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Introduction
The administration of the baseball umpire program shall be directed by the Supervisor of Baseball Umpires. The baseball umpire program shall be conducted in accordance with NCAA rules and regulations (or NAIA rules and regulations when appropriate).
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Independent Contractor
Umpires are independent contractors and not employees of the South Central Umpires Association (SCUA), any conference or any college or university. As an independent contractor, umpires agree to hold the SCUA, any/all collegiate conferences, any/all member institutions, and the Supervisor of Baseball Umpires harmless from any and all liability for injury or damage sustained as a result of any assignment.
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Insurance
Umpires shall provide their own medical and health insurance, which shall include coverage for any accident suffered or injury sustained while umpiring. Umpires are also encouraged to maintain comprehensive general liability insurance. Umpires are encouraged to maintain membership in the Amateur Baseball Umpires Association (ABUA) and/or the National Association of Sports Officials (NASO) to ensure insurance and liability coverage.
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Physical Examination
Umpires are encouraged to undergo a complete physical exam on an annual basis.
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Tobacco Use
NCAA rules strictly prohibit the use of tobacco products by coaches, student-athletes, and umpires. This prohibition should be enforced during all SCUA assignments.
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Umpire Staffing/Assigning Policy
Staff membership and assignments will be based on recommendations and evaluations from senior umpires, independent observers and coaches. Also impacting an individual's number of assignments will be the umpire's overall officiating background, clinic attendance, test results, and the umpire's availability and interest.
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Emergency Umpire Replacement Plan
1. Contact appropriate assignor or Supervisor of Umpires.
2. Contact SCUA umpire to work as a replacement.
3. Contact home head coach and work together to find best available replacement.
4. Work game(s) with one fewer umpire -
Umpire Education Plan
All umpires receiving SCUA assignments will be encouraged to attend one of the NCAA Umpire Program national clinics. The Supervisor of Baseball Umpires will conduct a SCUA meeting in conjunction with the national clinic.
SCUA members will be encouraged to complete an annual NCAA baseball rules test (mandatory for umpires receiving conference games).
The Supervisor of Umpires will also communicate with SCUA members through bulletins.
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Umpire Uniform
It is the responsibility of the crew chief to ensure the crew is dressed consistently. Shoes should be shined and clothing should be cleaned and pressed.
The basic uniform will include:
- Black base or plate shoes (contrasting white manufacturer’s logos on shoes is acceptable)
- Black socks
- Gray slacks
- Black belt
- Black or gray ball bag(s)
- Black short sleeve shirt with white trim
- Black undershirt or black crew neck or black turtle neck should be worn under shirt or pullover
- Black shell pullover jacket with white trim over shoulder
- Black plate coat or shell pullover may be worn on plate
- Black sized SCUA hat (black sized Pro Mesh SCUA hat is permissible)
- Black gloves as needed
- Black foul weather hood or ear protector as needed
- Optional shirt is the black long sleeve shirt with white trim
- Optional shirt is the light blue short sleeve shirt with black trim
- Optional pullover is the black shell with white trim over shoulder
Please remove all association/league/professional patches, logos, etc. from your uniform. We do not wear numbers on our SCUA uniforms; however, if you have numbers on your shirt or pullover from another conference, that is permissible. Likewise, American flags are permissible and should worn on the back of your shirt or pullover just below the collar mid-way between the shoulders (behind the bottom of your neck). If you wear one of the hockey-style helmets on the plate instead of a SCUA hat and mask, that is permissible.
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Umpire Crew Chief Responsibilities
Crew chiefs should:
- Secure or verify accommodations as necessary for all members of the crew well in advance
- Verify game times with the head coach or school representative at least one week prior to an assigned series and notify the umpires
- Coordinate umpire travel plans whenever possible
- Verify umpire's locker room arrangements with the head coach or school representative at least one week prior to an assignment
- Notify the home team head coach upon arrival for each game
- Ensure that the umpire's dressing room remains off-limits to anyone except officials, umpire observer, and appropriate host school administrators
- Ensure that the crew arrive at the game site at least one hour prior to game time and conduct a pregame mechanics review with the crew
- Ensure an appropriate number of baseballs are rubbed and ready for play
- Conduct a pregame meeting with the coaches at home plate ten minutes prior to game time
- Ensure umpires follow the crew rotation for the series as assigned
- Complete and submit crew evaluations on Arbiter and email a self evaluation to the Supervisor within 48 hours of the completion of the series
- Telephone the supervisor within 24 hours of the end of a series if there was an unusual incident
// Supervisors of Umpires
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Supervisor of SCUA Umpires
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Assistant Supervisor and Scheduler
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Assistant Supervisor and Scheduler
// Conferences / Schools
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Abilene Christian
Central Arkansas
HBU
Incarnate Word
Lamar
McNeese State
Nicholls State
Northwestern State
Sam Houston
Southeastern Louisiana
Stephen F. Austin
Texas A&M-Corpus
UNO -
Alabama A&M
Alabama State
Alcorn State
Arkansas Pine Bluff
Grambling State
Jackson State
Mississippi Valley State
Prairie View A&M
Southern University
Texas Southern -
Belhaven
Concordia (Texas)
East Texas Baptist
Hardin - Simmons
Howard Payne
LeTourneau
Louisiana College
Mary Hardin - Baylor
McMurry University
University of the Ozarks
Sul Ross State
UT-Dallas
UT-Tyler
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Houston
Rice
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Houston Collegiate Summer League