NCOA Softball 2018 Newsletter Volume 6, Issue 3 Jan 5, 2018 Touching All Bases Group Leadership Corner Hello all! We hope you all had a wonderful holiday season. We have completed the first boot camp, so the Softball Season has officially started! Looking forward to seeing most of you at the upcoming General Meeting on Monday, January 8 th. Remember this will be the only General Meeting we have this year. It is highly recommended that you attend the general meeting, so you can pick up your books (2018 rule book, 2018 case book and 2018 umpire s manual!) and get started with your required 18 hours of training. This year we are relying on help with the training from several volunteers with the boot camps, weekly training and the on - field clinics. We want you to know that this is your officials (umpires) group and the more volunteers that take a lead role or even an assistant roll is greatly appreciated and helps improve the NCOA Softball organization. Please feel free contact us with any questions or concerns at macsports.14@gmail.com Frank and Carl NCOA Softball Group Co-Leaders From Your JSS Assignors Welcome to the 2018 High School Softball Season! February 27th is the first day of softball games; the regular season will wind up the first week of May. Please take the time to update your calendar, keep it current throughout the season as this is most helpful when assigning; especially for last minute replacements, additions to the schedule or rain-out make up games. The weather certainly caused difficulties with the schedule last season, however, with your dedication and cooperation, we fulfilled all assignments and completed the season on a high note! Last year 55 umpires worked playoff games, all went very well and was most appreciated by all concerned. We will be at the General Meeting on Monday and will provide a presentation on our roles as the assignors for Jorgensen Sport Services. Have a great 2018 softball season! Dave and Jim JSS Assignors
Coming Up Soon: Get your REGISTRATION done. It must be done online. Log in at www.ncoa.arbitersports.com, click on the registration tab at the top of the homepage then pick Softball NCOA NORTH (Sacramento). Also, help someone else get registered so they can help our cause of providing the best possible umpiring to the players and coaches. As of today, 81 of us have started the registration process with 56 completed! training element for NCOA in partnership with Mike Machovec and Dennis Hobart coming from the GSSA ranks. We will be focusing only on plate mechanics and difficult situations on the field. Slots are filling up fast. You can register for the camps by emailing bootcampregistration2018@yahoo.com. As a reminder, come prepared to umpire, dressed and with your mask, for pitching machine work. Please note: field mechanics will be covered at the On-Field Training Clinics. Check info in the Newsletter for final schedule. General Meeting - January 8th (Monday) 6pm 8pm at Jesuit HS. Rule books, case books and umpire s manuals will be distributed to those registered. You must be registered to receive books at this meeting! Matt Nantze (New City Sports Co) will be at Jesuit before the meeting with a limited number of hats for those that might want to get in on the new style. He will take your order (and your money!) if he doesn t have your size/style at the meeting. There will be no shipping charges on any orders placed at the General meeting. Cost is $19 each for either a 4, 6 or 8 stitch bill 100% polyester Richardson 500 umpire style hat. Basic Skills Boot Camps - Jointly sponsored by NCOA and the Greater Sacramento Softball Association (GSSA or USA Softball Sacramento) is continuing with the second of the three sessions scheduled for Thursday, January 11, 2018 @ 6:00pm. Only new and less experienced umpires will be registered for these. We will be hosted once again by the Sunrise Recreation and Park District at their Rusch Park gym. Thanks to our own Robert Morris for all of the site arrangements. Don Heyde is heading up this Regional Study Groups Facilitated Study Groups will meet again regionally for six weeks in Jan.-Feb. Mechanics are being expanded in the study materials. For location, dates, and times see details in the newsletter. You can attend any session, but only once a week. On-field Training Clinics are back February 17, 19 & 24. This is where we can do on-field training to help you polish your skills, both behind the plate and in the field. Full uniforms and equipment needed for the live scrimmages. We will be using video as a training tool. For location, dates, and times see details in the newsletter. Important News: * Training is necessary to be certified to work CIF High School games. The Training program is a number of different activities and events that began in December with one of our Basic Boot Camps for our new or less experienced umpires. You must complete 18 hours of documented training for us to certify you to the CIF Assignors for assigning games. The 18 hours are state-wide requirements. Get
it together and get your training planned so you don t get left out. * Training Options Adjusted. We have again adjusted the training hour credits this year. Check out options you have on the website or see details in this newsletter for the Training Hour options for 2018. It is your responsibility to plan your training and communicate to us if you have issues IN ADVANCE. If you are unsure of a vendor, search Smitty Comforttech 100 to find one and be sure to order the Navy/Powder Blue version. New This Year: Uniform New Jackets Required: NCOA is making a change in our uniform jacket this year. We are going with the navy blue pullover/zip-up jacket with the piping on the shoulders. The piping is on a stretch panel with two white stripes and one wide powder blue stripe in the middle. (See photo.) These jackets are warm, comfortable and look sharp! The reason for the change is that we have not been "uniform" in our plain navy jackets; officials are wearing various colors, fabrics and styles. We have been in need of an upgrade to this part of our uniform for some time. If you want to be in consideration for post season assignments in 2018, you must have this style jacket. Beginning in 2019, this will be the only jacket allowed throughout the season. Cost of the jackets is approximately $45 for the lightweight version of the jacket, which is probably the one best suited for our climate. Jackets are usually sized to go over your chest protector, but be sure to check the sizing instructions from your vendor. You may want to get a second, smaller size for working the bases, but that is not required. Hats: The Leadership Team is introducing a new style hat for us to wear. You can go online and start ordering now and anything ordered between now and the General Meeting will be brought to the meeting. The email address to order hats is https://www.newcitysportsco.com/productpage/ncoa-softball. If you go to the web address, you ll see what is being offered. Cost is $19 per hat. 2018 is transition year, in that you can wear the new or old style as long as you match your partner. New style hats will be worn for 2018 playoffs. Officials are on their own for ordering the jackets. Consider combining your jacket order with other purchases while updating your uniform, because some vendors provide free shipping for orders above $75-$100.
