Volume 1, Issue 2 January 2009 Superclinic on the Horizon

We are just weeks away from in the Major Leagues and by Additionally, there will be plenty the always popular Superclinic, far is BCBUA‟s most success- of fun and games as usual. Door this year being held in Surrey ful product to date. prizes, a gift giveaway, social on February 14-15 weekend. events on both Friday and Satur- Joining these fellows will be day nights, and lunch on Saturday International Federa- BC‟s finest instructors and will be provided to everyone. Of tion umpire supervisor Dick umpire educators. course your $50 BCBUA level 2 Runchey from the United We are also pleased to an- or 3 membership dues will be States will be on hand once nounce that newly elected included in the very reasonable again to pass along his exper- Baseball National Su- registration fee of $165. You can tise and knowledge and will act pervisor of Officials, Corrie pay by cheque (payable to as our Lead Instructor. Davis, of Edmonton, will be on BCBUA) or by credit card. We are also very privileged to hand to address the group and Registration is limited but there welcome back an old friend, participate in discussions on are still spots available. Contact Ian Lamplugh, who will be the Sunday. Corrie has previ- the registrar Rob Allan at joining us as our Special Guest ously been a Guest Instructor [email protected] if you are Instructor. Ian, a native of and we are pleased to welcome interested. Victoria, spent several seasons him back to BC. Instructors and Evaluators Education

On November 29-30 week- and Rob Allan put the group of this event again in two years end, BCBUA sponsored our student instructors through their time. first Instructor training semi- paces in the Also, during our National nar in eight years. Obviously gym. Troy umpire training weekend this long awaited clinic was Carmont, Rich- in March, BCBUA will well overdue. With this ard Christie, further certify Nationally- clinic, 22 additional instruc- and Don Hass rated umpires as evaluators tors have been certified to assisted ably for the BCBUA level 3 teach level 1-2 clinics in BC. and offered a program. These efforts Hopefully we are able to lot of addi- will bolster our evaluator identify several of these peo- tional informa- numbers so that we may ple who may in turn become tion to the stu- offer the level 3 evalua- Baseball Canada certified dents. through the Caravan process. tions each year as prom- The feedback Arne Pederson supervis- ised at the November An- Brian Cargnelli provided a was excellent ing the Summer Games nual General Meeting. in Kelowna last summer tremendous training program and the goal EBALL UMPIRE’S ASSOCIATION for the classroom sessions will be to hold

Calendar of Events: January 24 BCBUA Board of Directors Meeting – New Westminster, BC February 14-15 Superclinic 2009 – Surrey, BC March 20-22 National members umpire clinic and Evaluator training Langley, BC July 16-26 World Baseball Challenge – Prince George, BC August 6-9 Junior National Championships – Trois Rivieres, PQ August 6-9 Baseball Canada Cup – Kindersely, SK August 13-16 Midget National Championships – Fredericton, NB August 20-23 Peewee National Championships – TBA August 20-23 Bantam National Championships – TBA August 20-23 Bantam Girls National Championships – TBA August 20-23 Sr. Men’s National Championships – Dartmouth, NS

BRITISH COLUMBIA BAS August 22-30 Canada Summer Games - PEI Hey Blue! Online Blue! Hey Junior Umpires Honored

The following individuals were honoured by the BCBUA as our Pro Image Jr. Umpires of the Year for their respec- tive areas. Area 1 – Vancouver Island South: Ryan Kramer – Victoria Area 2 – Vancouver Island North: Sean Austin – Parksville Area 3 – Lower Mainland East: Troy Murray – Ridge Meadows Area 4 – Lower Mainland West: Greg Kelley – Gibsons Sean Weatherill – Richmond Area 5 – Lower Mainland South: Charles Duhamel – Ladner Area 6 – Thompson-Okanagan: Danielle Durette – Kamloops Area 7 – South Okanagan: Cody Fortin – Rutland Area 8 – The Kootenays: Liam Putinta – Fruitvale Andre Jene working the plate at the 2008 Midget Area 9 – Northern BC: Jeremy Kral – Prince George AAA Provincials BCBUA Library Expanding The BCBUA is pleased to an- eos such as “Jim Evans Balk” been common for folks to wait nounced that funding will con- and “Rules Made Easy” will be several weeks for these products tinue for the BCBUA Loan Li- made available and so it was de- brary. Despite not garnering any in order to cut cided to increase Gaming Grant monies in 2008, wait times that More of the same videos such as “ Jim the volume of these the Board of Directors has ap- have been com- Evans Balk” and “Rules Made Easy” will materials. The proved the spending of monies mon with these be made available in order to cut the same loan proce- that will provide many of your products. Our wait times” dures will apply for favourite titles and educational Librarian Jerry 2009. materials. More of the same vid- Tregaskis indicates that it has

