Self Improvement - Articles http://umpire-empire.com/index.php/page/index.html/_/self-improvement/ Tue, 22 May 2012 00:07:29 +0000 43200 What is Good Timing? http://umpire-empire.com/index.php/page/index.html/_/self-improvement/what-is-good-timing-r35 What is ‘Good Timing’

I personally believe that good timing is the number one way to move up as an umpire. Proper use of timing will give you the best opportunity to get your call correct. Timing is an abstract concept which can initially be difficult to properly execute, and is even more difficult to verbalize. Once you truly realize what good timing is it is very easy to recognize bad timing.

Umpire manuals may refer to it something along the lines of the proper use of your eyes in making your call. Yes, this is a component of timing, but there is so much more.

Camps and clinics may teach it mechanically by telling you to on a pitch see the ball to the glove then read the brand, think one Mississippi, think yup that’s a ___. The camps and clinics may tell you while on the bases wait for the entire play to conclude, think one Mississippi, wait for the BR to go past you, the list goes on. Yes, once again, mechanics are a function of good timing.

But be cautious these mechanical “tricks” can lead to “False Timing.” False timing is much easier to define. It is the use of tricks or mechanisms which delay the mechanic or vocalization of your call, but the actual decision was made much earlier. Don’t get me wrong, there is merit in these mechanics which teach you to delay your call. I use them when teaching timing. They are a building block of good timing, but are not the final product.

Let’s start with these “false timing” trick I use to instruct. I have a pitcher deliver the ball, the catcher receive it and I stand behind the plate umpire with my hand just above his shoulder. I wait after the pitch has been received about a second then tap their shoulder. If they start to rise before I tap their shoulder they run into my hand and know they are too quick. To them this second seems like an eternity and I doubt the trainees are making proper use of this time. They are thinking more about when am I going to tap them. The same thing applies to other “false timing” techniques. They are thinking even while the pitch is coming in about reading the brand of the glove or thinking when they are going to start their one Mississippi count, but not the pitch.

So I’ve rambled on about what timing is not. Like my philosophy professor once told me, “You can’t tell me what something is by telling me what it is not.”

Timing on pitches:

You actually have to back up to well before the pitch is delivered. Start with your stance. you need to be in proper position in the slot and have proper head height. You need to be able to see the pitch all the way from the pitchers release to not only the catch but how the catcher actually receives the ball.

When in your stance you need to be relaxed and comfortable. If you are uncomfortable in your stance you should adjust it. Being uncomfortable means you want to get out of it earlier and could effect your timing. While in my squat I like to use the technique BlueBomber taught of BRASS-F incorporating his rifleman experience into umpiring. Here’s how he explained it:

Breathe- Pay attention to your breathing. You don't want to be tense.


Relax- When he's winding up you want to be properly relaxed w/ your position locked in.


Aim- You're locked into your position. Your eyes should be naturally lined up at the TOP of the zone instead of forced to be there. Your stance should give you a "natural point of aim" rather than having to force it.


STOP- Just before the ball leaves the pitchers hand you stop breathing at the BOTTOM of your exhale. This is essential to keep you from blinking. If you stop at the TOP of your breath or part way in between, then you're tenser than you need to be and much more apt to blink.


Shoot- Well, not really "shoot." But this is where the pitcher pulls the trigger, and you watch the ball come down range. If the ball is hit or if the 2 seam fastball explodes in your face and you blink or flinch hard, then you didn't relax enough.


Follow Through- This is the timing that you guys all talk about. Watch the ball into the mitt, and take a breath in and make your call.

I love this explanation and the breathing technique really helps, you must try it out.

So now you’re in position locked in you’ve got a breathing strategy which will further help your tracking the ball and your timing. The pitch is delivered, you are tracking it all the way from the pitchers hand to the mitt. This entire time, while you are focusing on the ball you are processing a ton of information, “Where is this ball going to be? Is this pitch going to be an obvious ball or strike? Is the ball going to bounce? Is the ball going to hit the batter? What are the runners doing? What are the fielders doing? Is the batter swinging or taking? How is the catcher setting up to receive the ball? All these thoughts and more you are processing in the split second it takes that ball to travel 60’6”. And the ball still hasn’t been caught.

