BASEBALL 2013 A supplement to the NCAA Baseball Rules • Prepared by the editors of Referee Ejection Penalties Increased he NCAA Baseball Rules Commit- Ttee tracked the number of ejections during the 2012 season and more than 600 combined ejections were reported for all three divisions. Of those ejec- tions, more than half were either as- sistant coaches or players. Since NCAA rules state that only head coaches are permitted to discuss calls with umpires, the committee strengthened the penalties that non- head coaches will receive as a result of an ejection. “In my view, the number of ejections is a major concern but the levels of unsportsmanlike conduct for many of them are unacceptable regardless of total number,” said Gene McArtor, the Division I national coordinator for umpires. “I will continue to believe that other than ‘that’s just the way it is in baseball,’ no one can justify hurting the image of college baseball by these actions.” Starting in 2013, all non-head coaching team personnel who are ejected for disputing an umpire’s call will receive a one-game suspension for the first ejection of the season and a three-game suspension for Only the head coach is allowed to come on to the fi eld to discuss a play with an umpire. Assistant any subsequent ejections during the coaches and players are not allowed to argue calls. season (2-25). Those suspensions are applicable leaving his position to dispute a call. of the season. Ruling 2: R3 is not only to ejections for disputing, It is the coach’s first ejection of the suspended because his ejection did arguing or unsportsmanlike conduct season. Ruling 1: The assistant coach not fall into the categories covered by or language, and not for ejections must leave the “sight and sound” of the new rule. that are a result of other rule the current contest and is suspended Three other changes have been DENNIS HUBBARD violations such as malicious slides or for his team’s next game. made that affect ejections and throwing at a batter. Play 2: R3 is ejected for malicious suspensions. Play 1: An assistant coach is contact after crashing into the Adjustments have been made to ejected in the second inning for catcher. It is R3’s second ejection See “Ejections” p. 3 Published by Referee NCAA_BS_2013.indd 1 11/8/12 9:23 AM Greetings NCAA Umpires And Coaches elcome to the NCAA well recognized by me, the baseball civil and professional conduct WBaseball Umpire Clinics. The committee and the coaches and between student-athletes, coaches information in this guide provides student-athletes you serve in our and umpires. Each group is under a great summary and explanation sport. greater stress for results. Each of the major rule changes for 2013- I also want to thank the NCAA group has a few members who 2014. Along with Baseball Umpire Program staff, damage the game and its image the new rulebook, including our national coordinators, by their unsportsmanlike actions, rules video and secretary-rules editor, director of conduct and language on the field. clinics, the guide umpire training, regional advisors The rules committee has made provides concise and conference coordinators. They significant rule changes in 2013 to explanations for all demonstrate a passion and partially address these concerns. NCAA coaches, singular desire to aid training, Conferences and institutions players and education, evaluation, selection and are paying more attention and umpires. These performance. My appreciation is holding offenders accountable. clinics also also expressed to Matt Moore and Unsportsmanlike conduct or out-of- provide valuable the staff at Referee magazine for control conduct or verbal abuse has interpretations and their work with the development no rational justification in today’s information vital and publication of this guide. game. Gene McArtor for every umpire The 2012 NCAA baseball Along with the clinics, the as we strive to season and championships were NCAA website on the Arbiter NCAA National Coordinator of elevate our on- some of the best ever with a high platform continues to increase in Baseball Umpires field performance quality of umpiring to match value. Registrations are up again and national the outstanding play on the and projected to go higher. Any consistency in rule interpretations field. But there will always be umpire not registered who has and mechanics. I recognize the opportunities for improvement. aspirations to improve is missing individual sacrifice by umpires to Consistency, temperament and a major opportunity through attend a national umpire clinic but on-field performance will continue instant communication, notes, rule continue to believe in the increased to be targets and goals. We are in interpretations, tests, quizzes and value from in-person meetings. a new era of college baseball with video training. For the postseason, They are demonstrated to be more increased exposure, media attention additional