Great Time Radio Interview!

Make sure, don’t miss tomorrow September 1, 2017 to tune into KNCO am 830 radio or on the internet https://knco.com/ for a live on air Tom Fitzsimmons interview with Billy Haze (College World Series) umpire and author / umpire Jim Bettencourt.    

They will be discussing the (2018 College Edition) of Baseball Rules in Black and White, Jim’s soon to be released and newest book in his Black and White series, plus any and all things in the world of umpiring baseball.  Should be a very entertaining hour.

For more information about the soon to be released 2018 College Edition you can go to:

 www.baseballrulesinblackandwhite.com or

https://baseballrulesinblackandwhite.blogspot.com/ .

It is Finally Here, the 2018 College Edition of Baseball Rules in Black and White

2018 College Edition is Now Available

Our 2018 College Edition is now available, it has been created through a collaboration of dedicated, knowledgeable and highly respected baseball umpires, assignors and professional rules consultants.

This 2018 College Edition is the second in our series of enhanced learning resources for frequently called and complex rules of baseball, targeting each specific level of play. By enhancing baseball rule book language and the overall format, we are improving the value (knowledge) to the reader, while supporting the actual source of those rulings.  NCAA, Division I, and College World Series umpire, Mr. Billy Haze, has defined the Baseball Rules in Black and White series as the “Cliffs Notes for official baseball rule books”.

Baseball Rules in Black and White accomplishes this in several ways. First by collecting and organizing related rulings then placing them under a definitive chapter. Black and White also converts confusing official rule book grammar into an easy to read and retain format. Baseball Rules in Black and White's  2018 College Edition complements the NCAA baseball rule book by providing official NCAA rule and page numbers with every converted ruling. This allows the reader to quickly find and cross-reference (via official rule book or internet) with the official ruling.

An effective baseball rules resource should take you directly to a rule, use straightforward language to convey a clear and decisive interpretation, all while retaining accuracy. We are positive you will find Baseball Rules in Black and White’s 2018 College Edition to be that resource!

Communication is a Good Thing

Just like getting dressed before leaving the house in the morning, communication is a key requirement for being able to function at a basic level in society.  For some, the thought of even communicating with a friend is an uncomfortable feeling, but even worse the thought of speaking to a stranger or group is completely petrifying.

Communication skills impact everyday outcomes on a daily basis, and umpiring is no exception.

Successful umpires are able to communicate well under the most difficult scenarios. They are able to communicate well on a botched play or ruling, face to face with fuming coaches or players, all in front of a large crowd of strangers.  The best umpires have the ability to communicate exceptionally well under these brutal conditions.

When communication breaks down, things can get ugly fast.

Successful umpires know that communicating accurate rulings is paramount, particularly when defusing volatile situations.  Most mediocre umpires know that conveying confusing and fuzzy rulings make volatile situations blowup. Umpires must thoroughly understand a ruling in order to accurately and successfully communicate that ruling.

When umpires convey clear and accurate rulings, those rulings are accepted as final. Umpires who communicate accurate rulings well are held in high regard by those around them, not only for what they say but for their ability to communicate information. Communication is not only a basic life function but a key element in being a successful umpire.

                                         Baseball Rules in Black and White

A Better Way!

Coming Soon, the:

2018 College Edition of

Baseball Rules in Black and White

Over 450 frequently called baseball rules rewritten to be easily understood. With better rule comprehension, comes better rule retention.

We have improved confusing baseball rule book language into easy to read
rulings. Helping the reader to understand the correct interpretation is our mission.

We are positive you will find that Baseball Rules in Black and White is: "A Better Way to Learn and Apply the Rules of Baseball!"

The 2018 College Edition of Baseball Rules in Black and White is Ready to Soar

Today, after many months and countless hours we have completed The 2018 College Edition of Baseball Rules in Black and White manuscript. Not only has it been developed through a collaboration of dedicated and highly respected umpires, it has been influenced by dozens of umpires from all across the country that have directly and indirectly helped guide me and the final product.

Over 13,800 words, 470 rulings, penalties, examples and summaries all converted from rule book language into basic, easy to read and understand English. Every converted ruling includes the original NCAA rule and page number.

We have gathered many dozens of related rulings and organized them under their own dedicated chapter.  Fifteen chapters of the most frequently called and confusing topics in the game of college baseball. We have presented all of them logically, in an easy to locate, read, and retain format.

