Umpires, stop the "deer in the headlight syndrome"

Baseball Advocates & Umpire Administrators, 

Re: Baseball Rules in Black and White

There is no bigger fear for an umpire than to be unclear of a rule 

interpretation and then have that infraction happen right in front of 

them during a game.

 

The first reaction is to have a delayed call or no call, the famous 

“deer in the headlights syndrome.”  Hostile fans, coaches, players 

all either doubt your call or wonder if you are qualified. Then, 

that’s when it can get ugly.  This scenario plays out hundreds of 

times across this country every baseball season.

Of course this happens more frequently with newer officials, but as

 we all know it is not only exclusive to rookies.  Even seasoned 

officials are ultimately challenged by important game situations in 

conjunction with difficult worded rules.  Pressure of a game 

or a play and a complicated ruling can easily rattle and cause any 

official to struggle. 

Over five decades of either playing, coaching or umpiring baseball 

I wanted something better to teach both old and new umpires

 difficult rules, that would help reduce or stop "the deer in the 

headlight syndrome". 

My objective was to make difficult rulings easier to learn and 

comprehend so that they would be easy to retain and apply in  

difficult games and plays, this would increase a decisive and 

correct call on the field.  I have seen both rookies’ and veterans’ 

field performance greatly improve by reading, understanding and 

applying their newly gained rules knowledge.  Making calls in an 

automatic reflex action tells everyone that you honestly know what 

the rule says and why you called it.

The introduction in the book gives an excellent overview about 

Baseball Rules in Black and White. I have written a baseball rule

clarification book, an enhancement to the high school baseball rule 

book.  I did not attempt to rewrite the whole rule book or replace 

it.  

After purchasing, reading and evaluating this book, if you know of 

anyone that would benefit from its contents please pass the name

Baseball Rules in Black and White along to them.

baseballrulesinblackandwhite.com

James C. Bettencourt

I am ecstatic to say I have the very first print copy of Baseball Rules in Black and White sitting in front of me as I type.  It's an incredible feeling to finally hold it in book form and see and read the font, the basic language and the comprehensive content all in one package. That was my goal, and that is what I have. Success. Baseball Rules in Black and White brings opportunity for success in so many ways.  

This book brings the opportunity for success to the young, new and rookie officials all across this country who will now have a resource in rules education that simplifies and defines some of baseball's most difficult and poorly worded rules from the rule book.

This book brings the opportunity for success to seasoned officials wanting to quickly refresh their rules knowledge after months of a long layoff. 

This book brings opportunity for success to coaches and players all across the country who will now have a resource that can quickly locate accurate basic language rulings within a very short time period. When a ruling is called into question regarding the outcome of a play or game, time is critical.

This book brings opportunity for success to frustrated fans, tired of not understanding a rule, misunderstanding a rule or quickly wanting the correct rule after a call is made on the field.

Having the final book in my hands gives me a true sense of accomplishment and pride knowing that Baseball Rules in Black and White can benefit anyone associated with the game of baseball.

James C. Bettencourt

Go to Lulu, or Amazon, or www.baseballrulesinblackandwhite.com to order your copy today.  

This is the way we do it

I have heard the phrase "This is the way we have always done things"  described as the most expensive cost of doing business.  As an umpire I have to ask myself if this term was applied to our occupation, what would be the cost.  How could this type of mentality hurt our profession?  

1.What if there was a new resource that could benefit every umpire's rule knowledge and ability to efficiently apply it to their games? 2.What if all the powers to be in baseball were offered an opportunity to scrutinize this new resource for its merit?   3.Would there be a chorus of what took so long to improve on existing resources or just the opposite? 4. What would coaches, players, and fans say if they knew umpires' rule knowledge and application could be improved?

These are all great hypothetical questions, except for me they are not hypothetical at all, and I am learning the answers to all these questions everyday.  You see I believe I have written a book about specific rules that can benefit everyone associated with baseball. It is a broad statement indeed, but not only did I write the book, but I am also an umpire who understands and applies what is written in this book every time I umpire.  Baseball Rules in Black and White has improved every aspect of my umpiring ability each and every time I step on the field.  


Anyone who is honest and has watched or played baseball, season after season understands the cost of my initial question.  Anyone being hard line against rule education improvement are a detriment to improving the game of baseball.  

We have all seen what happens in the workplace when a new protocol, product or innovation comes along.  First comes the "hell no, we won't do it".  Then there are the "no way this could be better" or "help me" mentality folks or "I know what I am doing so leave me alone". Then there are a few who think, "It's about time, what took to so long", and a million of other thoughts somewhere in between.  

Having just written this book and just beginning marketing it, I am already beginning to experience all of the above.  It is truly an eye opening experience into the psyche of man.  

