2015 CBUA Bulletin #2
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CBUA Umpires,
First of all, it was good seeing so many of you in Chicago two weeks ago. Of the nearly 600 umpires at that meeting, approximately 550 of them were CBUA members. For those of you I didn't get to visit with individually, I'm sorry, particularly some of the new CBUA members. I know we also had quite a few CBUA umpires attend the meetings in Orlando, Phoenix and Baltimore. CBUA members have always demonstrated impressive attendance at NCAA meetings and I appreciate the strong presence our Alliance brings to the NCAA.

In a few weeks the final attendance list for all sites will be forwarded to conference commissioners and conference coordinators. Conferences at all levels, particularly at the D-I level, carefully review those lists and expect to see the names of their umpires. For those of you who like to plan well in advance--my best guess is that our NCAA meeting next year will likely be in Chicago (haven't received a date yet) so we will likely also have an extra CBUA-sponsored education session in conjunction with that meeting like we have had in years past.
Speaking of the NCAA . . . about a month ago I sent a mass email to all CBUA umpires requesting that you contact me if you had not received your package with your Rule Book and CCA Manual from NCAA Arbiter. I heard from quite a number of you that you had not received your package. I worked directly with Dave Yeast to make sure your packet was shipped. With the exception of a handful of new CBUA members who have joined in the last two weeks, all CBUA members have had their dues paid in full (for over two months now) for their NCAA registration.

Translation=if you still have not received your package with your Rule Book and CCA Manual, email me immediately--I will be relentless on your behalf. If you have received your package, no need to inform me--right now I'm focused on making sure all of our umpires have what we've already paid for on their behalf.
More from the NCAA . . . as explained at the NCAA meetings you need to mark February 9 on your calendar--that is the due date to complete the 2015 NCAA Online Rules Test. You'll have two opportunities to attain a passing grade of 85%. Those scores are also reported to all conference commissioners and conference coordinators. The test is live on the NCAA Central Hub Page and many of our members have already taken and passed the test. For those of you interested in NCAA post season, you also need to complete your Background Check Form. FYI—if for some reason you cannot access the test or anything you need on the NCAA Central Hub, please contact Arbiter Help/Support. Due date for all NCAA requirements is February 9, 2015 at 11:59 a.m.—NO EXCEPTIONS.

NCAA requests for 2015 . . . As you may have noticed on the NCAA Central Hub, there are more articles and video plays this year than in the past. This is a point of emphasis for George Drouches and his team. If you are interested in writing a 500-word article on any topic related to umpiring, please feel free to submit it to George for consideration for the web site. We have many talented and gifted umpires in the CBUA—be willing to share those talents and gifts with your umpire comrades across the country. Similarly, send us any/all video clips you have or may acquire throughout the season of plays that can be valuable teaching tools for all umpires—examples of strong umpiring and examples of plays/situations where we, as umpires, could/should have done something different or better are welcome.

NCAA/CBUA mechanics clarifications from the meetings . . . four-man mechanics with R1 and R2 and less than 2 outs—plate umpire stays home; three-man mechanics with R1, 2 outs and a full count--we will reverse rotate.

A few CBUA-specific updates . . . assigning will continue throughout the end of the season . . . with weather issues, umpire injuries and cancellations, etc., there will be opportunities for assignments--please keep your availability updated on CBUA Arbiter. Also, to ensure timely payment, most conferences/schools are requiring your SS number--make sure it is on Arbiter--those of you who have only put the final four digits in the system will likely have your game pay delayed--I will not babysit this issue--you need to keep your roster entry and availability updated and accurate. All umpires please NOTE: when there is a change to a game you've already accepted (i.e. site change, time change, etc.) and you are notified through Arbiter, you need to go in and reaccept--this is our way of knowing that you know about the change.
CBUA uniform specifics are noted on our informational web site (no password needed for our CBUA Central Hub Page). Please visit: Honigs in Ann Arbor has CBUA hats in stock (734-761-2244). A few conference specific answers to previous questions follows: Big 12 hats, shirts are in stock at Honigs SW--contact CBUA umpire Doug Williams at Honigs SW. C-USA hats are in stock at Honigs SW--contact CBUA umpire Doug Williams at Honigs SW. All other conferences/leagues wear the standard CBUA uniform unless you are specifically directed differently by your assignor.

CBUA Dress Code—When traveling to/from CBUA assignments we want our umpires to look professional when they arrive on campus. While we do not require coat and tie, we do ask that you refrain from wearing any denim, t-shirts, sweat suits, tennis shoes, etc. Use common sense and dress and act professional at all times.
Big 12 Umpires--NOTE: Physical forms are available on our CBUA Central Hub--that form is due to me prior to your first conference game--if you have an updated physical form from another conference or another sport, that is also acceptable to the Big 12--get it to me. You are responsible for making your own travel plans in the Big 12 (we do not use a conference travel agency). On the day following your series, email me a summary of your expenses (i.e. flight, baggage, rental car/gas, etc.) and then email or mail your receipts within a week. When all members of your crew have emailed their expenses to me, I will enter everything into PayOGFE for check processing--I cannot submit for payment until all series umpire's information is entered. Umpires new to the Big 12--PayOGFE registration instructions are on our CBUA Central Hub Page.
CUSA Umpires--NOTE: You should have received an email from CUSA Associate Commissioner Alfred White two weeks ago with several attachments. Please submit your physical form and your contract directly to the CUSA Office. If you have an updated physical form from another conference or another sport, that is acceptable to CUSA--send it to the CUSA office. CUSA does use a conference travel agency for flights, rental cars, etc.--please contact them directly and make sure you get 21-day advanced airfare for any series you are flying to. CUSA Umpires—there have been several time changes because of TV, etc. that may or may not have been forwarded to you for reacceptance—please carefully check games times, particularly for arrival and departure days.
AAC and Big Ten Umpires--NOTE: You are responsible for your own travel plans and your expenses will come out of your total compensation. AAC schools are to provide individual hotel rooms for two nights. Big Ten schools do not provide rooms.
Please note that compensation information is on our CBUA Central Hub Page. (Not noted on the page, Notre Dame will be paying a flat game fee of $400 for non-con games.)

If you have any questions or concerns about University of Maryland non-con assignments, please contact Tim O’Toole.
More information will be forthcoming as the season approaches. Please don't hesitate to email me with any questions or concerns.
Rich Fetchiet
CBUA Coordinator of Baseball Umpires