2013 CCA Umpire Manual
 

Are there any significant changes with the 2013 college umpire manual? I have the 2012 version, and didn't want to have to buy the new one if the changes are minimal.

Most significant change....32 pages less than the 2012 manual.;)

Seriously, they removed Sec. 2 from last year's edition and edited and moved some topics to different sections for the 2013 edition.

None of the 2013 mechanic changes affecting BU's; elimination of caught 3K signal, not echoing PU infield fly call, along with the change (for both PU&BU) on check swing responsibilities, made it into this year's manual; but have been discussed here on the Forum and appear in writing (except the IF mechanic) in the National Coordinator Notes section on the SUP website.

Are you registering with the NCAA/SUP on Arbiter? If you do, the CCA manual is included.

Rather shamefully, there were some changes and virtually none of them made their way into the 2013 manual.

The base umpire no longer signals the closed fist on a caught third strike. Now, he only points to the ground on a dropped third strike. This was not updated in the manual.

The base umpire no longer echoes a play umpire's infield fly call. This was not updated in the manual.

An umpire who calls an infield fly no longer extends his index finger into the are, but rather uses a closed fist. This was not updated in the manual.

On checked swings, the plate umpire will always go to 1BU on right handed batters and 3BU on left handed batters, regardless of their starting positions or playing action. This was not updated in the manual.

With no runners on base, if 1BU chases, 3BU only moves to the calling position at 2nd base if a play is developing there. Otherwise, 3BU remains outside the diamond and would take BR into 3rd base staying outside rather than looking over his shoulder for the ball coming from right field.

With R1 on 1st base only, the starting distance for both 1BU and 3BU has been cut down from 6-12 feet to 6-10 feet.

Anytime 3BU starts on the line and is responsible for a runner (i.e., R2 starts on 2nd base or R3 starts on 3rd base), the starting distance has been cut down from 6-12 feet to 6-10 feet.

All of this because some major leaguers fail to perform at a little league level in a single instance.

To me, that makes no sense. And I do not buy the reasoning. An umpire shouldn't be looking over his/her shoulder anytime even on the inside. If they are, their mechanics are questionable, at best. I'll take the ease of gaining angles at either base and still be in a position to keep all the elements in front of me.

With no runners on, if 1BU chases on a ball to right field and the ball gets passed the right fielder and the BR attempts a triple, the ideal position is to remain outside the diamond for the play at 3rd base. Should there be a rundown, it also results in one umpire being inside the diamond (plate umpire) and one remaining outside the diamond, which is preferable for a rundown.

I'm not saying it is impossible to get the call right at 3rd base if 3BU comes inside. I'm saying that it is easier to stay outside. Coming inside offers no advantage. You don't need a protractor to realize that the angle is better staying outside than coming inside. Staying outside gives you a wider, clearer and easier view of the playing field, right fielder, runner and ball.

This is if there is no initial play on the BR at 2nd base.

What is it that you are referring to? If your alluding to the 2005 Angels - White Sox game, then your remark is about 8 years passed the punch line, since the NCAA is now cutting the mechanic by about 95% (all caught 3rd strikes).

IMO, your assertion that the outside is a clearer or easier view is not accurate. What are you going to see outside that I will not see inside? I will have the defense, offense, ball and base in front of me.

Staying outside gives you a weak angle for a potential play @ 2B that may require some fancy footwork to get the right angle for a clear view at the play. Being inside can give the umpire an effortless 90 to any throw from the right side and a great look at a play on either side of the base. Also allows and easy and quick conversion from one base to the other depending on the play. Please note that just because I would be coming inside, doesn't mean I'm running to the middle of the field. Once I enter the diamond, I'm reading the play and like any other, move to the best position for the most likely, if any, play.

Outside may work out quite well for the routine plays. I'd prefer to stay a step ahead and prepare for the non-routine plays and I think the inside just offers a better opportunity to adjust.

Why is the PU inside the diamond? :confused:


Please don't use the term "initial play" in this context, just for batted ball.

Timing or cost.

For a rundown between second and third, where else would the PU be?

At least I'm assuming EsqUmp meant the rundown would be between those two bases. If the rundown happens between third and home, that's a different story.

Correct. On a rundown between 2nd and 3rd base, NCAA would have the base umpire outside the diamond and the plate umpire inside the diamond.