Now the last fraction of a second is the most important. This is where the ball crosses the plate and is received by the catcher. Too many times when people have bad timing they have called the pitch in their mind if not vocally before the pitch is completed. Now in this briefest fraction of a second we need to determine whether the ball crossed the plate, in 3 dimensions: laterally, vertically, and depth. We also have to look at the way the catcher receives the ball and how he presents it to us. Did he stick it, drop it, catch it underhanded, pull it. And we haven’t even gotten to if the pitch was tipped. Just adding more and more information for us to process.

Now the pitch has been completed, and the most important thing hasn’t happened and still should not happen yet, your call. This delay between the completion of the pitch and our call is our timing. It is a zen-like moment where time ceases to exist. We process all the information we’ve received in the prior second giving it all it’s due consideration. We haven’t already made up our minds even if it was straight down the pipe or only went 52’.

To the casual observer this appears to be a pregnant pause, where anticipation is building the casual observer has already made their decision. Initially, this will feel like a long time to you and it may actually make you want to rush. Resist that urge. You need to develop the muscle memory and cognitive discipline to feel comfortable with the time it actually takes you to process all of the information so you can render the correct decision. But do not pause for the sake of pausing. It may give the look of good timing, but once again it is false timing. Believe it or not often times a good partner or evaluator will be able to recognize false timing versus good timing.

Timing is not subject to the quality of the pitch. You can be equally quick in calling a bouncer or one belt high in the middle as you can that breaking pitch which nicks the corner. Timing takes much more into consideration.

Timing on plays

In my opinion timing on plays is even more critical than timing on pitches. While I elaborated on many things you may have going through your mind while tracking a pitch which incorporate themselves into your call, there are probably more involved while making a call on a play. But just like pitches it starts long before a play develops.

Be in proper starting position. A, B, C, D, LF, RF or plate be in the correct starting position. Know the situation. Where are your runners, what is the score, what inning, is this a bunt situation, is this a steal situation, where is the logical play, are my runners/ batter runner fast, is this a rotation situation, is this an infield fly situation. This is all before the pitcher has started his delivery. Knowing the situation around you means you will be prepared to react before the play develops and not scrambling to react as the play happens. There is a huge difference.

Now we have a play developing, you are in better position because you anticipated the play, but you now have a whole new series of thoughts from before the play developed and you have multiple moving objects to contend with, not just a pitch.

You have the runner(s); what are they doing, have they touched their bases/tagged up, is fast enough to beat out a good throw, where were they at the time of the throw, is there obstruction, is there a force play slide rule issue, where is he establishing his baseline,... You have your fielders; how did they field the ball (catch/ no catch), where are they attempting to make a play at, is the throw on track, how will the fielder receive the ball, is he going to easily maintain contact with the bag, is there a double play, is there interference, is there going to be a swipe tag, is there going to be a collision... Don’t forget you also have the ball; where is it coming from, where’s my best angle, … And your partner too; did he call off the rotation, is he actually rotating, did he go out,... All of this and we still don’t even have a play.

Now we have the play. We’re in our best position, we come set. We have the ball, fielder and runner all arriving at the same place at the same time. Obviously we cant watch all three. What we watch will depend on the situation presented to us. We’re taught if it’s a force situation to first judge the ball in flight. If it appears to be on track we release our sight on the ball and watch the base and listen for the catch by the fielder. Did you hear thud, snap or snap, thud? Was there obstruction/ interference? Did the fielder secure the ball? Did the runner overrun the base? If so what do you think his intent was? Is the fielder attempting a second play?

Once again the play is completed and we have yet to make our call. We have to take the appropriate time to process all of this information before we make our call and also be prepared for a second play. So our timing might be quicker than we’d ideally like, but we still cannot be rushing the call. So your good timing is still taking the necessary time to process the whole situation as presented.

