About Us - Mission Statement

The Bergen County Umpires Association is an organization of baseball and softball umpires certified to officiate high school contests in New Jersey.

Our purpose is:

  • promote the welfare of the games of baseball and softball on the county level by uniformly interpreting and administering the rules of those games as set forth by the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) and the National Federation of High School Associations (NFHS).
  • promote and maintain the highest degree of baseball and softball officiating by following a uniform set of mechanics and have available at all times an adequate number of thoroughly trained and capable umpires.
  • preserve the traditions, foster the ideals, advance the interests and improve the quality and prestige of the baseball and softball umpires through a comprehensive program of classroom training and on-the-field experience and develop a spirit of friendship and maintain a high standard of ethics among umpires.

Risk Minimization and Sportsmanship Addressed in 2025 Baseball Rules Changes

High school baseball players using non-wood bats will have greater flexibility in using substances to enhance their grip on the bat with a change that brings consistency to Rule 1-3-2.

This rule revision was one of two proposed by the NFHS Baseball Rules Committee after its annual rules meeting held June 2-4 at The Alexander hotel in Indianapolis. The rules changes were accepted by the NFHS Board of Directors and are effective with the 2025 season.

Rule 1-3-2c1 addresses allowable grips on non-wood bats and now includes clarification that resin, pine tar or another drying agent can be applied to the bat, not to exceed beyond 18 inches from the base of the knob. In addition to allowing players more grip control on their bats, it makes the standards the same as wood bats.

"For years, players using wood bats had the luxury of being allowed to use substances that ensure better grip,” said Elliot Hopkins, NFHS Director of Sports and liaison to the Baseball Rules Committee. “This rule change permits users of non-wood bats the same opportunity to protect others while maintaining a firm and solid grip of the baseball bat. Both styles of bats can now enjoy the ability to improve their grip and hold while not interfering with the ball-striking area of the bat.”

The other rules change relates to forfeited games. Rule 4-4-1 outlines the conditions that can result in a forfeit and item ‘c’ now includes the failure to remove an ejected coach or team personnel from the game as a reason an umpire may force a team to forfeit. Previously, only an ejected player was listed.

“Rule 4-4 is more about coaches maintaining proper decorum for their players and coaching staff,” Hopkins said. “If the emotional rigors of the game become overwhelming for students and coaches, this rule intends to bring the offending parties back to the center of the reason for education-based athletics.”

A complete listing of the baseball rules changes will be available on the NFHS website at www.nfhs.org. Click on “Activities & Sports” at the top of the home page and select “Baseball.”

According to the 2022-23 NFHS High School Athletics Participation Survey, baseball is the fourth most popular boys sport with 478,451 boys participating in 15,978 high schools across the country.

2024 BCUA Banquet Award Winners

On June 5, 2024 the Bergen County Umpires held their annual banquet, and a good time was had by all who attended.

The following awards were announced and presented:

Award

 

Recipient

Warren “Pops” Tashian Award

 

Grace Abraham (Hackensack H.S.)

Barney Finn Award
(Service to the BCUA)

 

Ron Deramo

Ray Farricker Award
(Umpire most displaying qualities of Integrity,
Pride, Enthusiasm and Hustle)

 

John Gojdycz

25 Year Awards

 

Greg Heim

John Delamater

Denis Jelcic

Rich Goode

30 Year Awards

 

Gene Luccarelli

Renee Ruth

Peggy Schneider

Ken Schoonmaker

Robert Terranova

 

35 Year Awards

 

Rich Korycinski

Peter Zubiaurre

45 Year Awards

 

Jack Phillips

 

 

Ed Strohmeyer Sportsmanship Award

(Bergen County Baseball)

 

Indian Hills High School

Don Casamento Sportsmanship Award

(Bergen County Softball)

 

Park Ridge High School

Pete Amoruso Sportsmanship Award

(Passaic County Baseball)

 

DePaul Catholic High School

Paul Calocino Sportsmanship Award

(Passaic County Softball)

 

Hawthorne High School

 

2025 Registration Fee Schedule & Application

Membership Type:
Fee:
Baseball & Softball
$120.00
Baseball Only
$110.00
Softball Only$110.00
Inactive$80.00

Please note - The Executive Committee has established a new policy concerning the late submission of registration fees.

ALL REGISTRATION FEES MUST BE POSTMARKED BY MONDAY MAY 15, 2024.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER AND PAY ON REFSEC

MEMBERS SUBMITTING AFTER THAT DATE WILL BE ASSESSED LATE FEES!

THERE IS NO GRACE PERIOD!

LATE FEE SCHEDULE:

Postmark Date:
 Additional Fee:
MAY 16 - JUNE 30, 2024
 
$25 Late Fee
JULY 1 - SEPTEMBER 30, 2024
 
$50 Late Fee
OCTOBER 1 -  DECEMBER 31, 2024 $100 Late Fee
AFTER DECEMBER 31, 2024
 
$200 Late Fee

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[Baseball] - Illegal Slide Clarification / Electronic Communication Equipment Failure - Procedure

From: Joe Belger, BCUA Baseball Interpreter
To: All Baseball / Dual Umpires
Re: Illegal Slide Clarification / Electronic Communication Equipment Failure - Procedure

At the baseball mechanics meeting on Tuesday March 19th, there was a discussion on a play involving an illegal slide. The question was asked if this resulted in a dead ball or a delayed dead ball.  The answer given was that it is a delayed dead ball.  This is incorrect. It is interference committed by the offense, and as such, it is an immediate dead ball. If it involves a force play slide rule violation, you would rule a double play.

Additionally, there has been a question asked about teams using electronic communication equipment and the implications of charged conferences  if it stops working. Treat the trip the same as an injury trip. Accompany the coach to the player and observe and listen to the conversation. It should only involve the coach and catcher. As long as the conversation is only related to the repair of the device, it will not be a charged conference. If the device cannot be fixed, have the catcher remove the earpiece and play on.

Should it become abusive where you think they are trying to delay or buy the pitcher time, you can warn the coach that you are going to charge him with a conference(s).

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