A message for our 2020 Approved Umpires

A message for our 2020 Approved Umpires

A message for our 2020 Approved Umpires

Good afternoon fellow Brush Country Umpires,

Join me in congratulating Frank Lopez as he will be working 1st Base for the 6A State Championship game on Saturday, 4 p.m. at Dell Diamond.

This marks the third year that Brush Country is represented in the State Tournament and we are proud that Frank has been selected to represent the chapter, culminating the year with the last game of the tournament and season. 

If you can make the time, please join us Saturday to support Frank at Dell Diamond in the continuing and rich heritage of Texas high school baseball, of which we all play an important part.

Respectfully,
Robert Redding
President

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Hello Lady and Gents!

First of all, I want to thank you for your faith in me to lead this group into next season! Miss Ramirez and I will be your liaisons to answer any questions you have and to propose any bylaw changes that you may want to bring up. Please remember this Chapter is run by it's membership and the elected board can only work within the bylaws and regulations of the our chapter and the state. If you have any issues with ANYTHING please contact me or Miss Ramirez and we can bring it to the board for discussion and ultimately to the membership for vote. 

One of the biggest issues this year was meeting attendance! Everyone on this email has now been with the chapter for at least 2 years. We are the future of this chapter and if there's no participation at the meetings then our future cannot be united and strong. We understand that not everyone can drive a long distance for an hour meeting, however we have to scratch our heads when we provide a webinar system and all you have to do is log in and yet very few do. Attendance is key to any organization and it gives the wrong impression to rookie officials who are seeing this chapter for the first time. Lastly, attendance is a big part of your qualification for a playoff run. Don't let an hour every other week keep you off the playoff list.

So, where do we go from here? 

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1. Please take care of unfinished business with the chapter. 

2. Pay your game fees to Glenn Poppe ($2 per game). 

3. If you need new equipment for next year call some of the guys who are retiring this year.

4. Work on your game this summer:

• Game management

• Become comfortable in your own skin

• Don't let outside noise influence your game

• Be consistent behind the plate

• Looking the part is half the battle, take pride

While you're out on the ball fields this summer remember to promote our chapter. If you work with someone looking for a home have them get in touch with me or send them to our website for more information. 

www.brushcountryumpires.org/become-an-umpire
 

I want to recognize Miss Ramirez on her accomplishment with MLB. She was awarded a full ride scholarship to the MLB Camp this winter! Congratulations and we all can't wait to hear how it goes!

Don't forget there is plenty of information on our website. BTW, I want to give thanks to Joseph Cruz for the awesome job he's done creating and maintaining the site!

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THANKS JOE!

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Thanks again for your support and I wish everyone a great summer!!

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Charles Marquardt

Approved Representative

210-215-1511

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A message for our 2020 Approved Umpires

A message for our 2020 Approved Umpires

Brush Country Umpires,

It is with great pride I share the news that our very own Xcaret Ramirez from Laredo, who attended the MLB One-Day Clinic on 27 April in Dallas, was one of a few umpires selected to receive a MLB scholarship to attend the MLB Professional Mini-Camp in Ft. Myers, FL, in December. 

If selected from this camp, her scholarship will also allow her to attend the Minor League Baseball Training Academy's Professional Course, at the Jackie Robinson Training Institute, 5 Jan - 2 Feb, 2020.  This is the first, and major step to becoming a professional MiLB/MLB umpire.

Please take a minute to pass on congratulations to Xcaret!

Best Regards,
Robert Redding
President

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Gentlemen,

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First off, congratulations to each of you on your selection to work the first round of the 2019 Texas high school baseball playoff games!

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Almost all of you were requested directly by coaches, which is a reflection of the hard work, study and dedication you exemplified throughout a long season.

And others were picked by the playoff committee for the same reason.

With that, a few things to remember as we enter the weekend...

1.  If you are working a split crew with another chapter, by now you should've either contacted or been contacted by your partners from the other chapter.  If you have not, please notify Brent immediately!  He has the contact info for the other chapters.

Remember to verify what uniforms you will wear, and that there are 2 shades of the blue shirts!

IMPORTANT NOTE:  For those first-time playoff umpires, or those who forget regarding 4-umpire split crews:

A.  The visiting team will have their chapter's umpires at PL and U2!

B.  The home team will have their chapter's umpires at U1 and U3!

Do NOT let the other umpires dictate something other than that...it has happened.

If a 3-game series goes to 3 games, remember that at the end of the 2nd game, the coaches will meet to determine who is home and visitor, and who they want to work where.  That usually involves coin flips, so be prepared.  It's not unheard of to have the visiting coach ask to have the OTHER chapter's umpires work PL and U2!

2.  The listed crew chief, or senior umpire, also needs to contact the coach, whether you are doing split crew or a Brush Country crew, 3- or 4-umpires.

This is especially imperative as we face an unknown and possibly stormy weather forecast.  Changes could happen rapidly and some of the 3-game series could easily become a one-game playoff!

3.  Be sure to arrive at the game site in plenty of time to do a good pre-game, even with our own chapter members.  You will quickly find that the minimal training we do is barely enough to prepare you for the real game action of 3- and 4-umpire mechanics.  Just as with 2-umpire mechanics, what will help with those situations is...COMMUNICATE...constantly.  

Use hand signals both before and during play, and verbal signals during play...so you and your partners know where you are and what you are doing.  It WILL save missed rotations!

With that, I've attached the latest 3-umpire and 4-umpire slides.  The 3-umpire slides have been updated with the latest rundown information.  If you have a long drive, study/review with your partners enroute.

4.  Please represent the chapter in a positive manner, both on and off the fields.

Dress in a professional manner when travelling to/from the games, and especially when going to meet the coaches.  Coaches and fans WILL see you and immediately cast a discerning eye toward you, so please give a solid first impression by dressing appropriately.  Dress should be some kind of casual pants, i.e. - khakis, and a polo shirt, preferably a Brush Country Chapter shirt.

Whatever you wear, do NOT wear work-type uniforms and make sure they are clean.

Remember that one team will close out their season at the end of these games, so emotions will run high.  Remain calm and professional.

Remember to contact myself and Glenn immediately if something happens, incl game suspensions/cancellations.

5.  Make sure you go as a CREW when you meet with the coaches.  Do not go alone, or just the 2 of you if split crew.  

Remember:  Perceptions are everything and we don't' need to add to a coaches worry that we are biased toward one side or the other. 

And always meet with the home team coach first.  

6.  Have a lineup card and blue card.  You will find that many chapters do not use a blue card, and some that don't even use a lineup card...they just take what the coaches give them.  If a coach doesn't know about the blue card, and/or our lineup card because their chapter doesn't use them, patiently explain to them what they need to do when you meet with them before the game.

7.  Pay

Attached are the paysheets to use for playoffs.  They are also on our chapter website:  brushcountryumpires.org

Determine the pay situation when you call the coach to confirm.  For those that are travelling, coordinate with the host school or home school if hotel arrangements are necessary.

If you do get lodging, adjust your mileage accordingly and don't try to take advantage of this, i.e. - claim mileage from home when you stayed in town at a hotel.  They will be double-checking!

Usually, you submit your paysheets to the host site...they pay you (they collect funds from the participating schools).

You can also have the situation where one school pays all officials, or they split the cost.

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For bi-district, you will receive $80 per game.

Work out mileage with your partners and use the UIL mileage calculator to determine mileage fee, even to non-Brush Country locations where games are being hosted:

https://www.uiltexas.org/athletics/calculate-mileage

Finally, if you have one person driving to a non portal-to-portal location, each passenger should pay the driver 20% of the mileage they receive.

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If one person is driving and getting portal-to-portal, remember everyone gets meal and rider fee, and drive should split accordingly with the other officials.

Again, congratulations...I wish each of you safe travels and great games!

Best regards,

Robert Redding

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From: TASO Baseball Rules Interpreter

To: TASO Baseball Umpire Membership

Subject: Baseball Weekly Bulletin 19-6

Well, the first week of playoffs are beginning. Games that may have been just a baseball game last week, will take on heightened importance this week. Coaches, players, and parents will be more on edge and excitable. Stay patient and in control.

1) TAPPS –If you have a TAPPS game this week, might be good to review the TAPPS rule exceptions at https://tapps.biz/baseball-rules/ before the game. People can become confused in the post-season.

2) Game Ending Procedures – Game ending procedures have changed somewhat from what they were in the regular season. Any suspended game that is not a complete game, will resume at the point of suspension. Games never roll back to the last completed inning to be declared a complete game. The ten-run rule is still used in all playoff games after the fifth inning (or after 4 ½ if the home team in the bottom of the fifth is ahead by more than ten runs). At any point in the game, if both head coaches agree that the game is done, it is a complete game with the score recorded at that point. By rule the umpire-in-chief is also to agree with the head coaches, but I am sure none of us, with both coaches ready for the game to be done, would insist on continuation of a game.

When you have a suspended game, record all information on your line-up cards: number of outs, runners on base, count on a batter, warnings, ejections, conferences used, score, etc. The lineup cards should be current with all substitutions, number of charged conferences taken, any warnings, restrictions, or ejections. If you are not sure you will be returning for the continuation of the suspended game, give the cards to one of your crew or to the home head coach. Also, a player who was not at the game when it was suspended, may play as a substitute in the continued game.

Remember, as TASO officials we are to enforce NFHS Baseball playing rules. UIL policy rules regarding games in the playoff series are not for us to enforce. Let the coaches and ADs work it out with the UIL.
 

3) Media - With the post-season, there may be more media present. If they are to be on the field, please ensure there is a marked media area declared before the game begins. We cannot create a media area part-way into the game. And, despite what the coach may say, a media area once created is always a dead ball area, whether it is occupied or not. If it were to be a dead ball area only if occupied, a coach could have it occupied only when he is on offense and empty when his team is playing defense. There cannot be parts of the field that are sometimes in play and sometimes not. Additionally, avoid any discussion with the media. No matter what you say, you run the risk that you may not be quoted correctly or have what you say is taken out of context. Silence cannot be quoted. If the media needs information on a ruling or a situation, refer them to the TASO. Read PROVERBS 17:28 – “Even a fool is thought to be wise when he remains silent.”

4) Professionalism – As with any game, we are representatives of TASO. We must continue to be professional in every aspect. Our behavior and appearance reflects on TASO and all officials. Be aware of how you leave the parking lot or locker room. Do not leave trash piled up in the locker room or around your car. If your locker room continues to be the parking lot, please park smartly and be respectful of all fans that may be near. Please be discrete and courteous and not provide them with an unexpected experience. Take pride in your appearance and dress. It might be a good time to buy new hats, and then after the post-season make them your hats for the 2020 regular season. How you look makes a statement as to what type of official you are and the respect you show the game and fellow officials. Lastly, be aware of your body language. Your body language communicates a lot and is perceived by many to say something you may not be intending to communicate. Be aware of folded arms, hands on hips, a scowl on a face.  

Play from the last bulletin:

Play:  With a runner on second base, the batter hits a high foul fly ball in the vicinity of the on-deck circle. The on-deck batter, the clean-up hitter who is 3-3 with 2 home runs and a triple, watches the catcher coming toward him and backs away from the ball, unfortunately into the path of the third baseman. There is contact between the clean-up hitter and the third baseman. The defensive head coach is very inventive, he wants a double play; an out on the batter and an out on the on-deck hitter for interference. The offensive head coach, hearing the emotional rhetoric from his counterpart, wants malicious contact on the third baseman and both runners awarded a spot on the bases. The umpires, hearing the rules logic from the coaches, just want the field in their rear-view mirror. None of them got what they wanted as quickly as they wanted it.

Ruling:  All we have is interference by a team member on a defensive player attempting to catch a foul ball. The umpires briefly thought about whether the catcher or third baseman had the best ability to catch the foul fly, but then realized that rule applied to runner interference. They called the batter out, and brought the on-deck hitter to the plate. The defensive head coach, after some additional highly emotional arguments and demonstrations, wanted to file a protest (Not allowed in Texas). It was hard for him to do it from the bus. And as the baseball gods rolled in laughter, the clean-up hitter hit another home run.

Remember and take pride in the important and essential role you play in the educational experience of those who play this game. You may not know how, but you did make a difference.

This will be the last Baseball Bulletin for this season. I hope you have found them to be of some value. Please, if there is something we did that was of value, or if we need to do something else, let me know. If there are situations that arise over the summer, please get them to me. We may have a bulletin with plays over the off-season.

Have a great post-season. Again, thanks for all you have done and will continue to do for the sport of baseball in Texas and all those who engage in the game.

Yours in Baseball,

Kyle McNeely

Jkyle1974@aol.com

979-446-5522

From: TASO Baseball Rules Interpreter

To: TASO Baseball Umpire Membership

Subject: Baseball Weekly Bulletin 19-5

Well, we are rounding third and headed for home for the regular 2019 high school baseball season. I trust that overall your season has gone well. This week is vitally important to many teams as they look to a postseason.

With all that said, we have a few things to discuss:

1. Ejected Players: We have had a couple of games where an ejected player was requested to go to the bus. Fortunately, in both situations, an assistant coach accompanied the player.(The coach was not ejected; just chose to be with the player). We need to remember that an ejected coach must leave the immediate vicinity of the game.  He can be asked to come back by an umpire for an injured player. However, an ejected player is never to be put in a place without adult supervision. The ejected player should stay in the dugout with his team for the remainder of the game. If he were to continue to be a problem or a distraction, it is up to the coach to handle the situation.

2. Infielder Warming Up to Pitch: We have had multiple occasions where a coach, during a visit to the mound, has wanted to have an infielder warm up to be a pitcher. This is not legal. The following is an Approved Ruling from 2014: As the head coaches moves to the pitching mound for a defensive conference, he tosses a baseball to his third baseman and has him take warm-up throws with another player to get ready to pitch. RULING: A team cannot have a fielder, in the game, throw a baseball for the purpose of warming up as a pitcher, during a defensive conference or a pitching change. If they desire to warm up a player in the game to prepare him to pitch, they would need to take him out of the game to warm up and then later re-enter him under the substitution rule. (3-4-1).  

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3. Media in the Playing Field: A media person entered the playing field during play to take pictures. As the baseball gods never let anything go un-noticed, the batter hits a foul fly ball that came down near the photographer. The defensive player, attempting to catch the ball, ran into the misplaced photographer and as a result did not make, what would have been an easy catch of a foul ball. Everyone in the stands immediately voiced their knowledge of the rule and the dugouts chimed in with their respective opinions, while the officiating crew wondered if they could legally just start the game over. As you can imagine the defensive team and their fans wanted an out declared, and the photographer held until tar and a feather pillow could be acquired. While, in a sense of fairness, we want to award the out, we cannot. Unless the media person intentionally moved or did something to interfere with the catch, we have nothing other than a foul ball and excitement generated in a slow game. This is the reason the rule requires a designated media area if any media personnel are to be on the field. And by the way, the photographer got an excellent picture of the player missing the catch.

4. PA Announcers: There have a few reports of some PA Announcers at fields offering their educated opinion of rule enforcement or judgment by the officials. While many of these “color commentators” are students, some parents played junior ESPN announcer as well. Whenever a PA announcer goes over the line, ask the respective coach to immediately get it curbed back. If that has no impact, you may hold the game up until the mic is unplugged.

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5. Runner Not Sliding and Being Hit by a Throw: There have been multiple games in the last few weeks where either the coach or an umpire had questions on the force-play “slide” rule. A runner advancing to second had been already forced out and was either hit by a throw or “caused” a throw to be off line because he did not slide. In all instances, the runner was not close enough to a base where he should be expected to slide. In one case, he was running slightly more than halfway to second when he was hit by a thrown ball from the shortstop. Of course, the defense immediately petitioned for interference and an out declared on the batter-runner advancing to first base. This is not a violation of the rule. Unless the runner did something else to enable him to be hit by the throw, we simply have baseball. We cannot expect a runner to slide on the base path at a location where he would not normally slide. This is not interference by a retired runner. The runner may veer off or duck if he chooses, but if is in a position where he would not be expected to slide, he is not required to do so. In these instances, the ball remains live and in play.

6. Play From Last Week: This play illustrates those moments when we, as umpires wish we really didn't know the rules. In this play, it would be so much better to let happen what the crowd thinks happened, vs. what we should do by the rule. After all, no one else knows, right? With bases loaded and two out in the bottom of the seventh, the score is tied.  (of course). The batter swings at a 55-foot curve ball and the pitch gets by the catcher and the winning one comes in to score. The catcher retrieves the ball and sees the runner on second doing jumping jacks in excitement. The catcher has no play at home or at first so he fires to the third baseman who catches the ball and touches the bag. In the midst of a game ending win celebration, the umpire gets to call the third out and deny the run. The saving grace is that the extra innings, yes innings, that ensued caused most of the militant spectators to leave before the game finally did end. We are not always rewarded for doing a good job.

Plays from the Last Bulletin:

1. With the bases loaded and one out, the batter bunts but pops up. The first baseman comes in, lets the ball hit the back of his glove and fall to the ground. He next picks the ball up and throws to the catcher for out two with the catcher throwing to first base to complete the double play for out number three. Everyone looks at each other wondering what just happened. Ruling: An infielder may allow a pop-fly or pop-up to drop untouched, he cannot drop the ball or maneuver it to the ground with his glove. The ball is dead and the batter-runner is declared out.

2. With the bases loaded and the runner on third base breaking for home, the batter swings at a pitch, hitting it high in the air between the pitching mound and home plate. As the plate umpire properly declares “Infield fly if fair,” the ball hits the ground and rolls back toward home, contacting the runner from third in fair ground as he slides to the plate. The base umpire becomes extremely interested in the condition of second base. Ruling: The batter-runner is out on the infield fly. The runner from third is contacting by a fair batted ball that has not passed any infielder. We have two outs, two on, and two massive headaches.

