Earn Big Points with the Little Things

Earn Big Points with the Little Things

There are many aspects of umpiring which often go unnoticed unless they're not there or something's wrong. Often times it's the little things that make people successful. This holds true as an umpire.

• Arrive on time - Don't start out behind. It puts you and your partner in a bind.
• Appearance - I can't say it enough, look the part. A clean, crisp uniform and polished shoes make a world of difference.
• Posture - When on the field have a straight back, chin up, & shoulders back. Give the air of being in control by your mere presence.
• Vocals - If you give a vocal on a play; give a loud, strong, understandable vocal. And use the proper terms, "He's out!" Not "Got Him" or anything else. And never call a ball, "Fair!"
• Do it with purpose - What ever you do, do it in an immediate, direct way. If you appear lackadaisical the coaches are more apt to see you as a good target if the opportunity arises.
• Hustle - Not only in live ball situations, but dead ball situations as well. Beat the catcher back after breaking up a conference, run back down the line after a rotation play. Coaches will notice, and so will your evaluators.
• Strong Mechanics - Nothing says "I don't give a crap" like weak mechanics. Even on a routine play give it a strong mechanic. Routine plays are a great time to actually take a moment and think about what you're doing and develop good habits.
• Cleaning the plate - This is a personal pet peeve of mine. When you clean the plate, stand on the field side of the plate square to the plate and your fourth point of contact towards the pitcher and brush it. Don't just swipe it with your foot or tell the catcher to dust it with his glove.
• Putting the ball in play - One of the most overlooked aspects of play. After a dead ball situation the ball must be put back into play. If nobody is aboard just point to the pitcher, remember strong mechanics. No vocal is really necessary. With runners aboard, give a strong "Play!" Make sure the pitcher is in contact with the pitcher's plate before making the ball live. You don't want to be on the losing end of an argument about the runner didn't know the ball was live, or you made the ball live before the pitcher had contacted the plate giving him an advantage over the runner.
• Chit-Chatting with your partner - I do not like seeing umpires group together unnecessarily between innings. Usually in the pre-game I'll tell my partner let's plan to talk at the end of the 4th unless something comes up. This is a good opportunity to check on each other. But if something gets screwy in the bottom of the 4th, you don't want to get together. That invites a coach to drop by as well because the natural assumption will be that you're discussing his play. On the other hand, if there is something you need to discuss at a point other than the pre-defined time do so, but make it quick. Be deliberate and hustle back to position when you're finished.
• Call the coaches by name - This is a simple act of professionalism and courtesy. It not only strengthens rapport, but helps bring down the tension in uneasy times. Try to make sure the coaches return the favor.
• Smile - While we want to be as professional as possible. There is nothing wrong with smiling, being friendly and letting people see you want to be there. Don't carry this too far and jabber jaw with every coach, player and spectator.
• Keep the game moving - I love baseball more than most people, but I don't want to be at a 3 hour 40 minute game. Keep the game moving by not calling time unnecessarily, quickly put balls back in play, and don't allow too many pitches between innings.

Remember get the small things nailed down, so that when the train wreck comes you will have the fundamentals out of the way and can focus on the situation at hand.