v3.3, 1/25/2008

The following is a guideline to help new DMSUA members survive their first meeting, game and season!

Membership | Meetings | Uniforms | Equipment | Training
Your Schedule | Pregame | Field Locations | Invoices | DMSUA.COM

Becoming a member of the DMSUA is easy. Paperwork can be filled out at any meeting. Member dues can also be paid at any meeting. Part of the fee stays with the DMSUA and a portion goes to TASO. Members are also members of TASO and will get access to their web site. State (TASO) dues are due by June 1 for the following season, after that state and DMSUA late fees apply. No games can be assigned to you until your dues are paid.

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Meetings are held as often as once a week (in the 6 weeks prior to the start of the season) to once every other month (in the off season). Meetings the 6 weeks prior to the start of the season are mostly for training. Members must participate in 60% of the DMSUA training meetings as well as either (1) attend the State TASO Meeting *or* (2) attend a Regional TASO Clinic in order to be eligible to work playoff games. 

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The following table is the TASO standard uniform for softball officials. There should be no exceptions to following the standard except possibly in extreme cold conditions. In that case do what you have to do in order to "survive" and call the game. Most items can be purchased from any of the equipment vendors and/or your local sporting good store.

TASO UNIFORM POLICY  (updated January 2008)

ITEM	COLOR	DESCRIPTION
Hats	Navy Blue	Fitted Plain Navy Blue with TASO logo -may be wool or Pro-Mesh material.
Shirts	Powder Blue	The official shirt will be a light powder blue polo with no TASO logo.  You may wear a USA Flag on the left sleeve, centered on the seam and 2 inches down, but it is not mandatory. Optional is a navy blue polo, no logo.
Pants	Gray
Belt	Black
Ball Bag	Gray	Navy ball bag mandatory in 2008.
Mask	Solid Black	Umpires may wear the one-piece hockey-style helmet/mask combination, and if so, are required to wear the hat to the game and up to the first pitch, and after the end of the game.  It is not required while wearing the helmet/mask combination as it is nearly impossible to remove the helmet/mask combination without also pulling the hat off at the same time.
Socks	Navy Blue or Black
Shoes	Black	Predominantly black with black laces.
Undershirt	White	No visible design.
Jacket	Navy Blue	With TASO-Softball logo.

Also see the Equipment Guide.

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There is a minimum set of equipment every softball official will need. Some is obvious, some not so obvious. See the Equipment Guide. The following items are essential items you should carry to all games:

- Complete Uniform, including spare pants, shirts, socks
- Mask with Neck Guard
- Chest Protector
- Shin Guards
- Base Shoes
- Plate Shoes
- Shoe Cleaning Items (polish, water, rags, brush)
- Ball Bag
   - Lineup Holder
   - Bat Ring
   - Brush
   - Pen & Spare
   - Flip Coin
   - ASA Banned Bat List
   - Indicator (clicker) & Spare
   - Watch (not visible when you are on the field)
- Cold Weather Gear
   - Gloves (Black/Navy)
   - Earmuffs (Black/Navy)
- Personal Items
   - Aspirin
   - Towel(s)
   - Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
 

The following merchants offer TASO logo items and/or softball official's equipment, including discounted starter packages.

Honig's (TASO gear)
Officials Sports (TASO gear)
GetOfficial.com
Stripe's Plus
Ump-Attire.com
OfficialGear.com (ASA)
Texas Sports Services (ASA)

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Training

The DMSUA has exceptional training and trainers. New members will be required to participate in the training program and be evaluated prior to receiving a schedule. Scrimmages, non-varsity tournaments, and lower level non-districts games are used for evaluations. See the Downloads page for details and very beneficial training resources.

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Your Schedule

Before you will be eligible to receive a schedule you must first fulfill all of the membership obligations, receive the proper training and evaluations, and be registered into the TheArbiter.net program. No games can be assigned to you until your dues are paid.

TheArbiter.net is a commercial software package purchased by the DMSUA for scheduling of games. It has an easy-to-use online interface which allows officials to block dates, venues, and teams. It also allows users to set specific times on individual days in which you can accept assignments. Officials are responsible for making sure their personal contact information is correct and to make the blocks needed. Once games are assigned they can be accepted or rejected. This should be done as soon as possible, as well as "giving back" a game that has already been accepted.

The DMSUA scheduler is Peggy Thornhill, and she can be reached as follows:

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Maps to all field locations can be found in TheArbiter.net. If you know of an incorrect map or one needs to be added please contact us!

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CONFIRM THE GAME
If you cannot call a specific game on your schedule contact the scheduler as soon as possible. The sooner the better. It is also a good idea to review your entire schedule and let the scheduler know of any problems. You should have already gone into TheArbiter.net and blocked dates you know you cannot call.

