Sunday, January 28, 2018

Perfect!

Maintaining perfect accuracy while publishing three baseball rule resources for two specific levels of baseball in 18 months for our Baseball Rules in Black and White series has been an incredible task, especially considering what was required. 


We collected and organized over a thousand related rulings, sub-rulings, and examples, then we converted them from rule book language into Basic English. Each converted ruling includes its official rule number. In order to formulate the complete ruling the collected rulings had to be formatted logically with rulings and sub-rulings placed together as appropriate and in order of importance. We produced a user friendly A-Z  Table of Contents so information can be found easily and quickly.

Baseball Rules in Black and White is extremely thankful to have a national
network of rule advisers (our readers) from all across the country who constantly help monitor every ruling  in our books! These sources help us produce the most accurate baseball rules resources possible.

We want to thank Doug McClure at Triple Play Umpires and his amazing staff for informing us of a proofing error in the 2018 College Edition. While over 95% of the initial ruling was correct, any percentage of incorrect information is not acceptable at Baseball Rules in Black and White. 

Any time we discover a ruling that needs to be amended we immediately amend the error at the publisher as soon as possible. We also post the amended ruling on our website Baseball Rules in Black and White for six months in order that the reader can copy it and insert it over the pages with an errant ruling.

While pursuing perfection mistakes will be made, but in order to improve mistakes should never be ignored! 








Thursday, January 25, 2018

Billy Haze and the 2018 College Edition Baseball Rules in Black and White


Listen to College World Series Umpire Billy Haze Uncut share his non-scripted reasons why those who must know the NCAA Baseball Rules should get a copy of the 2018 College Edition of Baseball Rules in Black and White.



Wednesday, January 24, 2018

Umpire Brotherhood and Baseball Rules in Black and White

Baseball Rules in Black and White is about a brotherhood of men and women who have had the courage to step onto a baseball field and say “Play Ball.” The mantra of our brotherhood is to “always strive to get better.”

Today I saw a shared post on Facebook from a member of our umpire brotherhood 2,200 miles away by (Umps Edge from Lafayette, Louisiana).  What made this post so special was they were using, endorsing and promoting our very first 2017 High School Edition of Baseball Rules in Black and White in order to get better!


Today’s Umps Edge endorsement proves that umpires everywhere are using Baseball Rules in Black and White resources because our books effectively teach the rules of baseball! 

The unsolicited testimonials we receive on a weekly basis serve to reinforce our premier endorsement from College World Series Umpire Billy Haze; “Baseball Rules in Black and White’s content will empower anyone desiring improved baseball rule knowledge!”  

Every umpire accomplished and beginner knows that our work is filled with constant new challenges and barriers.  Baseball Rules in Black and White’s resources reduces those challenges and barriers helping the umpire brotherhood to always get better.



Monday, January 22, 2018

This is Real, Not Hype!

Since the release of Baseball Rules in Black and White’s first High School Edition seventeen months ago we have sold over 500 copies, the majority to umpires all across the country. As sales continue to climb after the release of our 2018 CollegeEdition with a visible increase in projected sales currently, there is great optimism as we near the soon to be released 2018 High School Edition


The content and format in the Baseball Rules in Black and White books have been accepted, purchased, and endorsed by associations, umpires, coordinators, assignors and rule editors in the baseball community.  These many individuals and groups have accepted our books for one main reason, because Baseball Rules in Black and White more than any other rule book resource is able to effectively teach the rules of baseball. 

Baseball Rules in Black and White over the next two weeks has some fantastic new productions and opportunities we will be sharing.  It is exhilarating thinking about these entirely new ventures being added to our current products and promotions.  These new ventures have come to be for one main reason, because more than any other rule book resource Baseball Rules in Black and White can effectively teach the rules of baseball. This is not hype, this is real!

Millions of umpires over decades have unsuccessfully tried to learn the many difficult rules of baseball utilizing an official rule book, with its unique rule book language and scattered related ruling format.  Millions still battle and struggle with using it to this day, believing that it is the best and only way to learn those difficult rules of baseball.  Having an official rule book is a great way to have access to all the rules of the game of baseball, it’s just not the best way to learn the rules of baseball. Our current and future successes prove that Baseball Rules in Black and White is “A Better Way to Learn and Apply the Rules of Baseball”. 

 

Friday, January 19, 2018

Success!

Balancing life is consuming and a learning exercise at the same time. It pushes and pulls you, inflates and deflates you all at the same time. Those who balance life well, roll with the punches, bounce back, know how to adjust and keep smiling, all while avoiding prolonged conflict. 

Of course no one is problem free, but when you know how to balance life you understand that a problem is simply a part of life best resolved. How well you balance life will define the person you will ultimately be remembered for, not what you did or did not have.

Life is balance and for those who rise too high they will surely fall and for those who fall too low they will surely perish. Those who stay balanced may have endless opportunities.


In life distractions are many and achievements are too few, learn how to balance all of them and success will follow you.