Stump the Ump Answer from Issue 1

Hope you folks enjoyed thinking According to rule 4.11 (d), : If the 3. Is the inning still in progress? a. about this situation from the first game is called while an inning is in YUP, we’re only half way issue. To make sure everyone is on progress and before it is com- through a complete inning here the same page, the score is 2-1 go- pleted, the game becomes a SUS- with all of the bottom half of the ing into the top of the 6th inning. PENDED game in each of the fol- inning to go folks. During the top of the 6th, the visi- lowing situations: tors actually are able to score a (1) The visiting team has scored So according to rule 4.11 we have a tying run and then the umpires de- one or more runs to tie the score suspended game. This means that cide that the game is unplayable and the home team has not scored the teams have to complete the any further because of poor rest of the game from the point weather conditions. So what hap- So what to do? Lets break it down. that it was suspended. The umpires pens here? Is the score tied and the 1. Did the visiting team score run a have to make sure that they keep game is over? Does the score re- run to tie the game? a. YUP. all game records (line up cards with vert to 2-1 with the home team 2. Did the umpire stop the game the batting order and any substitu- winning? Or does the game be- AFTER the visiting team had tied tion or ejections listed) as all nor- come a suspended game with the the score and before the home mal baseball substitutions and score tied? All of these maybe cor- team can complete their half changes are still in effect when the rect except which one is correct? inning? a. YUP. game continues.

Page 2 HEY BLUE! ONLINE BCBUA Turns 35 Years Old… or Young

In November of 2009, the BCBUA Chuck Blaikie, Howard Chapman, reminiscing and cajoling. will turn 35 years old! The associa- and Bill Murphy. Other long time Check out HeyBlue! in print for tion was started in the fall of 1974. members were also present for Richard‟s complete report. Supervisor Richard Christie recently went to To commemorate this anni- Victoria to meet with the versary season of the asso- 4 other remaining original ciation, BCBUA has pro- members of our associa- duced an attractive crest tion to detail some of the which will be made avail- history of our association. able to each umpire at no You can rest assured that charge. This anniversary the cobwebs were dusted crest will be available for off with these fellows the first time at Superclinic who are now an average 2009! Umpires all through- age of 63 years old! out the province will be asked to wear the crest on Joining Richard was our 5 Origianl Members of the BCBUA (L-R), Bill Murphy, Ricahrd Christie, Doug Hudlin, Chuck their left shirt sleeve during original President Doug BLaiie and Howard Chapman the season. Hudlin, Past president Stump the Ump January 2009

With runners at first and second base ing in the base ter to post the answer, but this and two out, the batter hits a line at the time he Remember to check the BCBUA is a quick and easy thing to do. drive straight back at the runner at was hit or does web site often for late breaking Once on the forum read all of second who is standing completely the act of the the other posts and see what on his base when he is struck by the pitcher trying to information and more news they have to say before making line drive. The pitcher made an at- field the ball your decision. All correct an- tempt at catching the ball, but he negate any fur- articles. swers will be put into a random missed it completely and no other ther interfer- draw and the winner will re- infielders had a chance to make an ence on the play by R2? ceive a new ball bag courtesy of your attempt. What is the correct call. Is association. Winners will be an- Go onto the BCBUA web site, click on R2 out for being hit by a live batted nounced in the next edition of Hey the link for the online forums to post ball or is he okay since he was stand- Bue! On-Line your answer. You may have to regis- BC Gains a new Professional Ball Team in 2009

