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METRO RICHMOND OFFICIATING SERVICE

SOFTBALL DIVISION OF OLD DOMINION OFFICIALS ASSOCIATION

 

Association Policies and Regulations for 2010

 

Eligibility

 

To be eligible to umpire for the association, MROS requires the following of all its members:

 

1.      Pay all MROS dues and VHSL fees.

2.      Obtain the proper MROS uniform.

3.      Attend a current-year VHSL state softball rules clinic.

4.      Obtain a passing score (70) on the current-year NFHS softball exam.

5.      Possess a valid email address.

 

Meeting and Clinic Attendance

 

All MROS members are expected to attend every regularly scheduled meeting and clinic. As set forth in the bylaws, each member may miss one meeting without penalty. Missing a second meeting will cause the official to be fined $20.00. The fine for missing a third meeting is $30.00 and that umpire will not be eligible for playoffs. Missing a fourth meeting carries a $50.00 fine and automatic probation. Any member who is more than 30 minutes late to a meeting or who leaves early by more than 30 minutes will NOT be credited with attending the meeting.

 

NOTE: The MROS bylaws dictate that excuses will not be considered for missed meetings or clinics. Should a member wish to appeal a fine for meetings missed, then he/she can present the excuse(s) to the Chairman of the Judicial Committee according to the guidelines set forth in the bylaws. If a member is working an MROS game/scrimmage assignment during a regularly scheduled meeting or clinic (highly unlikely), then he/she is automatically given credit for attending. The Judicial Committee MAY consider working any other scholastic or college assignment excusable. Working a recreation league sport (Basketball, Babe Ruth, Softball Nation, ASA, NSA, Pony, AAU, USSSA, RVC, etc.) game is NEVER an acceptable excuse.

 

Scrimmages

 

All Trainee Members are required* to participate in at least three (3) pre-season scrimmages that are assigned by the Training Committee Chairman or his/her designee. All Full and Provisional Members are required* to participate in at least two (2) scheduled scrimmages. Participation means working no less than two full innings or acting as an evaluator for no less than six full innings. Officials must wear the official MROS uniform when working scrimmages, except for those new members who have their uniforms/equipment on order. Failure to fulfill the scrimmage requirement may result in the Member being excluded from all Playoff assignments for the current season. If a scrimmage is cancelled, then the umpire has the obligation to attend another scrimmage. Do not wait and expect to only work the last scrimmage assignment, as it may get rained out or cancelled. Failure to show up at an assigned scrimmage may result in a fine equal to the equivalent game fee. Likewise, arriving late to a scrimmage may result in a fine equal to one-half of the equivalent game fee. Fines will be levied at the discretion of the Executive Board. Participation by veteran umpires as instructors in the New Umpires Clinic will fulfill one scrimmage obligation. All scrimmages will be worked without pay.  Travel pay may be applicable to scrimmages.

Note: * - The number of scrimmages required may be reduced if weather causes cancellations of 50% or more of the scrimmage schedule.

 

Uniforms

 

See separate document or website for official uniform description.  All members of the crew shall be dressed alike [Exception: one crew member may wear a jacket while the other does not]. Failure to wear the proper uniform in the correct manner may, at the discretion of the Executive Board, result in a fine equal to one-half (1/2) of the game fee. All scrimmages should be worked in the proper uniform, with the possible exception of a ‘new’ member who has not yet been issued a shirt, jacket, cap, etc.

 

NOTE: No one is permitted to umpire a non-MROS softball or baseball contest in the MROS uniform (OD Cap and/or Cliff Keen powder blue shirt with VHSL Patch). If the shirt is worn for another group, then the VHSL patch must be covered with the appropriate emblem from that organization. Reported and verified offenders will be fined $50.00.

 

Communication Policy

 

1.      The Plate Umpire should phone the Base Umpire at least 24 hours (recommended 48 hours) prior to the game to confirm date, time, and location of the game, and where to meet at the school or field (which parking lot, etc.). If email is your preferred method of communication, then the email should be sent at least 72 hours prior to the game. If the email has not been replied to by the 24-hour mark, then the Plate Umpire will make the phone call.

2.      If the Plate Umpire leaves a voice message, then the Base Umpire will return the call IMMEDIATELY once he/she receives the message, even if that person is no longer assigned to the game.

3.      If you, as the Base Umpire have not heard from your partner at the 24-hour mark, then the Base Umpire must call the Plate Umpire.

4.      If you are taken out of a game or turn one in, call your ‘old’ partner immediately and let him/her know that you are no longer in the game.