Let’s look at a tag play. Same thing you have the ball, runner, and fielder all arriving at the same place at the same time. However, with a tag play were taught not to watch the base the runner is advancing too but to watch the ball. We have nearly all the same concerns as with the force play, but our focus has changed. While watching the ball we also have to see when the runner touches the base or plate. Which happened first? What path is the runner taking, is he going direct meaning a potential collision situation, or is he going inside or outside? What is the timing looking like; is he a dead duck, or is it going to be a banger? Is he within the base path he established? Did the runner over-slide or not hold the bag? Did the fielder maintain possession? Where was the tag applied? Digest this information and make your call based on what you saw.

Good timing is not simply using your eyes properly. It is not placing a contrived pause before making a call. Good timing is using proper positioning, proper mechanics, reading the play, seeing it through to conclusion and properly processing all the information we have to make the call. Because we have done this we now have the best opportunity to get the call right; and that is how you become a better umpire. ]]> Mon, 30 Jan 2012 02:54:19 +0000 7f1de29e6da19d22b51c68001e7e0e54 Off Night http://umpire-empire.com/index.php/page/index.html/_/self-improvement/off-night-r32

Everything was fine for the beginning of the game except I just didn't feel comfortable back there due to the time from the last game. But, me feeling comfortable behind the plate became the least of my problems.


First off, for the whole game, I felt like I missed about 5 or 6 pitches. I called them one way. Then, thought to myself, "I just missed that one." Irritated the hell out of me every time I did it. And, not to disappoint, the coaches were moaning about any close ones(or not so close from my vantage point) not going their way especially on these few.:shrug:


Well, the game starts and the first 3 innings were over in about an hour. Not too bad on time. The score was a little high but not too bad. It was something like 3 - 8.


Then, everything seemed to fall apart. The next 4 innings took 2 and a half hours. So, here is where it just gets bad.


I have a play at the plate on a passed ball. I am going to call the kid out. I know I am in my head. I am about to say "He's out!" As I am doing this, I am bringing both hands up just about to signal "Safe". :WTF I couldn't believe it. My left hand had the mask and my right hand was closed for the out signal but they were both chest high and appeared as though I was about to signal and say "Safe!" Well, I finally caught myself and raised my right hand for the out as I am saying "He's out!" But, the Rats noticed it and wanted to argue I was about to call him safe as if they wanted me to change it or something. The 3B coach even wanted U3 to help me with the call. I had it right. It was a high tag but was applied up the line just before the foot touched HP.


Things get even better but not on my end. R1 and a ball hit to the outfield. U3 is in C with U1 in A for the runner. With the ball in the outfield, U3 takes R1 into 2B but notices U1 coming in behind him b/c he pivoted for BR instead of staying on the outside and letting U3 have him at 2B if he comes. I couldn't believe it when U3 told me that b/c I didn't see it while watching R1 rounding 2B and heading to 3B with the possibility of coming to HP.


This is just the start of what U1 did. I don't know what he was thinking the whole night. I guess doing a 3 man messed him up since we usually do 2 man crews.


Then, whenever there was a play at 1B, U1 was getting lazy or felt that U3 or I will cover things if something happens. He was making calls in foul territory instead of getting in fair territory. I asked him about that during the game but he kept doing it. :banghead: I couldn't believe he kept doing it. :BD:


Next was the last thing I could take before I had to say something with a little more authoritativeness. It has already been about 2 hours into the game and I am only in the 5th inning. So, I am a little irritated now. I have a pitch coming in with runners on base. U3 is in C and U1 is in A since we have a R1. It is a 4 field complex so the fields are back to back to each other. Well, a ball comes onto the field from another as a pitch is coming in. The ball hits near U1 almost right at him. As soon as the ball hits, he calls "Time" as the pitch is about to cross the plate. :agasp_: I call the pitch a strike. Of course, now, the coach wants it to not count since my partner called time. I told him it did count since the ball was already crossing the plate so it did not affect anything b/c his batter already gave up on it long before "Time" was called. Also, I got a strike out of it and I was not about to give that up especially in this marathon.


The ball is corralled and we get through the inning. After that, I had to go talk to my U1. I was not in a good mood with this game and took a little out on him since he knows better than to do that.


Me: Never call "Time" while a pitch is being made.

U1: But the ball was about to hit me.

Me: I don't care if it does hit you. Don't call "Time".


