WMBFSU

Constitution and By-Laws

Western Maine Board of Federation Softball Umpires

Article 1. Name.

This organization shall be known as the Western Maine Board of Federation Softball Umpires. (WMBFSU)

Article 2. Purpose.

The purpose of this organization is to promote uniformity in interpreting softball rules and regulations; to

maintain a uniform standard of qualifications for officials; to magnify the place of softball as a game for the

development of character, good sportsmanship and citizenship and that the Western Maine Board of Federation

Softball Umpires be governed by this Constitution and By-Laws.

Article 3. Membership.

The following steps are necessary to gain membership:

A.Active Membership: A person may become an active member as follows:

1.File application with the Secretary. (Each applicant will be supplied with printed application forms and must

obtain the references required by the application forms.)

2.Deposit an application fee (non-refundable) as established by the Executive Committee.

3.Applicants shall be 18 years of age or over.

4.Pass the written National High School Federation Softball exam given each spring with a minimum grade of

85%.

5.This board will accept dual members upon written letter from their state high school federation softball board

secretary and upon full payment of dues.

Article 5. Quorum.

A quorum shall consist of members in good standing who have the power to hold meetings.

Article 6. Officers.

The officers of this organization shall be: President, Vice-President, Rules Interpreter, Secretary-Treasurer,

and (a) member (s) at large. This group, along with any assigner who is a member in good standing with the board and

the past president (who shall be an ex officio member), shall be called the executive committee.

The election of officers shall take place at the Annual Fall Meeting. The officers shall be nominated by a

committee appointed by the President for that purpose. The Secretary-Treasurer and Rules Interpreter will each

receive a stipend set by the membership at the Fall Meeting. The Rules Interpreter may appoint an assistant to assist

with his/her duties.

Examination Committee.

The Examination Committee shall be composed of (3) members in good standing for the current season. It will be

chaired by the Rules Interpreter and members will be selected by the Rules Interpreter. The function of the Examination

Committee shall be to administer the written and mechanics clinic to prospective candidates and veteran officials.

Ethics Committee.

The Ethics Committee shall consist of three (3) active members and be appointed by the Executive Committee

and approved by the general membership at the Spring Meeting. The chairperson of the Ethics Committee shall be

elected annually by a vote of the Ethics Committee.

The Ethics Committee shall be responsible for establishing and maintaining standards to uphold the integrity

of all members of WMBFSU. The Ethics Committee shall review all complaints and violations of the constitution and

by-laws of this board. Regulations established by the Ethics Committee shall have been approved by the Executive

Committee. Enforcement of these regulations shall be the duty of the Ethics Committee. All members shall be informed

at the Spring Meeting of any changes in regulations established by the Ethics Committee with the approval of the

Executive Committee.

Article 7. Dues.

The dues shall be as established by a vote of the membership at the Fall meeting. Officials dues for the

following year shall be paid no later than February 1st. Any member who fails to pay their dues by the date (postmark

no later than February 1st) shall be subject to a $10.00 fine.

Article 8. Amendments.

Amendments to this constitution may be made by a two-thirds vote of those present and voting at a duly

constituted meeting. No changes in the Constitution shall be made until members have been notified by mail at least ten

days prior to the meeting in which the proposed change is to be considered. Any member having a change to propose

should notify the Secretary-Treasurer in writing.

By-laws

These by-laws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of those present at a duly constituted meeting.

1.Fees. Fees for all high school games and tournaments shall conform to the negotiated fee set by the MPA. The

fee schedule for junior high and middle school games will be as negotiated by the Executive Committee with

individual schools or conferences.

If a question should arise regarding the payment of fees and expenses, the officials may accept the fee and

immediately notify the Secretary-Treasurer of the deficiency and failure to make restitution to the officials may result

in notification of board officials to refuse to work future games at the school of schools involved.

Tournament Fees. Tournament fees shall conform to the negotiated fees set by the MPA.

Mileage. Mileage in all cases shall be as stipulated by negotiated contract with the MPA Fees

Committee.

2.Working Conditions.

Cancellation.

In case of substitution of officials caused by illness or injury, the substitute official or officials must be

satisfactory to both schools or organizations. The official canceling due to illness or injury may not work any game on

that date.

Penalty for Violation.

An official(s) who fails to notify the schools or organization or assigner that they will not be able to work a

game one day prior to the game date shall be referred to the Ethics Committee for action.