Play for Next Week: 

Play: With a runner on second base, the batter hits a high foul fly ball in the vicinity of the on-deck circle. The on-deck batter, the clean-up hitter who is 3-3 with 2 home runs and a triple, watches the catcher coming toward him and backs away from the ball, unfortunately into the path of the third baseman. There is contact between the clean-up hitter and the third baseman. The defensive head coach is very inventive, he wants a double play; an out on the batter and an out on the on-deck hitter for interference. The offensive head coach, hearing the emotional rhetoric from his counterpart, wants malicious contact on the third baseman and both runners awarded a spot on the bases. The umpires, hearing the rules logic from the coaches, just want the field in their rear-view mirror. None of them got what they wanted as quickly as they wanted it.

We will talk this play and post-season next week.

Until then, have a good one.

Yours in baseball,

Kyle McNeely

Jkyle1974@aol.com

979-446-5522

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Several of you are working tie-breaker games today and tomorrow to determine District seeding for playoffs.

​For pay purposes, these are still considered "Regular Season" games, so please use the appropriate "Regular Season" pay sheet ($70 for varsity games).

Crew chiefs for each game need to coordinate with your listed home team regarding how pay will be handled, incl mileage, especially at a neutral site.

​For example, they may have the host site pay the officials, or they may have the home team pay, or they may split the cost of the officials between the two participating schools.  Either way, please confirm how that will be handled with the home team head coach.

​If you have any questions, please contact Raul, Brent, Glenn or myself.

Safe travels to all today and this weekend and good luck with your games!

​Robert

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All,

​As some of you are aware, Coach Tim Bertholf from Jourdanton suffered a stroke Wednesday evening and is in the hospital for further evaluation and treatment.  His team will still be playing tonight with one of his assistant coaches leading the team.  Of course, he still wants to be out there.

​Regardless of our differences on the field, we all share a common bond with our love/passion for the game and health issues such as this transcend what happens at the ball park. 

I ask you please keep Coach Bertholf and his family in your thoughts and prayers.

Thanks and regards,
​Robert Redding

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Good afternoon all,

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I've had several questions regarding the 3-/4-umpire training required for playoffs since several could not attend last Wednesday.

Here are the dates the board discussed for additional training opportunities:

- Thursday, 25 April, 6 p.m., location TBD

- Monday, 29 April, as part of our regularly scheduled chapter meeting, 7 p.m.

  As with this last Wednesday, to help your schedules we will have a very short chapter meeting before moving on to the training.  

- Tuesday, 30 April, alternate date as needed, 6 p.m.

-- For the folks who live up north, we will let you know the location for Thursday's training.

-- For the folks who live in Laredo, I've discussed with Jim Murray and he is going to get with those who still need the training...if we can get you all in on Monday, the 29th, at the regularly scheduled meeting we won't do it on Thursday, the 25th.   

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For all officials, we will look at Tuesday as needed, even Wednesday, 1 May, if someone has a scheduling conflict with the above dates.  Playoffs could start as early as Thursday, 2 May.

But please make every effort to attend one of the above dates so we are postured to support the upcoming playoffs.  If you attended the 3-/4-umpire training at either of the last 2 meetings, or completed the 3-/4-umpire training at the state meeting, you are good to go.  Please confirm with your division rep, as well as your status concerning completion of the required rules clinic.

If anyone has any questions or concerns, PLEASE call me!  I will do whatever I, or the board/chapter can to assist.

Thanks and regards,

Robert Redding

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MLB Umpire Camp

Texas Association of Sports Officials 

Want to be a professional Umpire? Join us for a one-day free Umpire Camp. MLBUC will be looking for SCHOLARSHIP CANDIDATES for the 2019 Pro Mini-Camp and 2020 Umpire School. More Information  Register Now

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A message for our 2020 Approved Umpires

A message for our 2020 Approved Umpires

All,

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On two occasions this season, I have witnessed a player, after getting a hit, break out an invisible gun and fire it into the air. 

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Do not let this continue to happen! If you see it, STOP IT, and address it immediately with the head coach of both teams. (If you want to mention it at the plate meeting, please do, that is what I will be doing, moving forward). 

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The action usually starts as a dance, then ends with the fake rifle/shotgun blast. The players see lots of MLB ballplayers do it.

If you have any questions, please let me know.

STRIKES AND OUTS!!!

Brent

Brush Country Chapter

Chapter Secretary

Good morning all,

Apologies to the folks who worked Border Olympics as you've already seen this...

As per TASO and UIL policies, anytime there is a significant event in a UIL-sanctioned sporting event, we must complete a UIL incident report on their website: https://www.uiltexas.org/machform/view.php?id=42

- As you can see from the drop down tab for "Type of Incident" here are a list of those events:

- Player ejection

- Coach ejection

- Fan ejection 

- Verbal abuse

- Early termination (Example:  Weather, lights go out, etc)

- Physical Contact

- Other ** This includes:  Serious injury to a player, coach and/or official.  Also includes restriction to the bench of a player or coach!

(NOTE:  We don't worry about targeting or illegal uniforms...those are for football).

As we've stated in the past, here are some keys to the report:

1.  Don't embellish!  Just the facts and leave any emotion out of it.

2.  Write EXACTLY what they said.  Don't say "The player used profanity."  Write just what they said, as you can see in the attached report.

3.  Please proof-read and spell check your material.

For reference and an example, I've attached a couple of incident reports, incl one for player ejection that occurred this last week during the Border Olympics.

IMPORTANT:  Do NOT submit an incident report via the UIL link until you've sent a draft of your report to the president, vice president and secretary, which is myself, Glenn and Brent, via email.

This is not so we can change the content...it is merely to proof-read what you've wrote so we can make sure it is grammatically and structurally correct.

Reason being is once you hit send on the UIL site, that report goes VFR-direct to the leadership of UIL and TASO.  No better way to make ourselves (both collectively and as individuals) look like idiots to both entities then to send a report with misspelled words, improper grammar/punctuation and run-on sentences.

If you have any questions about this, please call or email me.

Thanks and regards,

Robert Redding

President, Brush Country Baseball Chapter

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VIEW test questions & answers:

All,

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Hope the first day of scrimmages went well for everyone. If you weren't on the field yesterday, have fun today and enjoy!

A few items of interest: 

1) The Online Clinic is now available. - go to www.taso.org and follow the links.

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2) The Test is online until 18 February. DO NOT wait until the last minute. We have 34 members who are varsity eligible. We need everyone to be varsity qualified.

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3) Registration for this season will close on 11 Feb. If you know of someone who may be interested, please have the register at www.taso.org.

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4) If you haven't paid your dues yet, get with Raul and get it done. 

If you have any questions, please let me know.

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Brent Fountain

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STRIKES AND OUTS!!!

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Hey y'all,

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I wanted to wish you and your families a blessed & happy M⚾ther's Day‼

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Pick up the phone ... call M⚾M ... and bless her‼  

Is M⚾M next to you ... hug her ... and bless her‼

Is M⚾M sleeping ... then bless the LORD for her ... and thank Jesus for each day you had with M⚾M, Amen‼☺♥

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On a different note:  meeting tomorrow, Monday, May 11, 2020.

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Thank you & God Bless you in Christ Jesus, 

Joseph Christian Patrick Cruz 

Approved Representative

210-838-8888

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May 5, 2020, 11:38 AM

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My fellow Brush country umpires,

                I appreciate you allowing me to be your Vice-President.  I’ve enjoyed my time teaching the new members, planning and providing training during our membership meetings. This past year I put the chapter first and always looked out for the chapter’s best interest but now is the time I must look out for myself. I need to inform you that I’ve decided to hand in my resignation and ask for my transfer to San Antonio chapter. Being off the field during this pandemic has confirmed even more my love for the game of baseball, I realize sometimes we take for granted how important the game is to us. I challenged each of you to continue to work on the craft of umpiring by seaking to improve each and every year and find ways to give back to the game.  I have enjoyed the time on the baseball field with my baseball brothers and formed some friendships with some great people. I wish you all the best and hope we meet again on the field in the near future.

Michael Berryman

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May 3, 2020, 6:54 PM │ by Joseph Christian Patrick Cruz

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Hey Michael,

Thank you for your service, for all the great photos, leadership, & training, and God bless you brother-in-blue, plus all the blessings you do for umpires everywhere ... keep in touch, and Jesus loves you, keep loving Him back off & on the ball field in Spirit & His Truth‼

We love you, Mike ... Selah & Amen.

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Thank you & God Bless you in Christ Jesus, 

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Joseph Christian Cruz

5563 Crystal Valley

San Antonio, Texas 78242

210-838-8888 Direct

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TASO RULES QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

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Tried submitting through TASO site, but not enough words ... here is the play:

#1 - With no outs, R1 is running on the pitch. B1 flies out to F9. R1 has already passed second. After the catch, R1 misses second in his retreat to first. F9’s throw to first goes into the stands. R1 reaches first safely and is awarded third. He touches second and advances to third. The defense appeals.

#2 - Second question, what if the ball is NOT thrown into dead ball territory on the return to 1B, but still over thrown and the R1 legally touches 1B for a tag up & then advances safely to 2B or 3B. Time is called and defense now appeal R1 missed 2B after the catch by F9?  The ball is not dead at any point prior to being called safe at 2B or 3B and then time is asked for my a player or coach of either team?

#3 - Third question, what if the ball is NOT thrown into dead ball territory on the return to 1B, but still over thrown and the R1 legally touches 1B for a tag up & then attempts to 2B any gets caught in a hot box between 2B & 1B without ever re-touching 2B, THEN safely returns to 1B because the defense bobbled the ball on an attempted legal tag with no interference, nor obstruction.  Time is called and defense now appeals R1 missed 2B after the catch by F9? 

WWUTT are the rulings? 

Joseph Christian Patrick Cruz 

Approved Representative

210-838-8888

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Joseph,

I hope this finds you and all your family well.  I apologize that is such a late reply.  It got lost in my inbox; I have no excuses, so again, I apologize..

#1 - These three plays are under a situation called "Last Time By."  This is rule 8-2-6l, which in principle says that if a runner correctly touches a base that was missed the last time he was by the base, that last touch corrected any previous baserunning infraction.  There are some exceptions, but those do not apply in your plays.

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#2 - So, in 1 and 2: Because of "Last Time By" R1 corrected his previous miss and the defense has no appeal.

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#3 - In 3, he has not corrected his miss and the defense may legally appeal.

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I hope this helps. 

Kyle McNeely

979-446-5522

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Dear TASO Baseball Member,

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You have been invited to take part in the NFHS rules-writing process by taking the annual baseball rules questionnaire. This questionnaire is provided so the opinions of a national sampling of coaches and registered officials will be considered by the NFHS Baseball Rules Committee.

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THE QUESTIONNAIRE WILL CLOSE ON MAY 11, 2020. To participate in the questionnaire process, please follow the link below to the questionnaire menu and select your appropriate sport link to complete the rules questionnaire. You are NOT required to log in to take this questionnaire. We thank you in advance for your participation.

>>  http://www.nfhs.org/sports-resource-content/nfhs-sport-questionnaires/

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Questions of interest

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2020 NFHS Baseball Rules Questionnaire

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PART III – About the rules for 2021 – Would you favor:

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2. Allowing non-wood bats that have the ability to transmit data in game situations.

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5. Allowing the pitcher from the wind-up position to legally throw from the pitcher’s plate directly to an occupied base provided the pitcher steps toward the base and does not make movements associated with his wind-up pitch.

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6. Allowing a balk to remain as a live ball and allowing the offense the choice of the balk or result of the play.

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"What is the purpose of trying to change the game we love?"

Joseph Christian Patrick Cruz 

Approved Representative

210-838-8888

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LAST TIME BY

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PLAY

With no outs, R1 is running on the pitch. B1 flies out to F9. R1 has already passed second. After the catch, R1 misses second in his retreat to first. F9’s throw to first goes into the stands. R1 reaches first safely and is awarded third. He touches second and advances to third. The defense appeals.

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RULING

The appeal is denied. The base was touched “the last time by” (NFHS 8-2-6l).

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My Best

Michael Berryman

Vice President, Brush Country Baseball Chapter

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Good evening Fellow Brush Country Umpires, 

I have a few updates for everyone tonight....

1.  I am disappointed to relay the news that the remainder of all spring sports, to include baseball, have been cancelled for the remainder of the year. The announcement by UIL to that effect followed the executive order by Governor Abbott that Texas schools will remain closed for the 2019-2020 school year.

Here are the links to both the Governor's and UIL's announcements:
- Governor Abbott's latest executive orders, including the closure of schools for the remainder of the year:  
- UIL announcement concerning spring sports:  

In the grand scheme of things in these historic times, there is clearly much more at stake than sports.  But, sports is such a part of the fabric of our lives that, outside of the economy, it is my opinion that resuming sports will be one of the biggest factors in regaining a sense of normalcy.  And I feel for the seniors across the state who will not have the chance to finish out their last high school year in the sports they have invested so much in, and prepared to do so as a senior where so many will close out their interscholastic careers.
We will have more guidance in the days to come as far as how we will conduct end-of-season chapter business in light of all this.

2.  Related to the announcement above, I encourage all ACTIVE officials to review their individual circumstances and as you determine appropriate or not, apply for unemployment as provided for in the 2020 Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES ACT).  If you do, remember to apply as an independent contractor, as that is what we are...we do not have an employer, per se. This is not to say that all applications will be approved as individual circumstances, including other income, will apply and will be considered by the Employment Commission when determining eligibility.  If you have questions, please consult with one of the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) Solutions or Tele-Centers, which can be found here:  

Or, contact a legal professional with knowledge of the TWC and unemployment laws.


3. Regarding the merger, we received information from the TASO attorney regarding some of the issues under consideration as we move forward.  A big part of this is that we will need to have a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two chapters as a basis for the governance of the new chapter, IF the merger is approved. As we discussed at the meeting Monday, the talking paper that I have drafted based on discussions between Brush Country and San Antonio, inputs from our members, and input from TASO/TASO Baseball Board members is posted in Arbiter for your review.  I have sent it over to the San Antonio Board of Directors and they are in the process of reviewing it.  This talking paper will be the basis for the MOU we will develop in preparation for the vote.

To view it:
1. Log into Arbiter
2. Go to Lists
3. Go to Forms
4. Open "Merger Talking Paper"

As you review it, please note the disclaimer on the front page:  THIS IS ALL IN DRAFT FORM AND NOTHING IN THE PAPER IS ESTABLISHED AS FACT, BYLAW, NOR OFFICIAL GOVERNANCE! We value your input and thoughts...if you have something you'd like to add to the discussion, questions or concerns, please forward them to your Classification Directors.

Other items of significance from the TASO attorney:
- As outlined in the Texas Business Organizations Code, a vote will require 2/3 majority to pass.
- As we have intended from the beginning, the attorney recommends that both chapters dissolve and become one new chapter, not merge one into the other.  Again, that is applicable IF we vote in the affirmative.
- Another reason that would hinder an actual merge of the chapters is the fact that Brush Country is a 501(c)(3) and San Antonio is a 501(c)(6), and that has significance when it comes to the assets of each organization...a (c)(3) organization cannot transfer assets to a (c)(6) organization.

There is obviously more to follow on this issue...next step is to set up a telecon with TASO and San Antonio so we can address other questions that have arisen as a result of the latest information, as well as confirming the sequence of events that needs to happen. We will pass on any updates as we progress.


4. Rolling together points 1. and 3. from above, the board will come up with a new calendar of events to address the closing out of the 2020 season, and prepare for the off-season and the 2021 season.  I'm sure there are considerations none of us have previously mulled or discussed. We will get this published soonest. For now, please remember our next meetings are scheduled for 27 April... we will certainly have updates then.

If you have any questions or concerns, please forward them through your Classification Directors.


In closing, I pray and hope everyone remains safe and healthy, and that those financially affected by all this can find some relief. While the majority of us shelter at home with minimal outside activity, we have some members of our chapter who work in healthcare or public service and are literally on the frontlines of this battle risking their own lives to save others...please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.  With that, I also ask you continue to keep Jorge Madrigal and his wife in your thoughts and prayers that she may continue to recover.

Humbly and proud to serve/represent you,
Robert Redding
President, Brush Country Baseball Chapter
210-885-5128

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Governor suspends schools for the remainder of the

2019-2020 school year Texas Association of Sports Officials

At 11:45 a.m. today, April 17, 2020 Governor Abbott issues executive Order GA-16, which suspends the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year. GA-16 states, “In accordance with the Guidelines from the President and the CDC, schools shall remain temporarily closed to in-person classroom attendance by students and shall not recommence before the end of the 2019-2020 school year.”

The TASO Baseball, Soccer and Softball Boards of Directors will meet next week via remote video conference to discuss the impact this has on our members.

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Baseball Elections

Texas Association of Sports Officials
The date for the TASO Baseball Division intention to seek a Board position has passed and here are the members that declared are:
 

President ... Ed Nelson

District VIII Director ... No Candidate

Vice President ... Mike Judkins

District X Director ... No Candidate

District II Director ... No Candidate

District XII Director ... Gabriel Chavez,  David Wellman, & Mike Nehring

District IV Director ... *Robert Williamson & Frank Koch

District VI Director ... Javier Cantu

District XIV Director ... Nolan Berg

*Effective July 1, 2020, the College Station Chapter moves to District IV with the Austin Chapter

The election for the Districts IV and XII Directors will open May 4 and close May 18

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Hello Everyone,

    I hope all is doing well and staying safe during this crazy time. I wanted to get out a couple articles for eveyone to lookover and a couple videos to help you past the time. 