Of course, we will call "Time" if he goes down and it may cause further injury if the play is near him and he might be in the way. But, at that point, I didn't care to argue about it.


We finally get through the game about 3 and a half hours after it started. Luckily, the team that needed to win did so no second game. The score ended up being something like 10 - 14 with the home team almost getting the 10 run rule to end it early. But, they failed and almost blew the lead to force a second game in the last couple of innings. I definitely like time limits for anything below HS level and even wish they had it at times.


Just another reminder that we all have bad games. And, sometimes, the games are so bad that it makes us look even worse. But, we have to keep doing more games to get better and get comfortable with it.


So, don't let 1 bad game stop you from umpiring. Players are not good at it without repetition. And, we will not be good at it without repetition. Keep umpiring as many games as possible and forget the 1 you just did b/c it means nothing for the game you are about to do.]]> Thu, 16 Sep 2010 18:42:47 +0000 65ded5353c5ee48d0b7d48c591b8f430 Game Journal: Your tool for self evaluation and... http://umpire-empire.com/index.php/page/index.html/_/self-improvement/game-journal-your-tool-for-self-evaluation-and-r26

I wish I could remember who gave me the idea for a game journal or where I got the idea from. But as they say the memory is an imperfect tool; which leads me directly to my point… If you actually want to improve your game as an umpire you need a way of tracking and monitoring your progress. A game journal is a great answer. If you are evaluated at all, how frequently do you have the same evaluator, or even the same partner who will take interest and monitor your progress for you? Not frequently enough.


While subjective, keeping a game journal is a great method of improvement. But please note: a game journal is completely useless if you can not take an honest look at yourself. As a human resources professional by day one of my many duties is managing the review process for the firm I work at. Inevitably, there will be at least 1 person each cycle who gives their self superlative marks across the board, but their supervisor has quite a different view. When someone is incapable of honest introspection it negates any benefit which can be gained from self review.


Can you remember your game on Saturday March 1, 2008? I can’t either, but looking in my journal jars my memory and I can see that I noted that I had a sloppy move towards first on a pickoff attempt. Then thumbing through the journal I see a later I noted my move to first on a pickoff attempt was “mechanically sound but slow because I was consciously thinking about my mechanics.” Fast forward a few more weeks I can see I wrote “I’m getting there, just a bit slower than I’d like to be.” I also see the very next game I reverted and “just opened the gate pivoting on my left foot.” With the game journal I can see where I’ve been, what my trend is and plan where I’m going.


First, your game journal doesn’t have to be anything complicated. I just use a mini notebook (about 5x7) I got for free from some seminar somewhere. I keep it in my car so after the game and my post game with my partner I jot down what went on and other issues. I am pretty brief and only write quick notes. I try to focus around the 18 criteria the evaluators use to evaluate me on: Arrival, Appearance, Pre-game, Post Game, Partner Communication, Coach Communication, Reaction to Pressure, Game Control, Attitude, Hustle, Knowledge/Interpretation of the Rules, Plate Mechanics, Base Mechanics, Strike Zone Size/Consistency, Voice, Timing, Signals and Assertiveness. Now I’m not going to necessarily comment on each of the items, just the ones that stand out for me in that particular game or items I’m trying to pay particular attention to. I’ll also comment on any peculiar situations that might have given me trouble on the field.


Any categories you choose to rate yourself on ask all of the right questions: what you rate yourself, why are you rating yourself that way, and what either made it a good situation or a situation you can improve in. Don’t just write you blew the rotation; write that you delayed on the rotation because you kept your eyes on the ball too long and then it became too late to rotate. Then think about what else happened or didn’t happen: And because I was staring at the ball too long I didn’t tell my partner I wouldn’t be able to take third. Also, write your course of action so you don’t repeat yourself: I need to track the ball then communicate with my partner and then rotate or stay put, but no not to watch the ball, and if I get caught up still be sure to communicate.


Also, ask your partners for feedback of your game. This can be a bit tricky because as amateurs our partners can range on any given day from someone who is only in it for the paycheck and could care less about their game or improving it, much less yours; to guys who think they know it all but are mainly experts in their own mind; to seasoned veterans who take their game seriously. But regardless of what they say make note of it. As the saying goes, even a broken clock is right twice a day. If you start noting your partners are making similar remarks then it is probably worth looking into.