Postponement of Game.

In case of postponing of game the officials originally hired to work the game shall be asked to work the

substitute date if they are available to work.

3. Examination Methods and Date.

A.New Applicants. (see article 3)

B.Active Officials.

Any active official not attending one sponsored clinic, the Spring Interpretation, either the Spring or Fall

business meeting, and also completing and passing the written exam will be placed on probation for one year and will be

eliminated as a candidate for tournament assignments. Not fulfilling these obligations for two years in a row will result

in automatic suspension from the Board.

(1) Spring Interpretation and Business Meeting

(2) Written Exam

(3) Fall Meeting

(4) Annual Board sponsored clinics

There are no scheduled make-up clinics for the annual Spring Interpretation Meeting. An Act of God or valid reasons for

not taking the rules exam must be made in writing to the Secretary-Treasurer to be submitted to the Ethics Committee

for their consideration. An appeal may be made to the Executive Committee in accordance with the procedures set forth

in By-Law 4-F. The decision of the Executive Committee to be final.

4. Ethics.

A. Alleged Violations of the Code of Ethics

If a written complaint is received by the Ethics Committee, the following steps will be taken:

A. Action by the Ethics Committee will be initiated within 5 days of the complaint.

WMBFSU Constitution & By-Laws as of 10/6/2004

B. The alleged violator will receive a copy of the complaint and notification that the complaint will be

reviewed after a period of time allowed for a response from the alleged violator.

C. If a member wishes to respond to a complaint filed against him/her, he/she shall respond to the Ethics

Committee within 5 days of notification of the alleged violations.

D. If a member does not respond to the Ethics Committee notification, a decision will be rendered according

to the available information.

E. Any decision made by the Ethics Committee affecting a Board member, shall be sent in writing to that

member, and copies sent to each member of the Executive Committee.

F. Appeal Procedure:

1. The decision rendered by the Ethics Committee may be appealed in writing to the Executive

Committee by the affected member within 10 days of notification of decision.

2. The Executive Committee will render a decision within 10 days of receipt of the appeal and will

notify in writing the person appealing and all members of Ethics Committee.

3. The affected member may also request a hearing before the Executive Committee. Such a hearing

shall be requested with the written appeal referred to in Sub-Paragraph 1 above. If

requested, such hearing shall be scheduled within 14 days of receipt of the appeal.

Following the hearing, the Executive Committee will render a decision within 10 days and

will notify in writing the person appealing and all members of the Ethics Committee of its

decision.

B. Code of Ethics:

A. Approved softball umpires may only work with other WMBFSU board members, in all ballgames

involving a fee. (high school)

B. Board members shall not be allowed to write, solicit, or ask to work softball games.

C. No official will be allowed to work a countable SPA varsity game involving a school of which he/she is

a faculty member.

D. No official will work for less than the established game fee.

E. All officials will adhere to the fee structure established by the MPA.

F. All Western Maine Board members will adhere to the Code of Ethics as presented by the Federation

Rule Book.

5. Attendance at Meetings.

An active official and successful candidate who has passed the written exam and who fails to attend the required

meetings (set forth in By-Law 3-B) without a valid excuse, in writing to the Secretary-Treasurer, shall be submitted to

the Ethics Committee to be subject to the appropriate penalties as are set forth in By-Law 3-B.

6. Uniform.

All umpires must wear the proper uniform as prescribed by Maine ASA and the WMBFSU standard. The official

uniform is the ASA uniform.

Plate umpires must wear a hat when working the plate.

There will be no shorts allowed in any or all High School games.

Any violation of the uniform rule will result in disqualification from tournament games.

7. Armed Forces Service Men/Women.

Active members called into the armed forces shall not be dropped from rolls provided that notification by the service

person be made in writing to the Secretary-Treasurer.

8. Increase in Fees and Expenses.

Suggested increases in fees and expenses shall be proposed and discussed at the Fall Business Meeting.

9. Tournament Assignments:

Umpires who wishes to umpire in tournament games must:

Attend at least one board sponsored rules clinic.

Attend the mandatory Spring Interpretation Clinic.

Receive a minimum grade of 85% on test (all test must be recorded).

Must wear the proper uniform per Maine ASA standard.

Must attend a three umpire mechanics clinic sponsored by Maine ASA (date to be determined)

WMBFSU Constitution & By-Laws as of 10/6/2004