11 Hacks for Onfield umpires
https://www.referee.com/onfield-umpire-hacks/

Tips for when you struggle on the bases
https://www.referee.com/tips-for-when-you-struggle-on-the-bases/


Catch/No Catch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3zQkAO86yQ
 

TAngle/Untangle
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0EpsuzPFql8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bDwGujA2fM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42Z3DN6oQao

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Jim Murray,

Got cut off at the end. TASO has a 3-4 man presentation on your home screen. Takes about 2 or 3 hours. Do that or read the book. You can't cover everything in on on field session unless you prepared yourself by RTFM.

But you don't need a field.  The TAPPS championship crew last year used a vacant lot behind their hotel.  Am I right, Robert H., Joe R., Tomas R.? 

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Robert, 

I want to start of by telling everyone Happy Easter, Jesus has risen from the tomb. I would like to THANK GOD FOR SENDING HIS ONE AND ONLY SON TO BE SACRIFICED FOR OUR SINS. THANK YOU GOD, PRAISE JESUS FOR EVERYTHING HE HAS WASHED AWAY. 

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I appreciate you getting this to us....

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Regards,

Eric Owens

Registered Representative

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Hey to All, 

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As graciously given, "I want to start of by telling everyone Happy Easter, Jesus has risen from the tomb. I would like to THANK GOD FOR SENDING HIS ONE AND ONLY SON TO BE SACRIFICED FOR OUR SINS. THANK YOU GOD, PRAISE JESUS FOR EVERYTHING HE HAS WASHED AWAY." (E.Ow.)

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Baseball & Bible are two things we love. Just like scarlet RED laces that holds together a baseball, ... just like Rahab tied the scarlet RED cord outside of her window to save her family, ... SO does Jesusthe RISEN King hold together our blessed lives in A.D. (in the year of our Lord) 2020, this Resurrection Sunday‼

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God bless your families & you all, my baseball brothers & sisters in blue, ... for He is RISEN & He is returning SOON, Amen & Amen! 

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HERE IS THE STORY OF RAHAB & THE SCARLET-RED CORD

Joshua 2:15-24 The Promise to Rahab 15 Then she let them down by a rope through the window, for her house was on the city wall, so that she was living on the wall. 16 She said to them, “Go to the hill country, so that the pursuers will not happen upon you, and hide yourselves there for three days until the pursuers return. Then afterward you may go on your way.” 17 The men said to her, “We shall be free from this oath to you which you have made us swear, 18 unless, when we come into the land, you tie this cord of scarlet thread in the window through which you let us down, and gather to yourself into the house your father and your mother and your brothers and all your father’s household. 19 It shall come about that anyone who goes out of the doors of your house into the street, his blood shall be on his own head, and we shall be free; but anyone who is with you in the house, his blood shall be on our head if a hand is laid on him. 20 But if you tell this business of ours, then we shall be free from the oath which you have made us swear.” 21 She said, “According to your words, so be it.” So she sent them away, and they departed; and she tied the scarlet cord in the window.

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22 They departed and came to the hill country, and remained there for three days until the pursuers returned. Now the pursuers had sought them all along the road, but had not found them. 23 Then the two men returned and came down from the hill country and crossed over and came to Joshua the son of Nun, and they related to him all that had happened to them. 24 They said to Joshua, “Surely the Lord has given all the land into our hands; moreover, all the inhabitants of the land have melted away before us.”

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... Jericho is destroyed and Rahab & her household is saved...

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Joshua 6:22-26 Joshua said to the two men who had spied out the land, “Go into the harlot’s house and bring the woman and all she has out of there, as you have sworn to her.” 23 So the young men who were spies went in and brought out Rahab and her father and her mother and her brothers and all she had; they also brought out all her relatives and placed them outside the camp of Israel. 24 They burned the city with fire, and all that was in it. Only the silver and gold, and articles of bronze and iron, they put into the treasury of the house of the Lord. 25 However, Rahab the harlot and her father’s household and all she had, Joshua spared; and she has lived in the midst of Israel to this day, for she hid the messengers whom Joshua sent to spy out Jericho.

26 Then Joshua made them take an oath at that time, saying, “Cursed before the Lord is the man who rises up and builds this city Jericho; with the loss of his firstborn he shall lay its foundation, and with the loss of his youngest son he shall set up its gates.”

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...Rahab  marries Salmon and is part of the RED blood line of King David, the King Jesus Christ...

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Matthew 1:5-6 Salmon was the father of Boaz by Rahab, Boaz was the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse. 6 Jesse was the father of David the king. David was the father of Solomon by Bathsheba who had been the wife of Uriah.

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...God placed Rahab in the "Hall of Fa..., Faith"...

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Hebrews 11:31 By faith Rahab the harlot did not perish along with those who were disobedient, after she had welcomed the spies in peace.

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...and finally, as remembrance of the Gospel that saves...

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James 2:25-26 In the same way, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? 26 For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.

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"He is risen, ... indeed He is‼"

Joseph Christian Patrick Cruz

Approved Representative

210-838-8888

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With R1 on 1st, the hit-run is on, B1 hits a fly ball to the centerfield fence that is caught. R1 touches 2nd on the way to 3rd, but misses it on his return to first. F8’s throw to F3 goes into dead-ball territory. The base umpire properly awards 3rd to R1.

1. Since R1 touched 2nd at least once, it is considered a missed base.
   The award negates any appeal on the missed base.
   If R1 touches 2nd while proceeding on the award, an appeal on the missed base cannot be upheld -NFHS 8-2-6L
   R1 will be called out on proper appeal whether or not he touches 2nd while advancing on the award.

With R1 on first, left-handed B3 attempts to drag bunt. He foul tips the ball into the mitt of F2, who is attempting to throw behind R1. F2’s throw hits B3, who has exited the box on the drag bunt attempt and has both feet clearly out of the batter’s box.

1. Legal
   B3 is out for interference  -NFHS 7-3-5b
   Foul Ball

“Protection” of the fielder during a batted ball begins when:

1. He is positioning himself for the purpose of gloving the rapidly approaching ball.  NFHS 8-4-2g
   He has set his feet to field the ball
   He is extending his hands to glove the ball and the ball is almost there.
    The ball gets to him

With R2 on 3nd and 1 out, B1 singles as R2 attempts to score. F2 misses the tag on R2 as he slides and misses the plate. B1 tries for 2nd and is thrown out as F2 forgets about R2.

1. R2’s run counts unless it’s appealed.  NFHS 8-2-6d2
   R2’s missed base cannot be appealed after the subsequent play on B1
   R2 may not return and touch home after the subsequent play on B1
   R2 may return and touch home after he enters the dugout.

When obstruction Occurs, the immediate result is:

1. Always a delayed dead ball  NFHS 5-1-2b, 8-3-2
   Sometimes a delayed dead ball
   Never a delayed dead ball
   Always an immediate dead ball

 
B1 hits a foul fly near a chalked dead ball area. F5 steps across the line and leaps, making the catch with both feet in the air. F5 lands with both feet in the dead ball area.

1. B1 is out. -NFHS 2-9-1c
   Foul ball only
   B1 would be cut if F5 landed with at least one foot in live-ball territory
   B1would be out if F5 landed with both feet in live-ball territory

With no runners on base, B1 hits a high fly to short center. The wind-blown ball alludes F8 as B1 pulls into 2nd. B1 rounds 2nd, feints to third and is on his way back to second, when F8 fires the ball over F5’s head into the dugout. B1 is awarded:

1. Second (the base he was approaching)
   Third
   Home  -NFHS 8-3-3c2

With R1 on 1st and R2 on 2nd and none out, B1 hits a towering fly ball whichF4, standing in the baseline, settles under. Neither umpire declares the infield fly. F4 allows the ball, tags R1 and fires to 3rd for the tag on R2. B1 holds safely at 1st. After the play, the umpires confer and recognize it was an obvious infield fly.

1. B1 is out  -NFHS 2-19
   The play stands
   Triple play
   R1 & R2 return to 1st and 2nd, respectively

With R1 on 1st and R3 on 3rd and 1 out, the suicide squeeze is called and both runners break with the pitch. B1’s bunt, a pop up down the 1st baseline, is caught by F2, who then fires to 1st to double up R1. R3 crosses the plate as the ball is enroute to 1st.

1. The runs counts
   The run is cancelled
   The run is cancelled only on appeal  -NFHS 8-2-6, 9-1-1

With R2 on 2nd, B1 grounds to short. F6 chases R2 back toward 2nd, swipes at him and misses. F6 then makes an errant throw to 1st that goes into the dugout. At F6’s release, B1 had already touched 1st.

1. B1 is awarded 2nd
   B1 is awarded 3rd    -NFHS 8-3-3b
   R2 is awarded 3rd

B1 hits a screaming line drive to deep center. F8 makes a gallant effort, but the ball deflects of his glove and goes over fence in fair territory.

1. Home run  -NFHS 8-3-3a
   Three-base award for B1
   Two-base award for B1

R1 hits a soft liner to F6 who juggles the ball. The ball eventually ends up inside F6’s jersey as B1 hold at first.

1. B1 is out
   B1 is awarded 1 – NFHS 2-9-1, 8-3-3c        
   B1 is awarded 2nd

R1 is stealing when the umpire interferes with the catcher and the throw goes into center field. R1 tries for 3rd and is thrown out by F8.

1. The play stands
   R1 is returned to 2nd
   R1 is returned to 1st
   The ball remains live
   The ball is immediately dead
   The ball is delayed dead NFHS 5-1-2c, 8-3-6

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My Best

Michael Berryman

Vice President, Brush Country Baseball Chapter

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Good morning fellow Brush Country Umpires,

I hope this finds each of you doing well during these historic yet challenging times...most importantly, I truly hope each of you, your family members and loved ones remain safe and healthy!

As we have discussed, UIL and TAPPS have every intention of resuming the season and crowning a champion if at all possible.  With that, each chapter must submit it's list of top officials to UIL for consideration to be in the state tournament by this coming Friday ,10 April. 

In a previous email, I asked for each of you to submit what YOU believe to be the top 8 officials you believe will best represent us at the championship tournaments for both UIL and TAPPS.  When the chapter playoff committee meets this week to finalize our submission, we want to ensure, as a chapter, that we submit umpires from Brush Country who will best represent the chapter, each of us and officiating as a whole.  And I want to be clear that years of experience, while certainly a factor, does not automatically correlate to ranking.  And your voice/opinion matters!

We've received several submissions, but it's not even a 1/4 of the chapter.  So, I am going to extend the deadline for your submissions to this Tuesday, 7 April, by noon.

And I want to clarify...we are asking for you to submit a list of what you believe to be the top 8 officials in the chapter.  We are asking you to rank them, but you do NOT have to do that if you aren't comfortable with it...you can just submit them as a group.   And if you aren't comfortable with eight, then submit what you know...six, four, etc.

Please...make your opinion known as we want to incorporate the input of ALL officials since peer review and ranking can be most effective in determining who best to represent our chapter at the state tournaments.  

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Here is what I am requesting:
- Submit your list of officials via email to myself, Michael Berryman and Robert Hargrove...that way there is no question about what was submitted.
Robert Redding:  bigredbornagain@yahoo.com
Michael Berryman:  berrymanmichael@icloud.com
Robert Hargrove:  bobhargrove60@yahoo.com

- ALL submissions will be held confidential among the three of us, and will only be used as a weathervane of sorts in determining our list of officials to submit to the state tournament.
- If you have any questions or other concerns, please contact me via phone or email.

Finally...our next meeting will be next Monday, 13 April, same times....board meeting at 5:30, and general meeting at 6:30.  Due to ongoing city, county and state restrictions/orders, as well as health concerns, we will conduct this meeting via WebEx again....meeting details to follow in subsequent emails.

Thanks and best regards,
Robert Redding
President, Brush Country Chapter
210-885-5128

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April 3, 2020

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TO: TASO MEMBERS

This is a follow-up to the message sent to you earlier this week concerning the Corona-virus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). Since our last message, here are the actions that have taken place:

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• The TASO Legal Team continues to review the CARES Act to identify potential benefits available to our members.

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• The TASO Legislative Team has been working with the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) concerning the logistics in applying for benefits that may be available to independent contractor sports officials from the CARES Act.

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• I have had several conversations with my US Congressman Van Taylor’s office concerning the CARES Act benefits available for independent contractor sport officials.

Understand, the implementation of the CARES Act is still in the initial phases and procedures can change based on unforeseen implementation issues at both the federal and state level. Here is what we have been able to ascertain at this point:

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• First understand that not all sports officials will qualify based on individual circumstances, but that in itself should not deter you from applying

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• To start the process, you should apply for disaster unemployment benefits at the TWC website. Be patient, just connecting to compete the disaster unemployment application will be your first challenge. The TWC is experiencing the highest volume of web hits and phone calls in it’s history. Just last Friday, March 27, the TWC received 1.7 million calls, their previous high was 60,000. On that day there were more unemployment claims filed that the entire month of February

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• Once your claim is filed, most likely your claim will be denied based to normal unemployment rules, especially if you still have a non-officiating job

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• If your claim is denied based on the point above, your claim will then be reviewed to see if you qualify for CARES Act benefits

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IMPORTANT – Do not list TASO as your employer, as you are independent contractor -- not a TASO employee. Listing TASO as your employer will only delay your claim!

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Your TASO Team will continue to monitor these situations and keep TASO members updated as they evolve.

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Please continue to follow federal, state and local guidelines to slow the spread of this vicious virus.

Be Safe

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Hey y'all,

Our website has been updated to with lots of great videos too‼

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STRIKE ... THREE !!!

Joseph Christian Patrick Cruz

Approved Representative

210-838-8888

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With R1 on 1st, the hit-run is on, B1 hits a fly ball to the centerfield fence that is caught. R1 touches 2nd on the way to 3rd, but misses it on his return to first. F8’s throw to F3 goes into dead-ball territory. The base umpire properly awards 3rd to R1.

1. a. Since R1 touched 2nd at least once, it is considered a missed base.
   b. The award negates any appeal on the missed base.
   c. If R1 touches 2nd while proceeding on the award, an appeal on the missed base cannot be upheld
   d. R1 will be called out on proper appeal whether or not he touches 2nd while advancing on the award.

With R1 on first, left-handed B3 attempts to drag bunt. He foul tips the ball into the mitt of F2, who is attempting to throw behind R1. F2’s throw hits B3, who has exited the box on the drag bunt attempt and has both feet clearly out of the batter’s box.

1. a. Legal
   b. B3 is out for interference
   c. Foul Ball

“Protection” of the fielder during a batted ball begins when:

1. a. He is positioning himself for the purpose of gloving of gloving the rapidly approaching ball.
   b. He has set his feet to field the ball
   c. He is extending his hands to glove the ball and the ball is almost there.
   d. The ball gets to him

With R2 on 3nd and 1 out, B1 singles as R2 attempts to score. F2 misses the tag on R2 as he slides and misses the plate. B1 tries for 2nd and is thrown out as F2 forgets about R2.

1. a. R2’s run counts unless it’s appealed.
   b. R2’s missed base cannot be appealed after the subsequent play on B1
   c. R2 may not return and touch home after the subsequent play on B1
   d. R2 may return and touch home after he enters the dugout.

When obstruction Occurs, the immediate result is:

a. Always a delayed dead ball
b. Sometimes a delayed dead ball
c. Never a delayed dead ball

Always an immediate dead ballB1 hits a foul fly near a chalked dead ball area. F5 steps across the line and leaps, making the catch with both feet in the air. F5 lands with both feet in the dead ball area.
B1 is out

a. Foul ball only
b. B1 would be cut if F5 landed with at least one foot in live-ball territory
c. B1would be out if F5 landed with both feet in live-ball territory

With no runners on base, B1 hits a high fly to short center. The wind-blown ball alludes F8 as B1 pulls into 2nd. B1 rounds 2nd, feints to third and is on his way back to second, when F8 fires the ball over F5’s head into the dugout. B1 is awarded:

          a. Second (the base he was approaching)
          b. Third
          c. Home

With R1 on 1st and R2 on 2nd and none out, B1 hits a towering fly ball whichF4, standing in the baseline, settles under. Neither umpire declares the infield fly. F4 allows the ball, tags R1 and fires to 3rd for the tag on R2. B1 holds safely at 1st. After the play, the umpires confer and recognize it was an obvious infield fly.

1. a. B1 is out
   b. The play stands
   c. Triple play

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R1 & R2 return to 1st and 2nd, respectivelyWith R1 on 1st and R3 on 3rd and 1 out, the suicide squeeze is called and both runners break with the pitch. B1’s bunt, a pop up down the 1st baseline, is caught by F2, who then fires to 1st to double up R1. R3 crosses the plate as the ball is enroute to 1st.
     a. The runs counts
     b. The run is cancelled
     c. The run is cancelled only on appeal 

With R2 on 2nd, B1 grounds to short. F6 chases R2 back toward 2nd, swipes at him and misses. F6 then makes an errant throw to 1st that goes into the dugout. At F6’s release, B1 had already touched 1st.

                 a. B1 is awarded 2nd
                 b. B1 is awarded 3rd
                 c. R2 is awarded 3rd

B1 hits a screaming line drive to deep center. F8 makes a gallant effort, but the ball deflects of his glove and goes over fence in fair territory.
       a. Home run
       b.Three-base award for B1
       c.  Two-base award for B1

R1 hits a soft liner to F6 who juggles the ball. The ball eventually ends up inside F6’s jersey as B1 hold at first.