Initially I am seeing an overwhelming support mostly from the fans, a strong support from many open, like-minded umpires and professionals in the game.  Evolution proves that most everything in life can and does need improving.  Baseball rule education is no exception.

James C. Bettencourt

www.baseballrulesinblackandwhite.com

Now available in ebook

Baseball Rules in Black and White

Just getting up to speed on this marketing thing. Currently there are two ways to purchase Baseball Rules in Black and White. One. Hit the shop now button on this page it will take you straight to our web site where you hit the Buy Now page and follow the prompts. If this does not go smoothly, you can go to Lulu.com and type in Baseball Rules in Black and White or James C. Bettencourt which takes you straight to the book or e-book. Thanks again for the support from all across this great country. Also available at www.barnesandnoble.com or www.amazon.com  Visit our website at www.baseballrulesinblackandwhite.com

Fear & Apathy an umpire's reality

Five decades of being a part of baseball.  Sixteen years of becoming a veteran umpire. The biggest deterrent of becoming a better umpire was fear and apathy.  What was I fearful and apathetic about?  The answer. Words!  Yes, words.  I was afraid of the words in the rule book.  My inability to understand the words in the rule book caused my apathy to ignore some of the most challenging and difficult rules in baseball.  

Among my peers, majority of coaches, players and fans I am considered a very solid, quality umpire.  But, year after year I would pass right over these terribly worded rulings believing that I had a very good understanding of most of all the other rules. So, I could get away with not really having a clear understanding of a few others.  Oh ya, for the most part of 16 years I was polished enough as a umpire I pulled it off. 

www.baseballrulesinblackandwhite.com

All the time in the back of my mind I knew I really did not know these rules, the tough ones, the poorly worded ones and I knew it effected my calls.  It made umpiring that much more difficult, even though most others had no idea.  That did not matter, what mattered was I knew.

If your an honest umpire reading this many of you know exactly what I am talking about.  For the most part, sometime as an umpire everyone has had a less than solid understanding of the rules.  But, after sixteen year you would think not so.  But, because of the poorly worded, confusing language,  user unfriendly, small font format of the rule book these specific rulings are seldom clearly understood by many, many seasoned umpires. 

To confirm what I have typed, if you as a seasoned official frequently use the term "in my opinion" when defending your rulings, you qualify for being unclear in the definition of the rule.  No one wants to hear an opinion, they only want to know what the rules says.

"In my opinion", I call this my umpire get out of jail free card.  I will come back to this on my next entry.

www.baseballrulesinblackandwhite.com

Baseball Rules in Black and White now available

                                        Press Release

Baseball Rules in Black and White is now live.

Available online at: www.baseballrulesinblackandwhite.com

NCAA Division 1 College World Series Umpire, Billy Haze says this, “This publication is powerful, and it will benefit a broad baseball audience by helping them understand complicated baseball rules.”

·       Baseball Rules in Black and White takes 16 troublesome rule topics and extracts over 150 language friendly rulings, examples, and summaries.

·       With each revised ruling the original rule & page number are included from the high school rule book.  Font friendly format. 

 

·       Baseball Rules in Black and White translates difficult rule book language into basic language and comprehensive information. This book has a Table of Contents listed in alphabetical order, a completely new concept for baseball rule books. 

About the Author, James C Bettencourt.  For over 5 decades I have either played, coached or umpired baseball. I have umpired many levels of competitive baseball, Little League, men’s & women’s softball, Legion, Joe DiMaggio, Pony, High School, Junior College, University Div. II spring & fall ball, and S.F. Bay Area semi-pro leagues.

Umpire Kenneth J. Paul Sr. says this: I found the language in Baseball Rules in Black and White to be basic and easy to understand. This book quickly gave me a clear understanding of many difficult rules, boosting my confidence to make the correct call on the field.

Author & Umpire, James C Bettencourt says this:  In a matter of weeks this book has given me the ability to quickly and correctly call the most challenging rules in baseball, something the high school rule book could not do in 16 years. 

James C. Bettencourt, 530-330-3139 or email: bbribaw@gmail.com

Baseball Rules in Black and White is now live. Buy it today!

Press Release

Baseball Rules in Black and White is now available at: 

www.baseballrulesinblackandwhite.com

Baseball Rules in Black and White’s accomplishments are threefold.

First, Baseball Rules in Black and White has over 150 combined rulings, illustrations and examples with rule reference and page numbers included.

Second, Baseball Rules in Black and White translates the current difficult rule book language into basic and comprehensive information.

Third, Baseball Rules in Black and White begins with a Table of Contents in alphabetical order that makes being able to locate and confirm difficult rulings quicker and faster than ever before.

The days of wasting time flipping through pages trying to find the correct ruling are over!