James C. Bettencourt


Sunday, January 14, 2018

Let the Ball Games Begin

While the 2018 baseball season official opening days are still weeks away, in the world of baseball the pre-season has begun.  It ranges from competitive inter-squad games including umpires in sun friendly states, to indoor baseball facilities crackling of the bats and the popping of the gloves with bitter freeze outside.  

Yesterday I was fortunate enough to be working a nine inning NAIA inter-squad scrimmage at a beautiful ball park for William Jessup University in Lincoln, Ca.  I began the game working the plate, the sky was overcast with fog and about a 56 degree temperature. Then it got even better. By the time the fifth inning rolled around I was now working the bases, the fog had cleared to a beautiful 62 degree sun filled day.  In retro-spec it was a truly phenomenal day, but there was work to be done!

Most umpires will tell you prior to, during and even after a game our primary focus is officiating and processing the game, no matter the weather or field conditions. Yesterday was no exception. While I was very appreciative of the opportunity to work at such an awesome facility with great weather, these aspects were secondary.

Primary objectives for umpires is to appear calm, hustle and in control on the field. In reality our brains are awash with hundreds of continual visual images and cognitive thoughts pertaining to those images. An umpire’s ability to quickly process dozens of visual images then in seconds accurately rule on what he has seen is crucial to becoming a respected umpire. Sound complicated and challenging? It is!

While the work required of umpires is continual and daunting, at least we can always hope for great ballparks and perfect spring weather.


P.S. our 2018 High School Edition is Coming Soon!




  

Monday, January 1, 2018

Umpire's Official Word on Baseball Rules in Black and White

Here is what credible umpires and assigners from all across the country have to say about Baseball Rules in Black and White™. 

 Doug McClure, Triple Play Umpires
“I have read this and it is Amazing...
Take a look at what Jim Bettencourt has put together. You know that we at Triple Play Umpires want you to know how to give an answer, by rule to a coach.
The 2018 College Edition of Baseball Rules in Black and White will help you to understand NCAA rules, along with the rule references so that your knowledge will be spot on. We at Triple Play Umpires and many others fully recommend that you give this your attention.”

Mr. Robert Estep, NCAA Division II Umpire
“Baseball Rules in Black and White is an enhanced reference book that helps strengthen the official rule book’s information, thereby giving the reader an even greater understanding and application of the rules. Utilizing Baseball Rules in Black and White in conjunction with the NCAA rule book accomplishes the above objectives. It gives the reader an increased understanding of a ruling, thereby expanding the reader’s knowledge of the correct interpretation and their confidence to apply those rules. Baseball Rules in Black and White is a must have reference book for all members within the baseball community.”

Dal Watson, tri-sport official, JUCO Umpire
“Just finished reading your newest 2018 College Edition of Baseball Rules in Black and White. I really enjoyed your book’s unique format, it is very well done! It is a great supplement to the NCAA rule Book and I will be recommending it to many other college/JUCO officials!”

Billy Haze, 2016 College World Series NCAA Umpire, “This publication is powerful, and it has capabilities to benefit a broad audience having difficulty understanding complicated baseball rules."

Colin Brown, NAIA, GSAC, CCCBUA Umpire,
“Taking on translating baseball rule book language, changing it into an easily understood resource, is a tremendous undertaking and illustrates an incredible amount of integrity. While James has done this with the most inexperienced umpire in mind, experienced umpires benefit as well. Both rookie and veteran umpires gain an improved ability to interpret and apply the rules of baseball correctly.
This book should be required reading for all high school baseball umpires, coaches and fans. I find it interesting how something so simple is having such a desired and positive effect. Thank you James for thinking outside the box and providing something that has always been needed, but for unknown reasons never produced.”

Jim Stros Director at National Umpires Association, The creative process James Bettencourt has taken putting this book together is one of a kind. Highly recommended for all umpires at every level including all fans, and coaches. A fantastic read. 

Mr. Brian Luth, NCOA, NAIA Umpire, “Just wanted to thank you for your book last week at the Vacaville class! I’ve been able to grasp a lot of things a lot easier since reading it!”
“I would endorse your book to anyone who umpires or coaches! I’m passionate about the game of baseball and anything that makes our game better it’s a +++.”

Kenneth J Paul Sr. NCOA Umpire, “after decades of officiating in several baseball leagues and divisions throughout Northern California, I was recently invited to join the Northern California Officials Association. Being my rookie year with a new association I diligently studied the NFHS rule book. After countless hours of study, I was introduced to Baseball Rules in Black & White. The simplicity of its contents has boosted my confidence on, as well as off the field.” 
“The B&W is a must have tool for any level of officials, coaches, and yes, even the fans”    

Gil, PSI Umpires, High School Umpires: A must read! 
“This book should be on every high school umpire's book shelf. It is clear and easy to read. It clarifies the most complex rules and gives the umpire (reader) a better understanding of the intent of the rules. I'm sure Mr. Bettencourt will continue updating the content and keep the book up to date as the rules for high school change. I'll be sharing this book with our newer umpires at the Federation of Umpires (over 100 members) in the Bay Area!”