2013 CBUA Bulletin #3
This is a mass email to all CBUA Umpires . . .
With over 840 umpires in the CBUA it can be a little difficult to send
a mass communication that includes information pertaining to every
individual in the group. We have a range of experience levels ranging
from novice college umpire through CWS veteran, as well as many with
professional backgrounds. With that being said I encourage you to
read this entire bulletin and cull from it the information that you
deem helpful.
An early-season issue that has materialized across the country (not
unique to the CBUA) and been reported back to us by Gene McArtor and
Jim Paronto relates to the filing of accurate and complete
Ejection/Suspension Reports. It is vitally important that you take
great care in your preparation of these reports. They are read by
NCAA administrators, coaches, athletic directors, umpire coordinators,
etc. Make sure your reports are 100% accurate. Do not exaggerate
what a player or coach did or said to earn their ejection and/or
suspension. For example (and there are many more), we had a report
come in from an umpire that used the words "contact" and "bump" when
referring to a coach's actions, but he did not have the corresponding
suspension noted. After talking to the umpire he said it was actually
just a "brush" "incidental contact" during a heated argument and not
something to warrant a suspension. Again, choose your words
carefully. Be sure to include all of the details prior, during and
after the ejection and/or suspension. Be careful that the report does
not come off as if you were the one who overreacted. If you haven't
already done so, please go to the NCAA Central Hub Umpire Page and
read Gene McArtor's bulletin dealing with this topic.
Also, relative to ejections/suspensions, whenever possible please
issue a warning prior to ejecting. I realize some situations/actions
warrant an immediate ejection; however, warn and diffuse whenever
possible. Relative to suspensions -- if/when you have a suspension,
particularly in the middle of a series or game one of a DH for
example, you need to make it clear to the head coach and/or game
administrator that a suspension has been issued and needs to be
served. Finally, make sure you review and understand the two new
rules/penalties in 2-25 AR 6 and AR 7.
Next, I'd like to share some random comments I've received on reports
from coaches, evaluators, and administrators but, before I give
examples of the areas where improvement is needed, I'm pleased to
report that the majority of feedback on umpires has been positive. We
have many hard-working, hustling, prepared umpires doing a great job
at all levels within the CBUA. That being said I do think we can all
learn from some of the comments that aren't so flattering . . .
*Coach--They showed up for ground rules at game time . . . our
pitchers were ready and we'd been waiting at the plate for them for 10
minutes.
*Coach--We played a Varsity/JV DH and there is no doubt these guys
didn't want to be there for game two. If they don't want the games,
why do they accept them?
*Crew Chief--Anytime U3 had to go from behind third base to the middle
of the infield (like after a lead off walk), he'd just walked to his
next position--to lazy to even jog--embarrassing.
*Crew Chief--Hard to believe that even though there was a Coordinator
and NCAA Evaluator at our game, U1 stood with his hands in his pockets
or arms crossed most of the day--he displayed little intensity or
hustle and was not crisp in his mechanics or signals.
*Crew Chief--Partner was completely clueless on Pause, Read, React--I
never knew which direction he was heading or when.
*Coach--The guy is a good umpire, but he has that "too cool for
school" attitude, always looks like he is bored with our level of
play, wants you to think he is big-timer.
*Coach--The umpire kicked a 3-2 pitch with the bases loaded and walked
in a critical run. I didn't like it, but I let it go. Then, my
senior catcher tells me that the ump told him it was a good pitch and
that he didn't give it to us because the catcher didn't stick/frame it
right. (If you're stupid enough not to call a strike a strike, don't
make it worse by running your mouth about it.)
*Crew Chief--I was trying to conduct a good pregame in the locker room
to get us ready and all Umpire X wanted to talk about was how he
wasn't getting enough D-I conference games.
*Crew Chief--I felt bad for him when he worked the plate. He was
struggling and they were all over him from the dugout. He didn't even
issue a warning. Both sides lost all respect for him.
*Coach--Please instruct your umpires to quit talking to my players.
We're trying to signal to our players and they're engaged in a running
conversation with the umpire.
