CIF PLAYOFF GUIDELINES

PLAYOFF DATES:

The official uniform for a CIF play-off game prescribed by the Southern Section is:

1. HAT: Clean navy blue felt or mesh hat with no logo or previous CIF Finals hats are acceptable.
   • Crew wears the same style hat.
   • Either all with No Logo or all with CIF Finals hat.
   • Those officials accepted to the 2024 finals will be provided hats.
     
2. Shirt: Powder blue pullover shirt, short or long sleeve, as set forth by CSOA-SS, with the softball patch on the left sleeve.
   • Those officials accepted to the 2022 finals will be provided a shirt.
   • If an undershirt is worn, it shall be white.
   • If a long sleeve undershirt is worn, it shall be powder blue.
     
3. SLACKS: Heather grey or navy blue slacks with belt loops and a black belt (no gaudy buckles).
   • No faded heather grey shall be worn.
   • No other shade of grey pants.
   • Pleadedpants are acceptable.
   • All members of the crew are to wear the same color slacks.
     
4. SOCKS AND SHOES: Black or dark navy blue socks and black shoes (shined and no white or racing stripes).
   
5. ACCESSORIES: The plate umpire may wear one or two heather grey or navy blue ball bag(s), the face mask may have either black or tan pads.
   • All umpires shall have a brush and indicator.
   • All other equipment is optional, but highly recommended for safety purposes and to be comfortable behind the plate.
   • Nothing visible should be in the shirt pocket.
   • If a jacket and/or sweater is worn, it shall be navy blue or navy blue with the powder blue piping.
   • The only logo is the CSOA-SS Softball Official patch.
     • CSOA-SS will provide a jacket that is to be worn at the finals.
       
6. JEWELRY: The only jewelry an official may wear on the field is their wedding ring. No watches, earrings, etc. No pagers, cell phones, etc.

Game Day Protocols

1. You are to arrival at the game site no less than 45 minutes prior to game time. This gives you time for your pre-game and discuss either the 2-person or 3-person system you are using that game.
   • If you are unable to arrive at the game site 45 minutes early, do not accept the assignment.
     
2. Be neat, in uniform and dignified in manner.
   
3. Announce all decisions promptly in a clear, distinct voice and use proper hand signals.
   • Be alert, fair, prompt and accurate in all decisions.
   • Work to be ahead of the play.
   • If an error is made, correct it promptly.
     
4. Display confidence, work with the teams and keep the game under control.
   
5. Avoid arguments, personal comments about the game or players and anything else that might interfere with judgment.
   
6. Keep apart from players and coaches, as well as spectators. DO NOT socialize. DO NOT offer an opinion of a decision, by a fellow umpire regardless of whether it is based on the rules or judgment. DO NOT become a clinician.
   
7. Use signals to assist each other in calling plays if either umpire is blocked out of the play. (catcher obstruction, batted ball hitting the batter, runner interference, etc.)
   
8. Call illegal pitches immediately in a loud enough voice to be heard but not loud enough to stop play and give the delayed dead ball signal.

CIF Tournament Rules

1. All playoff games will be conducted under the 2024 National Federation Softball Rules, except where Blue Book rulings or this bulletin supersede. All playoff games after the second round will be a minimum of seven (7) innings duration.
   • Run-ahead rule will only be for the wild card, 1^st round and 2^nd round games.
     • Games shall end after 4½ or 5 innings if visiting/home team is behind by 10 runs.
   • Run-ahead rule is not in place for the quarter, semi or finals games.
     • Book rule 4-2-3 may be implemented for those games.
     • Must be at least 4 ½ innings and agreed to by both coaches.
       
2. Teams are not be permitted to take batting practice on the day of the scheduled contest. A potential batting practice violation is not a violation under NFHS rules that can be protested. If the situation occurs the coach must bring the issue to the attention of the home plate umpire at the pre-game meeting and ask that it be recorded. The umpire will then forward that information in a report to the CIF office after the game is over.
   
3. Fields with baseball pitching mounds may NOT be used for any CIF softball playoff contest.
   
4. Game ball: The home team provides the game balls per NFHS Rules. This year any ball that has the NFHS certification mark on it are legal.
   • If the home school does not have a legal ball, check with the visitors.
   • IF neither team has a NFHS Certified game ball(s), you are NOT to play the game and notify CIF.
     • Fill out an incident report on the CIF website. (PW – 123 / Select Incident after logging in)
       
5. Game time is 3:15 p.m. on the designated date.
   • A school may play at different times or on different days if it is mutually agreeable to both competing schools.
   • CIF will be notified of the request.
     
6. Umpires: The umpires shall receive $87.00.
   • Mileage will be paid to the plate umpire.
   • Three officials will be assigned beginning with the quarterfinal round.
     
7. Cheering Sections: Fan/Student cheering sections are encouraged to cheer and support their own team and should display proper sportsmanship with respect to the opposing team and the game officials.  They are expected to follow the following guidelines and failure to do so may lead to removal from the contest and/or forfeiture of the contest.
   • Noisemakers (the use of artificial noisemakers, ball buckets, air horns, horns, cow bells, bells, victory bells, sirens, chimes, wooden blocks, thunder sticks, etc. and electronic amplifiers) by student-athletes and team personal is prohibited while on site for competition. For this rule, the field, bullpens and dugouts are considered “on site”. Megaphones may only be used by the school’s uniformed cheer squads.
   • No standing or jumping on the team benches in the dugout. Please do not drag bats against the fencing in the dugout. In addition, any artificial noise that the umpire deems interferers with the game is prohibited.
     
8. Protests (rule interpretation). There will be no protests entertained by CIF following the conclusion of the game. That means that if a coach believes there is a misinterpretation of the rule(s), they are to direct their questions/concerns to the game officials per NFHS guidelines. If that happens, listen to the coach and if necessary, go to the rulebook for clarification. Be approachable.

CIF Southern Section – 562-493-9500 and thoms@cifss.org.

3-man Umpire System
Pre-Game

Prior to entering the field, crews should hold a pre-game meeting to cover the ground rules, positioning, coverage for unusual plays, rule questions, handling of disagreements between players and/or coaches and end of game procedure. The plate umpire should check the location of the score keeper(s), coordinate time and check to make sure everyone has brushes, indicators and other necessary equipment. If you wish to have water during the game, please bring your own drinking bottle or container.

The following are points to be considered at the pre-game with your partners. There might be additional points to cover by the crew.

Pre-Game Conference with the Coaches

The conference with the coaches and captains should take 3-5 minutes.
Here are some points to consider:

• The PU is behind the plate and both base umpires are on the infield at the top of the batter’s box facing the PU.
• The PU introduces himself/herself and his/her partners.
• After accepting the lineup cards, ask if there are any changes.
• Have the home team coach review the ground rules.
• Review the lineup cards and then allow the coaches to review the lineup one more time before they become official.
• Ask the coach if their players are legally uniformed (need a verbal answer).
• Ask the coach if their equipment is legal (need a verbal answer).
• Ask your partners for their input. (already set up at your pre-game)
• Wish both teams good luck.
• After the conference, the PU should establish the position of the official scorer.

Game Control and Management

To be a successful umpire, you will have to be proficient in appearance, rule knowledge, mechanics, and game control. Your ability to control the game and to handle the situations as they arise is the one subject that is most difficult to teach. There are guidelines an umpire should or should not follow, but what works for one umpire may or may not work for another.

There are no rules etched in stone that will make your umpiring problem-free, for that matter, will work in every game situation. Below are guidelines that have proven to help many umpires control their games while developing character and stature as a respected umpire. Respect must be earned and this can only come from hard work and dedication