About Us - Bergen County Umpires Association

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.

 

 

Player Equipment Changes Highlight Rules Revisions in High School Softball

Republished from NFHS.org
Two significant player equipment changes involving the wearing of head coverings and beads were among the rules revisions approved in high school softball for the upcoming 2022 season.

These changes along with six other rules revisions were recommended by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Softball Rules Committee at its June 14-16 meeting held in a virtual format and subsequently approved by the NFHS Board of Directors.

Adjustment Made to Pre-Pitch Sequence in High School Baseball

Republished from NFHS.org
High school baseball pitchers who do not receive signals from the catcher must now simulate taking a sign with one foot on the pitcher’s plate before proceeding with a pitch.

This addendum to Rule 6-1-1 was the lone rule change forwarded by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Baseball Rules Committee and was subsequently approved by the NFHS Board of Directors. The baseball committee’s annual rules meeting was held June 6-8 in a virtual format.

BCUA Business Meeting & Elections

BCUA Business Meeting & Election will be held on May 19, 2021  If you are interested in running for any position below, constitutional guidelines on how to proceed can be found below the positions:

Positions up for election:

  • President:
  • Vice President:
  • Secretary:
  • Treasurer:
  • 3  Executive  Committee Members

Nominations for officers shall be made every second year by the Nominating Committee. Additional nominations must be made 14 days prior to the business meeting, by emailing the secretary, the names and positions that they are being nominated for so that ballots can be prepared, if necessary.  All nominations must be signed by 2 people, one of whom shall be the nominator and the other being a second. Nominations may not be made from the floor.  Elections for officers and Executive Committee Members shall be held immediately after the nominating committee has made its report.

Nominations for members of the Executive Committee shall be made by the Nominating Committee annually. Additional nominations must be made 14 days prior to the business meeting, by emailing the secretary, the names and positions that they are being nominated for so that ballots can be prepared, if necessary. All nominations must be signed by 2 people, one of whom shall be the nominator and the other being a second. Nominations may not be made from the floor. Elections for the Executive Committee shall be held immediately after the nominating committee has made its report.

NFHS Memo - Practicing Effective Risk Management - Baseball

NFHS Logo

 


Memorandum

To:                   Member State Association Baseball Liaisons
From:              B. Elliot Hopkins, MLD, CAA NFHS Director of Sports, Sanctioning and Student Services
Subject:          Practicing Effective Risk Minimization
Date:               March 26, 2021

___________________________________________________________________________

Good Morning! I hope this memo finds you safe and healthy. As we begin playing baseball, we would like to remind you that any uniform or player’s equipment that is reflective or has a mirror-like surface can be possibly distracting to both the batter and defensive players alike. We have several rules in place to address these areas.

Notwithstanding, it has been brought to our attention that certain brands of baseball shoes worn by the pitcher that have a mirror-like finish on the sole plate has distracted batters with the light reflecting off the bottom of the shoe. We want to caution your schools that if that situation occurs, the umpire-in-chief would ask the pitcher to either replace the shoes or the coach would have to replace the pitcher. You certainly can understand the importance of protecting the vision of the batter while at the plate.

Risk minimization is our utmost concern for our players, coaches and fans. Addressing this situation early in the season will assist us in that effort. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at the NFHS office. Happy Spring!

BEH/kjr

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