1. a. B1 is out
   b. B1 is awarded 1stB
   c. B1 is awarded 2nd
   
   R1 is stealing when the umpire interferes with the catcher and the throw goes into center field. R1 tries for 3rd and is thrown out by F8.The play stands

                 a. R1 is returned to 2nd
                 b. R1 is returned to 1st
                 c. The ball remains live
                 d. The ball is immediately dead
                 e.The ball is delayed dead
                 f. Three-base award for B1

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My Best

Michael Berryman

Vice President, Brush Country Baseball Chapter

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TO: TASO Baseball Members

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It goes without saying that the 2020 High School Baseball Season is one we will never forget. The suspension of games state-wide along with schools closing is unprecedented. Rest assured that the TASO Baseball Board of Directors and the TASO Staff continue to work for our members.

Last Thursday March 19, the TASO Baseball Board of Directors held a video conference board meeting. Here is a recap of that meeting:

• TASO Baseball Vice President – Mike Judkins was elected to fill the vacant Baseball Vice President position

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• UIL/TAPPS Update – As of now, all UIL activities are suspended until May 4, for TAPPS, the date is April 12. The TASO staff are in regular communication with both organizations

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• Baseball On-Line Clinic – The Baseball on-line clinic will close April 20. Remember, if you did not attend the 2020 Annual Meeting or a Regional Clinic, you must complete the on-line clinic to be eligible for play-off assignments. The on-line clinic can be accessed in your Member’s Portal. Even if you did attend the Annual Meeting or a Regional Clinic, the On-line is a great refresher before we go back to working games.

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• Mechanics for Crews of 3 and 4 Umpires – Completion of 3 and 4 Umpire Mechanics is also a requirement for any play-off assignments. In a normal year, this training is provided by you Chapter. Understanding that chapter meetings are currently not possible, TASO Baseball has created on-line video training modules. These are also available in your Member’s Portal.

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Your Baseball Board of Directors will continue to keep you updated as this very fluid situation continues to develop. If you have any questions or concerns, please send them to baseball@taso.org.

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Stay Safe!

Board of Directors
Baseball Division
Texas Association of Sports Officials

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With a runner on second, B1 swings at a pitch in the dirt and misses for strike three. B1 and B2 advance. F2’s throw hits B1, who is outside the running lane: B1 makes it to First. B1 is declared out and:

1. R2 remains at 3rd
   R2 must return to 2  NFHS 8-2-9, 8-4-2g
   If R2 was stealing 3rd, he could remain at 3rd
   The play stands

B1 hits a foul pop. As F2 positions himself to make the catch, B1 screams very loudly in F2’s ear. F2 drops the ball.

1. No problem, legal play
   The play stands, but B1 is warned
   B1 is out for interference   NFHS 2-21-1a
   B1 is out for interference only if the umpire determines B1 affected the play

In the 11th inning, how many conferences/visits would a coach have id he had not used any of his prior conferences?

1. 1  NFHS 3-4-1
   2
   3
   4
   More than 4

With runners on 1st and 3rd and 1 out, B1 homers. After R3 scores, he flagrantly and maliciously crashes into F2

1. R3 is ejected  NFHS 8-4-2e
   R3 and the head coach are both warned
   R3 is called out
   Cancel R3’s run

In the 1st inning, a coach has a conference with F1 at the mound. The coach starts to return to the dugout and makes it to approximately halfway between the mound and the foul line. The coach then begins to return to the mound.

1. Legal, F1 may remain in the game as pitcher  NFHS 3-4-3
   Legal, but F1 must leave the mound and may not return to pitch (he may remain in the game).
   Legal, but F1 must leave the game
   Not allowed; the umpire should stop the coach

Green starts the game to pitch with the bases loaded and 1 out. Before throwing a pitch, he picks off R2. Excluding an injury, Green:

1. May be replaced immediately
   Must remain in the game until another out is made
   Must pitch to the next batter until that at-bat is completed
   Must pitch until the inning is over
   None of the Above  NFHS 3-1-2

No conferences have been used by either team. The coach goes to the mound to visit his pitcher. After the coach crosses the foul line on the way to the dugout, a pinch hitter is announced. The defensive coach immediately heads back to the mound for another conference.

1. The visit is allowed, but the pitcher must be removed.
   The visit is allowed and the pitcher remains in the game. NFHS 3-4-1
   The pitcher may return as the pitcher later in the game.
   The coach is ejected if he returns to the mound

With the bases empty, B1 has 2-2 count when he swings and misses a pitch in the dirt. The ball rebounds of F2 and hits B1’s foot as he attempts to advance to 1st

1. B1 out for interference
   B1 is only out if he intentionally interferes NFHS  8-4-1a
   Once F2 deflects the ball, interference cannot be called
   Interference is called if B1 clearly hinders F2 in his attempt to field the ball.

B1 hits a fair ball down the right-field line. A spectator, believing it is a foul ball, picks it up.

1. The ball is delayed dead  NFHS 5-1-1g1
   T, an appeal he ball is immediately dead
   B1 must be awarded 2 bases from the time of the pitch
   B1 must be awarded 2 bases from the time of the interference

With R1 on 1st and 1 out, B1 swings and his bat hits F2’s glove. The ball bounces slowly to F3, who is able to tag B1 before he reaches 1st. Meanwhile, R1 tries to go all the way to 3rd. F3’s throw to F5 goes into dead-ball territory.

1. It is delayed dead ball when the bat hits F2’s glove.  NFHS 8-1-1e
   The ball immediately dead when the bat hits F2’s glove.
   The play stands because R1 advanced at least one base.
   The offense may elect to have B1 placed on 1st and R1 on third.
   
   Science of calling Balls and Strikes
   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUmMfewERLg

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My Best

Michael Berryman

Vice President, Brush Country Baseball Chapter

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Hello Fellow umpires,

    I hope everyone is doing well and avoiding the "Virus". The starting of week 2 of our time without baseball, if you're like me you're struggling to find things to keep you busy. My plans is to try to send out rules Quiz, training videos and other baseball related items to help you pass the time. My hopes is that they will extend the school year and we might be able to get back on the field in early May, but that might be wishfull thinking.
Tonight I'm sending you a rules quiz for you to take with your  answer  reference  the specific rule in the NFHS rules book. I'll respond with answers this Friday.
I'll be including a video training on "Obstruction, Interfernence or Nothing"for you to ponder over.
My plan is to send you a Referee magazine article on Wednesday. If there is a question or something you would like me to research to find a video, plese shoot me an email.
 

My Best

Michael Berryman

Vice President, Brush Country Baseball Chapter

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Obstruction, Interference or Nothing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aP_da2sAx78

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QUIZ
1. With a runner on second, B1 swings at a pitch in the dirt and misses for strike three. B1 and B2 advance. F2’s throw hits B1, who is outside the running lane: B1 makes it to First. B1 is declared out and:

1. a. R2 remains at 3rd
   b. R2 must return to 2nd
   c. If R2 was stealing 3rd, he could remain at 3rd
   d. The play stands

2. B1 hits a foul pop. As F2 positions himself to make the catch, B1 screams very loudly in F2’s ear. F2 drops the ball.

1. a. No problem, legal play
   b. The play stands, but B1 is warned
   c. B1 is out for interference
   d. B1 is out for interference only if the umpire determines B1 affected the play

3. In the 11th inning, how many conferences/visits would a coach have id he had not used any of his prior conferences?

1. a. 1
   b. 2
   c. 3
   d. 4
   e. More than 4

4. With runners on 1st and 3rd and 1 out, B1 homers. After R3 scores, he flagrantly and maliciously crashes into F2

1. a.R3 is ejected
   b .R3 and the head coach are both warned
   c. R3 is called out
   d. Cancel R3’s run

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5. In the 1st inning, a coach has a conference with F1 at the mound. The coach starts to return to the dugout and makes it to approximately halfway between the mound and the foul line. The coach then begins to return to the mound.

1. a. Legal, F1 may remain in the game as pitcher
   b. Legal, but F1 must leave the mound and may not return to pitch (he may remain in the game).
   c. Legal, but F1 must leave the game
   d. Not allowed; the umpire should stop the coach

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6. Green starts the game to pitch with the bases loaded and 1 out. Before throwing a pitch, he picks off R2. Excluding an injury, Green:

1. a. May be replaced immediately
   b. Must remain in the game until another out is made
   c. Must pitch to the next batter until that at-bat is completed
   d. Must pitch until the inning is over
   e. None of the Above

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7. No conferences have been used by either team. The coach goes to the mound to visit his pitcher. After the coach crosses the foul line on the way to the dugout, a pinch hitter is announced. The defensive coach immediately heads back to the mound for another conference.

1. a. The visit is allowed, but the pitcher must be removed.
   b. The visit is allowed and the pitcher remains in the game.
   c. The pitcher may return as the pitcher later in the game.
   d. The coach is ejected if he returns to the mound  
   
   8. With the bases empty, B1 has 2-2 count when he swings and misses a pitch in the dirt. The ball rebounds of F2 and hits B1’s foot as he attempts to advance to 1st
   a. B1 out for interference
   b. B1 is only out if he intentionally interferes
   c. Once F2 deflects the ball, interference cannot be called
   d. Interference is called if B1 clearly hinders F2 in his attempt to field the ball.
   
   9. B1 hits a fair ball down the right-field line. A spectator, believing it is a foul ball, picks it up.

1. a. The ball is delayed dead
   b. The ball is dead immediately
   c.  B1 must be awarded 2 bases from the time of the pitch
   d. B1 must be awarded 2 bases from the time of the interference
   
   10. With R1 on 1st and 1 out, B1 swings and his bat hits F2’s glove. The ball bounces slowly to F3, who is able to tag B1 before he reaches 1st. Meanwhile, R1 tries to go all the way to 3rd. F3’s throw to F5 goes into dead-ball territory.

1. a. It is delayed dead ball when the bat hits F2’s glove.
   b. The ball immediately dead when the bat hits F2’s glove.
   c. The play stands because R1 advanced at least one base.
   d. The offense may elect to have B1 placed on 1st and R1 on third.

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My Best

Michael Berryman

Vice President, Brush Country Baseball Chapter

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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AUSTIN — The University Interscholastic League (UIL) is extending its suspension of all UIL sanctioned activities due to the outbreak of COVID-19 in Texas. All contests, practices, rehearsals and workouts will remain suspended until further notice.  

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At this time, the earliest games and contests may resume is Monday, May 4th. Prior to this date, the UIL will allow its member schools a reasonable acclimatization period for rehearsals and practices to occur. All decisions remain flexible and will be consistent with the advice of local, state and federal officials. 

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“We are working diligently on contingency plans to conduct state championships in each of the activities that have been suspended,” said UIL Executive Director Dr. Charles Breithaupt. “While the immediate future is unclear, we are committed to providing these much-desired activities to all Texas students and will prepare for all possible outcomes, including extended school closures.” 

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The UIL will continue to provide timely, ongoing updates and is reassessing this ever-changing situation daily. Please continue to check the UIL website  and social media accounts for further updates. 

https://www.uiltexas.org/press-releases/detail/uil-announces-extended-suspension-of-all-uil-activities

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Fellow Brush Country Umpires,

UIL announced this afternoon that they are suspeding all UIL-contests until 4 May.

Here is the link to UIL's announcement (copy and paste into your web browser):
https://www.uiltexas.org/press-releases/detail/uil-announces-extended-suspension-of-all-uil-activities

This is an extenstion to the original date of 29 March, and please note this also includes practices, so we will not have the ability to participate in those as previously discussed.

As of today, TAPPS still has their contests suspended until 12 April.

First and foremost, please keep yourself and those immediately around you healthy with appropriate precautions.  There are many sources of information out there to help you be and stay prepared.  

Here is Texas' website for starters:  https://www.dshs.state.tx.us/coronavirus/

With that, this is NOT necessarily the end of the season!

If you read UIL's statement, they fully intend on conducting state championships, and given that there was still alot of season left when the games were suspended, I foresee that there will be some kind of abbreviated season.

So...don't hang up your gear just yet, and most importantly, please keep yourself in condition to resume games, both mentally and physically. 

Please study and take advantage of any opportunities to stay in shape.

We will still have our regular scheduled chapter meetings, though they will be conducted via Webex..dates are below.  For the dates that indicate 3-/4-umpire training, I am awaiting guidance from TASO on how to proceed with that training/certification:

- 30 March
- 13 April (3-/4-umpire training scheduled.  First round of nominations for President, Sergeant-At-Arms, Treasurer, and all Classification Directors)
- 20 April (Optional meeting, but 3-/4-umpire training is scheduled)
- 27 April (3-/4-umpire training scheduled.  Second round of nominations for President, Sergeant-At-Arms, Treasurer, and all Classification Directors)
- 11 May (End-of-season meeting, Elections)

Additionally, I plan on having a meeting with the board tomorrow to discuss other training/currency options, to include Webex meetings during the off-weeks to discuss plays, rules and mechanics for all umpires.  TASO is having a meeting with the State Baseball Board of Directors this evening and I'm sure there will be more to follow from that.
I will be sure to keep everyone posted of the latest developments.

If you have any questions, please submit them through your Classification Rep:
- Certified:  Jonathan Goff and Jorge Madrigal
- Approved:  Joseph Cruz and Xcaret Ramirez
- Registered:  Eric Owens and Scott Hickman (this includes all new officials)

Stay healthy and thanks for your support/patience,
Robert Redding
President, Brush Country Baseball Chapter
210-885-5128

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Check out the latest rule updates and book postings by clicking picture.

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You will find pictures of the rule book, case book, and examples of IMPORTANT game situations, Amen‼☺
 

“Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.  Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

Work in wisdom toward the game, making the best use of the time.  Let your speech always be understanding, seasoned with knowledge so that you may know how you ought to answer each partner, coach, player, parent, and administrator.”

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God bless you in Christ,

Joseph Cruz

Approved Representative

210-838-8888

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Good morning Brush Country Umpires,

As expected, there were some major developments since my email yesterday. 
In case you didn't get the TASO-generated emails, here is the latest news:

1. TAPPS has suspended all interscholastic competition through April 12th.  We have just one TAPPS school (St Augustine) and they two games they had scheduled have been cancelled.

 - If it is deemed safe on 12 April to resume participation, TAPPS will develop a plan for championship competitiion, with consideration for restraints of scheduling and facilities.

2.  The UIL has suspended all UIL-sanctioned contests until 29 March.  UIL will provide further updates in the coming days as to whether games will resume on 30 March, or continue the suspension.

Rest assured, both UIL and TAPPS have every intention of resuming the current baseball season, current situation permitting. 

We do not know how the season will play out, how many games will be played, if they will extend the season, how playoffs are determined, etc.  Again, please be patient and look for updates via email or phone calls.

We are in the process of cancelling all games in Arbiter through 29 March...if you are assigned to any games, you will receive cancellation emails from Arbiter.

Given that we have settled into our baseball season rhythm and finally have our game legs, it will be easy to lose that focus and shape without continual time on the field.  I encourage and implore each of you to study your rulebook and mechanics manual, at least 30 minutes each day.  Get together where/if you can, or even by phone and utilize study groups.

And find some way to keep your legs in shape for when we resume the season...I suspect there will be ALOT of ball games to cover and we won't have time to ramp up like we do with scrimmages! Please keep yourself healthy and ready!

One important note:  Schools are allowed the discretion of continuing to practice...if you desire, you are welcome to contact the head coaches to see if you can attend their practice for some plate opportunities, such as when they do inter-squad work.  Please make sure the head coach approves this, and let your classification reps know if you do.

We will still have our chapter meeting this coming Monday, 16 March, even if we end up doing it completely via WebEx.  More to follow, but same times apply...E-board meeting will be at 5:30 pm, and General Meeting will be at 6:30 pm.

If we receive any further updates, I will be sure to send them out immediately.  If you have any questions or concerns, please let me or any member of the executive board know and we will do our best to get answers.

Thanks in advance for your patience and support!

Humbly yours,
Robert Redding
President, Brush Country Baseball Chapter
210-885-5128

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From: TASO Baseball Rules Interpreter

To: TASO Baseball Umpire Membership

Subject: Baseball Weekly Bulletin 20-5
Link to Printable Copy

Several questions have come up this past week, so let’s get to it.

1. Louisville 33” Metta bat: Thanks to all who have worked to make this de-certification goes as well as it has. One question has been asked several times, so for clarity: the Metta 33” is decertified; the Metta Power 33” is legal for use.

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2. Head Coach & the Pregame Conference: We know that the head coach, by rule, must attend the pregame conference, if available. If the head coach is not at the field, maybe held up in traffic, etc., another coach must represent the team at the pregame conference. When the head coach does show up, there are no restrictions to the coach and he may resume his head coaching responsibilities. If the head coach is at the field, but for what ever reason choses not to attend the pregame conference, he is restricted to the bench for the remainder of the game. He is, however, still the head coach in all the appropriate duties and responsibilities, even though he is restricted.

3. Pitcher’s Hat: Most of us may have had the game where the pitcher is wearing a hat that does not fit him. If the hat comes off during delivery and the pitcher stops, it is an illegal pitch (balk if runners are on base). If the hat comes off and the pitcher continues his delivery and legally delivers the pitch, we have no issue. However, if the hat continually comes off during his delivery, the pitcher will need to find a hat that stays on his head if he is to continue to pitch. Otherwise, if this were to continue, the hat coming off frequently would constitute a distraction to the batters.

4. Intentional Base On Balls: For years, high school has allowed a defensive coach to request that a batter be given an intentional base on balls. This decision may be made as the batter comes to bat or on any ball and strike count on him. The catcher or coach must be the ones to request the plate umpire to award the batter first base. When the award is to made, the ball is declared dead prior to making the award. None of this is new news, but there was a game lately that necessitated asking some additional questions for this rule. 

