UMPIRE AGREEMENT

Article 1: The Parties

This agreement between the three umpire Associations: Berkshire County Baseball Umpires Association, Hampshire/Franklin Baseball Umpires Association and the Western Massachusetts Baseball Umpires Association (herein called the Associations) with the Massachusetts American Legion Baseball League District 1, District 2 & District 3 (herein called the League) for umpire services in this league.

This agreement shall be for a period of three (3) years, with an effective date of January 1, 2019 and ending December 31, 2021.  This contract will cover games for both Senior American Legion Baseball and Junior American Legion Baseball.

Article 2: Compensation

Section 1: Compensation Rate Table

Fee Type          Year             Senior League           Junior League

Full Fee               2019                  $77.                            $65.

Full Fee               2020                  $79.                            $67.

Full Fee               2021                  $81.                            $69.

Half Fee              2019                  $38.50                         $32.50.

Half Fee              2020                  $39.50                         $33.50

Half Fee              2021                  $40.50                         $34.50

Section 2: Payment Terms

A. Full fee when the game has started.  A game shall be considered started when the Home Team Manager hands his/her lineup to the Umpire-in-Chief.  The fees should be paid before the game begins.  A full fee shall be paid if a game is forfeited or rained out once the game begins.

B. Half fees shall be paid if the game is called before the Home Team Manager hands his/her lineup to the Umpire-in-Chief. The Home Team Manager shall be the sole judge as to the fitness of the playing field before the game begins.  Once the game begins, the Umpire-in-Chief shall have sole authority to delay, postpone or cancel any game due to weather conditions, fitness of the playing field and darkness.

C. Fee and one half shall be paid if the game is played when only one umpire is present to start the game and finishes alone.  The one and one half fee shall be paid to the umpire present.  If the second umpire appears at the game site after the start of the game but before the end of the second inning and both managers agree, the remaining one half fee shall be paid and the second umpire shall assume his position in the playing field.  The game fees shall be worked out between the umpires.  If after the beginning of the third inning the umpire appears, the game will be finished with just the single umpire.  Once playoffs begin two umpires are required to start any playoff game.

D. If a game is rained out before becoming an official game and is to be continued from the point of stoppage, a full fee is paid to the umpires when the game is continued.  If the continued game can be re-scheduled as part of a doubleheader, the teams will pay a half fee to each umpire.

E. Payment Method:

i. Payment shall be made to each umpire by cash, personal, business or association check, money order or cashier's check.  The League shall grant full payment of all fees in the event of failure or refusal of any team to make payment.  The Plate Umpire may refuse to start any game in which the payment of fees is not made at the start of the game.

ii. Should a team issue a check that is returned due to Insufficient Funds (NSF/bounced check); the team will be required to pay umpires by cash for the remainder of that season and the following season.  The team is also responsible for any documented bank fees the umpire may have been assessed due to the NSF check.

iii. It is highly recommended that umpires cash the check within thirty (30) days of receipt of the check. 

F.  If an umpire/umpires appear(s) at home plate at the designated starting time and has not received proper notification that the game has been either postponed or cancelled for weather related conditions and neither team is at the site, he/they shall be entitled to full fee.  Proper notification is defined as a phone call at least one and one-half hours before the scheduled starting time.  If the umpire is notified after the one and one-half hour time limit and has not left for the game, no fee is required to be paid.   Once the umpire is in transit and the game is cancelled within the one and one-half hour period, that umpire is due a half fee if he/she shows up at the site.

G.  If there is a cancellation of game(s) for non-weather reasons less than 24 hours before the scheduled game, the team will pay a full fee to the umpires.  If the game is cancelled between twenty-four (24) and forty-eight (48) hours before the scheduled game, the team will pay a half fee to the umpires.  If the umpires are assigned another American Legion game to replace the cancelled game, then the team will not be required to pay any fee to the umpires.  The team causing the cancellation is responsible for paying the required fees to teh umpires.

H.  All fees listed in the fee schedule apply to regular league games, All-Star games, independent games and local playoff games.  All games covered by this contract shall be regulation seven (7) inning games.

