Game Starter/Field Supervisor Responsibilites, Responsibilities, WOBA Championship Tournaments (Western Ontario Baseball Association)

PrintGame Starter/Field Supervisor Responsibilites
The following guide and listing of responsibilities may be helpful for volunteers
  1. Review the rules and regulations. If the tournament is a pool play format, be aware of the time limit and that no new inning can begin after the time limit.  In double elimination formats or in a tournament's semi finals and finals, where a game is tied and the format of the schedule requires a definite winner to advance, another inning will be played until a definitive winner is declared.
  2. Enforce 'Zero Tolerance' policy. Abuse, both physical and verbal should not be tolerated towards tournament staff, umpires, coaches, or players.   It is recommended that signage be posted at each diamond.
  3. Greet and welcome teams.
  4. Hand out sign-in sheets, particularly if it is a team's first game at a remote diamond and the team has not yet checked in with the Convenor. Advise coaches that it is mandatory to complete the sign-in form and that it must be completed and returned before their first game begins. If a player arrives later that day or the next day, he/she must sign-in in order to play. This form will be with the tournament Convenor.
  5. Hand out line up cards and advise that the line up forms are to be provided to the umpire at the plate meeting.
  6. Collect sign-in sheets prior to game start. If a team has not completed the sign-in sheet they have 20 minutes from the start time of the game to do so, otherwise the game is forfeited. Check sign-in sheets against the roster for irregularities.
  7. No infield warm-ups.
  8. Coin Flip: Do this as early as possible, preferably once both team coaches are present. It is recommended that the "heads" or "tail" call be made prior to the flip of the coin or while the coin is in mid-air, the team travelling the furthest distance makes the call.  Allow the coin to land on the ground or flat surface.  Do not catch it.
  9. Home Team is responsible for official score-keeping (if no one is appointed by the Convenor).  Game score-sheet to be provided.
  10. Visiting Team is responsible for official pitch count sheets (if no one is appointed by the Convenor). Pitch count sheets to be provided.  Current pitch count statistics are to be entered onto a team tracking sheet after the game and should be shared with the coaches and the plate umpire prior to the next game.
  11. Score keeper and pitch count recorder should in the vicinity behind home plate where the coaches can find them. They are also to be identified to the plate umpire.
  12. Official pitch counter recorder should be advised to indicate to coaches and the plate umpire when thresholds are approaching. If the maximum threshold has been reached, that pitcher may complete the batter.  It is the responsibility of the coach to confirm a player's pitch count with the official pitch counter.  Coaches may consult with the official pitch counter during or after innings.
  13. 10 minutes before the game, call the umpires, coaches and captains to home plate for introductions.
  14. Game balls:  2 new balls per game, (3 new for very first game at each diamond venue).
  15. Pay umpires in advance, unless other arrangements have been made for payment.
  16. Know who to contact in the event of a dispute/protest. Contact Convenor immediately.
  17. Know who to contact in the event of an issue with the diamond/venue e.g. lighting failure. Contact Convenor immediately.
  18. If ejection occurs advise Convenor immediately. The ejected person is to leave the playing field and not communicate with the team or be part of the team until the team leaves the playing field after the game.  They are to remove their jersey if they sit in the stands and if further incidents arise are to leave the park.  Remind umpires after the game to fill out the online WOBA form if ejections occurred.
  19. Online incident form to be completed for other reportable incidents (e.g issue with spectators) or serious injuries. Found on WOBA website.  Call 911 if necessary.
  20. At the end of a game collect game balls from umpires. They may be put back into play at a future game.
  21. Ensure that both head coaches have signed the score sheet and initialed the pitch count recording sheets.
  22. If there are duplicate/carbon copies of the game sheet, ensure that the pitch counts are recorded on them and that each team's coach receives a copy thereof.
  23. Ensure that each team knows where and when their next game is, or where they can view this info.
  24. No post-game meetings in dugout or on the field.  Teams must vacate dugout immediately to allow field maintenance and the next game that is scheduled to commence.
  25. Take white copy of game sheets and signed pitch count tracking sheets to tournament Convenor for tabulation and posting.