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SITUATION: With runners on second and third, the defensive coach thought he would intentionally walk the batter to set up a bases loaded situation for his defense. With the ball already dead, he asked the umpire to put the batter on which the umpire did. Before the ball was next made live, the defensive coach, realizing the next batter was 14-15 against his pitching, asked to undo the intentional walk and put that batter back to bat. The umpire complied which led to spirited discussions, on-field and off, about this rule. Two major questions were brought up:

1) Can an intentional walk be requested and given with the ball dead or does the ball need to be in play?

2) At what point does the intentional base on balls be considered nonrevocable. 

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1) An intentional walk may be requested and granted with the ball dead. The ball does not need to be in play for the request to be made and accepted. Also, multiple batters may be requested to be given an intentional base on balls at the same time or closely to the same time without the ball being live.

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2) A coach may change his mind and rescind his request to intentionally put a batter on base until the ball is next made live. When the request is made, if the ball was not already dead, the ball is declared dead for the award. The coach may change his mind up to the point when the plate umpire next puts the ball in play.

PLAYS FROM LAST WEEK:

1) With the third baseman playing back behind third base, there is one out with runners at third and second. The runner on third has taken a slight lead off from third base in foul territory. The batter hits a sharp ground ball that hits third base and caroms into foul territory where it hits the runner. The ball bounces a sufficient distance, allowing both runners to score. As everyone maintains silence allowing the umpires to make the proper ruling (yeah, right) the umpires should rule:

a. Foul ball, add a strike to the batter’s count.

b. The ball is dead, the runner is out since the batted ball had not passed an infielder. Award the batter first base.

c. The ball is dead, award all runners one base and the batter first base.

d. The ball is live, what happens in the play happens.

e. Rule whatever ends the game faster.

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RULING: The answer is D. Casebook Play 5.1.1 Situation N: With R3 at third and F5 playing deep, B2 hits a ball that caroms off the base into foul territory where it touches R3. RULING: A runner who is hit by a batted ball in foul territory is not out and the ball remains live. The only exception to that ruling would be if the runner intentionally moved so that he was hit by the batted ball. In that case, it would be ruled interference, the ball would be dead and the runner would be out.

2) A batting out of order play that happened last week: The visiting team is batting in the top of the third inning up 9-0. The bases are loaded with one out. At this point, the batting order that is important to the play is: #8 George; #9 Bill; #1 Tom; and #2 Ray. George is scheduled to hit but Bill comes up instead. Bill hits a line drive to the first baseman who catches the ball and steps on first base for a double play. The defensive coach remains silent as he just got out of the inning. It is now the top of the fourth inning and George comes to bat. George hits a double and is standing on second base when the defensive coach immediately comes out and appeals the batting order. The umpiring crew checks their lineup, agrees with the home coach and declare George out, remove him from second base, and has Bill come to bat with one out. The defensive home coach is happy, the offensive visiting coach knows his team batted out of order so he says nothing, and the stands applaud the umpires for at least once getting a play correct.  Did the umpires get their ruling right?

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RULING: No, unfortunately they did not. It is somewhat easy to understand why.  Had the defensive coach appealed, they would have called George out as the proper batter and Bill would have come to bat. But with no appeal and the inning ending, when the infielders left the diamond, Bill’s at bat became legal, meaning Tom should have led off the top of the fourth inning. Tom should have been declared out with Ray next coming to bat. Batting out of order can be difficult to sort through. All the intended help from the dugouts, scorekeepers, fans and self-declared rules experts seldom make the dilemma easier to sort.

This Week’s Play: With a runner on third attempting to steal home, the pitch bounces off the plate, hits the catcher’s chest protector and rebounds back in front of the plate in a nice soft high arc. The batter, seeing the ball back in front of the plate, hits the ball for a soft fly that falls just past the second baseman. As the dust settles and the umpires are thinking this doesn’t look right, the defensive coach is at home plate arguing batter interference. The offensive coach, not to be out done, comes and argues that since the ball was still technically a pitch, the batter has the right to hit it. The stands are strangely quiet. The umpires’ minds are racing. What should they rule?

That’s it for this week. Please continue to send me any questions, situations, plays or issues you may have.

Kyle McNeely

979-446-5522

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Brush Country umpires,

As I'm sure you are all aware, the developments surrounding the Coronavirus are happening fast.

Other then the suspension of the boys state basketball tournament in San Antonio this weekend, there has been NO other news or guidance from UIL, or TASO.

Some districts are developing their own courses of action, and I will be sure to update everybody as soon as I receive information.

As it stands now, here are the ONLY cancellations/updates of which I've been notified:

1.  Laredo ISD will complete all games TODAY, but the remainder of the LISD Hardball Tournament games scheduled for Friday and Saturday are cancelled.

2.  All Laredo ISD and Laredo United ISD JV games tomorrow, Saturday and next week are cancelled.

3.  Knippa has cancelled their game tomorrow.  Coach King will call me by this weekend to advise of what they will do next week.

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That is all I have for now.  I have a call in to TASO to see if they have anything.
Please be patient...if you hear something, please call or text me to verify.  Do NOT pass on unverified rumors, please...there is already enough consternation and false information being circulated.
it a coach or AD provides you information or has questions, please have them call me.

As far as individual concerns about working games, please call or email me if you have specific questions.  I do NOT have all the answers but I will do my best to find an answer, or at least point you to where you need to go.  And I am attempting to get guidance from UIL and TASO.

i know some college conferences have told their umpires not to shake hands (all current research finds that Coronavirus is spread via contact only).  I will support this if this is your decision...please notify the coaches of this when you call or arrive at the field.
I am not aware of any other rules/procedures being changed or recommended as far as handling baseballs, lineup cards, etc.

Otherwise, I recommend you keep alcohol-based hand sanitizer with you and use it as you see fit, and wash your hands often.

Once we get further information, I will convene a board meeting to discuss options/way ahead.

To facilitate the flow of information, in addition to email, we will utilize the classification reps to conduct phone roster calls for important updates.

Again, please be patient and watch Arbiter and email if you have games coming up.  And make sure you contact the coach not just 24-48 hours out, but ALSO before you depart for the field as this is all changing and developing quickly.

More to follow...
 

Thank you for your patience and support!

Robert Redding 
President, Brush Country Chapter
210-885-5128

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Hello Fellow Umpires,

     I'm sorry I have not sent any updates in the first two weeks. In talking to other umpires and observing some games I wanted to cover some mechanic issues. In working 2man mechanics it's important that we have a good pre-game talk to make sure you both are on the same page. In covering all potential plays it's important to follow proper 2man mechanics which is designed to minimize coverage issues.

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• * With no runners on it’s U1 responsibility to take batter runner all the way to 3rd. I have a bad habit myself of moving toward 3rd as a plate umpire, Plate umpires need to stay home for potential over throw and potential play at home.

• 
  * Only time U1 will cover home plate is when they go out on fly ball.

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  * In working B position or C too many people work way to deep which inhibits you getting an angel on plays at 1st and 3rd.

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  With runners on 1st and 3rd, we have options to work in B or C but it has been brought to my attention that TASO will change next year we need to be in B. The reasoning is that we’re used to working in B for steals and double plays and we don’t have a good angel from C on these 2 plays.

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  * With runners on 3rd, 2nd & 3rd and bases loaded you need to be in the C position, there is not an option to work in B.

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  * Runners on 1st & 3rd and a base hit it’s Plate umpire responsibility to move up line for runner from 1st coming to 3rd. As you’re moving up the line you have to turn head to see runner from 3rd touch home.

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   * When the infielders are play in for potential play at plate we need to be deeper than fielder to prevent us from impeding the fielder as he charges the ball.

• 
   * I have noticed that we seem to be in hurry to calling the infield fly, you should want until at least the fly has reached its peak. Remember an infield does not have to been in the infield it can be in the outfield with normal effort is the key to location of the fly. Remember we’re dealing with teenagers and this rule is in place to prevent fielders from allowing a fly to drop and getting multiple outs.

• 
  * Plate umpires you need to be moving out of the dirt circle: Flyballs with no runner on base, ground ball to infield with no runners to potentially help with swipe tag and pulled foot, potential double play balls because you have force play slide rule responsibilities at 2nd, and situations when you need to cover third. Coaches will notice your hustle!

• 
  * Lastly we need to keep our head on a swivel in watching touches of bases or tag ups.

If you have any questions, please feel free to give me a call.
Michael Berryman
210-415-1092

Great article on How to improve your view of the play:  https://www.referee.com/how-to-improve-your-view-of-the-play/

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From: TASO Baseball Rules Interpreter

To: TASO Baseball Umpire Membership

Subject: Baseball Weekly Bulletin 20-4

The first week of play is in the books. I hope all went smooth and you enjoyed your games. From the lack of feedback this week, it looks like it might have been a great week one. Despite the absence of issues and questions, we do have a couple of important things to talk.

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1. Louisville Slugger 2020 33” Meta Composite Bat is De-Certified – This Louisville Slugger Bat, the 33” inch Composite Meta Model, has been de-certified by both the NFHS and NCAA. This 33” inch only model ("blue") is now an illegal bat with the appropriate penalty by rule in affect. For this week at least, please mention this to your coaches at the plate conference so they have the opportunity to talk to their players and have the bat pulled if someone has it. Remember, a batter is out if he enters the batter’s box with an illegal bat (even if the ball is dead at the time, the batter is still out). He is out if he is discovered to have used an illegal bat. If the infraction is discovered before the next pitch following the turn at bat of the payer who used an illegal bat, the defense may take the penalty (batter out and runners return) or the result of the play. The ball is dead and the head coach is restricted to the bench for the remainder of the game. On a subsequent violation for entering the batter’s box or using an illegal bat, the penalty is applied and the head coach shall be ejected.

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2. An Enthusiastic Athletic Director – In last week’s bulletin, there was an error, an omission of a tiny word which changed the meaning of the discussion. The sentence in question should read: “The AD and head coach should be 'warned' that individuals from the stands, or dugout for that matter, cannot come out and congratulate a player while running the bases.” Thanks much to all who called, texted, or emailed to let me know of the word “not” omission. I was glad so many of you read it and caught it. My apologies to all.

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Play from Last Bulletin: The starting pitcher has begun to tire and needs to be replaced. The substitute pitcher the coach really wants in the game is not yet ready so the coach brings in a different pitcher. After taking his eight warm-ups, the coach has the next batter be intentionally walked. The desired substitute pitcher is now ready to come in so the coach makes that substitution. The offensive coach is adamantly confident that this is not legal. As the stands engage in a friendly and spirited debate, what should the plate umpire do? Ruling: This is legal. Despite not having thrown a pitch (other than his eight warm-ups) the pitcher has faced the required one batter. The offense may legally substitute for him.

For Next Week, let’s ponder these two plays:

1) With the third baseman playing back behind third base, there is one out with runners at third and second. The runner on third has taken a slight lead off from third base in foul territory. The batter hits a sharp ground ball that hits third base and caroms into foul territory where it hits the runner. The ball bounces a sufficient distance, allowing both runners to score. As everyone maintains silence allowing the umpires to make the proper ruling (yeah, right) the umpires should rule:

a. Foul ball, add a strike to the batter’s count.

b. The ball is dead, the runner is out since the batted ball had not passed an infielder. Award the batter first base.

c. The ball is dead, award all runners one base and the batter first base.

d. The ball is live, what happens in the play happens.

e. Rule whatever ends the game faster.

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2) A batting out of order play that happened last week: The visiting team is batting in the top of the third inning up 9-0. The bases are loaded with one out. At this point, the batting order that is important to the play is: #8 George; #9 Bill; #1 Tom; and #2 Ray. George is scheduled to hit but Bill comes up instead. Bill hits a line drive to the first baseman who catches the ball and steps on first base for a double play. The defensive coach remains silent as he just got out of the inning. It is now the top of the fourth inning and George comes to bat. George hits a double and is standing on second base when the defensive coach immediately comes out and appeals the batting order. The umpiring crew checks their lineup, agrees with the home coach and declare George out, remove him from second base, and has Bill come to bat with one out. The defensive home coach is happy, the offensive visiting coach knows his team batted out of order so he says nothing, and the stands applaud the umpires for at least once getting a play correct. Did the umpires get their ruling right?

That’s it for this week. Please continue to send me any questions, situations, plays or issues you may have.

Click Here for a Printable Copy
 

Kyle

979-446-5522

Jkyle1974@aol.com

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AGENDA

NOTICE OF MEMBERSHIP MEETING
Brush Country Umpires

A meeting of the Membership of Brush Country Umpires will be held on the 4th day of March 2020 at 6:30 p.m. (E-Board to meet at 5:30 p.m.) at the Pleasanton Civic Center, 115 N. Main Street, Pleasanton, Texas, at which time the following will be discussed, considered or action taken:

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 Call to Order
 Invocation
 Financial Report (Treasurer)
 Membership (Secretary)

o Meeting attendance/test and clinic results

 New Member Update (Vice President)
 Training (President/Vice President)

o Latest POE
o Game situations?
o Pay/mileage overview

 Old Business (President)

o Appointment of Joseph Cruz as Approved Representative

 New Business (President)

o Nominations for Sergeant-at-Arms
o TASO Baseball updates
o Game scheduling

o Other

 Adjourn

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An executive (closed) meeting may be held anytime during the
public (open) meeting to consider matters of the sort described
in Chapter 551, Subchapter D, Texas Government Code (The Texas
Open Meetings Act).

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Respectfully,

Robert E Hargrove III

Secretary

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Fellow Brush Country Umpires,

Over the last few days and through this evening, primarily due to basketball playoffs we have had several schools change games they had originally scheduled on Tuesday, 3 March to today (Monday, 1 March).  Unfortunately, due to the large number of umpires we need to cover these games, we will not be able to hold the board meeting (no quorum), nor will we have enough people available for the general meeting.

So, this week's meeting has been rescheduled to Wednesday, 4 March, same time.  I will be confirming availability of the Pleasanton Civic Center..update to follow.

Please note again:  Due to all the games scheduled for today, this week's meeting will be held this Wednesday, 4 March...board meeting at 5:30 pm, and general meeting at 6:30 pm.

With that, we still have a couple of slots open...if you are available for games this evening, please let me know ASAP.

On a separate note, I want to thank EVERYBODY who worked in any of the four tournaments we had going on this last week...in Laredo (Border Olympics), Charlotte, Floresville and Jourdanton!

That is 146 total games between the four tournaments, and two regular season games thrown in the mix.

I received several compliments from both coaches and tournament staff from each tournament, yet received only one major complaint and it did not involve a Brush Country umpire!!

I don't remember the first week of tournaments ever running as smooth as they did this year!  And that is full testament to each of you who worked these games and/or provided administrative help to make them a success.  I can't begin to tell you how proud I am about how all of you who stepped up to ensure the games and tournaments were so well supported...again, a sincere thank you to each of you!

Respectfully and in appreciation,
 

Robert Redding
President, Brush Country Chapter
210-885-5128

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Brush Country Umpires,

As with last year, Stockdale HS is hosting the intercollegiate club baseball games this season, and has invited us to officiate these great games.  These teams are comprised of students who are certainly capable of playing college ball; however, for whatever reason don't play on the actual NCAA squad at their respective schools.    It is a great opportunity to work some advanced baseball on a weekend, and further develop your skills while making extra cash, which is how they pay.

Pay is $10 per inning, so for the double-headers that are 7 innings each, that is $140.  Single 9-inning game is $90.  No travel or meal pay, but again, they pay in cash.
NCAA rules (which we will send out to those who work these games)

The first games are this weekend:

Saturday, 29 Feb (doubleheader, each game 7 innings)
11:00 am - UTSA v Univ of Texas
1:00 pm - Univ of Texas v. UTSA
Sunday, 1 March (single game, 9 innings)
12:00 pm - UTSA v Univ of Texas

Here is the remaining schedule:

Saturday, 28 March (doubleheader, each game 7 innings)
11:00 am - UTSA v Texas State
1:00 pm - Texas State v. UTSA
Sunday, 29 March (single game, 9 innings)
12:00 pm - UTSA v Texas State

Sunday, 5 April (single game, 9 innings)
12:00 pm - Univ of Texas v Texas State

Sunday, 19 April (single game, 9 innings)
12:00 pm - Texas A&M v Texas State

If you are interested in working these games, please call or email me and I will get you assigned (they are in Arbiter)
I've include the President and Assigner for San Antonio...Brush Country umpires get priority, but glad to open this opportunity to them if we don't have the availability.

Thanks for all you do for the Chapter!

Robert Redding
President, Brush Country Chapter
bigredbornagain@yahoo.com
210-885-5128

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From: TASO Baseball Rules Interpreter

To: TASO Baseball Umpire Membership

Subject: Baseball Weekly Bulletin 20-3

It’s the last week of scrimmages and games begin next week. So, by the rules of the baseball gods, the weather turns cold and wet. Almost predictable. I hope your scrimmages have gone well and that you are ready for the start of the 2020 high school baseball season. It may not be the best weather to start, but soon enough we will not be happy with the heat. A few things that have come up over the past week:

1) Shorts – In one scrimmage last week, one of the teams was cutting their pants to shorts level or tucking them up around the knee. The question arose if that is legal. Yes, it is. The NFHS, for now, does not specify the length of the uniform pants. I cannot help but wonder, after a few games of sliding on some of the rough infields we have in the state, if the cut off portion gets sewn back on. Umpires – no shorts please.