NFHS Softball Rules Changes 2018: 2-65-2, 8-1-1c, 8-4-3a, 9-6-2: The coach, pitcher or catcher of the defensive team may request an intentional walk either before or during the pitch count. Rationale:This change to allow intentional walks was enacted to align fast pitch and slow pitch rules, to keep up with current trends of the sport and also to maximize the flow of the game. 3-2-7c: Language was added to address the use and placement of the wristband playbook/play card and defines this item as a piece of equipment. It also addresses restrictions on color. Rationale: The wristband playbook/playcards are worn on the forearm and considered equipment, not a garment. Therefore, these items are not required to adhere to the color restrictions addressed in 3-2-7c. 3-2-15, 10-2-3a: This change removes the responsibility of the umpires to inspect equipment prior to the start of the game. Rule 4-1-2d already requires head coaches to verify that their players are legally and properly equipped. Rationale: The responsibility to verify that players are legally equipped rests with the coach and administration of the school. Rules 7-4-2 and 10-2-3l provide the authority to umpires to penalize for equipment violations. used by the umpires is 5 unless there is inclement weather. The note will give guidance to all parties involved. 6-1-2b: The pitcher may now step back with the non-pivot foot at any time prior to the start of the pitch. Rationale: This is a change to assist the developing pitcher. Major Editorial Changes 3-6-12, 10-1-6: Language provides clarity and consistency for restriction of alcohol and tobacco use by participants and officials. 8-1-2: This change requires the batter to make an attempt to avoid being hit by a pitched ball in the area between the plate and the batter s box. This portion of the rule had been inadvertently omitted. Points of Emphasis 1. Coaches responsibility to verify players are legally equipped 2. When batter must attempt to avoid being hit by a pitch 3. Courtesy runner for the pitcher and/or catcher 3-7-1 NOTE, 6-2-5 NOTE 2: Added language provides umpires with the authority to allow a reasonable number of warm-up pitches to an incoming pitcher due to circumstances that require a pitcher to be removed by rule. Rationale: Currently there are no guidelines for warming up the incoming pitcher under these circumstances. The default number of pitches
WEEKLY QUIZ Each newsletter will include a 10-15 question true/false quiz for your enjoyment. Answers are included in the same issue. 1. Since the head coach verifies that a team's equipment is legal, the plate umpire need not ensure that the umpires inspect bats and helmets. 2. A pitched ball hits a batter within the batter's box and the batter makes no attempt to avoid being hit. The batter is awarded first base. 8. Any defensive fielder may make a live-ball appeal with the ball in her possession by tagging the runner or touching the base that was missed or left too early. 9. Prior to pitching, the pitcher must take a position with the shoulders in line with first and third bases with the ball in the glove or pitching hand and with the hands separated. 10. While in the pitching position, the pitcher must take (or simulate taking) a signal from the catcher. 3. The penalty for interference on a batted ball is the same whether it is by an on-deck batter or a blocked ball is caused by offensive team equipment. 11. A team's lineup card must include each starting player's first initial and last name, jersey number, position and batting order 4. When a base has been dislodged from its proper position, runners must still touch or follow the base out of position. 12. An umpire's decision involving fair/foul call or a safe/out call may be appealed by requesting assistance from another umpire. 5. Obstruction is called on F2 when she is about to receive the ball while blocking home plate, and comes in contact with the runner sliding into home. 13. Once a defensive position is established in an inning, a player may not switch to another defensive position. 6. A runner is out if a fair-batted ball strikes her after it passes a fielder (other than the pitcher) and the umpire judges that no other fielder has a play. 7. B1, the pitcher, hits a single and advances to second on the next play. Her coach may replace her with a courtesy runner at this time. 14. Substitution rules are in effect after the umpire-in-chief accepts the lineup cards from both coaches before the game. 15. Ground rules for a specific field, park or location may supersede a rule in the Federation Softball Rules Book.
