Subject: CBUA 2012 Bulletin #5
------
This is a mass email to all CBUAumpires . . .
CBUA 2012 Bulletin#5
This early-season bulletin includesseveral reminders. . . with 800 umpires in the CBUA, not everything inevery bulletinapplies to every umpire; however,there should be something in this bulletin that everyone can learn from.
*For those of youwho like to plan ahead, the2013 NCAA Meeting(and CBUAMeeting) will beheld in Chicago on Saturday, January5, 2013. I donot have any details beyond the date at this point in time.
*2012 assigning continues on adaily basis, as assignorswork with schoolson rains outs, make ups, etc. Please keepyour availabilityupdated on Arbiter and be ready to umpire on short notice.For the most part, most assignorswithin the CBUA are collegial and work toward what is best for the individual umpires. Most of us try to help each other out andmakeopportunitiesavailable to the most deserving umpires.Occasionally wehave an opportunity to offeran umpire a D-Igame/series that may requireanother assignor releasing that umpire from a sub D-I assignment.When this type of opportunity materializes, the assignorsgenerallytry to free up the umpire for theD-I assignment--most ofthe time this is doable for all parties;however,when it jeopardizesthe subD-I school or assignor,we mayneed to defer and goto a different candidate. Similarly, we don't generallycancel one sub D-I assignment for another(i.e.cancellinga JUCO or D-III gameto accepta D-II gameisnotour normal protocol, so please don't make these types of requests on a regular basis). Also, whenever there is atime or location change, etc. for a game you've already accepted and you are notified ofthe change by Arbiter,please do in andaccept the change inArbiter--this lets your assignor know you are now aware of the new time, location, etc.
*Assigning of positions . . . for D-I conference series the rotation noted on game one of the series should be followed for that series.For D-I non con gamesassigned by meandsub D-Igames assigned byme, Igenerally leave thespecific position assignments to be decided by the umpires. All umpires shouldshow up for every game/series prepared to work the plateor bases--showing up without plate gear is inexcusable.If you're not surewhether or notyou should be following the plate/base assignment as indicated on Arbiter for games assigned byany of ourCBUA assignors, please checkwith them directly.
*Mercy Rule andHalted Game Rule in non-con games--umpires should verify atground rules for every non-con gameif that particular game isbeing playedusing the Mercy Rule. Likewise,coaches should verify prior to the start of every non-con game if that game is being played under the Halted Game Rule.These rules are generally spelled out for conference games; however, if you don'tknow a particular conference's stance on these two rules, please verify with the coaches at ground rules.
*Evaluations . . . evaluations should be completed by the crew chief on Arbiter forall D-I conference series. Since Arbiter does not allow you to evaluate yourself, please email me your self eval and we willenter into Arbiter so it is included in the final tallyat the end of the season. I only need you to completeone evaluation per umpirefor a three-gameseries.(Special note to MVC umpires--please complete your evals on the MVC site--same as in recentyears.) For D-I non cons and allsub D-I games, umpires areencourages toenteran evaluationon their partners. Coaches will be evaluatingon the system, soI want to know whatumpires are thinking also. IMPORTANT--when doing evaluations--all umpires start outas a 3 in each category and goup or down from that point--noone starts out asa 5. Behonest with yourevaluations--base themon what happened in that particular game/series--not on pasthistory (good or bad) or yourfriendship or dislike of a fellowumpire. The Arbiter systemis generating email reminders about missing evals.As stated above,evals are mandatory for D-I conference and, whilethey are optional forother contests, I appreciate the input.
*Know your rules! No excuses! We've already had the balk rule misinterpreted byumpires -- check9-3-m, pages113 and 114.
*Social Media/Electronic Communications--I am not muchof a socialmedia fan andI stronglyremind you to be careful anduse common sense relativeto how you use various social media outlets. Please refrain from posting anything that reflects poorlyonafellow official,coaches, players, game administrators,schools or conferences.Over the past couple of seasonswe've hadseveralbad situations arise over something an umpire said/posted via social media.Similarly, be verycareful what you send in email mass communications, as many times something you think is innocent or funny is viewed by others as offensive.I receive requestsevery day to hookup with one person or another onLinkedIn and I usually justdelete the request--please don't takeit personally--I just don't have the time for much social media.
*Finally, my early season reminder about attitude and how you're perceived. I've alreadyreceived a couple of negativeevals on veteran umpires. If youdon't want to work thatsmall college game followed by a JV game, don't acceptit in the first place.Don't think that looking and acting boredon the bases becauseyou're a big-timerhelps your image or our image as umpires.Beenthusiastic, be happy to be on the field, look like you enjoy umpiring (even when it is cold, windy, rainy and nobodycan throw a strike).Nothing should be "below you." Challengeyourself every day to be better than the game you’re working.At the end of the day (good or bad), atleast have the participants leave thesitethinking "thatumpire busted his ass allday,""that umpire really loves to umpire."
Stay warm, stay dry, beprofessionalon and off the field, HAVE FUN!
Rich Fetchiet
CBUA Coordinator of Baseball Umpires