2) Play Lists – This past week we have had a number of questions about play lists on players in high school. The NFHS rule and position on these play lists have not changed. The play lists are allowed, but must be worn on the arm or placed in a pocket. Having them on a belt is NOT legal for high school. The pitcher may wear a play list on his glove arm but it cannot be white or gray or judged to be distracting by the plate umpire (bright or neon colors or even multi-colors would likely be judged to be distracting). The information portion cannot create a glare or a reflection. Most pitchers that are wearing them have the information covered by a flap secured with Velcro. If the play list is judged to be distracting, then the player must remove the arm band and put the list in their pocket if they wish to continue to use it.

3) Pitch Speed Display – A team has a radar gun set up in the stands behind home plate. This is no issue at all, definitely legal. There is a display set up in the home dugout only, that will display the pitch speed for a pitcher, both home and opponent. This is not legal. The team may display the pitch speeds provided both teams have equal access to view them. That could be done with a display on an outfield fence or having displays in both dugouts. Otherwise, the display would need to be turned off in the home dugout. Additionally, team players or coaches may not be working the radar gun in the bleachers if they are in team uniform.

4) An Enthusiastic Athletic Director – During a game last week, a player hit a three-run home run. The third base coach patted the batter-runner on the back as he trotted by (which is okay and is not coach assistance). The Athletic Director, very enthusiastically, came onto the field from where he was sitting in the stands and “high-fived” the batter-runner as well. (The word on the street is that the player may have been related). The plate umpire, very emphatically, called the batter-runner out for “spectator interference,” thus beginning a lengthy and emotional discussion. This is not spectator interference. No out should be called. The AD and head coach should be “warned” that individuals from the stands, or dugout for that matter, can come out and congratulate a player while running the bases. But this action is not such that a run should be negated.

5) Pitcher’s Motion in the Set Position – In the link (Click Here), you will see a pitcher’s motion from the set position. Some have deemed this motion illegal and therefore a balk. However, the NFHS have ruled that, while unusual, this motion is legal. If the pitcher were to touch the ground with the non-pivot foot in this motion, it would be illegal. Also, if at any time in this leg motion, the non-pivot leg moves to home, the pitcher has committed to pitch. Pitching never fails to be an interesting part of the game.

Play From Last Bulletin - The second baseman’s name is Brown and he is wearing jersey number #24. However, the coach lists him on the lineup as Brown wearing jersey number #4. After reaching base in the third inning, the defensive coach appeals to the home plate umpire that Brown is batting out of order. As the expert parent in the stands offers advice and your base partner becomes totally engrossed with the condition of the soil in the infield, you decide to do what? RULING: While Brown is in TECHNICAL violation of the rule that requires a player’s name, number and position be on the lineup card, there is NO PENALTY, since the batting out of order rule requires only the NAME be in the proper order. So, in this situation, just make the correction on the card and continue the game.

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Next Week’s Play – The starting pitcher has begun to tire and needs to be replaced. The substitute pitcher the coach really wants in the game is not yet ready so the coach brings in a different pitcher. After taking his eight warm-ups, the coach has the next batter be intentionally walked. The desired substitute pitcher is now ready to come in so the coach makes that substitution. The defensive coach is adamantly confident that this is not legal. As the stands engage in a friendly and spirited debate, what should the plate umpire do?

That’s it for this week. Please continue to send me any questions, situations, plays or issues you may have.

Kyle

979-446-5522

Jkyle1974@aol.com

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Good morning Brush Country Umpires,

Yesterday we closed out our scrimmage games, and I want to thank ALL umpires who worked any number of scrimmage games this pre-season!

Some may say they are only scrimmage games; however, they are our first interface with the coaches and many times will set the tone for the season.  Given the fact we have 12 new head coaches, it's important we give them a good first impression and confidence in the chapter's ability to support their schedules, as well as confidence in OUR ability on the field.  With that, these games are also our opportunity to get the rust off, establish a game rhythm, learn the rules and new mechanics, and just plain get our game legs ready for the season.   

Traditionally, the chapter has had the expectation to cover three scrimmages; however, we wouldn't have been able to cover all of our scrimmages at that number.  With that, I want to pass on special thanks to all those who went above and beyond in supporting scrimmage games this year.

Breaking it down, I first want to recognize those umpires who supported the most scrimmages, and I've put an asterisk next to the names of our new umpires, who have really stepped up as a group to support the chapter and prepare themselves for the season:
Michael Berryman - 10
* Jorge Rendon - 10
Jim Murray - 9
Brent Fountain - 8
* Jeff Niemietz - 8
Robert Hargove - 7
Scott Hickman - 7
Sergio Macias - 7
Joe Ramon - 7
Joseph Cruz - 6
Luis Martinez - 6
Eric Owens - 6
Tomas Rodriguez - 6
Cordero Torres - 6
Chris Villareal - 6
* Mike Villareal - 6

Next, I want to recognize the umpires who supported more than the informal three scrimmage tally:
Mark Garrison - 5
Andrew Garza - 5
Jonathan Goff - 5
* Ruben Gonzalez - 5
* Art Phillips - 5
* Tim Pimental - 5
Toro Hernandez - 4
* Abe Kumaus - 4
* Servando Ramirez - 4
Xcaret Ramirez - 4
* Jesus Sanchez - 4

Again, take a look at the number of new umpires who are on those lists...that is impressive!
And I want to throw out an honorable mention to Scott Leggitt and Scott Hickman...
Scott Leggitt drove from Waco, straight to Pettus to support a scrimmage there.  Scott Hickman filled in last notice on a couple of scrimmages, including the final scrimmage yesterday, as well as worked the plate for the entirety of a 5 hour scrimmage!

We supported 89 scrimmages (19 others were cancelled), and there were several scrimmages that ran longer than three hours, and many more combined with a JV scrimmage to make for a 5+ hour scrimmage, some times covered by only two umpires.
But your hard work paid off...I received several calls and emails from coaches thanking us for not only supporting their scrimmages, but the great job you guys did, and not even one major complaint!!  Two of our new coaches talked to me for over 20 minutes each, all with good things to say about the work you did.

I'll say it once more:  Thank you to ALL umpires who worked scrimmages!  You have set yourself and the chapter up for a successful season.  

As we get ready to start the regular season tomorrow, remember that you must have the test completed today!!!!

Please note:  You must have the state test completed by today with a score of 80 or better. The test is located in your member portal when you log into it on TASO.org.

If you have any questions, need assistance or any other questions, don't hesitate to call either your classification rep, or one of the board members...we will ALL be glad to assist.


Some notes as we roll into the first day of the season:

1.  For this next week and those working games on Monday, you should be contacting the head coach today to confirm time and location, if you haven't already.  Next, make sure you coordinate with your partner regarding uniform, travel, meeting time, etc. 
Remember to text, email and/or call the coaches for EVERY game you work at least 24 hours out, preferably 48 hours.

2.  Study up on your lineup card procedures and substitutions...that is one area we don't get to work during scrimmages.  Remember the new DH rule and how it applies.  Keep in mind that when the coach uses the new DH option, and the pitcher or catcher is the one DH'ing/playing defense, they can NOT have a courtesy runner...their role as the DH takes precedence over their defensive position.

3.  Dress appropriately for travel to the game, and at least for meeting the coaches, i.e - no shorts, flip-flops, etc.  We prefer you wear slacks/nice jeans and a chapter polo shirt.  Try to arrive an hour before the game and conduct a thorough pre-game with your partner.  Remember to give the blue card and lineup card to the home team head coach when you arrive at the field!

4.  Keep your plate meetings short.  If your plate meeting is taking longer than 2 minutes, then its too long.

REMEMBER THE BASICS:

- Plate umpire should already have baseballs before going to the plate.  As a courtesy, base umpire takes plate umpire's brush and cleans home plate.

- Prior to taking the lineup card from the visiting coach, ask him to confirm it while asking if all subs are listed.  Once he's done, present it to the home team coach so he can confirm it, also asking if all subs are listed.

- Once both have confirmed it, take the lineup card and let them know the lineup is final.  Confirm your pitcher, catcher and any DH for both teams.

- Confirm with the home team coach any special pre-game procedures, such as announcing lineups and/or national anthem.  IMPORTANT:  Identify who the game administrator is and where they are located.  Remember that per UIL policy, there must be a game administrator on site for all varsity games, and recommended for JV.  Note the admin name and position in the notes section of your lineup card.

- Have the home team coach go over the ground rules.  Make sure the visiting team coach, as well as you and your partner understand them and especially that they don't violate the rule book.

- Remind the coaches about jewelry (this is NOT a warning) and good sportsmanship.

- Ask them if they have any questions...if not, you're done!  Shake their hands, and you and your partner get ready.

Folks, this is high school baseball, so don't lecture them and don't admonish them about arguing balls and strikes.  And please don't go over the spiel about calling time and going to the umpire who made the call, etc, etc...most all of them already know it, and whether they do or don't, they're NOT going to remember what you told them in the heat of the game.  Trust me, they will appreciate all that and respect you more for it.

5.  Once the plate meeting is over, use that time to get into game mode.  Base umpire should hustle to first base and get timing down with throws to first/watch the pitcher.   Plate umpire should introduce himself to the catcher, get his name, then watch three warmup pitches from the left, three from the right, and on that 6th pitch, let the catcher and on-deck batter know there are two more pitches.  Again...high school ball, so don't yell it to the pitcher and the dugouts.  Just come up, take your mask off, tell the catcher two more pitches, turn to the on-deck batter and signal two more with your hand.  Simple.

6.  Try to employ preventative officiating whenever possible.  During warm-up pitches is a great time to identify problems with the pitcher...let him or the coach know.  Anything you can identify to the coach before the game starts means one less headache during the game.  And if you do have to bang it during the game, they have no excuse as they already knew.

7.  Make sure to use your hand signals to communicate with your partner.  Keeps you both in the game and ensures you each know what to do/stay ahead of the game.

8.  If something unusual happens, and especially if you have to file a UIL incident report, or have a suspended game, please be sure to call the president, Robert Redding, and the secretary, Robert Hargrove.  If no answer, leave a VM!

9.  If you have a game scheduling issue or concern, please immediately notify one of the assignment committee members:
Robert Redding
Michael Berryman
Jim Murray

10.  Be safe in your travels, and most of all.....HAVE FUN!  

We get the incredible opportunity to have the best seats in the house for this great game, and to directly influence all these student-athletes by setting a good example as the third team out there.  Remember someone is always watching us.

Thank you for all that you do to support each other, this chapter, umpiring and this game of baseball...it is an honor and a privilege to represent you and to be able to work with you, on and off the field.  Let's start off the regular season in the same exemplary manner we supported the scrimmages.

Humbly and respectfully,
Robert Redding
President, Brush Country Baseball Chapter

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TEST QUESTIONS OF NOTICE:

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1. QUESTION:  R1 on 1st with two outs. B4 is at bat with a 3-2 count. R1 is moving on the pitch as B4 fouls the next pitch off. R1 returns to 1st and takes his lead. With the pitcher on the rubber and the catcher in his box, the pitcher attempts to pick off R1. The ball gets by F3 and rolls down the fence line. R1 goes to 3rd. The plate umpire had his hand up giving the 'Do Not Pitch' signal because the batter was not in the box.

   • ANSWER:  "Due to the umpire having his hand up giving the 'Do not pitch', the ball is still dead. R1 returns to 1st."

2. .QUESTION: If a pitcher is ambidextrous,:

   • ANSWER: he can face each individual batter either right-handed or left-handed, but not both.

3. QUESTION:  B6 bats in the top of the 4th with one out and doubles. B7 follows B6 and after F1 has delivered a pitch the defensive coach requests time, and correctly informs you that B5 should have batted instead of B6.

   • ANSWER: F1 has delivered a pitch and it is too late to appeal. B7 follows B6 in the order, he is now the proper batter.

4. QUESTION: B7 steps out of the batter’s box as the pitcher begins to deliver the ball. If the pitcher delivers the ball:

   • ANSWER: ​the ball remains live and the batter is charged with a strike.

5. QUESTION: ..When batting-out-of-order is properly appealed and the improper batter has reached base, the umpire shall declare:

   • ANSWER: he proper batter out. The improper batter is removed from base, and all other runners return to the base they occupied at the time-of-the-pitch, unless they were out as a result of the improper batter’s actions.

6. QUESTION: R1 on 1st gets a great jump on the pitcher and is sliding into 2nd when B2 swings and misses the pitch for strike three. B2's follow-through strikes the catcher.

   • ANSWER: "B2 is declared out due to striking out, and due to B2's interference R1 is returned to 1st. If, in the umpire's judgment, R1 could have been thrown out, he could be declared out also.

7. QUESTION: With R1 on first, B4’s swing is obstructed by the catcher. The ball goes into right field where it falls for a hit. The batter-runner reaches first safely. R1 reaches second but fails to touch the base and is tagged out trying to return to the base.

   • ANSWER: The catcher's obstruction of the batter is ignored if the BR reaches 1st and all other runners advance at least one base. A runner is considered to have advanced safely to a base, even if he missed it.

8. QUESTION: An appeal at the end of the game must be made:

   • ANSWER: With at least one umpire left on the field.

9. QUESTION: R2 on 2nd with two outs when B5 hits a single to right field. R2 advances to home but does not touch the plate. B5 is thrown out trying to stretch his single into a double. The defense then properly appeals R2’s missed base.

   • ANSWER: The defense is given the option of taking B5's out at 2nd, for the 3rd out, or taking the appeal of R2's missing home plate for the 3rd out, thus negating his score.

10. QUESTION: R1 is on 1st taking his lead. F1 attempts to pick him off. F3 completely blocks the base without the ball giving R1 no access to the base.

    • ANSWER: This is obstruction and R1 is awarded 2nd.

11. QUESTION: The base umpire does not have the authority to:

    • ANSWER: To forfeit a game.

12. QUESTION: A long fly ball hit down the left field line is declared 'foul' by the plate umpire. Realizing that he has made a mistake and the ball went over the fence in fair territory, the plate umpire:

    • ANSWER: can reverse his call and declare the ball a home run.

13. QUESTION: Team A’s catcher, Johnson, is pinch-hit for by S1. S1 gets a hit, and the coach of Team A re-enters his catcher, Johnson, for S1. He then wants to courtesy run for him.

    • ANSWER: With Johnson re-entered the coach can now use a courtesy runner for him because he is the catcher of record.​

14. QUESTION: The BBCOR certification mark shall be a rectangle, a minimum of 1 inch on each side and be located on the barrel of the bat in any contrasting color and read 'BBCOR .50.'

    • ANSWER: TRUE

15. QUESTION: Time of the pitch for the set position occurs:

    • ANSWER: the instant the pitcher comes to a discernible stop, and he then starts any movement with his arm/s and/or leg/s that commits him to pitch.

16. QUESTION: In the windup position when the pitcher has his glove hand in front of his body and his pitching hand at his side, the 'time of the pitch' occurs;

    • ANSWER: after bringing his hands together, first starts any movement of his arms(s) or leg(s) prior to the pitch.

17. QUESTION: Williams is the pitcher/DH. In the second inning, he comes to bat and gets a single. The coach now requests that a courtesy runner replace him on base.

    • ANSWER: This is not permissible. When Williams came to bat his status is that of the DH, not a pitcher. Therefore, he cannot by rule have a CR replace him on the bases.

18. QUESTION: Defensive charged conferences, if unused during the first 7 innings of the game,;

    • ANSWER: do not accumulate and cannot be used during extra innings.

19. QUESTION: Team A, the home team, has a 10 run lead in the bottom of the 4th when it begins to rain. In order to end the inning and get to the top of the 5th, team A’s coach orders his players to step on the plate as they touch a pitched ball in order to get quick outs.

    • ANSWER: If team A players continue this tactic, after being warned by the umpire to cease, the game can be forfeited to the visiting team.

20. QUESTION: The home team wishes to use the player/DH option while the visiting team wants to a 10th starting player as the DH for the 2nd baseman.

    • ANSWER: This legal. Both teams have the option of not using the DH or using the standard DH or the player/DH. They do not have to be the same.\

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THANKS AGAIN,

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Joseph Cruz

Approved Rep & Webmaster

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The Chapter sincerely thanks you for stepping up today in Pettus!!

Safe travels, have fun, God bless you, AND ... PLAYBALL‼☺

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Joseph Cruz

Approved Representative

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The season is less than than four days away. I know a lot of guys still have not gotten their cards, so send me an email if you need cards and I'll try to set up a place to meet.

My Best

Michael Berryman

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VIDEO:  

It was a true celebration at the Mount Pilgrim Baptist Church on this Sunday as the congregation held a special service to honor Black History Month.

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Unlike other presentations, which normally highlight national figures, the Mount Pilgrim Baptist Church told the story of five African Americans who have made an impact in the Coastal Bend community.

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One of the five recognized is Anthony Ford, the first African American President of the TASO Football South Texas Chapter.

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Hi Everyone,

     I hope everyone is doing well, staying dry and warm today. Our scrimmage season is winding down and hope everyone is ready for the season to start on Monday.  I need a couple of umpires for a JV & Varsity scrimmage for this Saturday 1pm at Carrizo Springs, remember we can chharge mileage and Carrizo Springs is $70. If you can help me out please email or send me a text at 210-415-1092

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Thanks

Michael Berryman

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For many decades, umpires approached plays at the plate using the first-base line extended method, commonly referred to as 1BX. Plate umpires stand at an imaginary line that would extend the first-base foul line into foul territory past home plate.About 20 years ago, a new technique emerged called third-base line extended known as 3BX. This is the opposite position from 1BX with plate umpires standing on an imaginary line from the third-base foul line.

The gradual change in this practice recently produced a new tactic called, “The Wedge.”
The 1BX and 3BX positions have been commonly taught as places to stand and watch. The Wedge, however, is all about movement and putting umpires in a position to see the play completely and correctly.

A key difference between The Wedge and the 1BX-3BX methods is that the home plate umpire is keying off the catcher’s movements to gain a good position to see the play. Using 1BX and 3BX, umpires use the flight of the ball. It is a new mindset.