Believe it or not umpires who are rookies or very junior to you can be a good source of information too. They are often right out of clinics and have useful information fresh in their minds. Ask these junior umpires if they have any questions for you. Sometimes their questions will give you thought to reflect. “Hey, I noticed on that play to the second baseman you got your 90 degree angle in foul rather than fair...” Or “When we had 2 outs and a runner on third I noticed you were in the A position...” Now think why you did this and explain, “We call that a pressure situation, the second baseman fielded the ball to his left and....” OR maybe they’ve got a point. Some mechanics guides call for the ump to be in A in the earlier situation, others call for you to be in C. Maybe they caught you not using the appropriate mechanics.


Even if nothing else, the act of writing your thoughts down will help by focusing your attention and taking extra time to think about things and write them down.


Occasionally you should thumb through your journal. Take particular notice of things which you note multiple times and look at the trend. Are they getting better, remaining the same or even getting worse? Think what you are doing and what might be the best way to improve it or if it is a positive take advantage of it and apply it to different areas of your game.


Towards the end of last year I began keeping an online game journal in my blog. Now this game journal is much more detailed than my written one. I’ve intentionally been more detailed because I hope others can possibly learn from my mistakes. You can create a game journal too in the blogs section and even set the privacy of who can view it.


This year I’m going to try something different. I’m going to get a mini flip pad (2”x3”) and actually take it on the field with me and jot notes between innings. Many times since I started keeping a journal I have had things which I wanted to note but couldn’t remember after the game. This will eliminate that problem. Also, keeping a game journal on the field with me will be good if any incidents occur during the game I can take immediate notes. I have never taken a pencil and paper onto the field with me when I’m at a game that doesn’t require the umpire to keep a line up card. But I read elsewhere of umpires who have had really bad situations on the field and have thought how if I were in that situation I’d like to have a way to take notes then and there.


Consider keeping a game journal, if you keep it gong and are honest with yourself, then I’d bet you will improve your game.


Happy journaling.]]> Thu, 16 Sep 2010 18:34:39 +0000 069059b7ef840f0c74a814ec9237b6ec <![CDATA[Don't Be "That Guy"]]> http://umpire-empire.com/index.php/page/index.html/_/self-improvement/dont-be-that-guy-r22 Forward—I write this not to say I am the world’s greatest umpire, or my partner sucked, because my partner called a good sound game. But I write this as a demonstration of how drastically game management effects the game. I initially I was going to title this article “don’t be a Smitty”, but my partner is hardly a Smitty. He is an experienced guy, has solid mechanics, good rules knowledge, good hustle and great appearance. So he doesn’t fit the “Smitty” label. He just lacks game management skills, which I feel is a strength of mine. My partner is a good guy, good umpire and probably able to use is more outgoing personality to diffuse knotty situations better than I would and I would definitely work with him most any time.[/INDENT]


I finally had my first paid games of the season and was really excited to get out on the field. If you’ve seen my posts here or any place else you probably know I live for umpiring. I just wish there would be a way I could make a living at it. You’d be hard pressed to find somebody who is as enamored of umpiring as me. I’d rather have a game with 2 terrible teams than no game at all. But I don’t want to be out there on a game that is dragging out.


So Sunday came my first three “real” games a AAU 13 triple header. In the beginning it was interesting because my partner was also a plate whore, so we had a little discussion on who would be working 2 plates. I actually ended up yielding to him because he is more senior than me. A choice I ended up regretting.


Issue #1 – My partner is very well known in the youth baseball community and a genuine grade A nice guy. One of the nicest guy’s you’ll ever meet. He is an umpire (obviously), a coach, on the board of one of local leagues, and knows virtually every coach, player and parent. Now my issue isn’t that he is well known it is that he is too “chummy” with everybody and that takes away from his authority on the field in my opinion. To explain just a bit better he cannot just say hi to somebody he needs to have a full blown conversation with everybody, and because he knows everybody we get into the how’s your brother, your sister...


