Overview

The 2021 CCA Manual has undergone some major changes from the 2020 manual. This article will cover most of the changes, but you are strongly encouraged to read the Manual in detail, especially the all-new sections. The 2021 CCSUA Annual Meeting – Mechanics Presentation is also available to view. You can locate it by selecting the Training Information button on the Dashboard.

The changes fir 2021 start with two new sections – Section 2 Mechanic Changes 2020-2021 Season and Section 6 In-Game Umpiring Situations. See the details for these sections below. In addition, Section 1 In Focus has three new items for 2021 – Rising to the Challenge, Crewness Through Mechanics, and The Value of Verbal. Since these are designated as the focus items for 2021, it is imperative that CCSUA umpire read this section, absorb the information, and execute it on and off the field.

There are a number of instances where detailed information has been removed, so keep your 2020 Manual. You can compare it with 2021 to see the details they removed. For example -previous section 3.3 Game Management has been removed. It had useful information, especially for newer umpires, regarding game administration, sportsmanship, communications, teamwork, hustle, and line-cards. Important note regarding the changes and references: the 2021 Manual does not shade the changes from the previous year. Page 18 has a list of these changes; however, only the reference to 6.4 is correct. Here are the correct references:
• Reference 5.4 should be 5.2.
• All the other references to Section 6 should be one less (e.g. 6.7 should be 6.6, 6.8 should be 6.7, etc.).

Section 2 NEW

2.1 Positions

U3 Rotated Starting position
Initial set-up is 10-18 feet from 2b between the first and third baseline extended toward CF (was 10-12 feet beyond 2b toward CF). Gives criteria for choosing a position and details on movement when a play develops – both tags and force plays including MechanicGrams.
U1 Starting Position Counter Rotated and BU in 2-Umpire System
When off the line: options before pitch – come to set, remain standing during the pitch, or take a step with the pitch.
Being Set on the Line
If no runner responsibilities: can walk the line with the pitch or start in a set position.
• 3-ump: start either standing upright or in a set position; on the pitch stay in set or move forward a maximum of 2 steps ending in prepared set or stopped position.
• 2-ump: start in upright standing position and walking with the pitch; or can start set.
Force play at home (both 3-umpire and 2-umpire systems)
• Sometimes the throw to the plate is off-line and this play will become a tag play
• Plate umpire should back up and choose a spot between deep point-of-plate and the 3b baseline extended to adjust quickly if the play changes.

2.2 New/Modified Signals

Third Strike Not Caught
Extend the right arm straight out (was: the elbow is held at the side of the waist(
• Used at all times when batter is entitled to run (same as last year)
• Added – if obviously caught or dropped, no requirement to give a signal; but if there is any question, give the signal.
Third Strike Caught
Put back this signal which was last shown in the 2013 CCA Manual. Wording has been changed from “…used all the time…” to the same wording as above (obviously…any question…).
Spectator interference (new signal!)
• Use dead-ball signal then with one hand grasp the other wrist with your palms facing forward
• May be followed by movement toward the location of interference.
• Following the call, turn to the field and indicated the outcome (out, base awards, etc.); consult with crew if necessary.

2.3 Mechanics

Tag up Responsibility for R2 when plate umpire covers
Now shared between U1 and U3; all scenarios with runner on 2b and PU covers.
• U1 has it on all fly balls between center fielder and left field dead ball line
• U3 has it on all fly balls between the center fielder and the right field dead ball line; recommended that U3 stay in foul territory.
• U3 has the appeal play and U1 takes all other type of plays at 2b (split coverage so needs clear communication)
3b responsibilities with R2R3 (less than 2 outs) and U1 covers fly ball – clarification
• Plate umpire if play at 3b on R2 when it is the initial play from the outfield.
• Remaining umpire must be ready to take R2 at 3b if plate umpire is making call on R3 at the plate.
Plate umpire movement
• May go directly to 3b with R1 and base hit to outfield
• On fly balls when going into the infield, follow path of ball (removed go directly to circle)
Infield fly
All umpires have concurrent authority to judge an infield fly and initiate the call; other umpires echo the call.
Alternate HR Mechanics (3-umpire only)
With R0 or R3 only, if HR is clear and obvious and PU covers, no rotation – U1 has 1b and 2b, U3 stays at 3b and PU stays near home.

