Nchsaa

[Umpire in Chief]

Below is an email sent to all NCHSAA umpires. It's good to see the state pushing guys to take a stand.

From: NCHSAA

Subject: Game Management and Decorum

To:

Date: Wednesday, March 31, 2010, 6:56 PM

Baseball Umpires:

We have had a substantive volume of calls into our office from athletic administrators concerning language issues and game management issues. Remember that we are all stakeholders in promoting sportsmanship, integrity, and fair play. I want to specifically address some issues for you to go over with Head Coaches in the pre-game meetings, and issues pertaining specifically to umpires:

** At no time will inappropriate language be tolerated by an

umpire/official. You are to remain vigilant in your professionalism and

representation of the NCHSAA and your local booking association.

** No tobacco use by officials on game site is allowed for any

umpire/official. This includes smokeless tobacco. Remember the penalty

put in place by the NCHSAA Board of Directors – 365 day suspension in all

sports for any official violating this policy.

** Inappropriate language by players and coaches – this cannot be tolerated

and is very much the game management responsibility of umpires,

coaches, and administrators. Unfortunately, this falls more directly on

us as umpires to handle. Whether or not that is fair, we must be

positive, direct, and professional in our handling of this issue.

** Should you hear a profane or inappropriate comment, not directed at you

or an opponent of the team(s), simply give a warning and let it be

known that further incidents will result in restriction to dugout and/or

ejection.

** “F Bombs”, racist comments, and/or taking the Lord’s name in vain are

automatic ejections – no warnings.

** Any profanity directed towards you and/or an opponent is an automatic

ejection – no warnings.

** Do not repeatedly threaten a coach or bench with…”or else I will take

care of it”. One single, direct warning. Further incidents handle

directly and consistently. This has been a problem recently and we must

be strong. The pre-game conference should effectively handle any

concerns if done effectively.

** Questioning of balls and strikes – one single, direct warning. After

that, restrict or eject.

Game management is a key component of successful umpiring. Please give proper attention to this email and use it to help in enforcing the integrity of athletic competition. So many positive life lessons and values come from involvement in sport. We must protect those ideals with proper enforcement and representation of decorum and actions.

Thank you.

Mark Dreibelbis

Supervisor of Officials

[BrianC14]

Below is an email sent to all NCHSAA umpires. It's good to see the state pushing guys to take a stand.

Holy macaroni.

Do I understand that correctly, Warren? They want you to cover all of those points in the plate conference?

Why not have NCHSAA print the list and post it in each dugout?

That would be better than discussing all those things at the plate conference, and then having to entertain the usual dumbass questions that are sure to follow... :wave:

[Umpire in Chief]

It does read that way but I think it is more placing emphasis on the sportsmanship. I'd bet the coaches get something similar.

[BrianC14]

It does read that way but I think it is more placing emphasis on the sportsmanship. I'd bet the coaches get something similar.

That's what I was hoping... why put all this in the umpire's laps, when the source of the problem is obvious?

[mstaylor]

I thought of an interesting twist to this, they say using the Lord's name in vein is an automatic. Now we all understand what that means but I have some guys that will dump on the use of JC but others think it is no big deal. Thoughts?

[Umpire in Chief]

For me they can say what ever they want to themselves. Once it gets directed, especially at me them we have an issue.

Last weekend, I had a batter get fooled by a nasty tight curve ball, for strike 3 looking. He had turned around and started cussing himself pretty good even before I called the strike...

I'm not going to do anything in that situation

I'm sure we've all had similar situations.

[mstaylor]

If it is loud enough I will say something about watching but if it is self abuse I generally let it go. I had a pitcher Sat that had a routine ground ball back to him and he almost threw it away going to first. He let a fairly loud inadvertant,"Oh SH*#!" loose. He imediately turned to me and said he was sorry. I told him just to calm it down a little and it was handled.

[LMSANS]

My 2nd EJ a couple of years ago, the mgr came out to question a call and made the comment "you are going to make the gd game last all night".

I tossed him.

After I tossed him he got closer and said "he heard worse language in church on Sunday". I told him, "me too, but I tossed you because you of the you part."

He kind of looked at me and walked off the field. This was an adult league and I will be very tolerant at that level as long as it is not at me or my partner.

The younger they are the less tolerant I will be.