This might be the appropriate spot in the bulletin for me to say for
the first of many times for 2013--SHUT UP AND UMPIRE. Leave the
commentary to the radio and tv guys. Be cordial to coaches at ground
rules and when they appropriately ask a question; however, knock off
the unnecessary chit chat with base coaches, players, fans, partners
between innings, etc. Be businesslike in your approach.
A few comments from the positive side (as examples of things
coaches/coordinators/evaluators like) . . .
*Coach--This guy has been working our games for years. He isn't as
quick as he used to be and not quite as sharp, but he always hustles,
always seems like he enjoys umpiring--we'll take him as often as
possible.
*Coach--I thought he kicked a critical call, but he let me have my
say, gave me his side of the story. He is approachable and I
appreciate that.
*Coach--Both guys had great attitudes. There was no doubt they loved
being on the field and loved to umpire.
*Crew Chief--Good young umpire. Just getting going at the D-I non con
level and is going to be really good really soon.
*Crew Chief--Worked with an umpire who I consider more experienced
than me but, after the game, he wanted sincere feedback and wanted to
make sure if there was anything he could improve upon that he knew
what it was--now I know why this guy gets the schedule he does.
*Crew Chief--Two good umpires with me on the field this
weekend--afterwards at dinner one of them couldn't get enough feedback
to learn from and the other one had an excuse for everything I
suggested.
*Crew Chief--Strong crew on the field, but I can guarantee you it
won't be long before Umpire X burns himself with off-field
shenanigans.
Well, just a random sampling of comments from early-season reports/evaluations.
EVALUATIONS. For all D-I conference series, crew chiefs need to email
or mail me their self eval and put the other evaluations into
Arbiter--do not take this responsibility lightly. MVC crew
chiefs--put your evals directly into the MVC system (not into
Arbiter). For D-I non-con games and all D-II, D-III, NAIA and JUCO
games evaluations are optional, but strongly encouraged--for these
games please put an evaluation into Arbiter on your partner(s). For
all of you who are doing evaluations please be willing to share with
your partners/crewmates what you're putting in the evaluation. When
evaluating, please remember that everyone starts out as a 3 in all
categories and goes up or down from there (you don't start out as a
5).
ARBITER. Keep your Arbiter entry updated. Make sure you've entered
your social security number or your pay will likely be delayed. In an
earlier Bulletin we gave instructions for adding your picture to
Arbiter--I encourage you to do that. Please note: previous Bulletins
and other information may be found in our CBUA Central Hub Web Site
at: An Arbiter-related pet peeve for
most of our assignors--if you show open and are offered a game, you
are expected to accept. We don't have a problem if you're not
available as long as you have blocked that date.
SOCIAL MEDIA. My apologies to those who have contacted me to join
your Linkdn, Twitter, Face Book, etc. etc. etc. worlds--I'm still a
bit of a dinosaur and simply too busy to use those resources at this
time. It isn't personal.
DRESS CODE. When arriving on any of our campuses, please do not wear
any denim, t-shirts, sweat suits, etc. While we don't require and
coat and/or tie, we do want everyone to look professional when coming
and going from our schools. This is at all levels of the CBUA and
inclusive of con and non-con assignments. You are representing
collegiate officiating, the NCAA, the CBUA, etc.--dress and act
appropriately at all times.
Be respectful of facilities (locker rooms, etc.) and of everyone
associated with our schools and conferences.
NOTE to Big Ten umpires--pay for conference series will be processed
by the Big Ten Conference office through PayOGFE and sent every two
weeks. Also, in the Links section of our CBUA Central Hub there are
some Big Ten-related hotel suggestions.
NOTE to Big 12 umpires--by noon Monday please email me with your
expenses for things such as baggage, rental car/gas, extra hotel
night, etc. Then mail or email all receipts. Also, be cordial to our
Observers.
ALL UMPIRES--we are off to a pretty good start to the 2013 season.
Work hard and stay focused on every pitch.
Sincerely,
Rich Fetchiet
CBUA Coordinator of Umpires