Section 6 NEW

Make sure you read this entire Section; it has a lot of new information as well as material moved and/or revised from other areas of last year’s Manual.
6.1 Crewness – from previous Section 1
6.2 Strike zone – from previous Section 1
6.3 Check Swing – general information; for factors to consider rule 11.

6.4 Correcting the Count – all new
• A correct count is the responsibility of every umpire – base umpires, do not wait.
• May correct the count until at-bat is completed.
• On checked swing or full swing not ruled a strike, must be changed before next pitch.
• PU must give count after steals, pickoff attempts, check swing requests, illegal pitches, timeouts, dead balls and foul balls.
• If PU signals a swing and then forgets, can be corrected during the at-bat if another umpire knows.

6.5 Outfield Ball Coverage – not new (previous 5.3) but lots of new wording – must read
• If outfielder breaking in or moving laterally toward you – simply turn and set.
• If outfielder is running away from you – move into outfield parallel to ball.
• Near foul line – do not overrun it.
• After original decision to not give up on the ball; if play in outfield develops and needs an umpire do not be afraid of going late and communicate.
• Non-covering umpire – always be aware what partner is doing; do not assume, and continue to read them as the play develops in case they commit to the ball late.

6.6 BU Returning from Outfield – all new
Taken from previous wordings in 5.3. Added a lot – must read!
• Base umpires may return in rare circumstances if there is a breakdown.
• May not be pre-communicated (e.g. pre-pitch, announced ahead of time)
• Not acceptable – on the crack of the bat base umpire holds up hand indicating will return
• Acceptable – U1 reads a trouble ball to RF and covers; sees opportunity to return to help U3 with an extended rundown.

6.7 Checking the Resin Bag– all new
• One of the umpires should check it.
• Does not need to be checked more than once per game unless something has changed.
• Physically examine it; from a distance is not sufficient.

6.8 Runner’s Lane– all new
• Primarily the plate umpire’s call; if egregious and not called but base umpire sees it – get the call right.
• BR not required to use it but protects her from unintentional interference.
• BR considered out of the lane if either foot is on the ground and completely outside the lane.
• If BR never in the lane, no longer protected on her last step to first base.

6.9 Look-Back Rule (The Circle) – from last year’s Section 5.

6.10 Leaving Before the Pitch Is Released– from last year’s Section 5

6.11 One Umpire Calls Obstruction and Another Umpire Has Play on that Runner– all new
See the article in this Locker Room (Mechanics Corner/General Mechanics: Obstruction Call Mechanics).

6.12 Interference, Obstruction, or Contact Between Two Umpires– all new
See the article in this Locker Room (Mechanics Corner/General Mechanics: Obstruction Call Mechanics).

6.13 Collisions– all new
• An obstructed runner is responsible for attempting to avoid a collision.
• No runner may deliberately crash into a fielder holding the ball
• If an obstructed runner does this, obstruction will be ignored as interference takes precedence; the runner is out; if flagrant, the runner is also ejected.
• If an obstructed runner deliberately crashes with excessive force into a fielder not holding the ball, dead ball, the runner is safe and ejected.

6.14 Timing Play– all new
Both 2-umpire and 3-umpire, in situations where the PU is making a call at 3b on a timing play:
• Remaining base umpire must be alert and view the timing of the tag at 3b and the lead runner touching the plate.
• Base umpire should then move towards the plate while using the appropriate signal.
• In 3-umpire a base umpire covering a fly ball should also observe the play and provide assistance if needed.

6.15 Getting the Call Right/Going for Help
From last year’s Section 1 In Focus; added 7. “Once a batted ball is declared dead” with bullets listing the three exceptions for changing it for granting dead-ball awards.

6.16 Conference Management
Taken from previous Section 5.2 Plate Umpire

6.17 At the Conclusion of the Game
Taken from previous 5.1 All Umpires, and a few bullets from 3.4 Postgame. New – do not drop the game balls at home plate or toss/roll/throw them toward the dugout of backstop.

