New Jersey Shore Amateur Softball Association, INC.

   Pre Game Conference

            As umpires we are often required to work many different leagues on many different fields during the course of a softball season. These games vary between men’s and women’s slow pitch to 10-year old girls league games right on through high level tournament and modified pitch games. It would be close to impossible for the umpires to be familiar with all the local rules that are used in these games.

Pre-game conferences are the best way to familiarize yourself with these rules. Get the coaches from both teams together at home-plate to discuss not only ground-rules, but league rules that are going to be used in that particular game. Some of the rules to discuss should include, but not be limited to: base stealing limitations, dropped 3^rd strikes, infield fly restrictions, run ahead rule, batter in an inning restrictions, runs in an inning limits, walks in an inning limits, time limit rule, home-run limit rules, and courtesy runner rules. Sometimes the coaches themselves do not know all the league rules; the pre-game conference is the time to get them worked out.

As always the pre-game is the time to remind the coaches of the girls teams to make sure no one is wearing any jewelry, and to check for any illegal or altered bats.

Remember a thorough pre-game can prevent both you and the teams a lot of confusion later on in the game, at a crucial point of a close game you will be very glad you took the time to conduct a good pre-game conference.

Have a great season

John