ASSESSMENT RUBRIC

Objective: Umpire

Throwing/Catching Unit | Level 36

TECHNIQUE
Today we are going to learn how to umpire a baseball game.

IMPORTANCE
Umpiring a game is important because you are responsible for officiating the game from a neutral point of view and making decisions and calls that enforce the rules.

VOCABULARY
Umpire: an official of a sport who watches a game or match closely to enforce the rules and settle any matters that may arise from the play.

GROWFIT RULES

• The GrowFit rules are a simple, modified version of regulation baseball. If a rule is not mentioned below we will not be following it.
• The team to win the Ro Sham Bo will bat first while the other team will begin on the field playing defense.
• The first batter is up to bat, standing over home plate.
• The batter may continue to hit the ball until:
  • Three strikes
  • Gets four balls and can walk to first base
  • Hits the ball inside the boundaries of the game
• A strike will be called if:
  • Swings at the ball and misses
  • Does not swing at a ball that is pitched within the strike zone (area between the batter’s shoulders and knees)
• A ball is called if:
  • The ball is pitched outside of the strike zone and the batter does not swing
• A batter cannot strike out on a foul ball unless the ball is caught in the air.
• A runner is out if:
  • Tagged by a fielder holding the ball while he/she is off the base
  • A fielder with the ball tags the base before the batter reaches it
• The next team is up to bat after the batting team receives three outs.

When umpiring a baseball game, it is important to remember these hand signals:

PRACTICE

1. Call out different hand signals for students to demonstrate. 

OBJECTIVE
Today we are playing a Baseball Scrimmage. In this game, the objective is to umpire a baseball scrimmage.  

INSTRUCTIONS

• I will divide the class into two teams. I will decide which team will bat first and which team will start in the field.
• I will choose a student to umpire and oversee the game. The umpire will stand behind the catcher at home plate.
• If your team is batting first, decide the batting order and line up on the sidelines.
• If you are fielding first, decide which position each student will play (pitcher, catcher, 1st base, 2nd base, 3rd base, outfield).
• All GrowFit baseball rules apply.
• A ball is considered foul if it goes behind 3rd or 1st base when hit.
• The umpire will keep score for each team.
• Teams will switch after three outs or after a team has scored five runs.

TEACHING TIPS

• Approach: 
  • Divide teams equally based on athletic ability.
  • If space allows, have non-competitive game for students to play.
• ELL Accommodation: 
  • Post labeled pictures of skills and game play.
  • Partner with proficient English speakers for directions/modeling and reflections.
• SpEd Accommodation: 
  • Set individual goals for physical or behavioral modifications. 
  • Allow students to demonstrate skill one-on-one with teacher.
  • Allow students extra time to master the skill.
• Reflection: 
  • Why is having an umpire during a baseball game important?
  • What might happen if there was no umpire?
  • Would you rather be a baseball player or umpire and why?

OBJECTIVE
Today we are playing Kickball. In this game, the objective is to umpire a kickball game.

INSTRUCTIONS

• I will divide the class into two teams. I will decide which team will kick first and which team will start in the field.
• I will choose one student to umpire and oversee the kickball game. The umpire will stand behind the catcher at home plate.
• If your team is kicking first, decide the batting order and line up single file behind home plate.
• If you are fielding first, decide which position each student will play (pitcher, catcher, 1st base, 2nd base, 3rd base, outfield).
• A kicker is out if:
  • the ball is caught in the air
  • is thrown to the base before the kicker steps on it
  • the ball is thrown overhand and hits the kickers feet while running to a base
• A ball is considered foul if it goes behind 3rd or 1st base when kicked.
• A kicker cannot strike out (each kicker gets a turn to kick the ball).
• The umpire will keep score for each team.
• Kickers and fielders will switch after three outs or after a team has scored five runs.

TEACHING TIPS

• Approach:
  • Divide teams equally based on athletic ability.
• ELL Accommodation: 
  • Post labeled pictures of skills and game play.
  • Partner with proficient English speakers for directions/modeling and reflections.
• SpEd Accommodation: 
  • Set individual goals for physical or behavioral modifications. 
  • Allow students to demonstrate skill one-on-one with teacher.
  • Allow students extra time to master the skill.
• Reflection: 
  • Why is having an umpire during a baseball game important?
  • What might happen if there was no umpire?
  • Would you rather be a baseball player or umpire and why?

OBJECTIVE
Today we are playing 4 Pitch Scrimmage. In this game, the objective is to umpire the four-pitch scrimmage.

INSTRUCTIONS

• I will divide the class into two teams. I will decide which team will bat first and which team will start in the field.
• I will choose an umpire to oversee the game.
• If your team is batting first, decide the batting order and line up on the sidelines.
• If you are fielding first, decide which position each student will play (pitcher, catcher, 1st base, 2nd base, 3rd base, outfield).
• Each student will get four pitches.
• If the student does not hit the ball after the fourth pitch, he/she can attempt to run to first.
• This is not a walk-- the ball is still in play and all other GrowFit baseball rules apply. 
• A ball is considered foul if it goes behind 3rd or 1st base when hit.
• A student may get a fifth pitch if he/she hits a foul ball on the fourth pitch.
• The umpire will keep score for each team.
• Teams will switch after three outs or after a team has scored five runs.

TEACHING TIPS

• Approach:
  • Divide teams equally based on athletic ability.
• ELL Accommodation: 
  • Post labeled pictures of skills and game play.
  • Partner with proficient English speakers for directions/modeling and reflections.
• SpEd Accommodation: 
  • Set individual goals for physical or behavioral modifications. 
  • Allow students to demonstrate skill one-on-one with teacher.
  • Allow students extra time to master the skill.
• Reflection: 
  • Why is having an umpire during a baseball game important?
  • What might happen if there was no umpire?
  • Would you rather be a baseball player or umpire and why?