ROCKLAND COUNTY UMPIRES ASSOCIATION

New York State Baseball Umpires Association

New York State Softball Officials Organization

Membership Meeting Minutes

October 2, 2001

Spring Valley High School

7:30 pm

1)	Welcoming announcements (Valerio);
2)	Minutes of September 5, 2001 meeting read (Valero);
3)	Softball Hall of Fame Dinner was held on September 22; member Tom Cucchiara was inducted into Hall of Fame;
4)	Rules clinic for prospective umpires will begin Nov. 13; it will be 8 sessions; cost of clinic and first year's dues is $175;
5)	Field clinic for 1st, 2nd and possibly 3rd year umpires will be weekend of March 1 through 3;
6)	Herb Dietrich Baseball Scholarship and RCUA Softball Scholarship winners announced again; will be awarded at annual dinner:
		Baseball: Brian Williams (Suffern High School)
		Softball: Michelle Price (Spring Valley High School)
7)	RCUA Annual Dinner will be Nov. 5 at Continental Caterers (same as last year); instead of guest speaker prizes will be awarded (as per vote of membership at 5/15 meeting); people needed to help call umpires who have not confirmed yet with Nick;
8)	Donations for World Trade Center victims: as of now, 44 members have contributed $2300. Many thanks and hopefully others will contribute soon;
9)	Ratings must be received by Oct. 31 or you WILL be fined $25; several people were fined last year;
10)	There was a case of physical abuse to an umpire last week; a hearing with the player is to be held following tonight's meeting; the Board of Directors will decide, after the hearing, for how long we will withhold our services for any game in which he participates;
11)	Softball rules: circle rule (if pitcher has ball within 8 foot circle, all runners must immediately go one way or the other, or they are out); positioning (base umpire outside diamond for girls' softball and inside diamond for men's softball);
12)	Annual NYS Baseball Umpires Association meeting was held in Binghamton, NY on Sept. 29-30; Bill Kramer and Jim Toner attended
	A.	college style jacket adopted for use; optional in 2002, mandatory in 2003;
	B.	insurance issues: report unsafe field conditions to the school district; the RCUA will support any official who decides not to umpire a game because of safety issues; liability issues may arise if an umpire works with an uncertified individual (do not do it!)
	C.	fingerprinting: all officials, in every sport, who work high school games must eventually be fingerprinted; few specifics and details are available, but the membership will be updated as more information is received;
	D.	uniforms: new jackets; hockey style mask has been approved (black or blue); no adornments; only navy blue fitted hats; only navy blue or grey ball bags; masks may be blue or black, with blue, black, or tan (natural color) straps; chest protector may be any color; all other equipment (other than shin guards) must be navy blue or black;
	E.	new rules not discussed, but it appears that the HS appeal rule will be changed back to the situation in which the players will have to initiate all appeals;
	F.	the NYSBUA is in the process of establishing an internet web site, and they will advise when completed;
13)	Ballots were mailed out for the RCUA elections; return them by October 31;
14)	Meeting adjourned at 8:35.