners are players not currently in the game are used only for the pitcher and catcher. The intent of the rule is so the pitcher can rest, or the catcher to dress in her equipment for the next defensive half inning. The courtesy runner cannot be the FLEX as the FLEX is already in the game.
Post Season: We need MANY post season umpires for July 6. Please, post season umpires, keep this date open. The clinic is available to view for credit. It is on the IGHSAU website. Take advantage this year, as we plan to go back to in-person clinics next year.
Rule questions and comments should be directed to the IGHSAU Softball Coordinator of Officials: Cathy Creighton at cathy@ighsau.org. Eligibility questions are to be referred to Jason Eslinger at jasoneslinger@ighasu.org.
If you have action pictures of the IGHSAU umpire, please send to me at cathy@ighsau.org and I may use them in future newsletters. This issue has stock pictures.
Work every game like it is a state tournament game! Have a great season.
Cathy
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