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The Umpire's Call |  |
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Greetings Fellow Umpires and Coaches! Welcome again to The Umpire's Call, a monthly (January - May) eNewsletter for amateur baseball umpires, coaches, and those interested in becoming baseball umpires. Pardon the tardiness of this issue, business is good and a winter cold is not. The Umpire's Call is a light look at all levels of baseball umpiring, youth league through college, placing emphasis on recruitment of new umpires, early preparation for the upcoming season, and education and training for all.
Our Mission:
If someone calls and says, I didn't mean to wake you - yes they did, or if a person butts in and explains, I don't mean to interrupt - yes they do, or you hear, I don't umpire for the money.... Amateur umpires can't be bought, but we all are rented, and its time to raise the rent. In a sampling of NCAA Division III and NAIA conferences (>5), baseball umpires received a lesser fee, per game, than conference football officials and conference basketball officials. The difference ranges from $35.00 to $60.00 per game (not double-header- per game!), and none of the conferences reimburse umpires for travel. Why indeed should small college baseball umpires be paid less than their colleagues who work college basketball and college football, and why should small college officials, in general, not be reimbursed for travel? High school athletics has it right. In most, not all parts (please see quick links below) of the country, baseball umpires are paid the same fee per game that football officials, basketball officials, and softball umpires receive. High school officials, at least in this area, also receive mileage for one car, round trip, usually calculated from the city of the umpire that travels the farthest. This motivates umpires to meet in a convenient spot and travel together, knowing that at least the cost of fuel is covered. Pre-game conferences can take place during windshield time, previous sticky situations can be reviewed, and a post-game meal and hydration can be planned. The best and most often suggested solution was that admission should be charged for college baseball games, just as it is for football and basketball. This could be a start to bringing small college baseball umpires' fees in line with football and basketball officials' fees, and open up the possibility of relieving some of the travel expenses by paying mileage to each umpire. With fuel prices at all-time highs, a huge time commitment, and equipment costing more than other sports combined, it is time for baseball umpires to be paid the same as their counterparts. Good young umpires should be encouraged to pursue college assignments. Dedicated small college umpires are in short supply and the rent's too low! !
Checking bats prior to a game is part of umpires' responsibilities. In games using National Federation (high school) Rules all non-wood bats must meet the Ball Exit Speed Ration (BESR) performance standard and shall be so labeled with a permanent mark. Bats, both wood and non- wood, that are broken, cracked, dented or deface the surface of the ball shall be removed without penalty. In games using NCAA (college) Rules wood bats must be a smooth rounded stick and non-wood bats must be round with a constant radius. There are other criteria for both sets of rules as to dimension, weight differential etc. The main point of this reminder is, do not let players use non-wood bats that have a flat spot on the barrel. This flat spot is due to over use and turns the bat into a more dangerous weapon than it already is. Make sure the barrel is round and if you feel a flat spot, the bat must be removed and returned after the contest. You will not be popular, but you may save a player from a severe injury.
Please take a few moments to review, it may save you an embarrasing moment later. Obstruction is caused by the defense
NCAA rules definition, page 34:
Fed rules definition, page 22:
Penalty: If obstruction is committed against a runner on which a play is being made; the umpire shall point and call, "That's obstruction!" The umpire shall let the play continue until all play has ceased, call time, and award any bases justified in Rule 2 (definitions). The obstructed runner is awarded at least one base beyond the base last touched legally before the obstruction.
Fed Rules page 50: When a runner is obstructed while advancing or returning to a base by a fielder who neither has the ball, nor is attempting to make a play, or a fielder without the ball fakes a tag, the umpire shall award the obstructed runner and each other runner affected by the obstruction the bases they would have reached, in his opinion, had there been no obstruction. The obstructed runner is awarded a minimum of one base beyond his position on base when the obstruction occurred.
As the unpredictable spring weather continues, a mention of procedures to be used during thunder and lightning need to be reviewed. Both the National Severe Storms Laboratory and the Sports Medicine Handbook echo each other in actions that should be taken when thunder and/or lightning occur. Whenever lightning can be seen and/or thunder can be heard, risk is already present. The NSL recommends that ALL individuals leave the game site and seek a safe location when the flash-to- bang (lightning to thunder) count is a minimum of 30 seconds. Using this formula (divide the number of seconds by 5) means that lightning is approximately 6 miles away. Both authorities agree and recommend that game personnel and participants wait a minimum of 30 minutes after the last flash of lightning is witnessed or thunder is heard before returning to the playing area. Any subsequent lightning or thunder after the beginning of the 30-minute count should reset the clock, and a new count should begin. Safety is always your first priority and erring on the side of caution is never an error.
NEW Entry! Ken Jones VP of the Midwest Umpires Association in the St. Louis, MO area has added The Umpires Call to their website, they have over 100 umpires in the fold. Nick Marlin, Secretary/Treasurer of TARA Georgia's largest umpire association writes that 112 umpires are active and 14 are working at the collegiate level. Mile High Advanced Umpire Clinic - Denver, CO, June 23-27, is in their 18th year and offer complete training plate/field mechanics (cage work and diamond work) coupled with a live Connie Mack and Class A Legion tournament (paid games), Contact Dan Weikle, Dweik34@aol.com or phone 303-469-4868. Dave Mekelburg produces UmpNews.com an absolute cornucopia of information covering all levels of baseball umpiring - a must see. Mark Wehrwein invites umpires to sign up for Fed Play of the Day sponsored by the Greater Huntsville, AL Umpire Association The Toughest Fair/Foul Quiz in the World! With acknowledgements to Richard Siegel
Does your umpire association or local youth baseball
league experience any of the following problems? Designed for young umpires as well as veterans,Youth Baseball Umpire Clinics, a division of USJT, is in its 5th year of educating baseball umpires with a comprehensive "HANDS ON" format. NOT "sit and listen, take notes, watch a video" instruction - YBUC participants come dressed for activity and take an active part in learning pre-game responsibilities, consistent umpiring techniques, on field positioning, and proper game administration.
2006 Youth Baseball Umpire Clinic training
schedule:
Thanks to all who wrote and called. Please forward The Umpire's Call to your colleagues, just use the link at the bottom. As always, your
feedback, announcements,
suggestions, and
questions are
welcome, even the dissenters get a shot! I do want
to hear form you. All 2004 and 2005 issues of
The Umpire's
Call
are available at U.S. Junior Tours
Scott
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