IHSAA
2012-13 Softball
Curriculum Guide
Class Objective: To educate and prepare individuals with the basic knowledge of the rules and to
equip individuals with the appropriate tools to become a licensed official.
Session 1
Rule Review – 1 (Field and Equipment)
Rule Review – 2 (Definitions)
Officiating Principles / Duties
 Philosophy of Officiating
 Umpire Game Equipment
 Officials Duties
Session 2
Rule Review – 3 (Players, Substitutes and Coaches),
Rule Review - 4 (Starting and Ending Game)
NFHS Rules / IHSAA Modifications / Game Management
 Game Procedures
 Pre-Game Conference
 Points of Emphasis / Rule Changes
Session 3 Rule Review – 5 (Dead Ball and Suspension of Play)
NFHS Signals - Mechanics
 On Court Positioning/Mechanics
 NFHS Signals
Session 4
Rule Review – 6 (Pitching)
Rule Review - 7 (Batting)
Players and Equipment/Pitching
 Players, Substitutes, Equipment
Session 5
Rule Review – 8 (Batter-Runner and Runner)
Rule Review - 9 (Scoring and Record Keeping)
 NFHS Rules and Case Book
 NFHS Umpires Manual
Session 6
Rule Review- 10 (Umpiring)
 NFHS Rules and Case Book
NFHS Umpires Manual
Session 7
Rule Review – Case Book
 Per the current NFHS Rules Book
 Case Book Review
Session 8
Rule Review – Umpire’s Manual
 Per the current NFHS Rules Book
 Case Book Review
I. OFFICIATING PRINCIPLES/DUTIES
During this session, officials will discuss the various Officiating Principles in the Officials Manual and
the importance of Officials Duties that should be demonstrated for all contests. This initial session
provides opportunity to offer additional information regarding the benefits of joining an association as
well as provide an overview on how to use the ArbiterSports web site.
Officiating Principles
 Discuss the Code of Conduct and the importance for all officials to demonstrate these very
important characteristics.
 Discuss the Officiating Philosophy as it pertains to the importance of rules knowledge,
language, and the proper use of NFHS signals/mechanics.
 Personal Characteristics: Explain the importance of conditioning, decisiveness, teamwork, and
maintaining control.
 Discuss the importance of proper preparation prevents poor performance (examples incl. rules
study, practicing mechanics, attending association meetings, obtaining a schedule and sending
back contracts).
 Working with coaches and players.
Game Equipment
 Provide guidance on the different vendors that supply NFHS approved attire.
 Uniform and Equipment: Discuss the uniform/equipment guidelines (posted on IHSAA Central
Hub).
Officials and Their Duties
 Discuss umpire responsibilities when the umpire’s jurisdiction begins.
 Explain correctable errors.
 Discuss IHSAA concussion protocol.
 Discuss new officials ratings protocol.
Rule Review 1
Review Rule 1 (Field and Equipment) and Rule 2 (Definitions) and discuss a couple of Case Situations.
Resources
 NFHS Rule Book and Case Book – Rule 1 and 2
 NFHS Umpires Manual
 Concussion Protocol Policy – power point
 IHSAA Softball Umpire’s Uniform – word document
 NFHS Softball Rules Interpretation Meeting 2012-13 - power point
 NFHS Softball Rules Changes - .pdf
 IHSAA Code of Ethics – word document
 www.ArbiterSports.com
Session 1: Wrap-Up
II. NFHS RULES CHANGES/IHSAA MODIFICATIONS/GAME MANAGEMENT
During the session, officials will discuss and highlight the importance of Pre-Game Conferences with
their partner(s). Officials will also discuss and illustrate the importance of following Game Procedures.
Game Management/Awareness
 Discuss the importance of being professional at all times.
 Discuss and explain the importance of communication with administration, coaches, and
players.
 Discuss the importance of communication with fellow umpires.
 Discuss and define the importance of preventive game management and preventive officiating.
Pre-Game Conference
 Discuss the importance of conducting a Pre-Game Conference before every contest between
you and your partner(s).
 Discuss NFHS/IHSAA standard procedure for pre-game conference with coaches and captains.
Mechanics
Base mechanics, between inning mechanics and plate mechanics will be reviewed. Obstruction
scenarios will be discussed.
NFHS Rule Changes/IHSAA Modifications/Points of Emphasis - Officials will discuss NFHS Rule
Changes and any Points of Emphasis for the current year.
Rule Review 3 and 4
Review Rule 3 (Players, Substitutes and Coaches) and Rule 4 (Starting and Ending a Game) and discuss
Case Book Situations.
Resources
 NFHS Rule Book and Case Book – Rule 3 and 4
 NFHS Umpires Manual
 NFHS Rules Interpretations/Situations 2012-13 – word document
 Base Mechanics – video clips
 Between Inning Mechanics – video clips
 Obstruction – video clips
 Plate Mechanics – video clips
 Angles and Distances-power point
Session 2: Wrap-Up
III. NFHS SIGNALS – MECHANICS
During the session, officials will outline the details around Signals and Mechanics.
