Umpire Information Meetings

January 2015

BackgroundWelcome to the 2015 DYBA Umpire Program!

• Purpose– Introduction

– Required Forms and Applications

– Training and Pay

– The Umpiring Process

– Scheduling

– Expectations and Safety

• Sign in sheets

• Email list and website – check regularly

• Ask questions at any time!

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Everything you need to know……is on DYBA.com under the “Umpires” tab

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Program Introduction

Leadership

Tom SicilianoDirector of Umpires

Mike StraussMaster Scheduler

Day Job

Lab Technician at Abbott Labs. Owner Dairy Queen.

Lawyer at Schlesinger & Strauss

Experience

• First year as Director• Previously Scheduler• “Lots of years” as

Oriole Park/IHSA umpire

• 5 (recent) years as Scheduler

• “Many years” as DYBA/IHSA umpire

Program Responsibilities

• Overall responsibility for umpire program and scheduling

• Staff, pay, training, rules, and other administration

• DYBA Board

• Umpire, field and team scheduling across leagues

• Assist with program administration

• Evaluations• Provide input on

umpire pay rates

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Leadership (cont’d)

Jon BrombergUmpire Supervisor

Will LedererUmpire Supervisor

Day Job

Junior at Bowling Green State

Senior at Loyola Academy

Experience

• 9 years as DYBA umpire

• 6 years as DYBA umpire

Program Responsibilities

• Assist with program administration

• Evaluations• Provide input on

umpire pay rates

• Assist with program administration

• Evaluations• Provide input on

umpire pay rates

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Leadership (cont’d)

• Umpire Evaluators– Jon Brown

– Aaron Moeckler

– Sam Schwaeber

– Luke Strotman

• All of us are here to help you – and the rest of the DYBA community

• Please remember… this is not a full time job for any of us– We do this because we want to be here!

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Mission Statement

As a community-based program, our emphasis is on providing a challenging, exciting and shaping experience to all aspiring officials. While each should strive to be the best official possible, our focus will always be on those aspects of officiating we can control; dedication, hustle, effort and knowledge of the rules are far more important than getting the call right. Just like playing and coaching, umpiring is an on-going learning experience. As a program, it is our responsibility to put the tools in place for each of our participant’s success while providing the support to make that success possible. This also extends to our adult and state-certified travel umpires, though we expect an added level of professionalism and conduct from those individuals.

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Welcome Parents

• Please help support your son or daughter

• Remember: this is a job, and they must take full responsibility

• Do not contact us on behalf of your child – unless it is an emergency or extenuating circumstance

• Drawing the line between DYBA as a parent/coach/volunteer and the umpire program

• We take notes!

• If your parent could not make it today, please pass this along

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Required Forms and Applications

Required Forms and Applications

• Umpire Application– Complete again – every year

– Double check before submitting

– What if I need your Social Security Number?

– Confidentiality

– Code of Conduct

Link: http://www.dyba.com/page/show/258708-application

Complete ASAP

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Required Forms and Applications

• Email List– Do not need to subscribe again

– Pre-season, pay, scheduling, etc.

– Primary means of communication

– IHSA umpire? Email Tom

Link: http://www.dyba.com/page/show/214749-join-us

Complete ASAP

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Work Permit

• Only required if you will be under 16 as of April 15, 2015

• Illinois Labor Law for minors to work and get paid

• Your admissions ticket to the clinics in April (yellow copy)

• How to obtain:– Not through DYBA (or me!)

– Varies by school and district, what I know is on DYBA.com

– Need “Letter of Intent” from DYBA.com

– Birth certificate or passport

– Social security card

– Parent, minor and parent’s signature

Get Started ASAP

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Training and Pay

Umpire Clinics

• Details to be posted online and sent via email when available

• New format for 2014

• For new umpires: typically in April – likely second weekend (immediately prior to season)

Pre-Season

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Umpire Evaluations

• Umpire Supervisors train and oversee evaluators

• Evaluators give on field feedback and make recommendations for promotion/demotion based on criteria to Tom

• Earn bonuses or league promotions

• Constructive feedback, not criticism

• Request an evaluation – use online form– Promotions never guaranteed – but the numbers don’t lie!

