About Us - Mission Statement

TO BECOME AN UMPIRE, CLICK HERE.

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.

NJSIAA Reports - Baseball

Submitted by bcua on Mon, 03/30/2026 - 5:15pm

TO: NJSIAA Baseball Officials
FROM: Craig Yetman, NJSIAA Baseball Interpreter
DATE: March 18, 2026
RE: NJSIAA Reports

NJSIAA recently sent to all registered officials a communication regarding the addition of new reports beginning with the Spring 2026 season.

The below examples are an attempt to help baseball umpires navigate through the different reports.

I urge all officials to re-read the NJSIAA Officials Handbook section on DQs, particularly:

  • Page 13 Item 3: Flagrant, unsportsmanlike misconduct is not a “playing rule” violation. The determination of disqualification must be made at the time of the violation.
  • Page 17 Item 2: Flagrant is a glaring action by a player or coach which is excessive physical play or unacceptable conduct as adjudged by the game-meet officials.


DQ Report (2 Game Sit)

A disqualification report must be completed by official when disqualifying a player or coach for flagrant verbal or physical misconduct.

EXAMPLES:

  • Coach uses inappropriate language, ie. Profanity when complaining to an umpire about a call.
  • Player says to umpire, “You f*******g s*****k!
  • Base runner initiates malicious conduct by running over a fielder.
  • Base runner slides illegally and slashes a fielder on a play. Umpire judges it to be malicious as there was an intent to injure.
  • 1st Baseman maliciously tags a base runner in the face when returning on a pickoff attempt.


Game Ejection Report (Not a DQ)

A game ejection is defined as any behavior that results in the removal of a player or coach from the contest. Specifically, this refers to an Ejection by baseball rule that is not judged to be flagrant physical or verbal misconduct.

EXAMPLES:

  • Batter enters the batter’s box with an illegal bat.
  • Batter is ruled out and coach is restricted to dugout/bench area. For any subsequent infraction, the batter is out and the Head Coach is ejected.
  • Fielder makes a fake tag without the ball. Obstruction is ruled and a Team Warning shall be issued to Head Coach. Any subsequent fake tags by the team shall result in ejection.
  • Head Coach objects to plate umpire’s strike zone and makes frequent comments. Umpire restricts Head Coach to dugout/bench area. He continues to make comments but does not use profanity. Umpire does not judge his behavior to be major.


Unsportsmanlike Behavior Report

Unsportsmanlike behavior includes any inappropriate conduct by players, coaches or administrative personnel.

EXAMPLES:

  • Coach or player confronts umpires at their car after the game. Umpires retain game jurisdiction until they leave the game site.
  • Bus is leaving after the game when player sticks head out the window as vehicle passes umpires and yells “You S***K!”
  • Parent addresses umpire in a threatening manner as they leave the field.


These are just some examples to guide umpires as to which report to file. By my unofficial count there are over 20 rules which require ejection after a Team Warning has been issued. These are playing rules violations, not flagrant misconduct.

Officials should be aware that all reports are electronically submitted to Athletic Directors and Principals.

/CY

Electronic Communication by Players Clarified in High School Softball

Submitted by bcua on Wed, 07/09/2025 - 5:17pm

No player shall be allowed to transmit or record audio or video from the playing surface in high school softball. This new language in Rule 1-8-6 of the NFHS Softball Rules Book further clarifies the use of electronic devices and what is permitted in the sport after language was added last year to allow for electronic communication for coaching purposes.

This change was the highlight of the NFHS Softball Rules Committee’s rules recommendations as a result of the committee’s annual rules meeting held June 15-17 at The Alexander hotel in Indianapolis. The NFHS Board of Directors subsequently approved the rules changes to take effect next year.

"While increased media exposure has positively influenced the growth and visibility of softball, the committee determined that the potential risks associated with players transmitting or recording audio or video through devices during live play outweighed the benefits,” said Sandy Searcy, NFHS director of sports and liaison to the Softball Rules Committee. “As wearable technology continues to evolve, the committee believed it was essential to establish clear guidelines regarding the permissible use of such devices to ensure the safety and integrity of the game."

The proper uniform for an umpire was adjusted in Rule 10-4-2, noting that ‘charcoal gray’ slacks were allowed, instead of ‘heather gray.’

“Manufacturers have ceased production of heather gray umpire pants, and this update will help guide umpires toward selecting pant options that are actively being produced and readily available,” Searcy said.

Finally, the 2026 Softball Rules Book will include a reformatted Rule 8 for improved clarity and comprehension. Longer sections were separated, and additional article references were added to penalties and effects.