communication and beneficial than other forms of and commitment by baseball instructions are facilitated. education and training. programs. We are now entering Regardless of your level of I want to thank all who an age of K-zone and instant umpiring, the website can enhance participate in our NCAA Baseball replay and increased exposure your abilities. Umpire Program and have the through television. The demand for As we all prepare for and enter greatest respect for all that goes accountability and responsibility the 2013 season, suggestions or into being a high-level umpire. continue to elevate. Those are questions are welcome and may Working a full schedule at a challenges for all of us. We are also be directed to Gene McArtor, conference and championship seeing many outstanding newer [email protected]; Tom level requires an extremely high umpires who are challenging for a Hiler, director of umpire training, level of commitment, significant place and opportunity at the upper [email protected]; or Jim physical and mental preparation levels of our sport creating more Paronto, secretary rules editor, and many hours of time and travel, competition for limited positions. [email protected]. I wish all of which impact jobs, family and The rules committee and others everyone the very best for a great personal time. This dedication is continue to stress the need for 2013 season. * Acknowledgments Major portions of this newsletter are protected by copyrights of Referee Authors contributing to the 2013 NCAA Baseball Preseason Guide: Matt Moore, Enterprises, Inc., and are used by permission. Copying in whole or in part is Referee associate editor; Gene McArtor, Columbia, Mo.; Dave Sabiani, Terre prohibited without prior written consent from Referee Enterprises, Inc., and the Haute, Ind.; Don Umland, Bettendorf, Iowa; and George Demetriou, Colorado NCAA. PlayPic® and MechaniGram® are a registered trademarks of Referee Springs. Graphics and layout by Matt Bowen, Referee graphic designer. Enterprises, Inc. 2 2013 NCAA Baseball Guide NCAA_BS_2013.indd 2 11/8/12 9:23 AM BASEBALL 2013 Ejections Continued from p. 1 rule 5-16b, which covers the physical abuse of officials. The word intentionally has been removed from the rule and kicking dirt on an umpire has been added. The rules committee believes that coaches are responsible for their actions and positions on the field related to umpires. Contact, intentional or not, will subject the offender to ejection and suspension. The penalty for the first offense by an individual has been increased to four games (from three previously). Play 3: An assistant coach is ejected during an argument in which he also inadvertently bumps the plate umpire. It is the assistant coach’s first ejection of the season. Ruling 3: If the assistant was ejected for his actions prior to the bump, he is suspended for five games (one for the ejection and four for the bump). If the ejection was for the bump only, then he is out for four games. Additionally, any coach who does not leave the “sight and sound” area following an ejection is subject to a three-game suspension (3-6d AR2). Sight and sound shall mean that the ejected person(s) cannot view the contest, cannot communicate with his team nor be where the umpires may hear or see him. It may still be possible for the ejected person(s) to be able to hear the sounds of the game; however, he must have left the confines of the playing field and the call by the umpires, any action by umpire, since the head coach is the grandstands. ejected personnel after an umpire only one permitted to discuss plays The final change related to has indicated that the conversation is with game officials. * ejections for 2013 deals with the over is subject to the penalty. concern over conduct that follows Play 4: The head coach is ejected an ejection. It is common for the from a game for arguing. Rather arguments after the ejections to than leaving the field, he continues QUICK TIP feature the worst conduct. Therefore, the discussion for more than a for 2013, any team personnel, minute, objecting to the call and his Carbonless lineup cards can including the head coach, who ejection. Ruling 4: The head coach be difficult to take notes on. unnecessarily continue to express is subject to a two-game suspension Have a few index cards in your themselves with prolonged actions or for prolonged actions following lineup card holder to make offensive language after an ejection his ejection. The head coach is not notes or write down warnings will be subject to an additional two- subject to the additional one-game or details of ejections. game suspension. While a judgment suspension for arguing with an 2013 NCAA Baseball Guide 3 NCAA_BS_2013.indd 3 11/8/12 9:23 AM Two Changes to “Getting the Call Right” or several years, umpires have been the third baseman might have made a Play 2: B1 leads off the inning by Fencouraged to get together under play on it.