About Us - Mission Statement
The Bergen County Umpires Association is an organization of baseball and softball umpires certified to officiate high school contests in New Jersey.
Our purpose is:
- promote the welfare of the games of baseball and softball on the county level by uniformly interpreting and administering the rules of those games as set forth by the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) and the National Federation of High School Associations (NFHS).
- promote and maintain the highest degree of baseball and softball officiating by following a uniform set of mechanics and have available at all times an adequate number of thoroughly trained and capable umpires.
- preserve the traditions, foster the ideals, advance the interests and improve the quality and prestige of the baseball and softball umpires through a comprehensive program of classroom training and on-the-field experience and develop a spirit of friendship and maintain a high standard of ethics among umpires.
[Baseball] - Illegal Slide Clarification / Electronic Communication Equipment Failure - Procedure
Submitted by bcua on Thu, 03/28/2024 - 3:06pmFrom: Joe Belger, BCUA Baseball Interpreter
To: All Baseball / Dual Umpires
Re: Illegal Slide Clarification / Electronic Communication Equipment Failure - Procedure
At the baseball mechanics meeting on Tuesday March 19th, there was a discussion on a play involving an illegal slide. The question was asked if this resulted in a dead ball or a delayed dead ball. The answer given was that it is a delayed dead ball. This is incorrect. It is interference committed by the offense, and as such, it is an immediate dead ball. If it involves a force play slide rule violation, you would rule a double play.
Additionally, there has been a question asked about teams using electronic communication equipment and the implications of charged conferences if it stops working. Treat the trip the same as an injury trip. Accompany the coach to the player and observe and listen to the conversation. It should only involve the coach and catcher. As long as the conversation is only related to the repair of the device, it will not be a charged conference. If the device cannot be fixed, have the catcher remove the earpiece and play on.
Should it become abusive where you think they are trying to delay or buy the pitcher time, you can warn the coach that you are going to charge him with a conference(s).
Optimal Positioning at Home Plate
Submitted by bcua on Thu, 03/28/2024 - 11:23am
One Call at the Plate Might Determine the Outcome of the Game
Swipe tags (when the catcher applies a tag using a swipe motion)
Crash plays (when the catcher and runner collide)
Block plays (when the catcher blocks the runner from reaching the plate)
Dropped balls (when the catcher drops the ball)
Locate the ball.
Position yourself 2-3 feet immediately behind the catcher, lining up with the catcher’s left hip.
Move in-step with the catcher and remain 2-3 feet behind him.
Be prepared to make a final step — the “Read Step” — to see the tag applied. Marshall added, “Umpires need to take quiet, purposeful steps as the ball arrives to put themselves into that window to see the play.”
NJSIAA Pregame Sportsmanship Anti-Bias Statement - Revised
Submitted by bcua on Thu, 02/01/2024 - 3:54pmEffective with the Spring 2022 season, the following statement from the NJSIAA must be read before all sanctioned high school games without paraphrasing, regardless of level:
The NJSIAA requires officials to enforce all rules regarding unsportsmanlike conduct by coaches and players. There will be no tolerance for any negative behavior, such as taunting, trash-talking and verbal, written, or physical conduct related to race, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, or religion. Such behavior will result in being ejected from this event. All participants must respect the game, respect the officials, and respect their opponents.
Softball Rules Changes - 2024
Submitted by bcua on Mon, 07/10/2023 - 6:28pm1-8-6: Permits electronic information to be transmitted to the dugout from anywhere outside of live ball area.
Rationale: The rule change reflects current technology and still requires that electronic devices used for coaching purposes may only be used in the dugout butdoes not stipulate where the video is recorded or how it is transmitted.
3-2-2: Beginning January 1, 2027, uniforms may only bear a single manufacturer's logo, school name, school logo, mascot and/or the participant's name. Advertisements, messages, team slogans, etc., will no longer be permitted.
Rationale: Consistent language has been established for NFHS sports that describe what information is permitted on the uniform. A player’s name, school name, school nickname, school mascot and/or the school logo may be placed on the uniform.
3-2-5: Removes the color restriction for headbands and ribbons.
Rationale: Adds consistency amongst headwear requirements for other NFHS sports.
3-2-7: Defines where a wristband with a playbook/playcard may be worn. If worn by the pitcher, the wristband with a playbook/playcard must be worn on the non-pitching wrist or arm.
Rationale: Clarifies where this equipment can be worn. This change will prohibit wristbands from being worn on the belt. It remains legal for players to keep the wristband with a playbook/playcard in their back pocket.
4-2-7, 10-2-3e, h: The umpire may call (end) a game if playing conditions in or around the facility become unacceptable to safely continue the game.
Rationale: Provides rule justification when an umpire ends a contest due to unacceptable playing conditions to continue play in addition to weather.
6-1-2c, 2-47: The pitcher may now have both feet off the ground at the same time as long as both feet remain within the 24-inch width of the pitching plate and the pitcher does not replant the pivot foot. A definition for a replant was added.
Rationale: The rule change permits both feet to disengage from the playing surface while delivering a pitch. The addition of Rule 2-47 defines that a replant of the pivot foot occurs when the pitcher pushes off the playing surface from anywhere other than the pitcher’s plate prior to the act of delivering the pitch.
6-2-2: Pitchers can only use dirt, powdered rosin or comparable drying agents that are listed on the USA Softball’s certified equipment webpage to dry the hand.
Rationale: Clarifies the difference between tape and other non-approved substances on the pitching hand or fingers versus the use of approved substances under the supervision and control of the umpire.
2024 SOFTBALL EDITORIAL CHANGES
1-5-1c, 1-6-1, 1-7-1, 2-4-3, 1-6-1b, 7-1-2 PENALTIES 2 & 3, 7-4-4
2024 SOFTBALL POINTS OF EMPHASIS
- Game Management
- Unacceptable Conditions
- Unreported vs. Illegal Substitutions
- Pitching Mechanics: Replant
NFHS