There is a new starting in May and running until mid crews that will be used to umpire League setting up shop the BC capital September. games in Victoria. of Victoria. The The GBL features former Ma- Golden Baseball jor leaguers, and Minor leagu- League, based in Got an interesting idea for an ers who are still looking for California, has their big break. Each year a article or some great action awarded Victoria a number of players are signed to franchise and they pictures of BCBUA umpires? professional contracts. Former will begin play this Montreal Expo Gary Carter Send your stories and pictures to spring. The club will be known as the was the manager of the league champi- and will play out of either of the editors and we’ll try ons last year. Royal Athletic Park starting this May. and get it into future editions of The is a 10 It is likely that a number of top BC team circuit with a 90 game schedule umpires will be used to fill in the 3 man Hey Blue! On-Line

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2 Page 3 Tip of the Month - Your 1st game of the season: A primer for a great 2009 by Brian Cargnelli

Whether you are veteran of many simple movement and walk- total knowledge of the games years or walking on the diamond for ing goes a long way. And if rules. the first time, “your first game of the you have a dog, great exer- year” requires preparation. Obvi- cise for them too. (b.) Some of you umpire ously the place to really start your more than one league that 2. Get your equipment ready: season off on a good start is attend- have different rules. In this ing a BCBUA sponsored Umpire case you have even more of (a.) Check all straps and Clinic. This is when you will get a challenge remembering all buckles for signs of wear some great training and find out of these different rules. I find about any new rules or interpreta- that writing the different rules (b.) Look closely at your tions. After that clinic is done, now down and then reading them mask for any signs of wear. it’s time to get some real work done a few minutes before the Hey it’s only your face behind at Home several weeks before that game helps me out. those bars right! first pitch is even thrown.

1. Get in some sort of game (c.) Have a check of the 4. Get your schedule shape: That couch has been laces on your shoes. You’d

a great place to watch a lot of be surprised how often these (a.) Knowing your schedule hockey games over the win- things wear out magically in and being prepared will cre- ter months, but it’s a lousy the closet over the winter and ate a positive environment for way to stay in game shape what a terrible feeling you’ll your first game for officiating a baseball have as you lace up for that

game. So a few weeks be- first game only to have those (b.) Review the schedule and fore that first pitch is the time laces break in half ten min- know the proper start time to get in some sort of game utes before game time. and your assignment (plate shape. Trust me, your body or base). will thank you after that first (d.) Order new equipment

game if you actually do some early since it may not be (c.) Arrive early (at least 30 of these simple things. available at the last minute. minutes before game time).

This will allow you to be re- (a.) Do some deep knee (e.) Try on all of your uni- laxed and have a pre-game bends a few times a day for a forms and order any new discussion with your partner. couple of weeks prior to your stuff if some of your older

first game. 20-30 a day is all shirts or pants have some- (d.) Walk on the diamond that you really need to do how “Shrunk” over the winter with your partner 5 minutes here to get your legs ready. months. before game time even if you

3. Start reading the rule book have umpired at this field a (b.) Ride a stationary bike to or go online and read some 100 times before. Remember strengthen your legs for few of the online rule forums. this is your first game of the minutes a day. Better yet, get The BCBUA web site has an season and things may have out and ride a bike to school online forum and several changed since last year. This or work. Not only will you be links to other forums that is also a good way to show getting ready for a baseball have active rules discus- that your “into” the game that game, but you’ll be helping sions. is about to happen. ! the environment.

With some of these steps com- (a.) Some people actually (c.) Start a stretching routine: pleted you’ll be a lot more prepared read a different page of the Let’s face it, we all need to to have a great first game and a rule book each day over the stretch more and keep those fantastic 2009 Baseball season. course of the entire season. muscles flexible. Others just read one rule a (d.) Start a simple walking day and really try to under- regime a few weeks before stand what that rule means to your first game. Running not the game. Either one will get required here folks, some you to the result you want,

Page 4 HEY BLUE! ONLINE Extra Innings— with Provincial Supervisor Richard Christie

