Many improvements have been made in the umpiring protocol- both in process and roles within the process. As such you should familiarize yourself with the Umpire Process and the specific job descriptions listed below.

Job Descriptions

The Lead Umpire will
• Have successfully completed the Head of the Charles Umpire Training Program
• Organize the Station Team discussions before the regatta
• Provide a run through of the process of observing and recording incidents, awarding penalties, and developing the understanding that these are decisions developed by discussion, careful examination of the facts, and good judgment by the team.
• Establish the understanding that the purpose of the station is to make decisions and provide Umpire Central with the clear rationale needed to support the decisions.
• Assign tasks, if the station has a number of persons present (picture taker, videographer, or scribe).
• Lead and organize the station on site.
• Familiarize locations of safety personnel in case of emergencies.
• Insure that all the materials needed are present; if they are not, develop the means to appropriate them.
• Check all equipment for smooth operation. o Review each incident with the team to get all information and assure accuracy of judgments.
• Review each of the completed penalty forms, sign them, and place them into the envelope for each event. This also includes additional documentation, such as Polaroid pictures.
• Insure that these materials will be ready in time for the bicyclist to pick them up.
• After each race observe the buoy alignment and, if buoys are out of line, notify Umpire Central immediately.
• Will be available at the end of the day, and at least two days after by cell phone, to answer any questions that may result from appeals to the decision(s) by the station.
• Attend the end of race day briefing on Saturday and Sunday at the Cambridge Boat Club.
• On Sunday morning, repeat the pre-regatta run-through 30 minutes before the start of the regatta. Check equipment again. Follow the same procedures as noted above, complete with any modifications, which will be an outgrowth of the evening meeting.
• Complete any additional duties as requested by the Chief Referee.

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The Umpires will
• Have successfully completed the Head of the Charles Umpire Training Program
• Work in concert with the Lead Umpire and provide input as needed
• Take pictures, if a Polaroid camera is available and appropriate for the site.
• Draw pictures on the forms to provide explanations as to what took place within a given event.
• Complete penalty forms for appropriate incidents.
• Maintain constant communication with the Lead Umpire and any other umpires that may be part of the station.
• Assist with any of tasks noted above under the direction of the Lead Umpire

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The Buoy Tender Staff, under the direction of Umpire Central, will
• adjust wayward buoys as needed following each event. No changes to the course are to take place during an event.