Eastern Ontario Umpires Association
 
 
Plate Umpire Evaluation Form          
  Umpire:                    
  Evaluator:                  
  Date:                    
  Game:                    
                           
1. Appearance E G S NI NA   Comments  
    Hat[1]                    
    Shirt[2]                    
    Pants[3]                  
    Shoes[4]                  
    Other[5]                  
                           
2. Body Language E G S NI NA      
    At plate conference                
    During innings                
    Between innings                
    When signaling                
    In situations                
                           
3. Definition of Slot E G S NI NA      
    Stance                  
      Style: ______________________[6]                
      Width                
      Lean                  
      Drop (A to B)[7]                
      Lock In and timing with pitcher[8]                
      Position of arms[9]                
    Feet Position                
      Forward/Backward placement[10]                
      Adjusts with catcher[11]                
    Head Position                
      Appropriate Height[12]                
      Consistent height[13]                
      No movement on pitch                
      Adjustments when crowded[14]                
                           
4. Proper Use of Equipment E G S NI NA      
    Mask                  
      Fit and adjustments[15]                
      Ease of On and Off[16]                
      Mask in left hand                
    Use of indicator                
      In left hand                
      Not obvious in use                
    Protectors                
      Adjustments[17]                
                           
5. Proper Use of Eyes E G S NI NA   Comments  
    Tracking[18]                
    Timing[19]                  
  Signal                    
    Voice[20]                  
    Mechanic[21]                
    Aggressiveness[22]                
                           
  Adjustments                
    Half-Swing Mechanic E G S NI NA      
      Verbal "No; He didn't go"                
      Step out                
      Left hand point[23]                
      Vocal request                
      Response mechanics[24]                
                           
6. Coverage Mechanics                
    With no runners on base E G S NI NA      
      Reading of partner                
      Position when base umpire                
        Comes in                
        Goes out                
      Footwork                
        Clearing the catcher                
        Stable                
        Speed                
        Distance                
      Returns to plate                
    With a runner on first                
      Position on a ball hit up the right field line                
      Position on a ball hit up the left field line                
      Position on a ball hit to right field                
      Position on a ball hit to left field                
      1st to 3rd responsibilities                
    With a runner on second                
      Second play responsibility at third                
      Communication                
    With a runner scoring                
      Clearing the bat                
      Preliminary at point of the plate                
      Use of first extended on collision plays                
      Use of third extended on swipe/tag plays                
    Set positions (when required)                
      Stability at time of play                
                           
7. Mechanics for Signals E G S NI NA   Comments  
    Bringing ball alive                
      Start of half innings[25]                
      After interruptions in play[26]                
    Strike                  
      Voice[27]                
      Mechanic                
      Aggressiveness[28]                
    Ball                    
      Voice[29]                
      Aggressiveness[30]                
    Count                  
      Voice[31]                
      Mechanic[32]                
    Safe / Out                
      Voice[33]                
      Mechanic[34]                
      Appropriateness[35]                
    Fair / Foul                
      Voice                
      Mechanic                
      Appropriateness[36]                
    Catch / No-Catch                
      Voice[37]                
      Mechanic[38]                
      Appropriateness[39]                
    Dead Ball Territory                
      Voice[40]                
      Mechanic[41]                
      Appropriateness                
    Balk                    
      Voice[42]                
      Mechanic[43]                
      Management of awards[44]                
    Foul Tip Mechanic                
      Mechanic                
                           
8. Mechanics for Crew Communication E G S NI NA      
    Uses partner's first name                
    Infield Fly (signal)                
    Time Play (signal)                
    "I've got the runner."                
    "I've got the ball."                
    "I'm on the line."                
    "I've got third, if he comes."                
    "I've got third."                
    "I'm going home."                
    "That's a catch."                
    "No Catch"                
                           
9. Miscellaneous Observations E G S NI NA      
    Uses "The Library"[45]                
    Assist on rundowns[46]                
    Pop-ups on the infield                
    Pop-ups at the plate                
    Overthrows                
                           
10. Other Comments                
                           
                           
                           
                           
                           
