DISTRICT FIVE UMPIRE DISCIPLINE REPORT FORM

THIS FORM IS TO BE USED WHENEVER A PLAYER, COACH, AND OR A FAN HAS BEEN EJECTED FROM A GAME
THE FORM IS TO BE FILLED OUT AND SUBMITTED TO THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATOR WAYNE HOBSON AT d5baseball@shaw.ca AND THE UMPIRE IN CHIEF ROGER SHAW AT rdshaw@telus.net IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE GAME HAS ENDED.

http://www.eteamz.com/NVDistrict5/handouts/index.cfm?cat=46103&id=604988

Highlands Umpires 2009

Attention: All “AA”, “AAA”, And Majors Coaches

Re: Sibling Umpires

There was a question this week about the policy for siblings umpiring games where their brothers are playing. My immediate response was that siblings should not be involved as umpires.  I think this true for a couple of reasons but most importantly to not put that Umpire in a position that may result in an uncomfortable position for anyone involved. This would also hold true for an umpire, whose father may be coaching one of the teams playing.

These boys and girls take this responsibility very seriously and it is important that the coaches treat these young people with the utmost respect. I would seriously question any coach that would be judging their integrity. For those who were present at the preseason meetings I attended, let me remind you that these youngsters are doing their best with the skills that they have.   Some know and understand the rules and the game of baseball better than you do.  With this in mind I am stating again that it is not your place to question any call made by and umpire. You may ask them to confirm a call with their partner but if the call is decided to stand then it stands.  If it does not, then the decision made by the Umpiring team will stand without any question by any of the coaches, players or fans. As coaches your position is to mentor the Umpires not to influence the outcome of a game.

With careful consideration and consult with the coordinators and the President, the answer to the question of Sibling Umpires is as follows:

*        Every effort will be made by the coordinators to ensure siblings do not umpire their brothers or sisters.

*        The exception will be when there are no alternatives. It is important to ensure there are 2 Umpires present at each game. In this case, the related (sibling) Umpire will be designated as base ump.

As outlined in my hand out and attached again to this note, situational questions are to be emailed to me directly by coaches and umpires. I will reply with the clear rule and ensure that the umpire in question understands the little league rule. It should be noted whether right or wrong, I will always side with the Umpire as I will not always be attending games myself. Understand there will be bad calls during a game. This is a competitive sport.  It is fast moving and the umpire sees what he or she sees. A call can never be questioned by a coach.  If it is, this is grounds for a coach to be ejected from the game. If a coach is ejected, the league will support the Umpire.  The coach, if he or she chooses, will be given an opportunity to attend a league disciplinary meeting.

Please remember that the umpires are our current and former players, our children’s friends and the children of our friends and neighbours.  Please treat them with respect and courtesy.

Sincerely,

Ken Harris

Umpire-In-Chief

UMPIRES AND BALLPARK BEHAVIOUR

Baseball is a game of emotion and at times we can get caught up in it. The problem is that we tend to verbalize that emotion – sometimes loudly and sometimes towards the umpires. While the majority of spectators know the boundaries of what is appropriate behaviour, there are some who need a reminder that we are a community level sports association, not the Major League.

There have been several instances of adults yelling at umpires because they felt they made a wrong call. Some of our umpires have quit because in their words “it’s not worth the money”, “it’s too scary” and “would you like working at a place where you were yelled at?”

The decrease in the number of kids wanting to umpire is not coincidental.

The boys and girls who umpire games at the AA to Majors level are 11 to 14 years old. They participate in a two day clinic every year and try their best to base all their decisions on good judgment. That judgment is based on what they saw at that moment. They do not have the luxury of an instant replay to verify their call and they cannot make calls based on what was seen by anyone else (other than another game official).

The executive of Highlands Little League is taking a strong stand on unacceptable behaviour towards umpires. There will be a zero tolerance policy for the abuse of an official in our park. The policy will be strictly enforced to protect the remaining and upcoming umpires. Should there be unacceptable behaviour from either the dugout or the stands toward an umpire; the following steps will take place:

• The umpire will request the coach control the person behaving inappropriately. (this includes spectators, players or coaches)
• If the person-(s) continues to behave inappropriately, the umpire will inform both coaches that the game will be forfeited unless the offending person leaves the park. As adults, the coaches are to communicate the umpire’s decision to the offending person(s) and then enforce that decision by asking the person to promptly leave the park.

Highlands Little League wants all kids and parents to look forward to playing and watching baseball. When you come to the park sit back and enjoy! After all, it’s just a game

 Umpires:

1. Are frequently children, and most are learning how to umpire and they are still learning about the game of baseball. They deserve the respect and cooperation of all coaches, players and parents.
2. Have complete charge of the game once it has started, and all of their decisions on judgement plays will be FINAL.  Coaches are entitled to politely approach an Umpire to ask for clarification of a rule interpretation only. Neither coaches nor players are entitled to question or challenge an Umpire on the Judgement the Umpire applied. You may not, for example, question a ball or strike, whether a tag was made or whether a runner beat a throw to a base.  

3. Are entitled and expected by the league to eject from the game any person who questions an Umpires Judgement call when they know or ought to know that they are not entitled to do so. Coaches clearly ought to know.
4. Have been instructed by the League to eject any person (coach, player or spectator) who engages in abusive conduct towards the officials, other players or coaches.
5. Shall ask catchers to confirm that they are wearing an athletic protector the first time the player catches in the game neck guards must also be properly attached to catcher’s helmets.
6. THE GAME IS OFFICIALLY STARTED WHEN THE TWO COACHES HAND THE UMPIRE THEIR ROSTERS AND THE UMPIRE DECLARES “PLAY BALL”

Our umpires will almost certainly make mistakes, just as coaches and players do.

Questionable calls and any awkward situations are to be referred to the Umpire-In-Chief after a game is complete and a correct ruling will be made. This is to be done in writing and forwarded via email. The situation will be used as a teaching and learning tool. All umpires will be notified by email of the correct call for that situation.

All ejections are to be reported to the Umpire in Chief and further suspension may result after review by the Disciplinary Committee (Board of Directors)

(Note that if there are any ejections, correct forms will be filled in and submitted to D5 Umpire-In-Chief, Roger Shaw)

Thank you for your support in protecting and developing our umpires at Highlands Little League.