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

According to the most recent NFHS High School Athletics Participation Survey, 345,451 girls in 15,635 high schools played fast-pitch softball in 2023-24 making it the fifth-most popular girls sport, while an additional 6,107 girls participated in slow-pitch softball.

Tags: 
rule changes
Baseball
2026

Double First Base Introduced into High School Baseball

Submitted by bcua on Wed, 07/09/2025 - 5:17pm

Beginning with the 2027 season, a double first base will be required in high school baseball games to minimize the risk of collisions by runners and fielders.

This rule revision was one of 10 proposed by the NFHS Baseball Rules Committee during its annual meeting held June 8-10 at The Alexander hotel in Indianapolis. The rules changes were accepted by the NFHS Board of Directors.

New language was added to Rule 1-2-9 noting that the double first base must be white and a contrasting solid color. The white portion of the base is located in fair territory while the colored half is located in foul territory, split by the first base foul line. There is to be no space between the two portions of the double base.

"Adding the double first base is symbolic to the evolution of the sport. It will immediately address running lane violations, and it will further protect the players from the violent collisions that have occurred at first base,” said Elliot Hopkins, NFHS director of sports and liaison to the Baseball Rules Committee. “By reducing collisions and enhancing safety, it preserves both the integrity of competition and the well-being of those who play."

Several subsequent rules changes, including Rule 8-2-2a, outline how batter-runners and fielders shall use the double first base. The batter-runner should use the colored base on an initial play at first base unless a fielder is drawn into foul territory to receive a dropped third strike, in which case, the batter-runner would use the white portion of the base. Once the batter-runner reaches first base, the batter-runner must always return to the white base, including when leading off, returning on a pick-off attempt or tagging up on a fly ball.

A batter-runner may use either side of first base on a base-on-balls or on an extra-base hit to the outfield when there is no chance of a play to be made at first base.

Interference is to be called on batter-runners if they only touch the white portion on a force play at first and collide with the fielder. Similarly, it is obstruction if a defensive player only touches the colored portion of the base and collides with the batter-runner.

Rule 2-5-1h was added to note that it is a fair ball if a batted ball hits or bounds over any part of the white portion of the double first base. Alternately, it is a foul ball if a batted ball hits or bounds over any part of the colored portion of the base (Rule 2-16-1h).

Rule 3-4-6 was added to address defensive player meetings as charged conferences. Each team, when on defense, may be granted not more than one player-to-player meeting during an inning. Umpires shall deny any subsequent defensive team requests for that half-inning. Additionally, Rule 2-10-3 was added to define a player-to-player defensive meeting as having two or more defensive players.

“A player-to-player defensive meeting is a natural and essential part of the game—whether it’s strategy, encouragement or clarification, but having multiple meetings in a half-inning adds additional time that lengthens a contest and is not in the best interest of the game,” Hopkins said. “A charged conference, however, involves direct coaching intervention with either a coach or a non-playing representative and is intended to provide instruction. The distinction ensures we honor both the flow of the game and the role of coaching.”

Two rules changes were approved to bring the Baseball Rules Book in line with all NFHS rules. Language added to Rule 1-4-4 allows a school’s name, nickname, logo, mascot and/or player’s name to be permitted on a uniform top and/or pants beginning in 2027.

In addition, Rule 1-6-3 states that “no player shall wear any audio (microphone) or video (camera) device during the game.”

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

According to the 2023-24 NFHS High School Athletics Participation Survey, baseball is the fourth-most popular boys sport with 471,701 boys participating in 16,146 high schools across the country.

Tags: 
rule changes
Baseball
2026

Softball Rule Clarification - Rule 1-8-6-PENALTY

Submitted by bcua on Mon, 03/17/2025 - 11:55am

To clarify the rule 1-8-6-PENALTY:

The coach is permitted to use electronic devices in the dugout for one-way communication to the catcher while the team is on defense. This does not negate the ability of the catcher to verbally communicate with the coach in the dugout.  

For example, a coach electronically communicates a pitch to the catcher.  The catcher turns to the coach and verbalizes that she wants a different pitch called.  This is LEGAL.

Rule 1-8-6 only refers to electronic 2-way communication.  Therefore, traditional communication from the catcher to the coach is still legal. 