In-Season

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Pay Rates

• Merit-based pay scale

• Promotions based solely on listed criteria– Before you ask, do a self-evaluation – or automatic

demotion

• Five levels beginning at $16/game for Level 1 umpires– Must meet and continue to meet all criteria at and below

your level

• Bonuses per myself, umpire administration or DYBA Board Members/League Presidents

• IHSA umpires: email Tom– $45-55/game, only ones working travel

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Example: Level 1 Criteria

• Level 1 ($16) 

• Generally new umpires with less than 25 games experience 

• Complies with all provisions of the DYBA Umpire Code of Conduct 

• Enforces basic safety rules: removing bats, balls and other hazards from the playing field, keeps spectators at the appropriate distance, players in dugout  

• Uses plate equipment properly: chest protector is held high to cover the neck and arms are tucked neatly behind (no exposed elbows), mask worn securely, shin guards do not come loose  

• Wears appropriate uniform: DYBA umpire t shirt with non frayed, non‐ ‐ ‐soiled blue jeans, gym shoes or cleats, baseball cap 

• Displays positive attitude, effort and willingness to learn and improve 

• Clear knowledge of DYBA Mustang level and basic baseball/softball rules ‐

• Projects calls loudly and clearly, communicates decisions effectively  

• Hustle: into and out of position in between innings and between hitters ‐

• Field mechanics: proper use of A position, some knowledge of distinction between B and C positions 

• Arrives 15 minutes before game time, steps onto field at least 10 minutes before, conducts pre game conference 5 minutes before, begins game on time‐

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Request an Umpire Evaluation

• The best way to earn a promotion is to ask for an evaluation…

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Pay Slips

• Required to get paid

• Available on DYBA.com – can customize

• Full and complete or I cannot pay you!

• Submit online only at the end of each pay period– Email from Tom announcing window to submit pay slips

– Hard copies are no longer accepted as of 2013 season

– I then review all slips – don’t lie!

– DYBA Treasurer reviews and issues checks

– Typically takes several weeks to process and mail checks

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Example Pay Slip

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Submit Invoice OnlineMake sure to scan/photograph your pay slips so they are legible!

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The Umpiring Process

Required Equipment

• One time issue: clicker, brush and t-shirt– Handed out at clinics

– Also available at the Woodland Park equipment shed, hours online once the season starts

• At each field: shin guards, chest protector and facemask– If missing or damaged, check a nearby field

– Email Tom (umpires@dyba.com) after the game

• DYBA Rulebook: print from website

• To wear: protective cup, jeans (no shorts or sweats)

Pre-Season

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The Umpiring Process

• Before you leave home– Umpire shirt on outermost layer

– You are the boss – dress like it (jeans, no shorts or sweats)

– Equipment from you: clicker, brush, pay slip, pen, water bottle, watch, small bag for cell phone, etc.

– Dress for the weather (spring, night games)

At Home

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The Umpiring Process (cont’d)

• Do a walk-through, checking the bases and field for safety issues

• Review foul ball and in-play territories in the DYBA Rulebook

• Obtain two new balls from the home team

• Ask for both managers for a ground rules meeting 10 minutes prior to the scheduled start – set the tone!

• Get your pay slip signed at this meeting

Before Game Time

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The Umpiring Process (cont’d)

• More at the clinics… but first an introduction

• Start on time

• Consistent tone throughout

• Keep the game moving– Especially between innings

Play Ball!

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Scheduling

Scheduling Policies

How do I schedule games?

1) Schedule released, announced via email

2) Umpires submit requests for games online

3) Mike reviews requests

4) Assignments released online, announced via email

Between releases of the schedule…

• Continue to check online and request games as they come up

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Scheduling Policies (cont’d)

• Mike is the boss!

