Thursday, November 23, 2017

Happy Thanksgiving From an Ump

Baseball coaches, players and fans who find what I am about to share  offensive, please keep reading in order to better understand an umpire’s job and why it is necessary.

Oh, one more extremely important request.  Please make sure all small children are out of the room before reading further.
During a baseball game anyone associated with one of the two teams playing can or could create and become involved in an illegal act, aka an infraction. As shocking and difficult to believe as it is, it is an undeniable fact of truth, those associated with a baseball team can break rules every game.

The most hardened of these rule breakers do so intentionally as way to gain any edge over their unsuspecting opponent, while hoping to deceive the umpire. Most of these rule breakers though are just innocent kids caught up in a play or are at the wrong place at the wrong time. But, given enough time even these innocent kids can become repeat offenders.

Whichever case it is once they are involved in rule breaking there is no turning back. They have committed an infraction and infractions must have penalties.
Infractions range from minor, major to malicious. Penalties range from just getting a good talking too, up to the severity of being ejected from the game. Yes some offenses and penalties so severe the offender can be expelled from the game and or banished from additional games.

By now you are all asking yourself where is this headed, well this is where it gets the most difficult to continue reading. Kids are out of the room, right?  O.K, this is where an umpires job of dealing with rule breakers, repeat offenders can get dirty, really dirty.
Somebody has to intervene, step up, stop the offenses, put things back in proper order, put an end to the base stealing, equipment throwing and restore the tranquility of the game. So who’s going enforce that penalty then? The Coaches, the players, the fans or what about the announcer? No, they’re not looking for an unbiased resolution. They are craving an edge, no matter how criminal the infraction they have to have that call, that ruling go their way. They need that edge.

So now you know why an umpire’s job is necessary, because when you want an unbiased ruling an umpire is there ready to do his job. No matter how vicious, no matter how confusing or how benign the ruling, deep down inside in the places you do not want to go, you know the umpire is always there for you, waiting, watching and ready to always make the best ruling he can.

Happy Thanksgiving

An Umpire


Monday, November 13, 2017

2018 High School Edition Coming Dec.17 - Jan. 18

Welcome to the 2018 High School Edition of Baseball Rules in Black and White. Our priority is to provide an educational resource that is accurate, user friendly and provides the reader superior baseball rule knowledge and retention for high school baseball. The 2018 High School Edition has been written so that every umpire, coach, player and fan can gain an improved understanding of the rules of high school baseball.


The 2018 High School Edition covers the frequently called and complicated rules of high school baseball. Chapters are listed in alphabetical order in the table of contents in the front of the book, allowing the reader to quickly target a ruling. 
Each chapter consists of related rulings, sub-rulings and examples that are formatted logically, in order of sequence and importance. Most importantly the old convoluted rule book language in small print has been converted into accurate, easy to read and retain sentences, all in large font.



Specifically for umpires, this series of books can strengthen a solid base of accurate baseball rule knowledge, helping to improve recall and recognition and beneficially reduce hesitation. Best of all it improves your ability to articulate what the ruling actually says, when needed.

As umpires we are always striving to get better. I believe the same should be applied to baseball rule books, this is why we strive to improve the format and content in every Baseball Rules in Black and White book.

James C. Bettencourt, NCOA, RCOA, PSI, SCVF and Author







   “A Better Way to Learn and Apply the Rules of Baseball tm





Friday, November 3, 2017

Learning From Failure, Creates Success!

I would really like to thank all my friends, umpire mentors and peers.  Your overwhelming support over the last two years has helped to inspire and guide me in writing the Baseball Rules in Black and White series.  This said, with anything new there can always be room for improvement, and my inaugural book, the 2017 High School Edition, was no exception.  


It has been exactly that room for improvement in the 2017 High School Edition that has built a solid and effective foundation for all future books to come.  I find it more beneficial recognizing, learning and improving from poor decisions rather than hiding from them or just being complacent.  Facing one’s own failures while sometimes uncomfortable, is the only way to succeed, not only in business but life itself.  Failure should be seen as an opportunity to improve, not a reason to quit.

Within the next two weeks, the 2018 College Edition of Baseball Rules in Black and White will be released. It is the second edition in the series, and it has been developed by knowing what could be improved from the first book and by making those improvements. The 2018 College Edition has been professionally proofed by some of the best college umpires and rule experts in the game of baseball today. It is an educational guide that will enhance anyone’s baseball rule knowledge and retention.  

                                  
This series began because a seventeen year experienced umpire (myself) finally faced his lack of knowledge regarding baseball rules and decided to do something about it. I did not consider that it would become a passion in my life, a series called (Baseball Rules in Black and White), but I am very thankful it has. It has made me a much improved umpire, taken me new places, brought amazing friends into my life, and most importantly shown me what can be gained by accepting and learning what I didn’t know.

Paulo Coelho wrote, “ If you want to be successful, you must respect one rule: Never Lie to Yourself” I’m one umpire/author who could not agree more.

Wednesday, November 1, 2017

Best Endorsement Ever

     Coming soon the 2018 College Edition   

Baseball Rules in Black and White is for umpires at every level of baseball, but far beyond umpires this book should be in the hands of every coach, player, administrator, broadcaster and parent. Baseball Rules in Black and White is an educational resource that enhances the most complicated and frequently called rules in baseball.


This resource converts difficult rule book language into basic, easy to read rulings. It is formatted to help the reader easily find rulings. The over 400 converted rulings are comprehensive and accurate. Baseball Rules in Black and White’s content will empower anyone desiring baseball rule knowledge.

Baseball Rules in Black and White is not filled with arbitrary rules and puzzling rule numbers. This is a unique educational resource that effectively teaches the rules of baseball to the reader, a breakthrough in baseball rules education.

Mr. Billy Haze, 2016 College World Series NCAA Division I Umpire

             Coming soon the 2018 College Edition