Tags: 
Softball
rules

7 Reasons Why Communication With Your Partner Pays Off

Submitted by bcua on Tue, 01/14/2025 - 10:47am

Republished from Referee Magazine - March 1, 2024

The words “requires excellent communication skills” are part of virtually every job description in today’s market, to the point where they’ve become meaningless jargon. When it comes to umpiring, however, outstanding communication skills are essential. Effective umpiring communication will:

Enhance your credibility

Partners, coaches, players and spectators will gain confidence in you when they witness effective communication practiced among crewmembers. Those efforts to communicate with your partners will force you not only to focus on your personal responsibilities, but anticipate your partner’s duties, thereby coordinating your work with the other people you depend upon on the field.

Effective communicating leads to the crew being in the right places at the right times, moving about the field more efficiently, covering appropriate responsibilities and making the right calls. Furthermore, a little bit of credibility goes a long way in the event of a “train wreck,” bang-banger or other tough judgment.

Keep you in the game

By making regular eye contact with partners, exchanging non-verbal signals for dropped third strikes, catch/no-catch, a potential infield fly and timing plays and verbally indicating clearly when you are chasing a fly ball or have third base covered, you’ll increase your concentration and be prepared for a variety of situations. Like a good fielder, anticipate what you’ll do if the ball is hit in your area. Eye contact with your partner also will help ensure that at least one of you is watching for a possible play before transitioning to the proper position for the next batter.

Provide more information

Umpires who communicate well result in more information being available to make proper rulings. By working as a unit, there inherently is a better chance that another set of eyes will help determine if the runner was picked off, the ball hit the batter in the batter’s box, a throw was bobbled, the foot was pulled, a swipe tag was made, a swing was checked, etc. If there’s a collision, your odds of applying the correct ruling will be much improved. Was it interference, obstruction or a wreck? Did it involve possession of the ball or the act of making a play?

Minimize mistakes

Communicating with partners may lead to an interpretation that didn’t occur to you or assist in application of a rule with which you’re not familiar. Your partner may have experienced an unusual situation that you haven’t encountered or may have read/heard about an obscure caseplay. In addition, partners often can help defuse or salvage ugly situations with irate participants. Pregame and postgame communication will help achieve positive future results, perhaps as soon as the next game. Communicate by sharing information and preparing for the unexpected and unusual. Use the time when traveling with partners to assignments to improve your game.

Avoid discrepancies

Umpires will lose track of the count or number of outs from time to time. If you’re unsure — before the next pitch — simply ask your partner. He or she should verbalize the information in return. If there’s doubt, refer to the official scorer. By communicating with partners, you also will be on the same page to rule on appeals for runners missing bases, leaving too soon, timing plays, etc. Before ruling on an appeal or making a call when my partner and I are at the same play, we quickly make eye contact. Whoever is confident about what happened signals by tapping his or her chest and makes the call. If we both signal, whoever has primary responsibility takes charge to avoid more than one of us making a ruling (or worse) conflicting rulings. Before the end of the game, we talk about our route of departure at game’s end and leave the field together on the path of least resistance, usually on the winning side.

Maximize coverage

Proper communication will enhance your coverage of the field. In your pregame, discuss covering fly balls, as well as base coverage when the field umpire chases or is trapped at first base. When the base umpire chases, he or she should shout, “Going,” “Two-man,” or “One-umpire,” depending on which system he or she is working that day. Communication also should result in better calling of illegal pitches by clarifying the elements on which each umpire will focus. Bracketing rundowns and short foul flies will be more efficient. Talk about how you will handle the tag up at third if the plate umpire has a close call on a catch or fair/foul down the right-field line. Agree how you’ll cover third base on the second play in the infield or when the runner steals second and advances to third on an overthrow by the catcher. Ask new partners if they strictly follow the manual or deviate under certain circumstances.

Make you a better umpire

Put all together, communication will make you a better umpire. By communicating, you’ll develop rapport, camaraderie and a comfort level with partners, making the experience more enjoyable and allowing you to work more confidently as a unit because you’ll know what to expect. Prepare. Don’t hesitate to ask questions or talk to your partner, which does not mean getting together to shoot the breeze between innings or to discuss controversial calls soon after they occurred.

Be professional. Be loud enough to be understood on the field. Use the proper mechanics. Make eye contact and play off your partner as a team member. If a coach calls time to question a ruling, you should have a pretty good idea what will be asked. Prepare a brief, professional response while he or she is en route.

Listen. It’s not an embarrassment or sign of weakness to seek help or conference with your partner away from participants when appropriate. Just make the call and then go for help if you need it. Tell your partner what you saw and ask if he or she has any other information to make the correct ruling. Then return to the coach to give a brief, final determination. Take advantage of all the resources and information available to you. Evaluate your work, personally and as a crew.

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referee magazine
training

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