Level 1 and 2 Clinic Instructions:
The following clarifications are on OLD materials that are currently being taught either
incorrectly, or need further clarification:
1. Plate Umpire DOES NOT have to indicate strikes and balls by the number when calling
pitches…. If they do, that’s fine. If they don’t, that’s fine too.
2. Dropped third strike for divisions that play this rule – the proper mechanic is for the
plate umpire to SAY “strike 3” and SIGNAL “no catch” with the washout/safe signal. If
the catcher then tags the batter, the plate umpire is to SIGNAL and VERBALIZE “Out”.
3. Check Swings – When asked by the catcher or coach, the plate umpire MUST ask his
partner for help. If the pitcher asks to check, then check. This is also acceptable.
4. Check Swings – On STRIKE 3 only, if there was a check swing that the plate umpire called
a ball, the PLATE UMPIRE MUST check with his partner IMMEDIATELY and ON HIS OWN
to verify the call. This allows the batter a legitimate opportunity to reach first before an
appeal is made. If the runner takes off for first base without an appeal on CHECK
SWING, the base umpire should ALWAYS call this a STRIKE if asked.
5. Check Swings – the base umpire MUST wait for the plate umpire to request a check
swing. IF there is a lengthy delay in asking for help, the base umpire should ALWAYS call
“No he didn’t”
6. Instructors should be using the terms P1 for home plate position, P2 for basic base
umpire set up on the line, P3 for the first base slot position, and P4 for the shortstop
side slot position. The baseball Canada diagrams on the website all refer to these
positions in this fashion.
7. With a runner on 1st base only, the base umpire should be set up in P3 only. When
runners are on 2nd base or 3rd base at any time and regardless of the number of outs,
the base umpire should be in position P4. NO EXCEPTIONS!
8. When there is an overthrow on a pick off at 1st, the base umpire is responsible for the
runner all the way to 3rd. The plate umpire is responsible for the baseball potentially
being out of play and awarding bases to the runners.
9. With R2, the only time the plate umpire goes to third is for a tag up situation and play at
3rd. The plate umpire also has home plate in this situation.
10. Pitchers ARE allowed to go the mouth while on the dirt portion of the mound, but they
must wipe their hands prior to going to the baseball. Failure to do so is not a penalty
with no runners on base. Umpire shall call time and exchange or rub off the baseball
and warn the pitcher.
11. Fly ball coverages on routine fly balls….. Plate umpire has ALL routine fly balls to the
outfield with no runners on base. When the base umpire is in P3 or P4 position, he has
ALL fly balls that are hit directly at or between left and right fielders.
12. With runners on base, following a dead ball situation (foul ball, time called, etc.) the
Plate umpire MUST put the ball back into play. When the pitcher gets the ball and puts
his foot on the rubber the base umpire MUST go into his set position (hands on knees)
which indicates to the Plate umpire that the ball should be put into play. Once the
batter is back in the box the plate umpire points at the pitcher and calls “Play”. Nothing
can happen until the plate umpire does this!
13. BC Minor 18 U (Midget AAA) (all season) and Midget AA (summer season only) use 9man re-entry, DH allowed, EH allowed. 15U (Bantam AAA) (all season) and Bantam AA
(summer only) use 9 – man re-entry, EH allowed. 13U (PeeWee) AAA – summer only –
use 9 – man re-entry, EH allowed. EH is just another body in the batting order. Think of
the player “on the bench” as now being a playing position (like Shortstop) and apply all
substitution and batting rules the same way.
14. Be aware BC Minor uses pitch count rules. The onus for compliance rests on the coaches
and not on the umpire. If a pitcher takes the mound and while warming up but BEFORE
throwing a legal pitch, is found to be ineligible, he is allowed to be removed from the
mound without penalty.
15. A manager is allowed to make a second visit to the mound during the same batter if it is
for the purpose of changing the pitcher for pitch count considerations.
The following clarifications and instructions are for NEW material.
1. MLB has adopted a new rule for 2013 which prevents the pitcher from faking to 3 rd and
then throwing to 1st base in a pick off attempt. THIS IS NOT IN EFFECT for any baseball
in BC. Please ensure people are clear of this in all of your clinics! The Fake to 3rd move
is LEGAL for our purposes.
2. Baseball Canada mandates wood bats for Bantam AAA effective 2013. BC Minor has
over-ridden this rule and allows -3 metal bats for BC Minor play and BC Minor
tournaments only.
3. BC Minor now mandates “fair play” rules for playing time at 9 – man (or 10 – man when
using EH) baseball. Essentially, all players need to play defensively. Umpires do NOT
enforce this rule nor do they need to record defensive switches among players in the
batting order (except pitcher changes).