The Santa Cruz County
Softball Officials Association
website

Under way ...
Umpires, it's Spring Break and we are two weeks into the league season. We had a handful of rainouts last week and they will be made up. If you were on one of those rainouts, the game is still yours when it gets rescheduled, as long as you're available. Check your email daily to see if you have any new assignments. If you have any questions, please contact Greg at 252-1197.

Our next meeting is Sunday, April 15, at which time we will discuss things that have happened so far as well discussing rules situations.

• NEED EQUIPMENT? Here are some web sites:

• Sport About (local, in Soquel)

• The Shoemart (plate shoes)

• The Official's Choice (shirts for $12.50)

• Cactus Umpires (links, links and more links)

• Stripes Plus

• Ump-Attire

• Honig's

• Get Official

• +POS

• ASA Gear

• SOS Sports

• Google search engine for umpire gear

• The rules changes material from the PowerPoint Presentation at the state rules meeting is also available to help you, as well as Discussion Questions on Rule 3 and Rule 8.

• The NFHS softball page has a wealth of information for you about rules changes for this season and other news that will help make you a more informed umpire. There are links to no fewer than 52 instructional videos on everything softball rules for you to view. Please visit this page. You will be required to provide your Arbiter username and password to gain access to this page.

• (For those of you who need assistance with setting up your Arbiter account, here is a step-by-step tutorial in Power Point. To end the program, press the ESC key.)

• Pitching Point of Emphasis
  Coaches and umpires play a critical role in ensuring the game is played fairly and no advantage is gained by pitchers utilizing illegal tactics. First, coaches must teach proper pitching techniques to their players. Second, umpires must recognize when an illegal pitch has occurred and must enforce the proper penalty. The links here  show video footage of specific pitching techniques -- Leap, Crow Hop and 24" Length Violation -- and the applicable rules associated with each. You will be required to provide your Arbiter username and password to gain access to this page.
  

• Teaching Interference and Obstruction  
  A Power Point Slideshow that teaches about Interference and Obstruction, and the difference between two. This presentation comes with detailed photographs that help explain the two rule infractions as well as case plays that serve as a quiz.
  

• DP and the Flex -- and how to use them  
  This Power Point Slideshow that gives five sample exercises about the Designated Player and the FLEX, complete with lineup cards and step-by-step instructions on how to use them correctly.

• 20 rules interpretations  
  A Power Point Slideshow of 20 case-play situations and the ruling on each one. You may also print a copy of the presentation so that you may follow along. Also, there is a list of three printing error corrections at the top of the sheet.

• 43-foot pitching distance  
  This Power Point Slideshow offers charts of a three-year study that details the comparison of game statistics for the three years prior to the implementation of the experiment and the three years since its start. There is also a list of benefits for having the distance at 43 feet, which will be the pitching distance beginning this season.

• Line-up card management
  A step-by-step Power Point Slideshow shows you how to keep manage a line-up card throughout the game, complete with explanations on the DP, Flex and legal substituting. Make sure to take notes -- there will be a quiz during the presentation. (Seriously!)
  

• The ins and outs of the DP/FLEX
  Though designed for ASA, this Power Point Slideshow also works for high school as it shows you everything you want to know about the workings of the roles of the DP and FLEX. And, for that matter, the Slideshow probably has everything you don't want to know, too. (There will be sample exercises at the end of the presentation.)
  

• The strike zone
  A three-page Power Point Slideshow on how the strike zone should be called.

• Non-Approved bats

  • A year ago, the bat at right, the Baden-Axe-Avenge series-L150, was an illegal bat; now, it's legal

  • A multi-page list of bats not approved by ASA, with pictures of the bats

  • A one-page  list of bats not approved by ASA, with pictures of the bats

• A PowerPoint Presentation on two-person umpire mechanics.

• Interpretations for eight situations. Give it a try and see how well you do.

• If you are a member of the SCCSOA you need to take the 20-minute course Heads Up -- Concussion in Youth Sports. This is a required course as part of your training but you don't need to take the test this year if you took it last year. If you have trouble viewing this CDC course -- and some officials have -- you may access the one at the Federation web site: Concussion in Sports - What You Need To Know. It's not as good but it gets the job done. You will not be paid for any games until you have turned in your completion certificate that you may print at the conclusion of the course.

• The CDC has an excellent web site on concussion in sports as well as a card that gives signs and symptoms of a concussion and an appropriate action plan.

• As required by the CIF, all officials must show proof of general liability insurance before they may officiate. The least expensive insurance is $35 through the National Federation. You may order this liability insurance online. Officials must present documentation to show proof of liability insurance. You will not be assigned any games until you have turned in your proof of liability insurance.

• Keep the game moving
  Though written for baseball, here are some tips you may use to cut several minutes off the playing time of games. Please keep in mind that not all of these tips are allowed in the softball rules.

• Assignments 
  A link to Arbiter, where you may access your assignments.

• Directions 
  General directions to local high school sites.

• Schedule of meetings for 2012
  Our meetings are usually on Sundays from 5 to 7 p.m. at Good Shepherd Catholic School in Santa Cruz.

2012 meeting schedule  (5 p.m. at Good Shepherd School, except where noted)

• January 21

• January 29

• February 12, 3:30 p.m., Tony & Alba's Pizza on 41st Avenue

• February 19

• February 20 -- ASA clinic, 6:30 p.m.

• February 26

• March 4

• March 5 -- ASA clinic, 6:30 p.m.

• March 11

• March 12 -- ASA clinic, 6:30 p.m.

• April 15

• May 12 -- Post-season Pizza Party at Tony & Alba's in Capitola, 4 to 6 p.m.

GREAT SITE FOR LOCAL SOFTBALL SCORES, STATS
Monterey Bay Prep Report is a fun site to visit for local softball news.

Links to other useful sites

National Federation softball rules page
Central Coast Section website
ASA Umpire Program
NorCal ASA website
ASA website
E-Officials (pay site)