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Monday, March 2, 2026

Welcome

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Northern California

Officials Association

Umpires

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South Sac-Joaquin Section

Play!

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  • Welcome
  • Meeting Agenda
  • Player to Player Meetings
  • Do’s, Don’ts & Reminders
  • Your Recent Games – Open Discussion
  • Questions

Meeting Agenda

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Player to Player Meetings

SITUATION 1: Having already had a defensive player meeting in the inning, the catcher goes out and talks to his pitcher. As the plate umpire goes out to stop the meeting, the opposing coach wants the umpire to charge the defense with a defensive charged conference.

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Player to Player Meetings

SITUATION 1 RULING:

A defensive player meeting, even if it is a second meeting in a half-inning, cannot be charged to the team as a defensive charged conference. No coach or non-playing team representative was in attendance. The plate umpire should work to prevent a second defensive player meeting, and if it occurs anyway, may warn (verbally or written) the coach that if more than one defensive meeting were to occur in future innings, the coach may be restricted or even ejected. (2-10-3, 3-3-1, 3-4-6)

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Player to Player Meetings

SITUATION 2: The offensive team is having (a) an offensive charged conference. or (b) time has been called for an injury to a player of either team. During this time, several defensive players come together and talk.

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Player to Player Meetings

SITUATION 2 RULING:

In both (a) and (b), this is not a defensive player meeting. Defensive players may gather when the game has been stopped for the reasons listed in (a) and (b). (3-4-6)

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Player to Player Meetings

SITUATION 3: After completing warm-up throws (a) at the beginning of a half inning or (b) as substitute pitcher in the middle of the inning, the catcher and/or other fielders go to the mound to talk briefly with the pitcher.

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Player to Player Meetings

SITUATION 3 RULING:

Neither (a) nor (b) is a defensive meeting. (3-4-6)

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Player to Player Meetings

SITUATION 4: After a strikeout, the infield throws the ball to each other and the third baseman takes the ball, goes to the mound and gives to the pitcher with a pat on the back and an encouraging word.

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Player to Player Meetings

SITUATION 4 RULING:

This is not a defensive meeting. (3-4-6)

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Player to Player Meetings

SITUATION 5: After walking the first batter in the sixth inning, and having had no previous defensive player meetings, the catcher goes out to the mound to talk to the pitcher. As the plate umpire moves to the mound to end the defensive meeting, (a) the defensive coach comes out to the mound to talk to the players and does not make a change with the pitcher, or (b) comes out to the mound to talk to the players and does make a change with the pitcher, or (c) comes to the mound after the catcher has gone back to the plate, to talk with the pitcher and makes no change.

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Player to Player Meetings

SITUATION 5 RULING:

In (a), this is a defensive charged conference only and no defensive player meeting should be recorded. In (b), this is neither a defensive meeting nor a defensive charged conference. In (c), this is both a defensive player meeting and a defensive charged conference. (2- 10-3, 3-4-1, 3-4-6)

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Player to Player Meetings

Player to Player Meetings vs. Charged Conference

According to the 2026 NFHS Baseball Rules Book, the key difference between a player-to-player meeting and a charged conference lies in the involvement of coaches and specific limits on occurrences. Player-to-player meetings (Rule 2-10-3) are limited to one per half-inning, involve only defensive players, and do not count as a charged conference, while a charged conference (Rule 2-10-1) involves a coach and is limited to three per 7-inning game.

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Offensive Team Conferences

In NFHS baseball rules (Rule 3-4-2), an offensive team is permitted one charged conference per inning. This conference allows a coach or non-player team personnel to meet with the batter, base runners, on-deck batter, or other offensive team personnel.

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Do’s, Don’ts & Reminders

  • Frosh & JV Games – There are no time limits for sub-varsity games in our section.
  • Do not start games early – no matter what!
  • The 10-run rule is in effect for all high school games played in our section, regardless of where teams are from.
  • Both umpires should carry pen and paper in case of ejections (start writing numbers down) and both umpires should write down offensive and defensive time outs and player to player conferences.

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Do’s, Don’ts & Reminders

  • No buckets, players or coaches are allowed out of dugouts during live play action.
  • Never contact coaches, schools or athletic directors.
  • Contact your partner via text, email or phone call before the game day to discuss parking location, who is working which position (plate or bases), uniform shirt color, etc.
  • Do not park in an area that can be easily accessed by fans.

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Do’s, Don’ts & Reminders

  • Do not stand in the line after the game to shake hands, bump fists, congratulate the players and coaches.
  • Always walk out the winning side of the field.
  • Conduct Game Reports ASAP.
  • On the new Arbiter App, you are required to enter the score in the appropriate place. (Assignors are aware.)
  • No non-NCOA logo hats or shirts. If not NCOA, they must be blank.
  • No phones on the field – no excuses.
  • No tobacco on site.

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Do’s, Don’ts & Reminders

Over 30 registered umpires have less than 10 hours of training and most of these previously documented issues are a direct result of not attending our Monday ZOOM meetings. 

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Your Recent Games

  • Discussions about your unusual game situations

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Questions?