                           
                           
                           
                           
                           
                           
                           
                           
                           
11. Field Diagrams                
 
                      
 
                         
                         
                         
                         
                         
                         
                         
                           
                           
                           
                           
                           
                           
                           
 
                      
 
                         
                         
                         
                         
                         
                         
[1]
The hat should be fitted, clean and a full or combo style.  The hat should not have a logo unless it is a league or association logo.  The hat should be creased in official style.
[2]
Shirts should be to the league specification and have only the patches of that league.  Multi-patched shirts are discouraged.
The crew must dress according to league crew dress codes.  If the umpires are wearing coats they should be tucked into the pants not bloused over.
[3]
Plate pants or the equivalent combo pants.  It is not proper to have regular base pants on or pants which are tightly drawn over the equipment.
[4]
Plate shoes are essential.  Shoes must be shined.
[5]
The belt, ball bag and other accessories should be to specification. Check the gig-line. 
[6]
Heel-toe (preferred), box, scissors or knee.  Is it consistent and properly applied?
[7]
Clean drop with no bounce.  One fluid motion.
[8]
Timing is key.  Umpire should be solid as pitcher commits to home … not way before or too late.
[9]
Arms should not grab body parts or support the stance. They should rest on the legs and in front of the stomach.
[10]
Front foot even with catcher's back foot, back foot on line with umpire's slot foot heel.
[11]
Able to adjust easily if catcher moves to outside of plate.
[12]
Chin is never below the top of the catcher's head.
[13]
Does not adopt different head heights on the same batter.
[14]
Moves higher and slightly back.
[15]
Extra strap material is trimmed off.
[16]
Simple, quick pull and lift motion while keeping the hat in position.
[17]
Is the chest protector pulled up to protect the neck?  Is everything the proper size and fit?
[18]
Ball is tracked all the way to the glove by eye movement only.
[19]
Timing is not artificial or contrived but is consistent and based on seeing/tracking the ball.
[20]
Appropriate volume and clarity.
[21]
Crisp and consistent throughout the game.
[22]
Appropriate to game situation.  "Strike Two" should be more forceful then "Strike One"
[23]
The umpire may point with the right hand but is must clearly not be anything resembling a strike or other signal.
[24]
Is the verbal cadence correct for a strike or ball response?
[25]
This is not essential but some visible indication of control should be a regular part of the umpire's habits.
[26]
Umpires are not required to use any physical or verbal indication, but some observation of control should be visible.
[27]
A vocal mechanic is required on every called strike.  It should be "Strike One"  "Strike Two!" or "Strike Three!!" with a growing emphasis.
[28]
The strike call should increase in aggressiveness so that the voice and motion on "Strike Three!!" is significantly more then strike one or two.
[29]
Should be audible to both dugouts.  No physical gesture is used with the call of "ball."  Called as "Ball One" etc.
[30]
Should be consistent across all fours ball calls.
[31]
The count is given as "Three balls, two strikes"  The words "Full Count" are never used.
[32]
Both hands raise at the same time.  Closed fists are never used to indicate a three-two count
[33]
Uses "SAFE" and "HE'S OUT" when appropriate.
[34]
Clean, crisp mechanic at aggressiveness according to game situation.
[35]
Is the aggressiveness of the voice/mechanic appropriate to the game situation?
[36]
Obvious calls are not made.  The mechanic is appropriate to the situation.
[37]
"That's a catch,"  "No catch, no catch!" or similar phrases are preferred to "Safe" and "Out"
[38]
Signal is only used on trouble ball catches.:
[39]
Voice and mechanic are appropriate to the situation.
[40]
Clear call of "TIME"  Echoes partner's call when made.
[41]
Establishes control and focus before starting base awards.
[42]
Complete: "That's A Balk!" with horizontal point at pitcher.  Echoes partner's balk call when appropriate.
[43]
Proper sequence!  (That's a balk!  Time!  That's a balk! Award bases)
[44]
Runner closest to home advanced first.  Demonstrates control and confidence.
[45]
Position and communication are incorporated.
[46]
"I've got this half!"