The following is a typical pre-game conference dialog that I used during the 1998 season. Please remember this is the way I do it and not necessarily the way other members do it. You will be the best judge of what you want to include in the discussion. (Note: This dialog assumes a Williamsport Little League - Major Division Game)

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Umpire: Hello managers my name is Dave Mekelburg from the American Federation of Umpires. Number 109.
Manager A: Hello.
Manager B: Hello.

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Umpire: This is a Williamsport Little League Game - Major Division. Is this correct? (Note: Remember not all our games are Williamsport nor major division.)
Manager A: Yes.
Manager B: Yes.

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Umpire: Managers. Are all your players properly equipped to play under the rules?
Manager A: Yes.
Manager B: Yes.

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Umpire: Managers. What are the local ground rules for this field?
(Here we discuss the the local ground rules including dead ball areas, movable bases, over hanging trees, obstacles etc.)
Umpire: Managers. Do you both understand the ground rules?
Manager A: Yes.
Manager B: Yes.

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Umpire: I would now like to cover a couple of things that may happen during the game.

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1) The slide or avoid rule: A fielder with the ball waiting to make a tag, the runner has three options:

• give himself up by accepting the tag.
• avoid the tag without going out of the baseline.
• slide (feet first to a forward base).

Malicious contact will result in ejection.

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2) There is NO on-deck batter in Little League. The only player allowed to have a bat in their hands is the current batter.

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3) I will not tolerate:

• Profanity.
• Throwing of equipment in anger.

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4) If a bat is thrown because of bad mechanics I will warn the batter before taking any other action.

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Managers, do you understand these rules?
Manager A: Yes.
Manager B: Yes.

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Umpire: Managers. Are there any local rules that I should know about?
(Here is a discussion of the local rules. Both managers must agree to the local rules to use them. In case of a dispute use your best judgment. In my experience almost anything is possible here.)
Umpire : Are these all your local rules?
Manager A: Yes.
Manager B: Yes.
Umpire: All other decisions will be made according to the rule book. OK?
Manager A: Yes.
Manager B: Yes.

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Umpire: Managers. Are there any questions?
(Here also anything is possible. Do not get into lengthy rules discussions at this point. The game is ready to start.)

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Umpire: Managers good luck and let's PLAY BALL.

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That's it. Not too long and I cover all the things I wanted to. If there are other things you want to cover just put them in. Remember game control starts the minute you walk on the field. I used this dialog and it works.

And remember, HAVE FUN!!!!

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Any member of the AFU that would be interested in writing an article about umpiring and would like to have them published on our web site please contact Dave Mekelburg AFU#9 at: info@americanfederationofumpires.com