 Here is a link for a video on the specifics of working the wedge.

• https://video.search.yahoo.com/search/video?fr=mcafee&p=Why+Working+the+wedge+on+plays+at+home+plate+is+the+best#id=1&vid=4ddbfcb9e2c29fc1b177cfff5eb929e4&action=click

Here is a couple of videos of plays with the Wedge being used:

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pG4_lyNeHk

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRhjam33stM

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Park outside right center field fence by practice field.  Go thru gate and walk along RF fence to north side of new field house.

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Jim Murray

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Good morning fellow Brush Country umpires,

I attempted to send this same email yesterday and appears only a few people received it, so resending and I apologize for the late notice.
Due to the scrimmages we have scheduled Monday, 17 Feb, as well as the rest of the week, we have moved this week's meeting to today, 16 Feb.  Times are the same...5:30 and 6:30.

We were reluctant to move it to a Sunday since this is usually a family and/or down day for most, but this week's schedule and the impending start of the season next Monday, left us little choice.
Because of that, we are encouraging everyone to log in or call in on the WebEx on-line conference that will be set up today for the meeting...information to join the meeting will he sent later.

If you'd like to join us in person, we will be meeting in a different place.
Meeting location is:
Coldwell Banker D'Ann Harper Realty Office
7523 N SH 1604 Loop W Frontage Rd
San Antonio, TX  78249
(Located on the north access road of 1604 on NW part of town, between Babcock and Kyle Seal Parkway) 

Again, executive board meeting will start today at 5:30 pm, general meeting will start at 6:30 pm.  We will keep this one short, less than an hour.

Please contact your classification representative of you will have a conflict. 

Thanks and regards,
Robert Redding 
President, Brush Country Baseball Chapter

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If you weren’t there ….. here is what you missed. If you were there …. here is a look back.

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Hello Fellow umpires,

    We're heading into scrimmages this week I wanted to remind everyone about your responsibilities during this time. As I mentioned in my last email it's very important for everyone to make your partner and designate someone to make contact with the coach.
**Why is partner calls so important, nothing worse than you to show up to a site and cannot find your partner or your partner is a no-showing, the calls will minimize this situation. If you're unable to get a response from your partner please call Robert or Myself.
**Why is it important to make contact with the coach of home team concerning your game, days like today is one reason it gives the coach a point of contact in the event the game is cancelled and to make sure nothing has changed for the game.

How we should handle our scrimmages? Take as many scrimmages as you can. The chapter will greatly appreciate your dedication to the chapter.
** Show  up on at least 30-35 minutes prior to game time and stay for the whole scrimmage, you're responsible to being there 3 hours or until game ends if earlier and if they go over please send an email to Chuck, Robert or myself, because we'll charge the schools an extra fee.

*** Scrimmage are a time to get yourself ready for the regular season; Make time to do a good pregame with all your partners ,

      Only work 2-man mechanics because this is what will be doing for the next 3 months. My plan to try schedule live games to work on 3 & 4 man mechanics prior to the playoffs.
      See as many pitches a possible and work on your timing (which will help you with consistency of calls). 

      When working the bases concentrate on positioning and getting the best angle possible on all plays.(get as much distance as the play will allow, Stop get Set to make the call.(Timing is very important here as well)             Give your partners honest feedback and be receptive to feedback given to you, you're here to get better!
I really appreciate those that have gone above and beyond by taking so many scrimmages! 

Another reminder that will a big help when we assign you games.

Go into arbiter to confirm and set your blocks: 
     -Set your mileage blocks ( mileage is determined from your home address)     
     -Block dates that you cannot work.
     -Block time during the day your cannot work, do not assume all games during the week start after regular school hours. They will schedule early game: for tournaments the first 2-3 weeks of season, school holidays and spring break.
     -Block schools you do not want to work( system will only allow 3)

I have had numerous umpires text or email that they were schedule but they cannot work due work or whatever but they have not set their blocks in Arbiter.  This is so frustrating to reschedule when it could have been done right the first time.

Please take a few minutes to do this and help us out when we schedule. If your unsure on how to set blocks give me a call.
Thanks

Michael Berryman
Vice-President 
Brush Country Umpires
210-415-1092

I have include a link with another article that I hope will help you become a better umpire.

4 Habits of successful officials

https://www.referee.com/4-habits-successful-officials/

From: TASO Baseball Rules Interpreter

To: TASO Baseball Umpire Membership

Subject: Baseball Weekly Bulletin 20-2

The first week of scrimmages for the 2020 Texas Baseball Season is in the books. I hope they all went well and were productive for the teams and yourself. It is good to knock the dust off, see some live pitches, and close plays on the bases. A few items have come up this week, so let’s talk about them.

1) NOCSAE LOGO: The NOCSAE logo that is shown in the rulebook on page 10 is not the logo that is on the baseballs. That logo will look like this:

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The NFHS logo may be on the other side of the ball. Manufacturer to manufacturer, there seems to be some inconsistency as to the placement. Please accept these balls; this is a legal NOCSAE stamp.
 

2) TAPPS POLICY TO COMPLIANT BASEBALLS: From TAPPS - TAPPS supports the changes for baseballs and body/chest protectors for all levels of high school competition. Please ensure that all baseballs have the appropriate stamps including the NFHS and the NOCSAE statements. TAPPS schools’ requirements for catchers' protective gear has also changed. TAPPS supports these safety changes for all levels of high school competition. While it is expected that all games use the compliant baseball, TAPPS also stated that if the teams did not have the compliant baseballs, the game is to be played and a game report is to be submitted. The body/chest protectors are to be worn in all levels of play.

3) PHONE APP: There is a phone app that can be purchased on the market claiming to help a team steal and decipher their opponent’s signs. One takes pictures via the phone camera and the app will tell the team what the sign just said; “Steal; bunt; take; hit and run; etc.” This App is not legal for game play.  When an umpire knows that a team is using the app, the coach should be warned and discontinue the use of the app. A second violation would restrict the coach to the bench. 

4) WIRELESS/BLUE TOOTH COMMUNICATION WITH THE CATCHER: Some teams are using wireless or blue tooth communication from the coach to the catcher. The catcher’s device is either in the helmet or in the catcher’s ear. This technology is not legal for game play in high school. The rules committee will review this and make a determination after the season. For now, the use of these communication devices is illegal. When an umpire knows that a team is using these devices, the coach is to be warned and the use stopped. A second violation would restrict the coach to the bench. This is considered to be illegal equipment.  

5) NFHS APPROVED RULINGS: On the same Baseball Page, the 2020 NFHS Baseball Approved Rulings have been posted. Approved Rulings are official play rulings for situations. Please take some time and look them over.  

PLAY: Let’s start with one that should get us thinking. The second baseman’s name is Brown and he is wearing jersey number #24. However, the coach lists him on the lineup as Brown wearing jersey number #4. After reaching base in the third inning, the defensive coach appeals to the home plate umpire that Brown is batting out of order. As the expert parent in the stands offers advice and your base partner becomes totally engrossed with the condition of the soil in the infield, you decide to do what?

That’s it for this week. Please send me any questions, situations, plays or issues you may have.

Kyle

979-446-5522

Jkyle1974@aol.com

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LISD requires a vendor pack for new officials, W9 and COI. They are available on Brush Country website. Also LISD will now mail all checks. If you have a W9 with them that has an old address submit a new one with the correct address. 

Umpire change room is now at the new field house near the right field corner. Parking is in main lot and access through the main gate and a (long) walk to the field house. I'm calling there Saturday and will check if we can negotiate a shortcut.

Jim Murray

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*Hello Fellow Umpires,

      The season starts this coming in 2 days, if you have not got your equipment out to check it's condition tonight would be a good night. I want to remind everyone of what we need to do 2-3 days prior to our games to make sure we have no issues and everyone is on the same page.

*48-72 hours prior to game- contact your partner/partners to verify what uniforms to bring, who be working what position during the game/games,  can we meet to rider together, what time you'll meet at game site (30 minutes minimum, suggested 45 minutes) and where you'll park at game site. Discuss who will contact coach to confirm game details?
*24-48 hours prior to game- contact coach to confirm game details and let him know when you both will be arriving.

*Game day Dress nice for your arrival to the game (minimum Nice jeans and polo shirt), remember you'll be meeting coaches in your travel cloths> First chance to make a go impression

*30-45 minutes prior to game- Once both umpires arrive go to home coach to left him know you're here and confirm details of game start.

*Back getting dressed for game: do your partner pregame talk about mechanics, signs and handling situations. Make sure you look the part of an umpires:clean pressed pants, clean shirt and polished shoes.

*Walk on the field looking and acting the part, this will go along way with coaches, they';ll notice how you look and act as you walk on the field. (Confident but not arrogant)

If you were unable to attend the meeting Monday to get Line Up cards, Blue cards and Laminated card with 2-man pregame one side and New DH rule summary other side, here is where i'll be working scrimmages and if you're not working a in area stop by to get these cards. For the Laredo umpires i'm sending these to Jim Murray and hopefully will arrive prior to weekend.

Feb 8th Noon Jourdanton
Feb 10th 4:30pm Hondo
Feb 12th 6pm Jourdanton
Feb 15th 5pm Crystal City
Feb 18th 5pm Eaglepass
Feb 19th 5pm Charlotte

I'm linking an article that should be of importance early in the season: "Timing is Everything". As we get back in the grove of umpiring is very important and will help us to be more consistent in our calls.

https://www.referee.com/timing-is-everything/

I hope your excited about getting the season started like me, It's like you're a kid waiting for Christmas, at least that is how I feel.

I hope you all have a Wonderful enjoyable season!

My Best 
Michael Berryman
Vice President 
Brush Country Umpires

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Good afternoon fellow Brush Country Umpires,

Join me in congratulating Frank Lopez as he will be working 1st Base for the 6A State Championship game on Saturday, 4 p.m. at Dell Diamond.

This marks the third year that Brush Country is represented in the State Tournament and we are proud that Frank has been selected to represent the chapter, culminating the year with the last game of the tournament and season. 

If you can make the time, please join us Saturday to support Frank at Dell Diamond in the continuing and rich heritage of Texas high school baseball, of which we all play an important part.

Respectfully,
Robert Redding
President

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TO: BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL CHAPTER MEMBERS

There may be some confusion and misunderstanding concerning travel reimbursement for play-off games. We have received many calls and the two main areas of questions are:

1. Play-0ff travel reimbursement is the same as the regular season

2. If the game site is greater than 120 miles from your chapter center point, the portal-to-portal distance is based on the driver’s home address, not the chapter center point

A short video explaining how to determine the correct travel reimbursement can be viewed HERE.

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Texas Association of Sports Officials,

At the UIL Sports Officials Committee (SOC) meeting on Monday, April 22, 2019, TASO submitted a game/match fee increase for all six TASO sports. The increase generally asked for a $10 increase for varsity assignments and a $5 increase for sub-varsity. For sub-varsity basketball games, the TASO proposal broke out the game fees based on length of quarters.

As there are more junior high schools each year adding baseball and softball teams, a junior high fee schedule with a time limit was also added. The SOC will vote on the proposal at their fall meeting and if approved will be presented to the UIL Legislative Council at their October meeting.

If approved by the Legislative Council, the increase will be effective for the 2020-2021 school year. 

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Baseball Video Rules Poll No. 2

 TASO Baseball has published a Rules Primer Video Poll #2. The 2-minute poll will show a video clip of a play and let you select the correct answer and then show how others voted. To take the poll, click HERE. 

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Hello Lady and Gents!

First of all, I want to thank you for your faith in me to lead this group into next season! Miss Ramirez and I will be your liaisons to answer any questions you have and to propose any bylaw changes that you may want to bring up. Please remember this Chapter is run by it's membership and the elected board can only work within the bylaws and regulations of the our chapter and the state. If you have any issues with ANYTHING please contact me or Miss Ramirez and we can bring it to the board for discussion and ultimately to the membership for vote. 

One of the biggest issues this year was meeting attendance! Everyone on this email has now been with the chapter for at least 2 years. We are the future of this chapter and if there's no participation at the meetings then our future cannot be united and strong. We understand that not everyone can drive a long distance for an hour meeting, however we have to scratch our heads when we provide a webinar system and all you have to do is log in and yet very few do. Attendance is key to any organization and it gives the wrong impression to rookie officials who are seeing this chapter for the first time. Lastly, attendance is a big part of your qualification for a playoff run. Don't let an hour every other week keep you off the playoff list.

So, where do we go from here? 

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1. Please take care of unfinished business with the chapter. 

2. Pay your game fees to Glenn Poppe ($2 per game). 

3. If you need new equipment for next year call some of the guys who are retiring this year.

4. Work on your game this summer:

• Game management

• Become comfortable in your own skin

• Don't let outside noise influence your game

• Be consistent behind the plate

• Looking the part is half the battle, take pride

While you're out on the ball fields this summer remember to promote our chapter. If you work with someone looking for a home have them get in touch with me or send them to our website for more information. 

www.brushcountryumpires.org/become-an-umpire
 

I want to recognize Miss Ramirez on her accomplishment with MLB. She was awarded a full ride scholarship to the MLB Camp this winter! Congratulations and we all can't wait to hear how it goes!

Don't forget there is plenty of information on our website. BTW, I want to give thanks to Joseph Cruz for the awesome job he's done creating and maintaining the site!

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THANKS JOE!

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Thanks again for your support and I wish everyone a great summer!!

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Charles Marquardt

Approved Representative

210-215-1511

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Brush Country Umpires,

It is with great pride I share the news that our very own Xcaret Ramirez from Laredo, who attended the MLB One-Day Clinic on 27 April in Dallas, was one of a few umpires selected to receive a MLB scholarship to attend the MLB Professional Mini-Camp in Ft. Myers, FL, in December. 

If selected from this camp, her scholarship will also allow her to attend the Minor League Baseball Training Academy's Professional Course, at the Jackie Robinson Training Institute, 5 Jan - 2 Feb, 2020.  This is the first, and major step to becoming a professional MiLB/MLB umpire.

Please take a minute to pass on congratulations to Xcaret!

Best Regards,
Robert Redding
President

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Gentlemen,

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First off, congratulations to each of you on your selection to work the first round of the 2019 Texas high school baseball playoff games!

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Almost all of you were requested directly by coaches, which is a reflection of the hard work, study and dedication you exemplified throughout a long season.

And others were picked by the playoff committee for the same reason.

With that, a few things to remember as we enter the weekend...

1.  If you are working a split crew with another chapter, by now you should've either contacted or been contacted by your partners from the other chapter.  If you have not, please notify Brent immediately!  He has the contact info for the other chapters.

Remember to verify what uniforms you will wear, and that there are 2 shades of the blue shirts!

IMPORTANT NOTE:  For those first-time playoff umpires, or those who forget regarding 4-umpire split crews:

A.  The visiting team will have their chapter's umpires at PL and U2!

B.  The home team will have their chapter's umpires at U1 and U3!

Do NOT let the other umpires dictate something other than that...it has happened.

If a 3-game series goes to 3 games, remember that at the end of the 2nd game, the coaches will meet to determine who is home and visitor, and who they want to work where.  That usually involves coin flips, so be prepared.  It's not unheard of to have the visiting coach ask to have the OTHER chapter's umpires work PL and U2!

2.  The listed crew chief, or senior umpire, also needs to contact the coach, whether you are doing split crew or a Brush Country crew, 3- or 4-umpires.

This is especially imperative as we face an unknown and possibly stormy weather forecast.  Changes could happen rapidly and some of the 3-game series could easily become a one-game playoff!

3.  Be sure to arrive at the game site in plenty of time to do a good pre-game, even with our own chapter members.  You will quickly find that the minimal training we do is barely enough to prepare you for the real game action of 3- and 4-umpire mechanics.  Just as with 2-umpire mechanics, what will help with those situations is...COMMUNICATE...constantly.  

Use hand signals both before and during play, and verbal signals during play...so you and your partners know where you are and what you are doing.  It WILL save missed rotations!

With that, I've attached the latest 3-umpire and 4-umpire slides.  The 3-umpire slides have been updated with the latest rundown information.  If you have a long drive, study/review with your partners enroute.

4.  Please represent the chapter in a positive manner, both on and off the fields.

Dress in a professional manner when travelling to/from the games, and especially when going to meet the coaches.  Coaches and fans WILL see you and immediately cast a discerning eye toward you, so please give a solid first impression by dressing appropriately.  Dress should be some kind of casual pants, i.e. - khakis, and a polo shirt, preferably a Brush Country Chapter shirt.

Whatever you wear, do NOT wear work-type uniforms and make sure they are clean.

Remember that one team will close out their season at the end of these games, so emotions will run high.  Remain calm and professional.

Remember to contact myself and Glenn immediately if something happens, incl game suspensions/cancellations.

5.  Make sure you go as a CREW when you meet with the coaches.  Do not go alone, or just the 2 of you if split crew.  

Remember:  Perceptions are everything and we don't' need to add to a coaches worry that we are biased toward one side or the other. 

And always meet with the home team coach first.  

6.  Have a lineup card and blue card.  You will find that many chapters do not use a blue card, and some that don't even use a lineup card...they just take what the coaches give them.  If a coach doesn't know about the blue card, and/or our lineup card because their chapter doesn't use them, patiently explain to them what they need to do when you meet with them before the game.

7.  Pay

Attached are the paysheets to use for playoffs.  They are also on our chapter website:  brushcountryumpires.org

Determine the pay situation when you call the coach to confirm.  For those that are travelling, coordinate with the host school or home school if hotel arrangements are necessary.

