More on How to Improve Your Game - February 2005

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The Little League Urban Initiative and the Little League World Series Alumni Umpire Association International are working hand-in-hand to provide training to volunteer umpires. Any volunteer umpire from an Urban Initiative program who wishes to attend an Umpire School in any one of the U.S. Regions is offered a “scholarship” to that school. The umpire(s) selected will have his/her registration fee paid by the Little League World Series Alumni Umpire Association and the Little League Urban Initiative.

For more information contact: David James, Urban Initiative director, at 570-326-1921, Ext. 217, or email him at djames@littleleague.org.

In last month's tip, we gave you some definitions to improve your game. Here are two more:

First-base line extended: This is an imaginary line that extends the first-base fair/foul line into foul territory behind home plate an unlimited distance. The umpire-in-chief (UIC, or plate umpire) will assume a position on the first-base line extended in several instances including: to render fair/foul decisions on batted balls to the right of home plate; to observe action at first base as another runner scores; on selected tag plays at home plate; and during a rundown on a base runner while the UIC is responsible for a potential play on a different runner attempting to score.

Open the gate: A basic movement that allows continued observation of a batted or thrown ball as the ball passes the umpire. To “open the gate,” begin in an upright stance with your feet comfortably apart. Then, keeping your chest to the ball, take an initial step backward while pointing your foot toward the ball’s destination. As the ball passes you, or just before it, turn by stepping with your opposite foot and focus on the developing play.

Remember, umpires can get rule updates, interpretations, useful tips like these and much more, by signing up for the Little League Umpire Registry. Click here for more details.