For that rotation (No runners on/U1 chases/ball not caught, on a double or triple) PU's mechanic and responsibility is:

>"Move all the way to a primary position for a possible force play at first base."
>"Watch the batter-runner approach, touch, or round at first base."

for a triple add......

>"As the batter-runner advances to third base, mirror the advancement by moving all the way to the point of plate holding area."

>"Watch any play at third base and be prepared to give help if requested.".......(my words) or needed, such as a possible rundown.

Being as how U3 could have a rundown occur at any time, that help might be needed at any point of the PU's movement back to the point of plate holding area. His movement to third base to cover that end of the rundown would have him inside the diamond.

The difference is between looking back over your shoulder or simply looking up. I prefer to look simply look up, rather than back over my shoulder to see the ball.

As I specifically wrote, this is if there is no play on the BR @ 2nd base. You have changed the facts to argue a point.

Sticking with my play (because that's the one written in the manual and the one we are discussing), can you say why it is better to go inside with NO play at 2nd base?

Maybe it's just me, but most of these changes are so petty, I just don't understand why someone felt they were necessary.

I mean, really, what the heck was wrong with signalling a caught third with a fist and an uncaught third with a finger point? Now the fist is no longer required because...?? Was it really that bad to give the fist signal? Now, the PU has to hope that no signal means a caught third, and NOT a brain cramp on the BU's part.

And what could possibly be the compelling reason to change from a max of 12 feet to a max of 10 feet when positioning on the line with a runner at their base? I just don't get it...

The looking over the shoulder happens if it develops into a triple. U3 would parallel the BR on the outside going into 3b in NCAA. By having it all in front, you can adjust your calling position for a front side 90, or angled according to see a swipe tag, or over the top with a step in. You give your PU clear and unobstructed view of the other 90 on the play at 3b.

For your ASA, you would apply inside-outside and parallel the runner INSIDE the diamond. You would do so while the ball is thrown from right field for a play at 3b. You would need to locate the thrown ball turned around while paralleling, and your path could be right where the ball will travel into the play. Hence you have a play in front with a ball coming from behind you. If you try for a true leading edge 90, you might block the view of the play for your PU, so you are pinned to the ASA 45 standard calling position behind the leading edge of the play. How does that situation would allow you to stay a step ahead and "adjust" better?

You and I are going to agree here. Yes, when a ball is hit to RF with no runners on and U1 chases, reading the play for 1) inside calling position at second or 2) staying outside for the runner into third (which is you play) is perfect application of NCAA mechanics. It affords U3 the best option at any base, based on the play. I am in total agreement, however the big lynchpin is U3 properly reading the play.

Now, while I'm not going to defend Irish, I will say that ASA's inside positioning is necessary because of something he is omitting. In 3 umpire ASA, when U1 chases at any times, U3 has responsibility for BR at first base; NCAA give the responsibility to PU for BR at first in this specific case. Therefore, U3 would be cutting across the diamond (possibly pitcher's plate) to cover first, take the runner to second and then to third. This deeper positioning does afford U3 an open look to stay out of any throwing lanes (yes, Mike . . throwing lane) that F8/F9/F4 would use to throw to third. But there is reading the ball and play for optional position, which is something ASA does not direct very well. It is getting better, but needs to vastly improve.

Therefore the debate isn't "outside vs. inside", but whether U3 should have responsibility at first base.

Yeah, forgot we were on NCAA.

What's interesting is that there were a lot of subtle changes (yes, even more subtle than the ones discussed) that made their way into the manual.

Unfortunately, several test questions dealt with material that was in the 2012 manual but removed from the 2013 manual. Not everyone has the 2012 manual. I thought that it was poor not to update or remove those questions. Additionally, many (perhaps all) of the reference pages were incorrect on the test answer sheet because of the restructuring of the book.

I'm hoping for a bit more from NCAA next year.

See everyone, it's not just ASA that I think could use a bit of updating and perfecting. :D

The "chute" play is ASA way of accommodating for that slow and immobile silverback PU while torturing the usually speedy rookie "rabbit" U3 in true "not all umpires are created equal" fashion. If the play is obviously gonna be extra bases, how hard is it for an experienced PU to read that and watch the touch at first? Even Irish could do that. :p

xtreamump
 

I am sorry that I missed all of this... Kill The Clones I get angry at the OLD TIMERS and delete the forum from my favorites.

To help the BU bracket the run-down.

Maybe you have issues with umpires who are too lazy to watch the ball, but I am not aware of any situation where 3U would have to look over their shoulder to find the ball, outside or inside. So, you keep talking about something that should never happen with an umpire utilizing the proper mechanics.

