Page 400 - Revised Unified Sports Curriculum electronic version Rev. 8.1_2

SOFTBALL

SPORT RULES

There are five situations when a violation of the rule occurs. An umpire recognizes it and the ball
remains live until the conclusion of the play. These situations are
An illegal pitch.
Catcher's obstruction
Obstruction
Detached equipment contacting a thrown ball, a pitched ball, or a fair-batted ball

13. Umpires
Power and Duties
The umpires are the representatives of the league or organization by which they have been assigned
to a particular game, and as such, are authorized and required to enforce each section of these rules.
They have the power to order a player, coach, captain or manager to do or omit to do any act which in
their judgment is necessary to give force and effect to one or all of these rules and to inflict penalties
as herein prescribed. The plate umpire shall have the authority to make decisions on any situations
not specifically covered in the rules.
General Information for Umpires
The umpire shall not be a member of either team. Examples: player, coach, manager, officer,
scorer or sponsor.
The umpire should be sure of the date, time and place for the game and should arrive at the
playing field 20-30 minutes ahead of time, start the game on time and leave the field when
the game is over.
The male and female umpire must wear
A powder blue long or short-sleeved shirt.
Dark navy blue socks.
Dark navy blue slacks or shorts.
Dark navy blue cap with white and blue trimmed ISF (or NGB) letters on the front.
Dark navy blue ball bag (plate only).
Dark navy blue jacket and/or sweater.
Black shoes and belt.
A white T-shirt worn under the powder blue shirt.
Umpires must not wear exposed jewelry that may pose a hazard.
Exception: Medical Alert Bracelets and/or necklaces.
The umpires should introduce themselves to the captains, managers and scorers.
The umpires should inspect the playing field boundaries, equipment and clarify all ground
rules to both teams and their coaches.
Each umpire shall have the power to make decisions on violations committed any time during
playing time or during suspension of play until the game is over.
Neither umpire has the authority to set aside or question decisions made by the other within
the limits of their respective duties as outlined in these rules.
An umpire may consult his associate at any time. However, the final decision shall rest with
the umpire whose exclusive authority it was to make the decision and who requested the
opinion of the other.
In order to define their respective duties, the umpire judging balls and strikes shall be
designated as the '"Plate Umpire," the umpire judging base decisions as the "Base Umpire."

45 VERSION: June 2018
© Special Olympics, Inc., 2018
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