March 2022 Plays and Clarifications
From the Director of Umpires:
As we move into the 2022 season it appears all our National Championships are back and ready for the best umpires in the world to call games. It is time to get yourself ready if you have not already done so. Get out, call games and work on the things you know you need to work on or what your past National Championship Evaluations have directed you to do. Be ready and let’s show everyone that we are ready for the 2022 season.
2023 UIC Clinic:
The UIC Clinic is a go, and we will be in person. The plans for the venue and the agenda are almost finalized. We will have an email blast out in the next few days with more information. What we do know is the 2023 Biennial UIC Clinic will be held in Oklahoma City February 2nd – the 4th with the 5th as a travel day. We will have information on hotel reservations within the next few weeks but can tell you the host hotel will be the Sheraton Downtown. Start making plans it has been too long since we all got together in person. Let’s make it the biggest and best yet.
2022 National Umpire Schools:
Our National Umpire Schools so far this year have been a great success. We have held four schools from the east coast to the west coast, south and the middle of the country. We have two schools remaining this year. If you have not gone this year or any recent year, go to one of the remaining schools. They are:
- Region 1 in New Hampshire April 2 – 3
- Region 8 in South Dakota April 22 – 24
New Junior Olympic EP Rule:
With the addition of the use of one EP in JO Fast Pitch play a few questions have come up. Can the EP play defense? Yes, an EP can play defense at any time in any position. Can the EP play defense for the FLEX if the team is using the EP in addition to the DP/FLEX? Yes, the EP can play defense for the FLEX and the FLEX has left the game and has one re-entry. Can the one EP rule be used in elimination Play? Yes, this rule change applies to elimination play in order to allow more participation by allowing one EP during elimination play. Pool play has not changed, the team can have multiple EP’s batting up to their entire roster during pool play.
Play: In a 12U JO fast pitch elimination game Team A presents a lineup with 4 EP’s listed in the batting order. The umpire informs them that multiple EP’s are only allowable in pool play. They can only utilize one EP during elimination play and they must correct the lineup before the game can be started.
Ruling: This is a correct ruling. Teams can bat up to their entire roster in pool play with all additional batters being listed as EP’s but only one EP may be utilized during elimination play. Rule 4, Section 1C [1C-E]
Play: In a 14U JO fast pitch elimination game Team B is using one EP in addition to their nine batters. In the second inning, the EP takes the field to play defense in left field. The other team brings this to the umpire’s attention and the umpire rules this is not legal because the EP is only able to bat and cannot play defense and the starting F7 must return to the field.
Ruling: This ruling is incorrect. The EP is able to play defense at any position. If the EP becomes the pitcher or catcher this change must be reported to the umpire. Rule 4, Section 1C [1D]; Rule 4, Section 6A
Play: In an 18U JO fast pitch elimination game Team A is using one EP in addition to the DP/FLEX with the FLEX pitching. In the second inning, the coach informs the umpire that the EP is going to become the pitcher and the FLEX is leaving the game. Team B’s coach objects saying only the DP can replace the FLEX on defense. The umpire agrees and does not allow the EP to assume the pitching position.
Ruling: This ruling is incorrect. The EP position is able to play defense at any position for any player in the lineup. If either the DP or EP plays defense for the FLEX the FLEX player has left the game and has one re-entry. Rule 4, Section 1C [1E]; Rule 4, Section 3F
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