• Travel games are for patched umpires only – email Tom and Mike

• If you sub for a friend, email Mike ASAP

• Don’t miss or cancel a game– Suspension

– Termination

– Scheduling penalties

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Scheduling Policies (cont’d)

• Rain, lightning, etc.– Phone call or email before game – no payment

– No notification, teams don’t show – 25% of your pay rate

– One pitch or more – full pay

• If you need to cancel– Game assignments are a commitment to DYBA

– All cancellations are noted

– 48 hours or more – email to Mike (scheduler@dyba.com), possible suspension

– Less than 48 hours – 1-5 game suspension

– No-show – season suspension or permanent termination

– Emergency – call and email as soon as possible

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The DYBA Master Schedule

• Visit DYBA.com and click on “Schedule” tab

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The DYBA Master Schedule (cont’d)

• Date and time are on the vertical axis

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The DYBA Master Schedule (cont’d)

• Fields and league are on the horizontal axis

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The DYBA Master Schedule (cont’d)

• Events and umpires assigned are in separate columns

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The DYBA Master Schedule (cont’d)

• Blue boxes indicate house league games; yellow is for travel

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The DYBA Master Schedule (cont’d)

• Umpires are assigned using the coding system – know yours!

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Scheduling Forms for Umpires

• Request games by clicking the form below

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Scheduling Forms for Umpires (cont’d)

• Request games by filling out the form below completely

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Scheduling Forms for Umpires (cont’d)

• All forms are requests and do not guarantee assignments or changes

• Often multiple requests are submitted for the same slot at once

• Wait for confirmation: 1) online schedule posted and announced via email; or 2) email/call from Mike for one-off requests

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Scheduling Recap

• Use the online forms – do not email Mike unless it is an emergency or…– New umpires requesting to work with experienced umpires

– Umpires requesting to work with friends, near home, etc.

– Extenuating circumstance

• Reminder – do not cancel!

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Program Expectations

Our ExpectationsSafety is always our first priority

• Know the rules, positions and mechanics– Pay attention at the clinics, keep reviewing

– Ask questions

• Be loud and decisive– Even if you make the wrong call

– “Closer the play, louder the call”

• Look like an umpire– Dress and equipment

• Hustle– Often appreciated most by managers and coaches

– Very obvious

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Our Expectations (cont’d)Safety is always our first priority

• No iPods or cell phones during the game – even to keep time

• Turn them off 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start

• Never use between innings

• Coaches, managers, board members will be watching!

• You will be suspended, terminated and or penalized – this is an issue with both professionalism and safety

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Our Expectations (cont’d)Safety is always our first priority

• This is a job – act professional and you will be treated that way

• I have no problem penalizing, suspending or terminating umpires – beginning at the clinics

• I will always stand by you and your decisions, even if they are “wrong”

• You are representing the community, DYBA and yourself

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LightningLightning is a serious safety issue – and therefore a priority for our program

• All umpires are responsible for the official policy on DYBA.com

• Once you arrive at the field, you are the boss!

• Common sense policy– If you see lightning or hear thunder, clear the field immediately

– If Thorguard goes off, clear the field immediately

– If the Thorguard system at your field does not go off but you hear it sounding at a nearby location, clear the field immediately

– If teams at other fields are leaving, clear the field immediately

– If you show up and the light is flashing, stay off the field

– Stay off the field while the light blinks, you hear lightning or the horn continues

– Do not return until the all-clear is sounded (three horns, light stops flashing completely)

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Lightning (cont’d)Lightning is a serious safety issue – and therefore a priority for our program

• During lightening delays – the time limit still applies

• Don’t wait two hours if the weather is obviously not going to clear or if the field gets too wet to play – work with the coaches to make this decision

• Coaches and managers will assist you with enforcing this policy

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Lightning (cont’d)Lightning is a serious safety issue – and therefore a priority for our program

• Key Takeaways– Safety is the primary concern – I will always back you up

– No questions asked – they can call me if they want to discuss

– Use common sense and do not hesitate, no risks

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Contact UsAll contact information is online at DYBA.com – add us to your contacts!

• Email– General questions/umpire-specific issues/pay

Tom: umpires@dyba.com

– Scheduling Mike: scheduler@dyba.com

– Evaluations/things you do not want to ask Tom/Mike umpire_evals@dyba.com

• Address for work permits– Turn them in at the clinics

– Email Tom

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Questions?Ask now, in April, or send us an email

• Remember: umpires@dyba.com

• Upcoming Clinics– Required

– Format to change

– In April, dates and times TBA via email

• Final Reminders– Application on DYBA.com under “Umpires” then “Join Us”

– Email list (same place)

– Review this PowerPoint, the Code of Conduct, and Pay Scale online

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