We'll service three leagues, 20 levels and four tournaments in 2005 in the spring/summer season and two leagues and multiple levels in the fall, which usually begins in early September and runs into November.

There are three men behind WSBUA's program: Tony Marino is the outside assigner. Chuck DeCarbo is his assistant. Paul DeVito is the dispatcher.

When you fill out your availability, Arbiter assumes you are available every hour of every day unless you tell it otherwise. Keep your availability updated.

Most of our weeknight games begin at 6 p.m. Some start between 7-8:30. Weekends, especially Sundays, are heavy. Please help out. Games begin as early as 9 a.m. and continue throughout the afternoon and into the evening.

We have certain standards and policies that are expected of our umpires. If you are not a member of WSBUA but work for us in the summer or fall, please familiarize yourself with them.

Above all, carry yourself with professionalism at all times you wear a WS hat. Image and first impressions are important. You can control both. If you look the part, you have a better chance of playing the part. Make a good first impression.

The pro blue shirt and the blue WS hat are mandatory for the 2004 season. Contact Joe Cannizzaro (631.661-2152) if you don't have both.

1. Umpires are expected to be at the site at least 20 minutes before game time. If you don't see your partner, you are expected to call the dispatcher, Paul DeVito (631-878-3008). Be resourceful, find a phone.
2. If you work a game alone, you will be paid a fee and a half by the coaches at the site.
3. Turnbacks the day of the game or on weekends go to the dispatcher, Paul DeVito (631-878-3008). Otherwise, turnbacks go to the assigner. All turnbacks less than 24 hours before game time are subject to a $10 fee. If you say you are available for a date, get a game, then can't work, that's a turnback. Be responsible. Keep your availability updated. Don't overbook assignments. Think ahead, stay ahead.
4. If you don't get paid for your services at the site, you must contact the appropriate assigner. Tony Marino assigns PAL and Chuck DeCarbo assigns NJBL and Stan Musial. Both prefer e-mail so to have a paper trail. You do not fill out any claim form. WSBUA does the bookwork for forfeits and travel fees. All claims will be processed at the end of the season. If you want to check your claim with the assigners, the deadline is Nov. 1.
5. During inclement weather, umpires are responsible for checking the status of their game within one hour of game time with the dispatcher, Paul DeVito (631-878-3008).
6. If you check the status of the game with the dispatcher and show up to a site and the game is not played because of inclement weather, you are entitled to a $25 travel fee.
7. If you have a scheduled doubleheader that results in a forfeit, you are entitled to one game fee.
8. Never use the word forfeit. Remember, umpires terminate play; league officials rule on said status.
9. You must allow teams 30 minutes to field enough players or get a field in playable condition.
10. If you fail to show for a game, you will be fined that game fee. If you have a last-minute problem, call the dispatcher. Make the call.
11. If you get lost going to a game, call the dispatcher. Directions to all sites are in the booklet and on the Web site.
12. When you reach our voice mails, please be resourceful. Hanging up does no one any good. Neither does leaving a message to call you. Leave your message. Communication is essential.
13. If you arrive at a site and find out the game has been moved, wait for your partner, then move to the alternate site together. Call the dispatcher and let him know of the change. Think of your partner first.
14. If you see lightning during a game, you are to terminate the game. There is no waiting.
15. If you stop a game because of rain, you must wait a reasonable amount of time before declaring the field unplayable or the game terminated.
16. In all levels, players must either slide or avoid contact. If a player fails to slide or doesn't give himself up, he is out. If he maliciously hits the fielder, he's out and out of the game unless he has already crossed the plate. Then he's safe, but ejected.
17. Know the different league rules and the game fees before you step on the field.