Umpires

Umpire Guidance

General Guidance for D1 Umpire Volunteers

In general these items are listed in priority order.

A. General Principles

• Know the SSUSA rules and D1 rules.
• Be visible. Control the game. Do not become part of the game.
• Never embarrass or humiliate a player.

B. Pre-Game Obligations

• Be on the field well before game time to ensure a timely start.
• Be in the proper umpire uniform (green shirt or pink shirt).
• Have your clicker and use it.
• Check field set-up (commitment line, standing water, others).
• Confirm roles and collaborate about mechanics (catch/no catch, tag-ups, etc.) with partner umpire.

C. Manager's Pre-Game Meeting

• Review ground rule changes and/or specific rules emphasis, if any.
• Note protected players and any missing rostered players for each team.

D. During The Game

• Hustle. Always move with the play to get in best position.
• Wait for a play to finish…then make the call. Most calls do not require immediacy.
• Have fun and make the game fun. Don't be confrontational.
• Be consistent with your strike zone and illegal pitches. If a pitch is illegal call it loudly.
• Hold up your hand until you are ready and then call "Play" or point at the pitcher.
• Sell close calls with added energy, not speed.
• Be discrete if you have a problem with a player. Work through managers where possible.
• Call "Strikes" loudly and use a visible right hand motion.
• Call "Balls" verbally and use visible hand motions to show pitchers where the ball missed.
• Do not verbally call "Fair". Use a hand signal only.
• On fly balls or line drives, make an out signal and verbal call.
• There is no such thing as a "make up call." Get the next one right — you are only as good as your last call.
• Call "Time out" loudly and raise your hand after every play is over with runners on base. The ball must be under control and in the infield.
• Make sure runners get back to base and fielders are ready before ball is pitched.
• Call "No pitch" if pitcher starts before you call "Play".
• Do not call "Play" until the batter has taken a legal stance.
• Do not distract yourself with picking up bats. This is the obligation of the offensive team.
• Keep the game moving. You are responsible to keep things moving at an acceptable pace.
• Help the scorekeeper with courtesy runner names.

E. Between Innings

• Check the scoreboard for accurate score, inning and outs reset to zero.
• Stand in front of the plate and hold arm up toward pitcher until you are ready and field of play is ready.

G. Post Game Obligations

• After last out confirm score with each manager.
• Report any ejections or other on-field game problems to umpire coordinator.

H. Ejections

• Foul language that can be heard by spectators. Warn first, then eject on next occurrence.
• Obviously loud and foul language directed at an individual may result in immediate ejection with no warning.
• Any intentional bat throwing that jeopardizes safety. Eject immediately.
• Unintentional bat throwing: warn and eject if it occurs again.
• Unsportsmanlike conduct.

Compiled from interesting calls that occur at D1 games and elsewhere. New anecdotes are added to the top of the document. To suggest an anecdote, contact Walker Royce at walker.royce@gmail.com.

The D1 Umpire Certification Exam. References are the SSUSA 2026 Rulebook, the current D1 Rules, and the SSUSA Umpire Mechanics handbook.