PRE-GAME ROUTINE
- Contact your partner at least 2-3 days prior to game day. Confirm what time and specifically where you will meet. The latest membership roster with contact information is available in TheArbiter.net. Don't wait for your partner to call you - take the initiative and make the call!
- Arrive at the ballpark at least 30 minutes before game time. If you cannot be at the ballpark that early be sure and let your partner know. Arrive at the ballpark looking professional and presentable, preferably wearing DMSUA or TASO logo apparel.
- Once at the ballpark discuss any mechanics issues you feel are necessary (fly ball coverage, etc.). Make sure you and your partner are on the same page.
- Find the home team coach and inform him/her that you are there and will be ready to start the game on time.  Complete your invoice paperwork at that time if you can. Also discuss ground rules for that particular park and specific district rules.  Ask about a designated media area. If there is a sub-varsity game find out if there will be a time limit, different run rules, etc. Ask if there will be player introductions and the playing of the national anthem, and if there will be you may want to plan on arriving a little earlier. You should also find out who the game administrator is and where he/she will be.
- Walk the field and make note of any potential problem areas so you can bring them to the attention of the coaches at the pregame conference. Also check equipment at this time. Be sure you have a bat ring and the ASA Banned Bat List list.  NOTE - some umpires prefer to check equipment and walk the field when they arrive for the pregame conference.  If so then allow a few more minutes to ensure the game starts on time.
- Once back at you car, finish getting dressed. Double check that you have all the equipment you need. If you need to. make a checklist and keep it in your bag.  Also discuss any last minute details with your partner.  Then get loose and stretch before heading to the field. If you have already checked equipment then arrive back at the field at least 5 minutes prior to game time. If you still need to check equipment or fill out your invoice paperwork then make it at least 15 minutes.

THE PREGAME CONFERENCE
- The plate umpire conducts the pregame conference. First thing to do is introduce yourself and your partner(s). Remember there should be no players warming up in fair territory at this time. NOTE - if at first you need to work the pregame conference from a list, then use one. That's better than forgetting something.
- Accept lineup cards from the coaches. Check to see that the proper number of players are listed, that both first and last names are listed, that there are no duplicate numbers, and that substitutes are listed below the starters. Note whether or not the lineups include a FLEX player and if so she is listed in the 10th spot. If there are any problems get them resolved right then. Once the lineup card is good hand it back to the coach for one last inspection. When you get it back tell the coach it is now official.
- Ask each coach if their team is properly equipped and ready to play the game according to Federation and UIL rules.
- Discuss ground rules.  Go over anything unique for that particular field. Note the open areas where a ball might go through, including any you noted when you walked the field.   
- Tell the coaches what the run rule is for this game and inform them of any time limits or district specific rules that are in affect for this game.
- Tell the coaches you expect good sportsmanship and ask them to leave judgment calls alone.  If they have a problem about a rules interpretation or if they would like one of the umpires to get help on a call then request time out, then when time out is granted, approach the umpire who made the call and tell him/her what you need.
- Ask the coaches if they have any questions. Ask them to have their girls hustle on and off the field in between innings. Ask the home coach where the administrator is if you need to.
- Wish both coaches good luck and PLAY BALL!

NOTE - practice your pregame so you can deliver it as quickly and smoothly as possible.

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If you want to get paid for the games you do then you'll be required to turn in an invoice prior to working the game. This does not include tournament games. Many schools will accept the DMSUA invoice, a sample of which follows. Some will require you to use their own invoice. Either way, be sure and arrive in plenty of time to perform all of your pregame duties including filling out your invoice. Recall that mileage is calculated from your home to the ballpark, round trip. You should use the mileage from TheArbiter.net for your invoice. If you live in the same zip code as the ballpark you are traveling to then you can record your actual mileage and use that.

If you forget to turn in your invoice prior to the game then do it afterward. Schools are required to pay within 45 days of receipt of the invoice. To work DISD games you will need to get a DISD Vendor Number.

Be sure and keep a careful log of the games you call, invoice numbers, check numbers of the checks you receive, etc. Its very important to keep accurate records, even mileage for games/events that you are not paid mileage.

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DMSUA.COM is the internet home of the DMSUA. You can find all pertinent information pertaining to the DMSUA on the web site. There is a link to TheArbiter.net, the DMSUA Board of Directors, training information, list of fields and maps (in TheArbiter.net), and the list of ASA Banned Bats.

Also available are downloadable invoices, a link to the UIL Incident Report Form, and DMSUA and TASO bylaws.

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