As the umpire, you do not know that there will never be a play at 2B. As I noted, I'd rather be prepared for all possible plays, not just those that should occur in a perfect world.

IF there is no play at 2nd, it isn't any better. Otherwise, see above.

The way you people whine, you would think it was a 90' field. It isn't that hard to cover a small FP field.

FYI, in ASA if the PU doesn't have any other duties, guess what the PU is doing when the BR takes off to 1B?

......and when U3 is rotated with a runner on first.

Less distance to cover getting to your initial primary position and making whatever adjustments the play dictates.

How would you adjust to a high throw that close to the play?

Don't get me wrong, I'm often up close and personal @ 3B, but not @ 1B.

If the ball is hit down the right field line, then the umpire's face has a tendency to be facing away from the ball when the umpire is inside the diamond. Yes, a competent umpire can look over his shoulder to see the ball.

If the umpire is inside the diamond, the runner has just rounded 2nd base and the right fielder is picking the ball up near the line, it is IMPOSSIBLE to see all of the elements at one time once the runner nears the shortstop area.

My point is that if the umpire stays outside the diamond, he is always facing the ball. Rather than finding the ball, it is always there in front of him.

All things being equal, I'd rather the ball be in front of my rather than look back to it.


Changing the play again, let's say there is a play at 2nd base and the umpire properly stayed outside in the NCAA game. Great - take two or three steps in and make the call. However, I don't buy that nonsense that you can't predict where the play is. That's what umpires do all the time. I can tell you there won't be a play at 2nd base if the right fielder dove for a ball on the line, missed it and it ends up against the outfield fence. Either the runner is going to 3rd base or she is the so inept that she is stopping at 2nd base with no play.

Talk about changing the parameters to suit an argument. I'm saying your perception of how I would cover this is wrong. Why would I need to turn my body away from the ball coming inside from 3B? Are you under the impression that I'm going to sprint to a location between the circle and 2B and just plant myself there? If so, I would like to know what I offered to give you that perception.

I'm coming inside the diamond and unless there is the obvious possibility of a play at 2B (which you are stating there will not be), I'm probably going to remain in the area closer to the 3BL. If it DOES seem possible the runner will check up at 2B or just beyond 3B, I'm just a couple strides from a 45 to 2B and can close as the play continues. If not, I will be facing the ball while in flight, all the way to 3B. Once it becomes obvious that any play will be at 3B, I will turn with the ball and maybe even sidle a couple steps toward the 3BL to get a view down the inside edge of the base. During the entire play, the ball will never see my back.

So, you admit that it is possible that the runner could stop at 2B and there could be a play? You know, **** happens and no, the umpire or anyone else KNOWS it is going to happen. Runners sometimes do stupid things, from misreading a base coach to tripping over the base, it happens. There are also some players who wouldn't get to 2B on the play you described. Not everyone is Natasha Whatley.

Whether that umpire can get an angle with 2-3 steps depends a lot on the area from where the throw originates and the approach the runner takes toward the base. May work for him/her, may not. We can what if this until the cows come home, you have a prescribed NCAA mechanic base on probabilities and I have my preferred mechanic based on possibilities. I feel I will be more comfortable and flexible where I go and have less "oh, ****!" moments when a play breaks down :D

Mike, these three pieces of information are the crux of the argument.

In ASA, you are not just coming inside the diamond, you have responsibility at first base. Therefore, you can't just "check up" at second.

Again, here is when you and Esq are in AGREEMENT. Reading the play is so very vital, and I will contend that this is a deficiency of ASA's training methodology. However, that is understandable, considering the wide variance in abilities and experience.

And here is where the inside falls apart. By your own admission, you have to follow the ball in flight, which means that you do not have the runner in your vision. So you are giving up on the obstruction? And again by YOUR s*** happens, you are giving up on that too because you were too worried about the flight of the ball?

Now I'll step out of my critique and help you out. The solution is to get DEEPER into the infield, and the come "into" a play at either second or third. That way you do keep everything in front of you while staying out of a throwing lane (yes, they do exist). However, the other solution is to 1) allow PU to have the responsibility at first and allow U3 more opportunity to read the play and utilize the best path possible.

I think this is something that needs to be changed. What needs to be taught is to "tail the BR only when there is a play at first." NCAA finally made this explicit. Not that I'm saying it is correct because NCAA said it, it is just plainly "right."