Article 3: Working Conditions:

A. Umpires shall be members in good standing of their respective Association.

B. Two (2) umpires per game shall be hired unless three (3) or more umpires are requested to work a game, and approved by both the League Assignor and District Chairman.

C. Payment and the number of umpires will follow the State Committee rules for Department level games.

D. Umpires shall arrive dressed, at home plate. ten (10) minutes before the scheduled starting time.  Umpires failing to do so shall be reported to the League, who in turn will report such contract violation to the Association.  Umpires are required to wear their association "approved" attire for officiating the game.

E.  All umpires must return all used or unused baseballs to the Home Team Manager at the end of the game before leaving the playing field.

F.  All umpires are required to report to the League Assignor any ejection from a game of any player, coach, manager or team official.  The game umpire(s) are required to provide the facts and circumstances justifying the reason for the ejection(s). The assignor is then required to forward this information to the District Chairmen who will forward the report to the appropriate parties.

G.  Switching of umpire assignments, as to position, game, location, etc. without the approval of the League Assignor is prohibited. 

Article 4: League Assignor

Section 1: Appointment of the League Assignor

A. While this contract is in effect, should the job of assignor become vacant, the Associations will be allowed to submit a list of names for consideration to the District Chairmen to fill this position.

B. The District Chairmen will have the sole authority to select the League Assignor.  The District Chairmen shall however only select an in good standing with his or her respective Association for appointment as the League Assignor.

Section 2: League Assignor Compensation

The Assignor shall be paid a game fee from each team in their district for the purposes of providing umpires to all regular season and playoff games.

Section 3: Duties of the League Assignor

A. The League Assignor will provide a list of umpires to the League Managers/Coaches prior to the season with officials that will be eligible to work games in the League.  This list is available to them on the Arbiter system.

B. The League Assignor will be responsible for for the assignment of all umpires for league games.  The League Assignor will use the Arbiter System to assign games to umpires. 

C. Each team will have the ability to eliminate two umpires from working their games prior to each season.  Those teams shall provide the League Assignor and the District Chairmen with a written explanation as to why they are objecting to an umpire.  It is up to the sole discretion of the League Assignor and the District Chairmen to approve or disapprove such an elimination request.

Article 5: Cancelled Game Procedure

In the event agame is cancelled due to inclement weather causing a postponement, the following procedures have been established:

1) The home team mangager and/or coach shall notify the visiting team (manager or coach) and District Chairmen.

2) The home team mangager and/or coach shall notify the the League Assignor and the umpires assigned for that game.

3) If the home team mangager and/or coach cannot reach the League asignor and/or the umpires, he or she must report that to the District Chairmen.

Article 6: Sportsmanship

Section 1: The American Legion Baseball Code of Sportsmanship

The League and the umpires shall encourage the use of The American Legion Baseball Code of Sportsmanship to set the correct spirit of sportsmanship before all league games. 

Section 2: Use of Strike One

A. The Use of "Strike One" is designed to serve as a progression of penalty that will allow the umpires toissue a consequence that will serve as a warning and afford the Head Coach an opportunity to remain in the game and teach his players.

B. Only Head Coaches shall be afforded the courtesy of a "Strike One" warning where appropriate.

C. Head Coaches are reminded to not allow assistant coaches, scorekeepers or other assistants to address the umpires.  Only the Head Coaches should address the umpires on any issues or concerns they may have regarding any point related to the game.  A Head Coach shall only do this on respectful terms in keeping with good sportsmanship.  The umpire shall, as is reasonable, listen to the Head Coach's concerns.

D. If a Head Coach continues to disagree with an umpire's call or judgment after the umpire has concluded the discussion of the matter, the umpire shall issue a "Strike One" warning to the Head Coach so he or she understands he or she is out of line.  The Head Coach shall immediately refrain from the conduct that caused him or hr to be issued a "Strike One".

E. Coaches who receive a "Strike One" warning will be restricted to the bench and/or dugout for the remainder of the game.

F. Umpires shall eject the Head Coach if he or she commits a second offense after being previously issued a "Strike One".

G. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the umpires reserve the right to not use the "Strike One" warning for any serious violation of the rules or good sportsmanship where it is their judgment in the best interests of the game of baseball that the offender should be ejected.