Situation Situation: The pitcher for the home team allows a lead-off double in the bottom half of the first inning of a Little League® (Major) Division softball game. After returning…
Little League® Umpires often work many games during the season, and quite often do not work with the same partner(s). To develop trust and continuity takes time, but getting to…
Umpires who have a good sense of timing use sight and sound when making their calls. Here’s a look at the basic skills necessary to develop effective timing that include…
Bunting is a key, but often overlooked offensive skill. A simple and fun way to develop proper bunting technique is to practice directional bunting. To do this drill, all the…
There are times when it is appropriate for one umpire to check with his partner as to whether or not a call was made correctly. The most common occurrence is…
The terms interference and obstruction are often misunderstood and confused by managers, coaches, and umpires alike. Using the current edition of “Make the Right Call: The Casebook of Little League…
The playing rules governing organized baseball and softball have been evolving for nearly 150 years. The interpretation of some rules may be confusing if not fully explained. Since the first…
Baseball and softball scorekeeping involves more than just keeping track of how many runs cross the plate. In fact, scorekeeping — a system of numbers, symbols and methodology that is…
At Little League® International in Williamsport, Pa., and at our Regional Offices, calls and emails come in all year long about situations that are happening at one of our 7,000…
In April 2016, cellphone video captured two men brawling during a youth baseball game, and those few seconds of video went viral. National and network news used those few seconds…