Issue #2 – The pre game. We were early enough that even including the socializing we were able to get to the plate and start our plate conference early, which was a good thing. My partners plate conference took at least 5 minutes. We went from potentially starting the game 5-10 min early to starting on time.

[INDENT]Issue 2-A. He continued the socializing with both coaches at the plate conference.

Issue 2-B. Balks

[INDENT]Issue 2-B-i. He asked the coaches how they wanted balks called. This does not need to be discussed. That’s what we are there for as umpires, to make the calls.

Issue 2-B-ii. He asked whether the coaches wanted us to kill the ball on balks. This is an AAU game played under FED rules. There is no option.

Issue 2-B-iii. He then went on to explain to the coaches that under FED the ball is dead and OBR it’s live.[/INDENT]

Issue 2-C. Ground rules

[INDENT]Issue 2-C-i. He pointed out every nook and cranny in the field. This does not need to be done. If you need to denote lines for DBT then do that “We taking this opening 90 degrees pole to pole otherwise the field is well enclosed with everything behind the fence” is all that needs to be said.

Issue 2-C-ii. We had a portable batting gage in foul territory up the left field line. This sparked another minute or two long conversation. My partner was asking how to handle that. If this were high school then ask the home coach before the plate meeting. Being that this was AAU and while one team used that field more regularly the term “home team” means much less so the umpire probably needs to be the one making the ground rules and taking control.

Issue 2-C-iii. He then asked me as the BU if I had anything to add. The base umpire never has anything to add, don’t ask. It may be out of courtesy or respect, but don’t ask. Our plate conference went 5+ minuets already. I had glazed over, I wasn’t going to add a peep regardless.[/INDENT][/INDENT]

Issue 3. Coaching – My partner is an accomplished coach in the area and I would venture to bet that coaching is probably his true love over umpiring. This probably goes back to the “nice guy” thing as well.

[INDENT]Issue 3-A. Balk. We had a balk we both called. We had the runner on 2nd breaking as the pitcher started his delivery. But while in his delivery wanted to make a play on the runner. The pitcher looked at me questioningly and I told him, “You committed yourself to delivering the pitch.” He nodded and was ready to play. My partner came up to the mound and then began a +/- 2 minute pitching clinic. Complete with my partner toeing the pitchers plate and giving demonstrations of what he did and what he could have done. In the back of my mind all I hear is tick… tick… tick… I do believe pitchers deserve to be told why, but just the basics. In this case I gave my quick explanation and the pitcher seemed to understand and we nearly wrapped it up in 5 seconds.

Issue 3-B. Batter wanting to warm up on the wrong side. This should have been quicker than the balk, but was even longer. My solution would have been, “On deck batter, I need you to remain on your side please. Thank you” without even calling time as he’s attempting to go to the other side. Now I didn’t see him get over there, but wasn’t paying attention for it from the bases, but my partner calls time and begins walking him to the other side talking with him and apparently he offered him the opportunity to warm up behind the fence on the other side, which I wouldn’t have done. He apparently didn’t understand and started warming up behind the fence on his side, and my partner continues. And all I hear is tick…tick…tick…[/INDENT]Issue 4. Booger picking. No, not finger to nose; calling unneeded things. We had a situation where it was obvious that the pitcher was taking his signs directly from the coach. The opposing team hadn’t said anything, but my partner called time walked up to the mound to explain to the pitcher he had to take his signals from the catcher. Then walked to the coach telling him the same. Once again all I can hear is tick… tick… tick…


Issue 5. Between inning management. Now on the positive side I heard him tell each of the catchers every half inning, “Send the 8th/5th one down.” Which is great.

[INDENT]Issue 5-A. He didn’t do much to hustle the teams in/out. I did what I could from the bases clapping and giving some encouraging remarks as they go in or out, but that’s about the most you can do as BU.

Issue 5-B. When catchers weren’t ready, he didn’t say anything to get a coach or another player to warm up the pitcher. As for me, the first thing I do after the 3rd out is look in the dugout for my catcher and see what stage of ready he’s in. If he’s not ready I call for a coach to come warm up the pitcher immediately.

