Umpiring During COVID
Revised Roles and Mechanics for a Two Person Umpire Team
Little League International has provided general safety guidance for umpires as we work through COVID-19 in 2021. Each League will adopt it with their own approach.
Here you’ll find umpiring guidance as developed by my District in WA for a two-person umpire crew (Home Plate Umpire and 1 Base Umpire).
Hopefully we’ll be able to resume normal play sometime this year but in the meantime: mask up, play safe, have fun!
Revised Base Umpire Responsibilities
| Normal Year - Main Responsibilities |
Not So Normal (COVID Safety) |
|
- Safe and out at 1st, 2nd and 3rd - Runners touching 1st and 2nd - Runners leaving early - Interference and obstruction |
What’s changed? - Call balls and strikes from the infield, behind and to side of the pitcher |
Revised Plate Umpire Responsibilities
| Normal Year – Main Responsibilities |
Not So Normal (COVID Safety) |
|
- Conduct pre-game meeting - Balls and strikes - Catch / no catch on fly balls - Fair / foul - Safe and out at home plate - Runner touching 3rd base on way to home - Game management (pace of warm-up pitches, play, manager visits, ...) |
What’s changed?
- Does not call balls and strikes!
- Don't collect or exchange lineup cards - Keep 6' away during pre-game meeting - Runners leaving early - More time for obstruction / interference calls
* Little League International advises plate meetings should be eliminated (“if possible”) |
Umpire Positioning on the Field (two-person crew)
Not So Normal (COVID Safety)
What’s Changed?
- Plate Umpire (PU) behind and to the side of the batter, more than 6’ away (different side for right vs. left-handed batter).
- Base Umpire (BU) behind and to the side of the pitcher, near 2nd base
Definitions from the Little League Rule Book and terms used on this site.
LL101 Site Glossary Version 5.pdf
Adobe Acrobat document [607.9 KB]
Print