Click on the Audio button to hear a plate umpire preside over a pregame meeting.
The coaches and captains' conference is an opportunity for umpires to demonstrate their professional approach to managing the game. The plate umpire, who's in charge of this meeting, starts with a review of the ground rules focusing on the dead-ball areas of the field. Other topics to be reviewed at this meeting include the overthrow and ball rotation rules, lineup cards and the time allowed between doubleheader games.
This conference is very important because it sets the tone for the game. The plate umpire explains what the appropriate interaction between coaches and umpires should be. The NFHS Sporting Behavior Policy should also be discussed to emphasize the need for civility and respect for both officials and coaches throughout the game. For a short checklist of all the topics covered in this conference refer to the Checklist for Coaches/Captains' Pregame Conference.