If you do get lodging, adjust your mileage accordingly and don't try to take advantage of this, i.e. - claim mileage from home when you stayed in town at a hotel.  They will be double-checking!

Usually, you submit your paysheets to the host site...they pay you (they collect funds from the participating schools).

You can also have the situation where one school pays all officials, or they split the cost.

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For bi-district, you will receive $80 per game.

Work out mileage with your partners and use the UIL mileage calculator to determine mileage fee, even to non-Brush Country locations where games are being hosted:

https://www.uiltexas.org/athletics/calculate-mileage

Finally, if you have one person driving to a non portal-to-portal location, each passenger should pay the driver 20% of the mileage they receive.

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If one person is driving and getting portal-to-portal, remember everyone gets meal and rider fee, and drive should split accordingly with the other officials.

Again, congratulations...I wish each of you safe travels and great games!

Best regards,

Robert Redding

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From: TASO Baseball Rules Interpreter

To: TASO Baseball Umpire Membership

Subject: Baseball Weekly Bulletin 19-6

Well, the first week of playoffs are beginning. Games that may have been just a baseball game last week, will take on heightened importance this week. Coaches, players, and parents will be more on edge and excitable. Stay patient and in control.

1) TAPPS –If you have a TAPPS game this week, might be good to review the TAPPS rule exceptions at https://tapps.biz/baseball-rules/ before the game. People can become confused in the post-season.

2) Game Ending Procedures – Game ending procedures have changed somewhat from what they were in the regular season. Any suspended game that is not a complete game, will resume at the point of suspension. Games never roll back to the last completed inning to be declared a complete game. The ten-run rule is still used in all playoff games after the fifth inning (or after 4 ½ if the home team in the bottom of the fifth is ahead by more than ten runs). At any point in the game, if both head coaches agree that the game is done, it is a complete game with the score recorded at that point. By rule the umpire-in-chief is also to agree with the head coaches, but I am sure none of us, with both coaches ready for the game to be done, would insist on continuation of a game.

When you have a suspended game, record all information on your line-up cards: number of outs, runners on base, count on a batter, warnings, ejections, conferences used, score, etc. The lineup cards should be current with all substitutions, number of charged conferences taken, any warnings, restrictions, or ejections. If you are not sure you will be returning for the continuation of the suspended game, give the cards to one of your crew or to the home head coach. Also, a player who was not at the game when it was suspended, may play as a substitute in the continued game.

Remember, as TASO officials we are to enforce NFHS Baseball playing rules. UIL policy rules regarding games in the playoff series are not for us to enforce. Let the coaches and ADs work it out with the UIL.
 

3) Media - With the post-season, there may be more media present. If they are to be on the field, please ensure there is a marked media area declared before the game begins. We cannot create a media area part-way into the game. And, despite what the coach may say, a media area once created is always a dead ball area, whether it is occupied or not. If it were to be a dead ball area only if occupied, a coach could have it occupied only when he is on offense and empty when his team is playing defense. There cannot be parts of the field that are sometimes in play and sometimes not. Additionally, avoid any discussion with the media. No matter what you say, you run the risk that you may not be quoted correctly or have what you say is taken out of context. Silence cannot be quoted. If the media needs information on a ruling or a situation, refer them to the TASO. Read PROVERBS 17:28 – “Even a fool is thought to be wise when he remains silent.”

4) Professionalism – As with any game, we are representatives of TASO. We must continue to be professional in every aspect. Our behavior and appearance reflects on TASO and all officials. Be aware of how you leave the parking lot or locker room. Do not leave trash piled up in the locker room or around your car. If your locker room continues to be the parking lot, please park smartly and be respectful of all fans that may be near. Please be discrete and courteous and not provide them with an unexpected experience. Take pride in your appearance and dress. It might be a good time to buy new hats, and then after the post-season make them your hats for the 2020 regular season. How you look makes a statement as to what type of official you are and the respect you show the game and fellow officials. Lastly, be aware of your body language. Your body language communicates a lot and is perceived by many to say something you may not be intending to communicate. Be aware of folded arms, hands on hips, a scowl on a face.  

Play from the last bulletin:

Play:  With a runner on second base, the batter hits a high foul fly ball in the vicinity of the on-deck circle. The on-deck batter, the clean-up hitter who is 3-3 with 2 home runs and a triple, watches the catcher coming toward him and backs away from the ball, unfortunately into the path of the third baseman. There is contact between the clean-up hitter and the third baseman. The defensive head coach is very inventive, he wants a double play; an out on the batter and an out on the on-deck hitter for interference. The offensive head coach, hearing the emotional rhetoric from his counterpart, wants malicious contact on the third baseman and both runners awarded a spot on the bases. The umpires, hearing the rules logic from the coaches, just want the field in their rear-view mirror. None of them got what they wanted as quickly as they wanted it.

Ruling:  All we have is interference by a team member on a defensive player attempting to catch a foul ball. The umpires briefly thought about whether the catcher or third baseman had the best ability to catch the foul fly, but then realized that rule applied to runner interference. They called the batter out, and brought the on-deck hitter to the plate. The defensive head coach, after some additional highly emotional arguments and demonstrations, wanted to file a protest (Not allowed in Texas). It was hard for him to do it from the bus. And as the baseball gods rolled in laughter, the clean-up hitter hit another home run.

Remember and take pride in the important and essential role you play in the educational experience of those who play this game. You may not know how, but you did make a difference.

This will be the last Baseball Bulletin for this season. I hope you have found them to be of some value. Please, if there is something we did that was of value, or if we need to do something else, let me know. If there are situations that arise over the summer, please get them to me. We may have a bulletin with plays over the off-season.

Have a great post-season. Again, thanks for all you have done and will continue to do for the sport of baseball in Texas and all those who engage in the game.

Yours in Baseball,

Kyle McNeely

Jkyle1974@aol.com

979-446-5522

From: TASO Baseball Rules Interpreter

To: TASO Baseball Umpire Membership

Subject: Baseball Weekly Bulletin 19-5

Well, we are rounding third and headed for home for the regular 2019 high school baseball season. I trust that overall your season has gone well. This week is vitally important to many teams as they look to a postseason.

With all that said, we have a few things to discuss:

1. Ejected Players: We have had a couple of games where an ejected player was requested to go to the bus. Fortunately, in both situations, an assistant coach accompanied the player.(The coach was not ejected; just chose to be with the player). We need to remember that an ejected coach must leave the immediate vicinity of the game.  He can be asked to come back by an umpire for an injured player. However, an ejected player is never to be put in a place without adult supervision. The ejected player should stay in the dugout with his team for the remainder of the game. If he were to continue to be a problem or a distraction, it is up to the coach to handle the situation.

2. Infielder Warming Up to Pitch: We have had multiple occasions where a coach, during a visit to the mound, has wanted to have an infielder warm up to be a pitcher. This is not legal. The following is an Approved Ruling from 2014: As the head coaches moves to the pitching mound for a defensive conference, he tosses a baseball to his third baseman and has him take warm-up throws with another player to get ready to pitch. RULING: A team cannot have a fielder, in the game, throw a baseball for the purpose of warming up as a pitcher, during a defensive conference or a pitching change. If they desire to warm up a player in the game to prepare him to pitch, they would need to take him out of the game to warm up and then later re-enter him under the substitution rule. (3-4-1).  

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3. Media in the Playing Field: A media person entered the playing field during play to take pictures. As the baseball gods never let anything go un-noticed, the batter hits a foul fly ball that came down near the photographer. The defensive player, attempting to catch the ball, ran into the misplaced photographer and as a result did not make, what would have been an easy catch of a foul ball. Everyone in the stands immediately voiced their knowledge of the rule and the dugouts chimed in with their respective opinions, while the officiating crew wondered if they could legally just start the game over. As you can imagine the defensive team and their fans wanted an out declared, and the photographer held until tar and a feather pillow could be acquired. While, in a sense of fairness, we want to award the out, we cannot. Unless the media person intentionally moved or did something to interfere with the catch, we have nothing other than a foul ball and excitement generated in a slow game. This is the reason the rule requires a designated media area if any media personnel are to be on the field. And by the way, the photographer got an excellent picture of the player missing the catch.

4. PA Announcers: There have a few reports of some PA Announcers at fields offering their educated opinion of rule enforcement or judgment by the officials. While many of these “color commentators” are students, some parents played junior ESPN announcer as well. Whenever a PA announcer goes over the line, ask the respective coach to immediately get it curbed back. If that has no impact, you may hold the game up until the mic is unplugged.

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5. Runner Not Sliding and Being Hit by a Throw: There have been multiple games in the last few weeks where either the coach or an umpire had questions on the force-play “slide” rule. A runner advancing to second had been already forced out and was either hit by a throw or “caused” a throw to be off line because he did not slide. In all instances, the runner was not close enough to a base where he should be expected to slide. In one case, he was running slightly more than halfway to second when he was hit by a thrown ball from the shortstop. Of course, the defense immediately petitioned for interference and an out declared on the batter-runner advancing to first base. This is not a violation of the rule. Unless the runner did something else to enable him to be hit by the throw, we simply have baseball. We cannot expect a runner to slide on the base path at a location where he would not normally slide. This is not interference by a retired runner. The runner may veer off or duck if he chooses, but if is in a position where he would not be expected to slide, he is not required to do so. In these instances, the ball remains live and in play.

6. Play From Last Week: This play illustrates those moments when we, as umpires wish we really didn't know the rules. In this play, it would be so much better to let happen what the crowd thinks happened, vs. what we should do by the rule. After all, no one else knows, right? With bases loaded and two out in the bottom of the seventh, the score is tied.  (of course). The batter swings at a 55-foot curve ball and the pitch gets by the catcher and the winning one comes in to score. The catcher retrieves the ball and sees the runner on second doing jumping jacks in excitement. The catcher has no play at home or at first so he fires to the third baseman who catches the ball and touches the bag. In the midst of a game ending win celebration, the umpire gets to call the third out and deny the run. The saving grace is that the extra innings, yes innings, that ensued caused most of the militant spectators to leave before the game finally did end. We are not always rewarded for doing a good job.

Plays from the Last Bulletin:

1. With the bases loaded and one out, the batter bunts but pops up. The first baseman comes in, lets the ball hit the back of his glove and fall to the ground. He next picks the ball up and throws to the catcher for out two with the catcher throwing to first base to complete the double play for out number three. Everyone looks at each other wondering what just happened. Ruling: An infielder may allow a pop-fly or pop-up to drop untouched, he cannot drop the ball or maneuver it to the ground with his glove. The ball is dead and the batter-runner is declared out.

2. With the bases loaded and the runner on third base breaking for home, the batter swings at a pitch, hitting it high in the air between the pitching mound and home plate. As the plate umpire properly declares “Infield fly if fair,” the ball hits the ground and rolls back toward home, contacting the runner from third in fair ground as he slides to the plate. The base umpire becomes extremely interested in the condition of second base. Ruling: The batter-runner is out on the infield fly. The runner from third is contacting by a fair batted ball that has not passed any infielder. We have two outs, two on, and two massive headaches.

Play for Next Week: 

Play: With a runner on second base, the batter hits a high foul fly ball in the vicinity of the on-deck circle. The on-deck batter, the clean-up hitter who is 3-3 with 2 home runs and a triple, watches the catcher coming toward him and backs away from the ball, unfortunately into the path of the third baseman. There is contact between the clean-up hitter and the third baseman. The defensive head coach is very inventive, he wants a double play; an out on the batter and an out on the on-deck hitter for interference. The offensive head coach, hearing the emotional rhetoric from his counterpart, wants malicious contact on the third baseman and both runners awarded a spot on the bases. The umpires, hearing the rules logic from the coaches, just want the field in their rear-view mirror. None of them got what they wanted as quickly as they wanted it.

We will talk this play and post-season next week.

Until then, have a good one.

Yours in baseball,

Kyle McNeely

Jkyle1974@aol.com

979-446-5522

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Several of you are working tie-breaker games today and tomorrow to determine District seeding for playoffs.

​For pay purposes, these are still considered "Regular Season" games, so please use the appropriate "Regular Season" pay sheet ($70 for varsity games).

Crew chiefs for each game need to coordinate with your listed home team regarding how pay will be handled, incl mileage, especially at a neutral site.

​For example, they may have the host site pay the officials, or they may have the home team pay, or they may split the cost of the officials between the two participating schools.  Either way, please confirm how that will be handled with the home team head coach.

​If you have any questions, please contact Raul, Brent, Glenn or myself.

Safe travels to all today and this weekend and good luck with your games!

​Robert

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All,

​As some of you are aware, Coach Tim Bertholf from Jourdanton suffered a stroke Wednesday evening and is in the hospital for further evaluation and treatment.  His team will still be playing tonight with one of his assistant coaches leading the team.  Of course, he still wants to be out there.

​Regardless of our differences on the field, we all share a common bond with our love/passion for the game and health issues such as this transcend what happens at the ball park. 

I ask you please keep Coach Bertholf and his family in your thoughts and prayers.

Thanks and regards,
​Robert Redding

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Good afternoon all,

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I've had several questions regarding the 3-/4-umpire training required for playoffs since several could not attend last Wednesday.

Here are the dates the board discussed for additional training opportunities:

- Thursday, 25 April, 6 p.m., location TBD

- Monday, 29 April, as part of our regularly scheduled chapter meeting, 7 p.m.

  As with this last Wednesday, to help your schedules we will have a very short chapter meeting before moving on to the training.  

- Tuesday, 30 April, alternate date as needed, 6 p.m.

-- For the folks who live up north, we will let you know the location for Thursday's training.

-- For the folks who live in Laredo, I've discussed with Jim Murray and he is going to get with those who still need the training...if we can get you all in on Monday, the 29th, at the regularly scheduled meeting we won't do it on Thursday, the 25th.   

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For all officials, we will look at Tuesday as needed, even Wednesday, 1 May, if someone has a scheduling conflict with the above dates.  Playoffs could start as early as Thursday, 2 May.

But please make every effort to attend one of the above dates so we are postured to support the upcoming playoffs.  If you attended the 3-/4-umpire training at either of the last 2 meetings, or completed the 3-/4-umpire training at the state meeting, you are good to go.  Please confirm with your division rep, as well as your status concerning completion of the required rules clinic.

If anyone has any questions or concerns, PLEASE call me!  I will do whatever I, or the board/chapter can to assist.

Thanks and regards,

Robert Redding

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MLB Umpire Camp

Texas Association of Sports Officials 

Want to be a professional Umpire? Join us for a one-day free Umpire Camp. MLBUC will be looking for SCHOLARSHIP CANDIDATES for the 2019 Pro Mini-Camp and 2020 Umpire School. More Information  Register Now

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All,

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On two occasions this season, I have witnessed a player, after getting a hit, break out an invisible gun and fire it into the air. 

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Do not let this continue to happen! If you see it, STOP IT, and address it immediately with the head coach of both teams. (If you want to mention it at the plate meeting, please do, that is what I will be doing, moving forward). 

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The action usually starts as a dance, then ends with the fake rifle/shotgun blast. The players see lots of MLB ballplayers do it.

If you have any questions, please let me know.

STRIKES AND OUTS!!!

Brent

Brush Country Chapter

Chapter Secretary

Good morning all,

Apologies to the folks who worked Border Olympics as you've already seen this...

As per TASO and UIL policies, anytime there is a significant event in a UIL-sanctioned sporting event, we must complete a UIL incident report on their website: https://www.uiltexas.org/machform/view.php?id=42

- As you can see from the drop down tab for "Type of Incident" here are a list of those events:

- Player ejection

- Coach ejection

- Fan ejection 

- Verbal abuse

- Early termination (Example:  Weather, lights go out, etc)

- Physical Contact

- Other ** This includes:  Serious injury to a player, coach and/or official.  Also includes restriction to the bench of a player or coach!

(NOTE:  We don't worry about targeting or illegal uniforms...those are for football).

As we've stated in the past, here are some keys to the report:

1.  Don't embellish!  Just the facts and leave any emotion out of it.

2.  Write EXACTLY what they said.  Don't say "The player used profanity."  Write just what they said, as you can see in the attached report.

3.  Please proof-read and spell check your material.

For reference and an example, I've attached a couple of incident reports, incl one for player ejection that occurred this last week during the Border Olympics.

IMPORTANT:  Do NOT submit an incident report via the UIL link until you've sent a draft of your report to the president, vice president and secretary, which is myself, Glenn and Brent, via email.

This is not so we can change the content...it is merely to proof-read what you've wrote so we can make sure it is grammatically and structurally correct.

Reason being is once you hit send on the UIL site, that report goes VFR-direct to the leadership of UIL and TASO.  No better way to make ourselves (both collectively and as individuals) look like idiots to both entities then to send a report with misspelled words, improper grammar/punctuation and run-on sentences.

If you have any questions about this, please call or email me.

Thanks and regards,

Robert Redding

President, Brush Country Baseball Chapter

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VIEW test questions & answers:

All,

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Hope the first day of scrimmages went well for everyone. If you weren't on the field yesterday, have fun today and enjoy!

A few items of interest: 

1) The Online Clinic is now available. - go to www.taso.org and follow the links.

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2) The Test is online until 18 February. DO NOT wait until the last minute. We have 34 members who are varsity eligible. We need everyone to be varsity qualified.

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3) Registration for this season will close on 11 Feb. If you know of someone who may be interested, please have the register at www.taso.org.

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4) If you haven't paid your dues yet, get with Raul and get it done. 

If you have any questions, please let me know.

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Brent Fountain

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STRIKES AND OUTS!!!

Psalm 18:1-3

“I love You, O Lord (Jesus), my strength.”
The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,
My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge;
My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised,
And I am saved from my enemies.

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Chapter Prayer of Blessing & Encouragement