After reading and retaining this enhanced resource you will see immediate results. You will begin to make calls without hesitation, with confidence. You will quickly recall and apply rulings from this book. You will be able to understand why we are proud to say, we have created “a better way to learn and apply the rules of baseball”. 

I am also pleased to say The 2018 College Edition of Baseball Rules in Black and Whitewill be available to buy online in a few short weeks. It will give me even greater pleasure when this great baseball rules resource is in the hands of umpires everywhere, helping them gain the mastery and confidence of baseball rules knowledge they deserve and desire.

Umpire / Author

James C. Bettencourt

Baseball Rules in Black and White

Baseball Rules in Black and White Blog

Umpires, Understanding Your Emotions

Umpires make hundreds of decisions or calls that are final during a ball game and in most cases the majority of them are spot on. But, I am not discussing those calls today. Today, I want to discuss what goes through the mind of an umpire when he is unclear or completely wrong when he makes a ruling on the field.  Nothing will take a big man or woman down quicker than taking a public position, then be proven wrong in front of everyone!

I want to discuss this in hopes of better understanding the process of what being wrong feels like (on a public stage), in hopes of being able to better cope with those negative and even scary feelings. Personally I believe until we acknowledge our fears we can never resolve them, move beyond them or even better learn from them. 

                               Baseball Rules in Black and White

The first thoughts to enter an umpire’s mind when he makes an incorrect call is to immediately begin replaying what he just saw and ruled. Secondly, the umpire will begin processing a half dozen or more other options that he could have ruled. The umpire knows he has one second or less before the coach who has bagged on his strike zone all game comes out to have a not so friendly chat about the call.

An umpire will always be the first to know when he has made an incorrect or questionable call, the bigger issue becomes who will be the second to know. If no one notices you may get lucky, but no one is always that lucky.

As the irate coach is approaching, the normal emotions trying to consume an umpire are fight or flight, but you as the umpire are not going anywhere. Obviously physical fighting is out, so you must use words to defend yourself. You must communicate your position (using the fewest words possible) regarding the call. No one ever said defending an indefensible position was easy.  The more efficient (using the fewest words possible) and honest you can be while communicating your position, the less bloody and beaten your ego will be.

I have a hunch that really great umpires learn more from getting a call wrong than they ever did from getting a call right.

This post is brought to you by Baseball Rules in Black and White, a "better way to learn and apply the rules of baseball".  

Only 3 days left on our hot $ummer $ale Price: $9.74, on Baseball Rules in Black and White: "Difficult High School Baseball Rules Made Easy" List Price: $12.99 You Save: $3.25 (25%) 

  

Obstruction in Black and White

I currently umpire Legion or Adult League games in Sacramento and the surrounding area.  Every game provides an abundance of learning and teaching moments pertaining to the rules of baseball. This last weekend indeed was no exception.

In these games the rules being applied are Official Baseball a.k.a. Major League Baseball which some are identical to NCAA baseball rules. One related side note; I have also written and am very close to publishing the 2018 College Edition of Baseball Rules in Black and White.

Last weekend as I was working the bases with a runner on first, there was a pick off throw to first. This caused the runner to get into a rundown between first and second. After a few back and forth throws, the runner changed direction and a defensive player was standing in his new path and they collided.

I instantly and correctly (pointed and said “that’s obstruction”), then unknowingly and mistakenly let the play finish, the runner was then tagged out.  I (then called time) and by rule awarded the runner second base. I felt like the luckiest umpire / author on the planet.

Just days prior I was fine-tooth editing the Chapter on Obstruction for the 2018 College Edition of Baseball Rules in Black and White. After this play took place I could not wait to get home and critique my call.

Other than (not calling) an immediate dead ball (which turned out of little consequence), my call and ruling were spot on. It was a hallelujah moment for several reasons:

1. The immediate execution of the call.

2. The decisive call's (calming impact) on the defensive players, who the call had gone against.

3. Understanding the direct influence Baseball Rules in Black and White had in helping me make the right call quickly and apply the ruling accurately.

It gives me great pride to say the following; Not only am I the author of Baseball Rules in Black and White “A better way to learn and apply the rules of baseball”, I’m also a working umpire who benefits from what this book has to offer as well!