NCAA Division I College World Series Umpire, Billy Haze, says this about Baseball Rules in Black and White: “This publication is powerful, and it will benefit a broad baseball audience by helping them understand complicated baseball rules.”

Kenneth J. Paul Sr. Oroville, California, says this: I was introduced to Baseball Rules in Black & White and I found its language basic and easy to understand.

This book quickly helped me gain a clear understanding of many difficult rules, boosting my confidence to make the correct call on the field. Baseball Rules in Black and White has given me a practical knowledge of baseball rules I have always wanted. I’m positive it can do the same for you.

 Author and veteran umpire James C. Bettencourt says this about Baseball Rules in Black and White: the information in this book has provided me a definitive understanding of baseball's most difficult, confusing and poorly worded rules in the rule book. This book has given me the ability to quickly and correctly call the most challenging rules in baseball in a matter of weeks that the high school rule book could not do in 16 years. I know it will do the same for you. 

Contact: James C Bettencourt

Email: bbribaw@gmail.com

Baseball Rules in Black and White is now live. Buy it today at: www.baseballrulesinblackandwhite.com

Umpire knows his stuff, semi-pro team not so much

Now that I have had some time to digest umpiring 18 innings of semi-pro baseball yesterday and collected my thoughts a pertinent rationalization, analogy became too obvious. 

Our occupation is an exact replica of the judicial system all wrapped up in one job, an umpire. 

First, we are the policeman on the baseball field, but instead of looking for crime breakers, we are on the lookout for rule breakers.  When we see a rule being broken, recognizing it and bringing that rule violation to everyone’s attention is our job. 

Second, we become the prosecutor. One, we take into consideration what we saw, two we take into consideration what the rule book says. We then make a ruling “prosecution” based upon what we saw, what the rule book says and all other pertinent known facts. 

Third, we are the jury. Our job as umpire demands that we understand the rule infraction and give the final verdict of guilty or not guilty to the appropriate player/team.

Finally, we are the judge. Once the rule infraction has been verified beyond a reasonable doubt, we impose final sentencing.

The legal system can take fifteen to a hundred people, months, sometimes years to conclude a case. It has taken me approximately twenty minutes to compose this information, and it could take between two to three minutes for you to read it. The reason why these things are worth mentioning is that as an umpire, we make a call and determine a ruling in seconds. The enforcement can take as little as 10 seconds but frequently can take up to 5 minutes or more to resolve.

Umpires’ ability to correctly recognize, process, call, and enforce a ruling during a game quickly is an incredible skill, a skill that is often ignored or taken for granted. This is odd particularly considering how high a percentage of rulings are called correctly, but I also understand why it is a one-sided recognition. 

Today my partner Ken Paul and I worked two separate games in the San Jose Men's Senior semi-pro baseball league. In the second game Ken had the dish and with a runner on first, the batter who was crowding the plate was hit by an off speed pitch.  

The batter began to walk to first when Ken called a ball.   The batter stopped and began questioning his call, then the runner on first began questioning the call as I informed him he needed to return to first. Then finally in a loud chorus of bemoaning the entire offensive dugout sang their displeasure.  They informed Ken and I that this was not high school baseball and that it was big league rules.  

My partner Ken stood his ground, made the batter return. The batter then quickly hit into a double play.  Of course the parking lot after the game and the ride home discussion was centered on this call.  

Ken quickly found the big league ruling on a batter who is hit by a pitch, per baseball official rule 6.08(b), clearly states the batter has to make an attempt to avoid being hit, much to the pleasure of Ken.  He is as I type forwarding this bit of knowledge to the Mets team. So to the Mets team from the SJMSBL the call Ken Paul made on the field by rule was 100% correct.

A famous instance of a non-hit by pitch was on May 31, 1968, when Don Drysdale hit Dick Dietz with a pitch that would have forced in a run and ended Drysdale's scoreless innings streak at 44. Umpire Harry Wendelstedt ruled that Dietz made no effort to avoid the pitch; Dietz proceeded to fly out, and Drysdale's scoreless streak continued to a then-record 58²⁄₃ innings

What many fans, player and coaches fail to realize is that all umpires at every level spend hundreds of hours studying, discussing and learning the many detailed specifics of the baseball rule book every season. 

While on the other side many fans, players, announcers and coaches have never seen, opened or read the rule book.  Not successfully anyway.

This scenario is extremely confounding, especially to a knowledgeable  umpire who made the correct call.