Issue 5-C. Okay, I feel somewhat bad for putting this one in but I still want to include it. Yes, yesterday was an unseasonably warm day which hit the mid-80’s. Plus he was taking 2 plates. Add to that last Monday we had snow and our high temps last week were in the mid-20’s it was a drastic change. But my partner would leave the field and go behind the backstop to get his water and cool off in the shade. We all have different temperature tolerances and while I wouldn’t call him old he’s got a few more miles under his belt than I do. I just felt it was probably more frequent than needed. I probably wouldn’t have cared/noticed if it weren’t for other factors. [/INDENT]


Putting this all together the first two games took about 2:30 each to get 6 innings. Our second game started about 40 minutes behind schedule and our third game started over an hour behind schedule.


Well I had the plate for the third game and as I’m walking onto the field the coach tells me that on Sundays they’re not supposed to have the lights on past sunset. I ask him if that means no lights at all or we can use them at dusk. He said he was not sure and had never thought of it that way. I told him if he works with me, and can give me the lights during dusk, I can get the game in before sunset. He smiled and got on the phone to ask about the lights. After the first he told me as long as they’re off by sunset we’re good.


Maybe it’s just me and my typical egotistical, self-serving, big-headded self, but I truly think that by keeping the game moving the way I did everybody was more into the game. The coaches, players and fans seemed to have an extra spark of energy and were much more into the game. There was much more chatter and cheering while the level of play was the same. I did not have a coach question one call or play the entire game. And believe me on this field you do not need rabbit ears to hear every word coming out of the dugout because of the positioning of the dugouts and the plate. These same coaches were giving my partner a bit of a time for anything they thought didn’t go their way and my partner called a sound game. Did I call a better game? No, my partner called a fine game; I managed the game better. I think the coaches didn’t say anything to me on the few pitches that were close when they did say things to my partner because of my presence on the field and the way I managed the game.


We got a complete six inning game in just over 1:30. As I’m giving the balls back to the coach, he said, “I didn’t think you’d be able to do it, but you weren’t kidding.” I was back in my street clothes and on the road before sunset.]]> Thu, 16 Sep 2010 18:17:44 +0000 a0a080f42e6f13b3a2df133f073095dd Getting ahead of the game and shaking off the r... http://umpire-empire.com/index.php/page/index.html/_/self-improvement/getting-ahead-of-the-game-and-shaking-off-the-r-r21

First, think back to last year, what did you have the most problems with? What situations did you get burned in? When were you out of position? What could you have handled better? A game journal is a good way to recall these things. (More to come on game journals) Looking back will give you a starting point for moving forward.


ExerciseSome people might not think it, but umpiring does require a fair amount of physical activity. Just think about getting down into your plate stance 200+ times, the work out that gives your legs, back and abs (and you should be using your abs). Not to mention sprinting down the line. Get ready by stretching out those muscles now. You don’t want to feel like a 90 year old man when you are finished with your first game. Start with basic stretches and taking a walk. Make sure you are able to sprint those 30 yards. If you start now you won’t be winded when you get out onto the field and you will decrease you risk of injury.


Rules

Brush up on your rules. Think of the ones that give you the most trouble read them and think of how to apply it. If you have access to any rules interpretation manuals see what they have to say. Also, look in your case books. If you are having trouble picturing the play, draw it out on a piece of paper or a white board. If you still have questions post them here. Our knowledgeable members are a great resource.


Mechanics

You haven’t squatted down into a plate stance in a while have you? Spend some time practicing for both left and right handed batters. Look at your feet are they where they are supposed to be? Also practice clearing the catcher. A good way to do this is use a chair as the catcher. If you do this in front of a mirror and an adjustable height desk chair you can practice your head height. Practice your more common mechanics are there any adjustments you want to make? Try them out now.


Training and clinics

Take advantage of training and clinics offered by your association or in your area. When others have questions listen to the questions. While the question asked might not be your question the question and it’s explanation can only add to your understanding, or maybe it will spark a new question for you.


Availability

Now is the time to start planning your availability. Think down the road and start blocking out dates you will not be available (guys remember to block off your wife’s birthday and your anniversary. Speaking from experience you don’t want to forget and then have a game those days unless you have a really comfortable couch). Also, your assigner needs to have as much notice as possible. So get into Arbiter, Assign by Web or any other system you use. Making your assigners job easier makes your job easier. Turn-backs are going to happen unfortunately, but planning keeps them to a minimum and you don’t want to have a turn back for something which could be seen in advance.