5.      If you are called and given a ‘fill-in’ game that was not on your original schedule, the Commissioner will give you your new partner’s name. Call your partner immediately to inform him that you are now in the game.

6.      If you call your partner and find out that that person is no longer in the game, use The Arbiter to find out who your new partner will be. You should receive an email anytime your partner is removed from a game.

7.      If you discover that your partner originally listed on The Arbiter is no longer assigned to the game, check The Arbiter before calling the Commissioner. Don’t wait until the day of the game to call the Commissioner.

8.      If there is no communication between the two umpires, and/or the Commissioner, and a game assignment is missed, BOTH officials will be fined.

 

NOTE: If the Commissioner gets a call from an umpire who cannot get in touch with his/her partner, the umpire who failed to make the required call will be fined one-half of the assigned game fee. For afternoon or evening games, this call to the Commissioner should occur on the morning of the game, not before. For any morning games, call the Commissioner the night before.

 

 

Ejections and Incidents

 

The Ejection/Incident Report Form may be downloaded from the MROS website (www.odoa.net). This form is to be filled out by the Plate Umpire immediately after any game in which a player, coach, or team assistant is ejected or restricted to the dugout during that game. The form should also be completed after any game where an unusual incident, such as a fight in the stands, occurs. A copy of this report must be faxed, mailed, or emailed to the Commissioner as soon as possible after the incident. Since the Commissioner is required to report all ejections to the schools involved within 48 hours of the ejection, you MUST notify the Commissioner by phone of any ejections no later than 9:00 am on the morning following the game where the ejection occurred.

 

Injuries or Accidents

 

The Injury/Accident Report Form may be downloaded from the MROS website. This form is to be filled out by the Plate Umpire immediately after any game in which a player, coach, team assistant, spectator, or umpire is injured during the course of a game and appears to need further medical treatment. A copy of this report must be mailed/emailed/faxed to the Secretary and should be filed with your personal records for later reference in case you are ever named in a lawsuit involving this incident.

 

Using The Arbiter Scheduling System

 

ALL MROS members are required to have a valid email address. Those without home/work access to the Internet will be required to either go to a public library or secure an ‘email buddy’ (does not need to be a member of MROS but it is highly recommended that they are) who will act on the official’s behalf in reading and returning emails, and in accepting and declining assignments. Companies such as Microsoft (Hotmail), Google (Gmail), and Yahoo provide free email services. MROS will NOT produce hard-copy forms of schedules, paysheets, or other documents that can be printed from The Arbiter.

 

All members should adhere to the following rules & conditions:

  1. Immediately update the personal information section (phone numbers, address, SSN, etc.) and keep this information current at all times.
  2. Initially update and later maintain all blocks (calendar, dates, times, partners, teams, sites) on the system.
  3. Check the ‘Ready to be Assigned’ box under the ‘Settings’ heading on the Start Page only after completing items #1 and #2 above.
  4. Check emails on a daily basis.  For those using an email buddy, make sure your buddy checks your emails as well. NOTE: All assignments will be listed on the Arbiter website and all changes will be made using email generated from The Arbiter. Note: same-day changes will be communicated by phone from the Commissioner’s office.
  5. Any accepted assignment turned back in may carry a re-assigning fine of $5.00.  This fine will be at the discretion of the Commissioner, based on the reason of the turnback.

 

NOTE: Games listed on The Arbiter are considered as gospel. Games listed on the ODOA/MROS website are for informational purposes only and may or may not be up-to-date.

 

New Member Training Class

 

All members new to the association must attend the MROS training class conducted prior to the start of the season. Each training class member must attend at least 75% of the training hours. Failure to do so will result in that individual not being eligible to officiate that year for MROS. With special permission from the Training Committee Chairman, students may be able to make up a maximum of four (4) training hours. The fee for attending the training class is $100.00, which covers the student’s association dues, VHSL fees, insurance, and training materials.

 

Any full member who has been ‘inactive’ for more than one (1) full season shall be required to attend the pre-season MROS training class. Upon successful completion of the class and payment of all fees due, the returning member will regain his/her full member (in good standing) status.

 

 

Membership Advancement

 

All Trainee, Provisional, and Transfer Members are expected to attend all MROS meetings and clinics. Also, they must attend the annual VHSL Rules Clinic and pass the NFHS exam. 

 

At the end of the season, the Training Committee will determine the advancement level of each member and make a recommendation to the general membership.

 

If any Trainee, Provisional, and Transfer Member is fined during the season for more than one (1) offense, then that Member might be denied membership advancement that season.