This is another perfect example of why my book Baseball Rules in Black and White, being released this week,  can provide basic comprehensive rule definition to those challenged by the original rule book.  www.baseballrulesinblackandwhite.com  

Rules, we don't need no stinking rules

Interference or Obstruction 

Can someone please explain to this announcer the difference betweeen interferrence and obstruction. Obviously he does not know. Better yet buy him a copy of Baseball Rules in Black and White next week when it comes out. Perfect example how this book can help anyone associated with baseball.

  http://www.closecallsports.com/2016/07/mlb-ejection-115-mike-winters-2-aj.html

Tired of hesitating to make a call, because you do not have a clear understanding what the baseball rule book is trying to say?  Tired of sitting in the stands watching your team, players waiting for a coach and umpire to come to a conclusion about a ruling?  How many times have you seen a coach frantically turning rule book pages attempting to find the needle in a hay stack?  Yes, yes and too many times for all of these questions.

I have an answer, very, very soon Baseball Rules in Black and White will be released.  No later than 8-17-16 and  quite possibly sooner.

You will be able to order your copy at www.baseballrulesinblackandwhite.com

Tired of hesitating to make a call, because you do not have a clear understanding what the baseball rule book is trying to say?  Tired of sitting in the stands watching your team, players waiting for a coach and umpire to come to a conclusion about a ruling?  How many times have you seen a coach frantically turning rule book pages attempting to find the needle in a hay stack?  Yes, yes and too many times for all of these questions.

I have an answer, very, very soon Baseball Rules in Black and White will be released.  No later than 8-17-16 and  quite possibly sooner.

You will be able to order your copy at www.baseballrulesinblackandwhite.com

Umpires, the nightmare is over.

It was time, I had had enough of run on sentences, making five separate statements regarding a rule.  I was tired of # 4 font, rules in the back index,  no page numbers,  and up to eight rule numbers for the only reference to locate what you wanted to know.  
www.baseballrulesinblackandwhite.com  Let's say what you wanted to find was in the last of the eight rules listed, by the time you read through the first seven rules,  possibly you forgot what you were looking for.  To add misery to the process you could have also read a half dozen more rule numbers in the prior seven rules that makes learning a nightmare.

Sound familiar?   I am sure it does.  All honest officials, either new or old have experienced these same frustrations.   Everyone who has had to rely on a baseball rule book all can agree about the above information. 
www.baseballrulesinblackandwhite.com I finally decided to take matters into my own hands.  I wrote Baseball Rules in Black and White, it has a Table of Contents in alphabetical order with 16 of the most difficult, confusing and poorly worded rulings in the baseball rule book. I then broke those 16 rules out, statement by statement, word by word, and translated them into basic and comprehensive language.  Next to the translated version I attached the page number and the rule number back to the rule book, so that you can confirm and expand as necessary.  
www.baseballrulesinblackandwhite.com Baseball Rules in Black and White has basic easy to understand examples, summaries and pitcher's stances illustrations.  

Baseball Rules in Black and White will be available very,very soon at www.baseballrulesinblackandwhite.com.



www.baseballrulesinblackandwhite.com

Baseball Rules in Black and White a breakthrough in rules education

Thousands of parents and fans have watched as coaches and officials frantically try to find the rule, then try to agree on a clear understanding and application of a rule, without success.  Too many coaches, players and fans have seen a play or even the outcome of a game change against them, because of a misinterpreted rule. Very good umpires have spent endless hours struggling, many unsuccessfully to gain a clear understanding of the baseball rules.   

After five decades of baseball, sixteen years of umpiring I have had enough.  It was time to do the obvious, simplify the rule book.  Simplify finding the rule, simplify reading the rule and simplify understanding the rule.  Simple, right? Wrong. I took sixteen rule subjects and printed out the dozens of the actual rule interpretations pertaining to them. Then rule by rule extracted exactly what was being stated. Then in the fewest, most comprehensive and basic language possible described exactly what the rule was saying.

www.baseballrulesinblackandwhite.com 

By deconstructing and reconstructing baseball's most confusing and difficult rules into basic comprehensive language, most everyone can agree on an outcome. What a concept! Each interpretation in Baseball Rules in Black and White includes the high school rule book page number and rule number that it applies to. This allows the reader to cross reference, confirm or expand if needed in a matter of seconds.  

This type of speed and accuracy has never been possible until now. Baseball Rules in Black and White is a break through in baseball rules education. This book was first designed in order to help new officials accelerate their learning curve of the baseball rule book. The instant positive feedback was so overwhelming that I instantly knew that this would be an amazing educational reference for everyone.

Baseball Rules in Black and White has provided me a definitive understanding of baseball's most difficult, confusing and poorly worded rules in the rule book. In a matter of weeks this book has given me the ability to quickly and correctly call the most challenging rules in baseball, that the high school rule book could not do in 16 years. I know it will do the same for you. 

www.baseballrulesinblackandwhite.com

James C. Bettencourt, Willows, California   

www.baseballrulesinblackandwhite