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Binghamton Umpire's Association
[and
Binghamton Umpire's Chapter]
Dedicated to sportsmanship and fair play
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Member News
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Welcome to the Binghamton Umpires Association and Binghamton
Umpire's Chapter Web Site. If you or someone you know is
interested in becoming a member, additional information is
listed on the "About Us" page. If you need
umpires for your league or tournament, contact the Assignor listed on
page two. Meetings are held at the Moose Club, Henry St.,
Binghamton, New York.
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Doug Harvey’s Induction into the Hall of
Fame: Watch longtime MLB umpire Doug Harvey take his spot as a member of
the Baseball Hall of Fame: http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=10264421&c_id=mlb
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Update from Ryan Bealo: I'm working in the New York- Penn League this year and having
an awesome time. This is a great league because a few of the cities are
within a couple hours of Binghamton, so virtually I am working in my own
backyard. I have also had the luxury of having a few of the games we've
worked carried on SNY and Time Warner Sports locally so that my family
was able to watch. On top of that, Tom Vimislik and Bob Tokos were able
to make the trek down to State College, PA to see a game earlier in the
season. I loved having them come out to see what life on the road for me
is all about.
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We get Letters:
BUA services softball and baseball leagues and tournaments
from Owego to Deposit, from Town of Binghamton to Norwich. We hear
from those we service and (without bragging) we get great reviews!
Check out a few of the letters we have gotten from satisfied tournament
directors and league presidents on our “About Us” page.
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City
of Binghamton Parks and Recreation Department: All 12 & Under Fast Pitch Softball games will now have
a TWO HOUR DROP DEAD TIME LIMIT.
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Rules and Rules Changes
Adult Baseball: If you are umpiring or playing adult
baseball there are some special rules for those games. Please go
to: www.msblnational.com to
makes sure you are aware of all rules that are specific to this level. Special note on a
couple of rules: rule 1.b (base coaches MUST wear helmets) and 2.b
(10-run mercy rule). Rule 1.b is a
big one. This rule must be
followed 100%.
ASA: The ASA Rules changes and the Non-approved Bats List are
also posted on the Softball page. For more information go directly
to the ASA site at www.softball.org.
NFHS Softball and Baseball: NFHS 2008 Baseball
and Softball Rules Changes and Rules Interpretations are posted on the
Softball and Baseball pages. The rules interpretations make great
reading for umpires, players and coaches. For more information
go directly to the NFHS site at www.nfhs.org.
Also included on that site are softball video clips showing specific
violations (leap, crowhop, and 24" length violation), a list of
softball and baseball rules differences, a softball signal chart, and
many other useful items of information.
Vestal Girls Softball: For those of you that do Vestal Girls Softball.
They have their league rules listed under forms and documents at
their Website: www.vestalgirlssofball.com
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Balk Talk
The
best advice that fellow umpires can give about dealing with balks is to
call it if one of these situations is at hand:
1. It’s an “elephant balk” when:
The pitcher drops the ball while on the rubber, he starts and stops in
the middle of his motion, he starts to throw to first without stepping
off or he does not complete the throw, etc. If it’s obvious then
call it. Remember the spirit of the rule. A pitcher can’t
deceive the runner and he can’t change from his regular movement nor can
he throw to first without coming to a complete stop while on the rubber.
2. The defense (pitcher) is gaining an advantage:
If the pitcher is doing something that is giving him an advantage against
the offence then call the balk. For example, a LHP steps to home
while throwing to 1st base or obviously breaks the back plane of the
runner and then throws to 1st base, call it. Next, there’s the “no
stop” balk. There are times to call this, and times to deal with it
without calling it. If it’s a close game with a runner on 1st base
and the pitcher throws over to 1st base 3 or 4 times and then does not
come to a set when delivering to the plate then call the balk. He’s
trying to gain an advantage.
This requires an understanding of the game itself as well as an understanding
of the balk rule. For instance, calling a borderline no-stop balk
with a runner on 2nd base isn’t a good habit to get into. Most
likely the runner isn’t trying to steal 3rd, and the pitcher isn’t
deliberately trying to gain an advantage by not stopping. This can
be stopped immediately by the base umpire by simply walking in to the
mound area to “check the ball” for scuffmarks. “Give me a good stop
pitcher I don’t like calling balks.” The plate guy can do the same
thing if he sees this as well. Grab your plate brush and dust off
that shiny plate while telling the catcher, “Please get him to stop for
me, okay?” This also holds true for games that are not in doubt
anymore or when the 1st baseman is playing behind the runner on
first.
Both the Plate and Base
umpires have to call balks. Some umpires are reluctant to call
balks for fear of getting a coach mad or disrupting the game. The
lower levels of baseball can have some balks overlooked but when working
a higher level baseball game it is important to know that the pitchers
know how to pitch and if a balk has been committed we must call it.
As you know, there are many rules in the rulebook that require umpires to
interpret the rule and apply it to the situation. It makes our job
a little harder than it already is to try to determine which ones to call
and which ones not to call. It’s hard for me to tell you NOT to
call a balk if you see it but I guess that’s pretty much what I’m
saying. Read the game, know the situation, know the PURPOSE of the
balk rule (to prevent the defense from gaining an advantage) and apply
all of that to the game.
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If you have information, suggestions
or questions for or about the web site
please contact
pastormac@juno.com
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