Answers 1. ANS: T REF: 10-2-3a 2. ANS: T REF: 8-1-2 penalty 1 3. ANS: T REF: 8-2-13 4. ANS: F REF: 8-3-5 5. ANS: T REF: 8-4-3b; 2-36 6. ANS: F REF: 8-6-11; 8-8-4 7. ANS: T REF: 8-9-1 8. ANS: T REF: 2-1-3a 9. ANS: T REF: 6-1-1a 10. ANS: T REF: 6-1-1b 11. ANS: T REF: 3-1-3 12. ANS: F REF: 10-1-4 13. ANS: F REF: 3-1-6 14. ANS: T REF: 4-1-2b 15. ANS: F REF: 4-1-3
Updated 1/4/18 2018 Study Group Day Location Dates Facilitators Monday Monday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Wednesday Thursday Thursday 2345 Sunset Blvd Rocklin 5110 Laguna Blvd, #119 Elk Grove Denny's Restaurant 1800 Auburn Ravine Road Auburn 2234 Sunrise Blvd Rancho Cordova 2105 Town Center Plaza, #F-180 West Sacramento 4949-C Marconi Ave Sacramento 7700 Sunrise Blvd. #1100 Citrus Heights 888 Alamo Drive Vacaville Roseville/Rocklin 1/15, 1/22, 1/29, 2/5, 2/12, 2/19 Elk Grove 1/15, 1/22, 1/29, 2/5, 2/12, 2/19 Auburn 1/15, 1/22, 1/29, 2/5, 2/12, 2/19 Folsom/Cordova 1/16, 1/23, 1/30, 2/6, 2/13, 2/20 West Sacramento 1/17, 1/24, 1/31, 2/7, 2/14, 2/21 Carmichael 1/17, 1/24, 1/31, 2/7, 2/14, 2/21 Citrus Heights 1/18, 1/25, 2/1, 2/8, 2/15, 2/22 Fairfield/Vacaville 1/18, 1/25, 2/1, 2/8, 2/15, 2/22 Phil Perkins Gary Butler Kevin Okino Jack Wendell Pete Dufour Greg Walker Jim Halstead Rich Reynolds Frank Moreno Steve Everett Rick Post Dennis O'Leary Rudy Aguillio Al Weihe Mike Goble * All meeting times are 6:30 to 8:30 pm * * You are required to attend 4 of the 6 sessions, 1 a week *
Softball Sacramento 2018 Training Options Updated 1/4/18 Training Options (18hr. Required by CIF/SJS) # Hrs. Total All Umpires Recommended Credit Req. Hrs. Study Groups 4 of 6 4 2 ea 8 Classification Exam (required by CIF) 1 1 1 Webinar sessions 4 of 6 4 1 ea 4 Recommended for New umps & optional for 200 500 Ratings On-Field Clinic 1 3ea Recommended for New umps & optional for 300-500 Ratings Basic Skills Boot Camp 1 3 ea Optional Training Hours General Meeting 2 Vet. Scrimmages (verified)(2 max.) 2 ea On-field Clinic (if space available) 5 Boot Camp (if space available) 3 Study Guide (80% +) 2 Extra Study Group 2 GSSA Clinic 2 ASA/USAS National School 4 ASA/USAS National Fast Pitch School 8 NCAA Clinic (verified)(non paid) 2 NOTE: Required sessions can be made up with approval of the Group Leaders on a case-by-case basis with an agreed upon training plan. It is the responsibility of the umpire to submit an email request for an alternate training plan.
Updated 1/4/18 2018 SCHEDULE Date Day Time Session Location Dec 1 Friday Registration Is Open Dec 27 Wednesday 6pm Boot Camp Session #1 Rusch Park Gym Jan 8 Monday 6pm General Meeting Jesuit HS Jan 11 Thursday 6pm Boot Camp Session #2 Rusch Park Gym Jan 15 Mon-Thurs 6pm Regional Study Groups Various Feb 22 Jan 31 Wednesday Registration Closes Feb Webinars On-line Feb. 8 Thursday 6pm Boot Camp Session #3 Rusch Park Gym Feb. 17 Saturday 9am On-Field Clinic Session #1 Vanden HS, Antelope HS Feb. 19 Monday 9am On-Field Clinic Session #2 AntelopeHS Feb. 24 Saturday 9am On-Field Clinic Session #3 Freedom Park Feb. 28 Wednesday Classification Exam Due Antelope High School 7801 Titan Drive Antelope, CA 95843 Freedom Park Freedom Park & Dudley McClellan, CA 95652 Jesuit High School 1200 Jacob Lane Carmichael, CA 95608 Rusch Park Gym 7801 Auburn Blvd. Citrus Heights, CA 95610 Vanden High School 2951 Markley Lane Fairfield, CA 94533