Iowa Conference Softball Procedures
Iowa Conference Softball Umpires must agree to represent the Iowa Conference by officiating all games assigned in the following official uniform.
SHIRT: POWDER BLUE MICRO MESH (Plain - No Numbers)
PANTS: (HEATHER GRAY SLACKS (PLAIN FRONT - NON-PLEATED) (BASE AND PLATE PANTS OR COMBO PANT)
T-SHIRT: WHITE CREW NECK MUST BE WORN UNDER SHIRT. (IIAC Logo t-shirt may be ordered through Hands-On Embroidery at (319) 895-0474).
TURTLE NECK: NAVY BLUE TO BE WORN UNDER JACKET WITHOUT SHIRT. (IIAC Logo Mock turtleneck may be ordered through Hands-On Embroidery at (319) 895-0474).
JACKET: CONFERENCE PULLOVER JACKET W/NO LOGO (NAVY BLUE WITH LIGHT BLUE "UCLA STRIPE" OVER SHOULDER. JACKET MUST BE PURCHASED THROUGH HONIG'S WHISTLE STOP. MODEL K17LB http://www.honigs.com/detail.asp?Cat=2&Sub=42&Item=1066
HAT: IIAC LOGO EMBROIDERED HAT (PLATE, BASE, OR COMBO) FOR CONFRENCE GAMES AND PLAIN NAVY HAT FOR NON-CONFERENCE OR OTHER GAMES ASSIGNED BY THE CONFERENCE COORDINATOR.
SHOES/BELT/SOCKS:
SHOES - ALL BLACK SHOES (NO PATENT LEATHER) - BLACK OUT ALL WHITE MARKINGS
BELT - BLACK WITH SILVER BUCKLE. (NO PATENT LEATHER)
SOCKS - BLACK
MASK: ALL BLACK. WITH BLACK PADS. BLACK-OUT LOGOS on mask pads and strap.
BALL BAG: NAVY BLUE (PREFERABLY 2 USED)
SUNGLASSES: (Optional) Black/Non-Mirrored.
OTHER: Do not wear watches.
CREW CHIEF: A crew chief has been assigned for each date. You are to call your crew chief at least one week before your games to confirm arrival time and meeting location. Crew chiefs are responsible for contacting the head coach at the host institution at least one week before the game to confirm the game date, crew, and time. Once at the game site, the crew chief will be responsible for notifying the host institutions head coach that the entire crew has arrived and to receive any game day details. In addition the crew chief should lead a pre-game meeting approximately 45 minutes before game time. Crew chiefs are to act as coordinators and not as umpire evaluators. The crew chief is to complete and send the Game Report to the Coordinator of Officials following each date.
REPORT TO SITE: You must report to the game site no later than 1 hour before game time.
FINANCIAL: Game fees for 2008 are $130/double-header (flat fee - no mileage). Invitational Tournament and JV games are on a per game fee determined by the host school (s).
INCLEMENT WEATHER: Each institution will be provided a listing of officials assigned to their home schedule. The host coach will notify the crew or crew chief as early as possible if a game postponement becomes necessary. Should there be a postponement of a game the school has seven (7) days to reschedule the game and every attempt to retain the same umpiring crew will be made. Game Manager and Both Coaches shall make the decision to play prior to game time. Once the umpire declares play-ball the Plate Umpire shall make the decision if weather conditions, safety of field conditions, and sufficient daylight. The umpire crew should work closely with the game manager during the contest to be constantly apprised of changing or imminent weather conditions that may effect the event participants and spectators.
TAKE THE FIELD/BAT CHECKS: Umpires shall enter the field at least 15 minutes before game time to walk the field and take care of pre-game duties. Make sure that all bats are checked for grip and size and are legal using the approved bat list. Batting helmets and the catchers helmet must be embossed with the NOCSAE seal and are to checked each game. The catcher must wear a catchers helmet while in a "fielding position". Make sure there are at least 5 game balls rubbed down before the start of the game (2 new and three other new or good used). Identify the official scorekeeper to make sure line-ups have been submitted and determine how substitutions will be handled. Also check to see if the National Anthem will be played and if starters will be announced. The pre-game meeting with coaches shall take place 10 minutes prior to game time and before the home team takes the field after Infield warm-up practice has finished. All warm-ups must cease during the pre-game conference. The pre-game shall cover: approval of line-up cards, identify scorekeeper and game manager and their location, ground rules, and collect game balls from both teams. Do not let teams take the field until the coaches/umpires meeting has been completed.
RUN RULE/NO TIE-BREAKER: The run rule for all games will be 8 runs after 5 innings. The Tie-Breaker WILL NOT be used in any Iowa Conference games. The Halted game rule will not apply to any IIAC Conference regular season games.