NFHS Signals - Officials will discuss and illustrate the proper use of signals. Participants in class will
have the opportunity to practice and receive feedback.
Scrimmage
Review IHSAA Scrimmage Rules per handout.
Game Procedures
 Discuss and define Terminology.
 Discuss and explain the Pregame Duties that should be completed.
 Discuss and explain the communication signals/mechanics that should be used.
 Discuss Batting Out of Order penalties.
 Discuss Pre-game and pot-game responsibilities.
 Discuss Substitutes and illegal substitution.
Rule Review 5
Review Rule 5 (Dead Ball and Suspension of Play) and discuss a couple of Case Situations.
Resources
 NFHS Rule Book and Case Book – Rule 5
 NFHS Officials Manual
 NFHS Signals – video clips
 IHSAA Scrimmage Rules
 NFHS Batting Out of Order – power point
 Pre-game and post-game – power point
 Substitutes, dp-flex, illegal subs – power point
 NFHS Arbiter Information – power point
Session 3: Wrap-Up
IV.
PLAYERS EQUIPMENT/PITCHING/BATTING
During the session, officials will discuss and study Players Equipment, and umpire responsibilities.
Players, Substitutes, and Equipment
 Discuss and explain the concept of a team and the responsibilities of a captain.
 Explain the process and the importance of having starters listed on the lineup card and possible
penalties if not entered correctly.
 Discuss and define the substitute’s role and the process for entering the game.
 Discuss and define the DP/FLEX role and the process for entering the game.
 Highlight the importance of adhering to proper uniform and numbering standards.
 Discuss the equipment/apparel that is appropriate and not appropriate based NFHS standards.
Rule Review 6 and 7
Review Rule 6 (Pitching) and Rule 7 (Batting) and discuss a couple of Case Situations.
Working With Coaches and Players
Review the power point addressing this topic, which stresses preventive officiating and demeanor.
Resources
 NFHS Rule and Case Book – Rule 6 and 7
 NFHS Officials Manual
 Working With Coaches and Players – power point
 Pitching – power point
 Pitching – video clips
 Rule 7 Batter – power point
Session 4: Wrap-Up
V. BATTER-RUNNER/BATTER/SCOREKEEPING
During this session, officials will review sport specific rules and discuss scenarios associated with
softball.
Review of IHSAA Rule Interpretations
Rule interpretations are compiled each year from questions received during the IHSAA contests season
from coaches and officials. Discussion will center on issues that arose during the 2012 season.
Discuss the following:
NFHS Lookback Rule
NFHS INT-OBS With Awards
Obstruction at Home
Possible Obstruction at Plate
Rule Review 8 and 9
Review Rule 8 (The Batter-Runner and Runner) and Rule 9 (Scoring and Record Keeping) and discuss a
couple of Case Situations.
Resources
 NFHS Rule Book and Case Book – Rule 8 and 9
 NFHS Umpires Manual
 2012 IHSAA Rules Interpretations
 NFHS Lookback Rule – power point
 NFHS INT-OBS With Awards – power point
 Obstruction at Home – picture
 Possible OBS at Plate – video clip
 Rule 8 Batter Runner and Runner – power point
Session 5: Wrap-Up
VI.
RULES REVIEW/STUDY SESSION
During this session, officials will review sport specific rules and discuss scenarios associated with
softball.
Rule Review 10
Review Rule 10 (Umpiring) and discuss a couple of Case Situations.
Discuss the following:
Dead Ball and Suspension of Play
Different Plays so Far this Season
Resources
 NFHS Rule Book and Case Book – Rule 10
 NFHS Umpires Manual
 Dead Ball and Suspension of Play – power point
 Different Plays so Far this Season – power point
Session 6: Wrap-Up
VII. RULES REVIEW/STUDY SESSION
During this session, officials will review sport specific rules and discuss scenarios associated with
softball.
Tournament Ratings Protocol
Explain the tournament ratings protocol using the power point as a teaching tool.
Resources
 NFHS Rule Book and Case Book
 NFHS Umpires Manual
 Tournament Ratings Protocol Power Point
Session 7: Wrap-Up
VIII. RULES REVIEW/STUDY SESSION
During this session, officials will review sport specific rules and discuss scenarios associated with
softball.
Review 2012 IHSAA Rules Interpretations
Over the course of the 2012 season, the IHSAA will post interpretations to situations reported to
the Association. This list of interpretations will be posted on the softball page of the
www.ihsaa.org site and will be available to the public.
Resources
 NFHS Rule Book and Case Book
 NFHS Umpires Manual
 IHSAA Rules Interpretations/Situations
Session 8: Wrap-Up
Potential Resources:
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IHSAA Central Hub – www.Arbitersports.com
NFHS Central Hub – www.Arbitersports.com
Official’s Handbook/On-Line information – official’s page of the www.ihsaa.org
IHSAA General Softball Information – softball page of the www.ihsaa.org
NFHS Softball Rules Book
NFHS Softball Case Book
NFHS Softball Umpires Manual