9.04 Umpire Positions

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9.04 Umpire Positions

(a) The plate umpire shall stand behind the catcher. This umpire usually is designated as the Umpire-in-Chief. The plate umpire’s duties shall be to:

(1) call and count balls and strikes;

(2) call and declare fair balls and fouls except those commonly called by field umpires;

(3) make all decision on the batter except those specifically reserved to the Umpire-in-Chief, or field umpire;

(4) inform the official scorer of the official batting order, and any changes in the lineups and batting order, on request.

(b) A field umpire may take any position on the playing field best suited to make impending decisions on the bases. A field umpire’s duties shall be to:

(1) make all decisions on the bases except those specifically reserved to the Umpire-in-Chief, or the plate umpire;

(2) take concurrent jurisdiction with the Umpire-in-Chief in calling “Time,” illegal pitches, Intermediate (50-70) Division/ Junior/ Senior/ Big League: balks, or defacement or discoloration of the ball by any player;

(3) aid the Umpire-in-Chief in every manner in enforcing the rules, excepting the power to forfeit the game, shall have equal authority with the Umpire-in-Chief in administering and enforcing the rules and maintaining discipline.

(c) If different decisions should be made on one play by different umpires, the Umpire-in-Chief shall call all the umpires into consultation, with no manager or player present. After consultation, the Umpire-in-Chief shall determine which decision shall prevail, based on which umpire was in the best position and which decision was most likely correct. Play shall proceed as if only the final decision had been made.

July 18, 2019
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