Extra Innings will feature a prominent yourself that an ordinary person would not ing for a Beer, wine, coffee, or soda? member of the baseball community each know? I’m a private pilot. I haven’t Soda month. It may be someone from BCBUA flown for about 10 years. I also Bottom of 8 – Favourite ball park food? or it could be someone else from the base- wrote a book about flying called, hotdogs ball world. This is intended to be a fun “Confessions of a student pilot”. feature so don‟t be surprised if the answers Bottom of 9 – How many National cham- Top of 5 – What is your favourite baseball fool you! pionships have you attended as an Umpire team? The Yankees. This month‟s special guest is BCBUA or Supervisor? Oh boy. I’d have to Provincial Supervisor Richard Christie. Top of 6 guess. About 15. – Your PERSONAL : Favourite Extra Innings…. Age: 56 Movie? Top of 10 – Of all your Championship Job: Air Traffic Controller The tournaments, what has been your favourite Home: White Rock, BC Great city/tournament? It has to be Kinder- Escape. sley, Saskatchewan. World Youth Top of 1 – How many years have you been sley, Saskatchewan. World Youth (1963 - in 1984. That’s where I got my 5A involved in baseball 50 years in base- Steve International standing. ball and 38 of those years umpiring. Top of 11 – What is the single most im- Top of 2 – What has been your most portant thing for you to accomplish as memorable moment in your baseball ca- BC Provincial Supervisor of Officials Provincial Supervisor? To bring unity reer? Working the Gold medal game amongst the troops. To get all the at the National Sr’s in Kentville, NS McQueen). I like to watch that every at the National Sr’s in Kentville, NS BC umpires to work cohesively to- in 2001. My family was there. That once in a while when I feel down. gether for the same cause. was pretty nice. There was a bunch of good actors in there. I’ve probably watched it 50 Bottom of 12 – You‟re getting seriously Bottom of 3 – If you could spend an hour times. My favourite tv series was long in the tooth…. J How much longer do with anyone in history, who would it be? I Red Dwarf. (British Sci Fi comedy – you see yourself as an active umpire? I would say Jesus. would say Jesus. 1988-1996) would say probably another 10 Bottom of 4 – Tell us something about It‟s the 7th Inning Stretch – Are you reach- years. Or as long as my health

Crisis in Cuba— by Steve Boutang

I have been fortunate to have visited the rest day), and most of the games from moved or replaced, and a new “Minor country of Cuba on a number of occa- Havana are broadcast live. This is a bit league system” implemented. The rea- sions, but sadly none of which have in- of an exaggeration. The broadcast is no soning…..Cuba is no longer clearly the cluded a trip to the baseball capital of better than local cable in Canada. The best in the world and consequently ma- the world in the capacity of an umpire. camera angles are few, camerawork is jor changes must be made. (Yikes!) However, I umpired their National team slow, production is mediocre at best by The mentality there is similar to how in an International exhibition, and have our standards, and the best part. No Canada feels about hockey. seen their pro league games live in the broadcast booth! The guys providing This “Minor League system” will fea- Island capital of Havana. Cuba boasts a the play by play, the guys taking stats, ture rosters expaned from the usual 25 16 team “professional league” that plays and the guy doing the 1975 edition of players to 40. These „excess‟ players a 90 game schedule from December 1- the radar gun (no kidding) all sit in the will form the Minor League portion of Mid May. It is baseball in its purest first row behind home plate and do their the club. These Minor Leaguers are form. There is no advertising, the fields jobs from there. It makes it all the more eligible to play on Tuesdays and Thurs- are basic, uniforms are colourful and authentic. Of course the broadcast is in days only. Additionally they played a 2 without the typical cleanliness of a Ma- Spanish – and I speak none of it – but it week schedule during the Christmas jor League jersey and pants. Stadiums is easy to understand what is going on. holidays and will play an expanded the size of Major league parks litter the So if you can imagine Cuba losing the schedule during the 5 week break in country (14 in total) on the island of 8 Gold Medal at this past summer‟s Olym- February-March when the World Base- million inhabitants and the geographical pic Games, and settling for a Silver. ball Classic is ongoing and the regular size of British Columbia. As a compari- The chaos it has caused in Cuba‟s base- players are representing their national son, Canada has only 2 baseball parks of ball hierarchy. team. In any event these are major this size (Olympic Stadium and Sky- change in Cuba‟s always interesting dome). It is truly a baseball crazy na- The National team manager got fired, baseball circles. tion. The games are played 6 days per the league saw a complete overhaul with week (Monday‟s are always a travel or players suspended, club managers re-

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2 Page 5