BASIC SKILLS IN

BASEBALL/SOFTBALL:
OFFICIALS OF THE GAME
 OBJECTIVES:
After a 1-hour discussion, the grade 8 students of Dauis
NHS will be able to:

a. Identify the different officials of the game

softball/baseball;
b. Apply the different hand signals of the game
softball/baseball;
c. State why do games follows different rules and
regulations.
 RECAPITULATION:
1. CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
2. MAIN PURPOSE
3. MAIN EQUIPMENT
4. EQUIPMEMT TO PLAY
SOFTBALL/BASEBALL
5. HOW TO PLAY
6. RULES
7. SIMILARITIES & DIFFERENCES
Is softball the same with baseball?
Softball is an outdoor game that demands
robust physical strength and stamina in
addition to good strategy. The ball used in this
game is larger as compared to baseball but the
game is played in a smaller ground.
The field of softball is smaller in size in
comparison to baseball.
 Differences:
1. Ball
2. Field Dimension
3. Bats and Gloves
4. Softball are mostly played for girls ; baseball played for
boys.
5. Pitching: softball is level or always throws underhand ;
baseball is slightly elevated
6. Softball has shorter distance than baseball from a pitcher’s
mound to home plate (ranges from 35-40 feet).
Similarities:
1. Field Lay out
2. Scoring system
3. Players and positions
4. Basic equipment
 OFFICIALS OF THE GAME:
 Softball officials are known as umpires and each has a
different responsibility depending on where he covers
the field.

 Ensurethe rules of the game are followed, and there is a

decisive winner and loser based on fair play and
accurate calls based upon what happens in the game.
 1. Home Plate Umpire
Have the most responsibility of any umpire on the field.

They must call every pitch a ball, strike or foul within a strike
zone.

Pay attention to each pitch and the number of balls and strikes
with each batter, as well as how the pitcher pitches the ball
and whether he is doing it legally or not.
Pay attention to other rules pertaining to batters
and catchers (ex: making sure batters stay within
the batter’s box when they are hitting).

Call base runners out or safe at home plate (which

also often game-deciding calls).
 2. Base Umpires
Assigned to watch each base, from first to third.

Entail watching each base and deciding whether runners are

safe or out on plays at that base.

Watch the base to see if the runner beat an attempted out and
is safe, or if the throw beat them and they are out.
Watch runners who are stealing bases and determine if
they were tagged out, picked off, or if they made it to
the bag before the tag was made.

Watch pitcher, to see if they are pitching illegally.

FIRST BASE UMPIRE

 Usually have the most challenging job, as many close
plays are made at first base.
 3. Line Umpires
Even though they are not always needed in smaller
league, they are often hired to simply watch balls hit
down the lines of the outfield and decide whether the
ball is fair of foul.
If the ball lands on or inside the white line, it is fair.
If the ball lands outside the white line, it is foul.
They have the final call on whether home runs
bounced off the top of the wall are fair or not.
COMMON HAND
SIGNALS USED BY
BASEBALL UMPIRES
 Signal Description Picture clip

1. PLAY BALL Motion with either hand to the pitcher. Verbally

call, "Play Ball."

2. FAIR BALL Point towards fair ground with hand closest to

infield. Nor verbal call.

3. FOUL BALL First give DEAD BALL signal. Verbally call,

"Foul Ball."

4. BALL For the ball call, it is a verbal call that should be

heard loud enough for the catcher and batter to
hear. No signal isused; however, the plate
umpire shall give the verbal call of “BALL” and
then add the number.
 Signal Description Picture clip

5. OUT The umpire shall raise the right arm (handopen) straight upto a
full extension directly above the shoulder and then bring it back
down into the hammer position (rightangle) with the fist
clenched and verbally call “OUT”.

6. HOME RUN Raise right arm. With fist closed move it counter-clockwise
twirling motions. Verbally call, "Home Run."

7. TRAPPED Extend arms straight out with palms down. Verbally call,
BALL/SAFE "Trapped Ball" or "Safe"
 Signal

8. STRIKE/OUT Bring left arm with hand closed to midsection as

right arm is extended straight up with hand facing
ear. Then pull down at elbow while closing fist.
Verbally call "Strike" or "Out".

9. TIME\DEAD Raise both hands with open palms away from the
BALL body. Verbally call, "Time" or "Dead Ball."
ACTIVITY:

Identify the different hand signals use by

umpires in the game softball/baseball in the
following given illustrations.
1. Out/Strike
Used after a third strike
or when a runner is out
before reaching a base.
2.Timeout/
Foul Ball
Used when a batter hits
a foul ball or when play
must be paused.
3.Foul Tip

Used when a batter

swings and just
barely tips the ball
but the catcher still
catches it.
4.Do Not Pitch
Used to signal the
pitcher to wait before
throwing his next
pitch.
5.Safe
Used when a
runner safely
reaches any base.
6.Play Ball

Used to signal
the pitcher that it
is OK to throw
the pitch.
 7.Fair Ball
Used when a batter
hits a ball that lands in
fair ground. This
signal can be made
with either hand.
Do you have any?

 Questions?
 Clarifications?
 Suggestions?
 WHY DO WE NEED TO FOLLOW
DIFFERENT RULES AND REGULATIONS OF
A GAME?

Simply because to have a fair game and to have
peace and harmonious flow of the game.
 ASSIGNMENT
Assumed that you are the UMPIRE of the game
softball/baseball, perform the different hand signals
through a video presentation/ collage labelling its
corresponding rules.
Send your video in your PE teacher messenger account.
Deadline for submission:
HAVE A
NICE
DAY
AHEAD!!