NEEDHAM BABE RUTH &
LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL

. . . Friendship, Sportsmanship, Fun  

Umpires

Umpire's Code          Umpire's Protocol          Rain Policy          Umpiring 101          Rescheduled/Make-up Games

Rescheduled / Make-Up Games
 

Mills Small
   

 

McLeod Broadmeadow


5/4 12:00pm
 

5/4 9:30am
5/4 12:00pm
5/4 5:30pm

 

High Rock Newman
   

 

Greene’s Eliot
   
Interested in umpiring for Needham Little League?

Needham Little League provides umpire instruction for Needham Residents ages 13 and up.
Classes are every March and are posted in the local papers and on this web site.
Umpires are coordinated by John Manoli. Contact: jmanoli@comcast.net. 617-510-2224.

If you are age 13 or older and would like to umpire - contact John Manoli.

Being a Needham Little League Umpire provides the opportunity for our youth to take responsibility, get some fresh air, call a good game (and once in a while a bad one!), set a good example and be supportive to the younger ballplayers; all while following “The Umpires Code” as described herein.

If the game of baseball can provide life lessons to us and our young ones, certainly the same can be said for umpiring!

Umpire’s Code

1. Show Respect. To players, coaches, fans, and to The Game. Call a good game, as best you can. Make an effort for good “line of sight”.

2. Have Resolve. Be firm with your call. Show confidence, but no hubris. You are not the show - do not show any players up with obnoxious calls.

3. Use Restraint. Taking a little baloney comes with the job. Be tough minded. Choose words carefully. Turn away if necessary. You are always in control, you are the umpire. They can question your judgment on that one call, but never your integrity.


Call Mr. Manoli at jmanoli@comcast.net or 617-510-2224 with any questions.
 

Umpire’s Protocol

This is required reading for all Umpires

  1. PAYMENT: On a weekly basis, email John Manoli at jmanoli@comcast.net with your “invoice” include: Date of Game(s), Game(s) umpired, Field or Plate, Field Played At.
     

  2. GETTING WORK: Call or email John Manoli if you are not getting games to umpire. Be “proactive” if you really want games. Get the name of “Team Leaders” from John Manoli and call them on a weekly basis - on weekends. When you call your team leader - have your open available “calendar” in front of you for the next 14 days so you can tell him what days you are available. This will help you get games. 617-510-2224. John Manoli.
     

  3. RESPECT: Be respectful of coaches, parents, players. Be firm, and always respectful and in control. Read your rule book. Ask questions. Be prepared for situations such as infield fly.
     
    KEEP THE GAMES MOVING AS DISCUSSED. CALL STRIKE ZONE AS DISCUSSED. IF YOU ARE NOT SURE, if you need this refreshed, IT IS OK, JUST CALL ME.
     

  4. RESPONSIBILITY: It is a responsibility to take a game. Make Sure your calendar is clear when you take the game.

    CALL IMMEDIATELY YOUR TEAM LEADER AND JOHN MANOLI WHEN YOU CAN NOT MAKE A GAME. THIS IS KEY. NO EMAILS. WE WILL COVER FOR YOU. DO NOT GET SOMEONE TO COVER FOR YOU - WE WILL DO IT.

    We know that you all have busy schedules - so make sure you are clear when you take the game.
    The kids deserve real umpires for their games, not parents (innocent bystanders!) pulled from the stands !
     

  5. STORAGE BINS:  Please tuck everything away and make sure lids are shut tight. This keeps water out. Please put back clickers and brushes.
     

  6. SAFETY:  Clear field of all debris. Make sure players are wearing proper equipment.

    IF YOU SEE LIGHTNING STOP THE GAME, CLEAR THE FIELD AND CONFER WITH COACHES. GAME IS TO BE STOPPED FOR TWENTY MINUTES. COACHES CALL THE GAME.
     

  7. TEAM LEADERS :

    Check assignments every week - set a night for it !
    2 umpires a game. Every game. Please double check your assignments. Follow your instincts - check in with your umpires from time to time. And with Mr. Manoli.
    Watch for rescheduled ( make-up ) games. You will be emailed and also rescheduled games will be listed on the web site.

    Call when in a jam.

    John Manoli
    617-510-2224
    Jmanoli@comcast.net

Rain Policy

1. Check Park and Rec web site to see if fields are open. Link is on Needham Baseball site.

2. Always go to the field if you are not sure ! Or call John Manoli, no problem. 617-510-2224.

3. If the fields are open and it is raining, or it is the weekend and it is raining, it is up to the managers on the field. Go to the fields.

4. Rainouts will be rescheduled. TEAM LEADERS LOOK FOR EMAILS AND RESCHEDULE PAGE FOR MAKE UP GAMES.

5. See safety note on Lightning. Call with any questions.



Pay Policy:

A. Game called during the day and posted on Park and Rec page. No pay.

B. Game called at the field. Half pay or Ten dollar minimum.

C. Game called in duration. Full Pay.

 

 

Umpiring 101

Remember:

  • It is your judgment.  It is your opinion.

  • Do your best and keep the game moving.

  • Keep your eye on the everlasting ball while it is play

Wear:                        

  • Navy blue windbreaker or sweatshirt

  • Light blue shirt or navy shirt

  • Navy blue pants

  • Wear the shin pads under the pants

Report on time:  

  • At the beginning of the season games start at 5:30 PM then shift to 6:00 PM.  Be at your assignment 15 minutes before the start of the game

Do the game preliminaries:

  • Measure the bases

  • Get balls from coaches

  • Go over the ground rules, out of play lines

  • Make sure both teams had a chance to practice on the field

Act in charge:

  • You are the boss.  Ignore the complaints and move the game along.

  • Remember:  6 warm-up pitches or 1 minute between innings.          

Don’t take any grief from managers, coaches or players, or parents.  Ignore it!! If you have a problem contact:

Director of Umpires:  John Manoli at:  781-449-7010 or jmanoli@comcast.net

If a there is a complaint, just move the game along and tell them to contact the Director of Umpires.

If for any reason you cannot make a scheduled game,  Call your team leader and John Manoli as early as possible so that they can get someone.   DO NOT LEAVE A GAME UNCOVERED.

Games are suspended for darkness, (your judgment) , but play it safe, rain (your judgment), and lightning.  If you see lightening, stop the game.  Do not re-start until ½ hour after you saw the lightning.

Field Status:  Needham Park & Rec.  781-444-7212 or Link to the Park & Rec Field Status Web Page (Updated only on weekdays).  If Park & Rec. says the field is closed then there is no game.

 

Links to Umpire Web Sites

http://baseballumpires.com

 

Contact Director of Umpires, John Manoli with questions:    jmanoli@comcast.net

 

 

Last Updated: Wednesday, April 30, 2008