 

 

Offenses susceptible to fines (per occurrence)

 

1.      Declining a game when there is no conflict indicated on your calendar             $5.00**

2.      Turning in an accepted Assignment two or more days before the game           $5.00**

3.      Plate Umpire failing to contact partner at least the day before a game            $10.00

4.      Missing second, third, or fourth Meeting                                                            $20.00/30.00/50.00

5.      Failure to Work Assigned Plate/Base Position1                                                   $25.00

6.      Not Calling Commissioner by 9:00 am on morning following an ejection        $25.00

7.      Wearing the MROS uniform in a non-MROS contest                                        $50.00

8.      Late to a Game or Scrimmage (on field after 10 minutes before start)            ½ Game Fee

9.      Not Wearing Clean & Proper Uniform                                                               ½ Game Fee

10.  Failure to contact your partner & he/she misses the assignment2                      ½ Game Fee

11.  Turning in an accepted Assignment the day before a game3                              ½ Game Fee

12.  Turning in an accepted Assignment the day of a game3                                     Game Fee

13.  No-Show to a Game or Scrimmage Assignment3                                               Game Fee

14.  Errors Committed by the Commissioner4                                                          $50.00 max each

 

1 = Unless the Base Umpire is forced to start a game on the plate due to the tardiness of the assigned Plate Umpire. The original Plate Umpire would then be susceptible to a fine for being late to the game.

 

2 = Should an official be fined a full game fee for missing an assignment and his/her partner is required to work the game alone, then that working umpire will receive 1-1/2 times the normal game fee only IF he/she had made contact with the fined official according to the Communication Policy noted earlier in this document. Otherwise, the lone official will be working for half pay.

 

3 = Unless unforeseen circumstance occurs (illness/death in family, job commitment, etc.).

 

4 = At the Executive Board’s discretion.

 

 

Note: Any of the offences listed above may be reported by any member of the Association, or reported to any Board of Director Member or the Commissioner by a Coach, Principal, or Athletic Director. All fines are subject to verification and may be appealed to the Judicial Committee. Fines are meant to be deterrents. Umpires who are ‘Professional’ will not be fined.

Board of Directors

President                     - Bill Harrison                        Vice President             - Joe Yates     

Secretary                    - Tim Beard                            Treasurer                   - Bert Wilson

Member-At-Large      - Allen Gravatt                       Member-At-Large      - John Shepherd

 

Judicial/Grievance Committee

Eddie Small – Chair                 Ken McIntyre           Bob Provost                John Shepherd (Ex Bd)

 

Training Committee

Rhea Saltz – Chair                             Tom Dent                                Allen Gravatt (Ex Bd)

Ken McIntyre                         Bruce Frye

 

Evaluation Committee

Allen Gravatt - Chair                        Rhea Saltz                               Bill Harrison (Ex Bd)

 

Mentor Coordinator

Joe Yates

 

Negotiations & Fees Committee

Bert Wilson – Chair                           Bruce Frye                              Bill Harrison (Ex Bd)

 

Audit Committee

Ken Clark - Chair                              Eddie McFarland                    Joe Yates (Ex Bd)

 

Nomination & Elections Committee

Pat Maloney - Chair                           Steve Wilburn                         John Shepherd (Ex Bd)

 

Constitution & Bylaws Committee

Wayne Whitlock – Chair                   Kenneth Epps                         Tim Beard

 

Banquet Committee

Stephen Heyer– Chair                        Charles Colgin                        Bert Wilson (Ex Bd)

 

Special Appointments for 2010

Parliamentarian – Bert Wilson

Sergeant-At-Arms – Rotating (designated at the beginning of each meeting)

 

 

Important Addresses

 

President                                   Vice President                             Secretary                                        Treasurer                               Commissioner          

Bill Harrison                             Joe Yates                                    Tim Beard                                       Bert Wilson                            Bruce Frye                

2303 Briargrove Court            7200 Pinehurst Drive                19772 Templeton Road                 10288 Perrins Mill Lane       4264 Market Road

Richmond 23238                      Quinton 23141                           Carson 23830                                 Mechanicsville 23116            Mechanicsville 23111

741-7365  (Home)                     932-3519 (Home)                       (434) 246-5006 (Home)                  550-3246 (Home)                   737-3793 (Home/Fax)

697-4047 (Work)                      559-8298 (Work)                       469-4539x110 (Work)                    285-3418 (Work)                   262-6900x115 (Work)

382-6226 (Cell)                         337-8754 (Cell)                          586-5130 (Cell)                               869-3246 (Cell)                      439-3793 (Cell)         

WWH3@hotmail.com             jyates@timesdispatch.com      timothy.beard@djj.virginia.gov    bertwils@aol.com             fourfryes@mindspring.com

 

                   

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