Mechanics – Section 7

All umpires

New – NCAA discourages umpires from standing with their hands on their hips
Force plays (in Positioning, page 52)
• Work for 90o angle from the throw
• When not practical or possible find an appropriate angle not straight-lined with the throw
• Removed the wording “staying within a 30o to 50o angle to first base”
Infield fly (page 56)
• All umpires – concurrent authority to judge an infield fly and initiate the call; echoed by other umpires
• New guidelines – ordinary effort defined (fielder can nearly settle under ball while facing the infield
• When an umpire is responsible for calls at a base this includes watching for obstruction, interference, collision, and touching the base

Plate umpire

Plate stances
• Prioritize an accurate strike zone over exact foot placement.
• Tracking the pitch – “with your eyes moving your head slightly…” (was “…with your nose.”)
Force play at the plate (page 61)
• Choose a spot between deep point-of-plate and the 3b baseline extended – new!
• Adjust quickly if the play changes.

Base umpire

Being Set on the Line (Section 2, page 15)
• If no runner responsibilities can walk the line with the pitch or start in a set position.
o Was: start in upright standing position and walking with the pitch

Signals – Section 8

Standard Signals overview
It is now (new in 2021) acceptable for crews to develop additional umpire-to-umpire signals to enhance communication. Do not modify the standard signal – any additional signals should follow the standard signal. See page 67 for an example.

See Section 2 above for the new/modified signals.

Three-umpire – Section 9

Overview of revised Section 9

• Removed in all configurations the page on Fly Ball/Line Drive to the Infield – Ball is Caught; considered as part of re-worded Plate Umpire Covers – Fly Ball/Line Drive – Ball is Caught.
• Combined all hit pages (Single, Double, Triple, Extra Base Hit) into one page for all the scenarios, for plate umpire or U1 or U3 covers – this one page is: Plate (or U1 or U3) covers – Ball is Not Caught.
• Removed page No Chase-Home Run (In the Park) in all configurations
• Removed: No Chase – Fly Ball/Line Drive to Outfield; Ball is Caught less than Two Out. Now just one page for this regardless of outs. We know that if there are two outs we do not have any tag ups.
• Added Alternate Mechanic for Home Run (Out of the Park) in R0 and R3
• Removed wording for base umpires as first bullet on almost every play “Read and process where the ball is hit and the fielder(s) movement. (Was used 247 times in previous.) Still do it -it is assumed!
• Removed wording on pages when a base umpire covers for umpires to “verbally communicate. Still do it -it is assumed!
• Completely removed the section for the base umpire who covers a fly ball.

Starting positions  – See Section 2.1 above.

Plate umpire movement on hits to outfield – See Section 2.3 above.

Adjustments to rotations during live ball
• R1 and hit to infield – if high potential for play on BR at 1b, stay with play until U3 can take over.
• R1, PU covers, outfield hit not caught – if U1 unable to rotate home, be prepared to take any calls on BR at 2b and 3b.
• R3, PU covers, outfield hit not caught – U1 be prepared if R3 does not immediately score to take BR to 2b.

Tag up Responsibility for R2 when plate umpire covers
See Section 2.3 above. See Manual for handling appeals when U3 has tag-up and U1 is in infield.

3b responsibilities with R2R3 (less than 2 outs) and U1 covers fly ball – clarification
• Plate umpire if play at 3b on R2 when it is the initial play from the outfield.
• Remaining umpire must be ready to take R2 at 3b if plate umpire is making call on R3 at the plate.

Alternate Home Run Mechanics – See Section 2.3 above.

Two-umpire – Section 10

Starting positions
BU when on the line start in upright standing position and walking with the pitch; or can start set.; Manual still states 18-20 feet; should be no closer than 18 feet.

Plate umpire movement on hits to outfield – See Section 2.3 above.

Covering fly balls and returning to infield
Added bullet: Return if you can during a rundown when the play is moving away from you. Verbally communicate that you are back.

Runner on First, Steal
Changed!! PU now has call at 3b if R1 advances (assume a typo as it has “BR”)