Ok, let me justify. ASA's work force varies in experience and aptitude. To teach to this crowd, ASA very much strives for the simplest mechanics - inside/outside in an example as well as the one we are discussing about U3 taking first base when U1 chases. This is simple, very few mechanics are situational.

So ASA says: trail the BR to first with no runners on. But why? On a base hit, BU comes inside to take the runner, what is the PU going to see that BU can't? NOTHING. Except that we have two umpires that are about 20 feet from each other. That just looks goofy, and even more goofy on the DVD.

You have to remember to move to a deeper calling position on force plays, not just for U1 but for U3, else, the play explodes. Backing up to a deeper calling distance on force plays and getting a 90 on the throw is part of pre-pitch planning, something that should be done between pitches for every pitch.

I was thinking of the usual move with runners on, up the 3rd base line in foul ground.
Then, crossing inside near 3rd if needed.

If I read a high throw, (pick-off at 1st as U1 or steal at 2nd as U2) I'm not going to immediately close down on the play, I'll read the fielder, then adjust as necessary if I need to make a call.
If the throw 'sailed', I'm getting ready for my next responsibility on any subsequent play that may develop.

I think each of us have our own starting distance 'comfort zone' (within the distance recommended in the Manual) for this rotation. I'm sure that for all of us that choice is based on numerous factors other than our personal preference and may even/should change slightly from batter to batter based on fielder position, ability to see our areas of responsibility, R1's speed (or lack of), B1 being a bunter/slapper, F2's arm, F2's style of pick-off throw etc.

Mine is 6-7 ft. as U1, and 8 ft. as U2 and I've been using that distance prior to the recent mechanic change. In my case, feedback from and work with evaluators and clinicians got me there....but that's me.

Needless to say, there's no one size fits all 'X marks the spot.'

The statement referred to the starting point with a runner on 1st.

With R1 on 1st base only, the starting distance for both 1BU and 3BU has been cut down from 6-12 feet to 6-10 feet.

That means you are too close if there is a high throw to put out the BR @ 1B.

I would rather stay back and step in AFTER the pitch for a possible play on the runner. Now, maybe the statement was taken out of context and I'm not seeing something, I don't know.

Agree. Even more so if I have an antsy fielder moving around a lot. I may stay a few feet deeper and step into position just prior to the pitch. But as you say, it can be different and based upon almost every element of the environment.

That is true, but I do not have to be that close to see it. Besides, as I've been told, we are discussing NCAA ;). BTW, I don't remember saying anything about the umpire checking up at 2B

Quote:

Again, here is when you and Esq are in AGREEMENT. Reading the play is so very vital, and I will contend that this is a deficiency of ASA's training methodology. However, that is understandable, considering the wide variance in abilities and experience.

Don't you start spreading rumors like that :D

Quote:

And here is where the inside falls apart. By your own admission, you have to follow the ball in flight, which means that you do not have the runner in your vision. So you are giving up on the obstruction? And again by YOUR s*** happens, you are giving up on that too because you were too worried about the flight of the ball?

Now this is where you and Esq agree on missing the point I have made. Who says I'm going that far into the middle of the field? I am NOT a "you cannot have a play without the ball" believer. Which means I am watching the runner when near a defender and the ball will still be in front of me with the runner. But still, if there is going to be a play @ 3B, the ball will most likely turn me facing the runner approaching 3B. And if the runner is getting there that far ahead of the ball, I may be moving my priority to the runner when nearing the base or defender. Doesn't mean I do not know where the ball is, it just means I am focusing on the play at hand.

Again, a 60' field is SMALL, very SMALL. It doesn't take as much effort as people think. And if some old fart like myself can handle it, someone as young and healthy as you should be able to do it standing on your head.

The umpire must take into consideration more than where s/he is going to stand to view the play. The umpire must be aware of the direction of the throw, the defenders in place to make a play and especially if there is a player in position to cut the throw should a runner check up or stumble and attempts to retreat. No matter how rare it is, if the umpire is not prepared for it......well, I just want to make sure that is not what happens.

All I am saying which seems to be the point missed is that I can (and any umpire should be able to) work the inside from 3B and still keep the ball the runner and defenders involved in front of me without looking over a shoulder and be prepared for the TWP that no one ever expects.

BTW, I can, and have, done this in ASA ball also and with up to 80' bases (Major SP). The advantage there is that the likelihood of a throw to 1B is extremely rare, damn near non-existent, but you still watch the touch along with the PU

Well, the discussion is contrasting the two philosophies, so ASA comes into play. More on the umpire "checking up" in just a moment.

No, we both got the point, and you make our point for us as well. What you are doing is READING the play. If the most likely play is at second, you don't continuing all the way to first; if you get indication the runner is not stopping at second, you take a different path/vantage point. Furthermore, you also know where the ball is coming from: from Right Center, you are more tight to the base; closer to the RF line, you are wider.

Our point is that ASA lacks this in their training by not allowing the umpire options. How about this: I stay outside on this play, how many times will I lose any element? Answer: none. If I come inside, and you have seen this, how many time do we see umpires duck out in the last minute? Answer: often. There is a multi-faceted solution to this and it involves more than just staying outside or moving inside. It can be done inside, but you have to use your brain.


Don't go spreading that rumor. I've put a few orthopod's kids through college. And young? Hell, I lived through the Reagan years (ok, I was not eligible to vote for Ronnie either time).


Yes, yes and yes. It actually takes a lot more energy to do this inside than outside. That's rather paradoxical, in that ASA requires the mechanic with the most effort to those with the least talent.

I did say you can, but there is greater risk for missing something. And it also involves the level of play. As you mentioned, in Major SP, there wasn't any plays at first, and probably not that many triples (doubles or HR's, right?). In the GOLD last year, I can't recall having any triples (and I'm happy I didn't have any U1 chasing with no on for me to get my young and healthy self across to first - but I did see a U3 trip on the sprinkler on the stadium field!). But other divisions is a different story.

Bottom line, I prefer to have an option.

In choosing the starting positions and calling positions, the NCAA concluded the following:

1. It is better to have an umpire in the calling position to start with when there is a potential pickoff or steal. Their reasoning is that the umpire has significantly less time to react than on a typical play in the infield. They feel that even if the umpire only has to take two steps to get into the calling position, the umpire will likely be moving when the play occurs, which is never a good thing.

2. On force plays, the umpire need only drift a step or two back to be in the proper calling distance. The umpire has more time to do this since the runner must travel 60 feet and the umpire only has to drift back and over a few steps. The umpire should not remain in the 6-10 for force plays. That is too close and the umpire won't be able to see the forest through the trees.

By cutting down the maximum starting distance to 10 feet but leaving the minimum distance at 6 feet, my guess is that the SUP thought that too many umpires were probably closer to 15 feet. So, by cutting it to 10 feet, maybe they will only be 12 feet, which is what they found acceptable before.

That's your opinion, and thats fine. I always enjoy reading your thoughts on mechanics (and rules), whether I agree or disagree, your POV always brings something to the discussion that makes me think of something I haven't taken into consideration.

Where I am in this rotation is where my coordinator's evaluators have 'strongly suggested' I be when I'm on the line as U1 with a runner on first.
They have their reasons, they make sense, and it's worked well for me in games.
I work for them at their pleasure. Being as how I like to see both the quantity and quality of my schedule improve each year, there's not much more to say.

Your point regarding a high throw on throw from an infielder making a play on the BR is a fair one. Except for a throw from F4, I can make the necessary adjustment to a proper calling depth for a force play as I'm moving into the infield. If its coming from F4, I'm taking the call from foul territory where I've got room to adjust to the the proper calling distance.

I'm wider! You callin' me fat? :rolleyes: Actually, my point was that just because I'm on the inside, I, nor any umpire, should need to be looking over the shoulder for anything and can keep every element in front of me that you can from the outside.

I'm still talking NCAA, but I would use it regardless of the game.

Yes, just like I have in NCAA Super regionals when the umpire was so intent on getting a 90 she stepped right into the path of a possible throw. Saw this twice in the same series.

But, as I previously noted, I'm going to have the ball in sight, so why would I have a need to duck, I'm not going to be in the ball's path. Then again, if you want to talk about bad mechanics, this is going to turn into one long, long thread.

Now it is stupid? Fat and stupid? Really? :D

Look, it isn't that hard. I prefer the inside because no matter what happens, I can get a good angle no matter what happens whether it is one runner or three. Yes, it is a standardized mechanic. That doesn't mean it does not work.

And I voted for Nixon

And I don't think there is any risk of missing anything if executed properly

someone as young and healthy as you

I saw Big Slick Sunday, he is VERY healthy!

"healthy" as in "well fed."