Equipment & Uniforms

It’s time to pull your equipment bag out of storage. If you haven’t already take inventory of what you have and what you need. Place those orders early. It is getting to the time of year when some suppliers start having supply issues because of peak demand. Many new umpires are beginning their training and buying their first set of equipment and uniforms and many veterans are restocking their equipment bags. You don’t want to be on any back order list and risk not having what you need when you need it. Also be sure to account for any special orders which will require adjustments, embroidery or hemming.


Check out those uniforms. Did they mysteriously shrink in the off season? Now’s the time to find out if last seasons uniforms will fit, not in the parking lot before your first game.


Check for fading. Good places to look are in the belt line for pants and under the collar or inside the pocket for shirts. If you can see a color difference, then it is time for them to be replaced.


Check your shoe laces. Look for fraying, if they’re starting to fray now, they probably won’t make it through the season. Replace them now, before there is a problem and while you’re at it grab a second pair to keep for emergencies in your equipment bag for both your base and plate shoes. Look at the aglets too if they’re gone your shoelace is getting to the end of its life. If you’re a big spender get a pair of boot laces with metal aglets. I have a friend who when they got new shoes immediately threw out the laces the shoes came with and replaced them with more durable boot laces with metal aglets. He says the laces will now outlast the shoes. I’ll try these when I need new ones.


Here’s to a great season! :cheers:]]> Thu, 16 Sep 2010 18:15:49 +0000 4c56ff4ce4aaf9573aa5dff913df997a Goal Setting : Creating your own path to success http://umpire-empire.com/index.php/page/index.html/_/self-improvement/goal-setting-creating-your-own-path-to-success-r20

Goal Setting : Creating your own path to success




In this world one of life’s greatest truths is nobody is just going to give you anything you have to earn what you want through hard work. I’ve had an interesting few weeks in my baseball career. At the beginning of the month our association made its promotions for the upcoming year and I was not promoted. While I am an ambitious person and I want to move up in the organization, I wasn’t terribly disappointed that I was not promoted, I was a bit disappointed in how the votes broke down.


Before I catch some flack from you avid readers of mine yes I wrote in one of my game journals on my blog, “If I’m not promoted this year it will be because of this game.” This was a bit dramatic of me. I certainly hope that one game that I took a bit harshly on myself will not define me as an umpire. But it was a great learning experience.


Once I was notified that I was not going to be promoted I immediately started on a game plan so that next year I will be promoted. I printed out all of my evaluations for the year and as I mentioned in one of my blogs my aggregated lowest scores were in my base mechanics. So I determined that must have been the reason and improving my base mechanics would be my target. Well I decided I needed others input as well so I went to one of the baseball committee meetings to get their opinions, after all they are the ones who made the decision. Their first question to me was, “What do you see as your weakest area?”


I immediately replied that I felt that my base mechanics were the problem. I thought I would be able to impress them by making them aware I’d examined my scores and saw this as a deficiency in my game and am able to acknowledge it. What happened next was a bit of a surprise to me.


Members of the committee seemed almost less concerned with the statistical information I had looked at. While we only discussed my base work for a short time they brought to my attention two other weaknesses that while I overlooked in my analysis of my evaluations they wanted to focus on more. So be sure to try and get some outside help, especially from those who are in places of authority. They gave me some excellent feedback I am going to incorporate into my goals for the next year which are at the end of this article.


As a Human Resource Management major in college one of the classes I took was Organizational Change. We spent a few weeks covering goal setting. The professor who was very effective at relating organizational change to the individual level as none of the 19-20 year olds in the class had any real organizational experience. He relayed the concept of setting goals which were SMART & Challenging. (I do not know whose original idea this is so I cannot give proper credit. I Googled it and found various sources)


[INDENT]S – Specific – Not I’m going to be a better umpire, but I’m going to improve my timing.

M – Measurable – Not necessarily as in the case of timing to be measurable on a stopwatch in all cases, but being perceived as having better timing on evaluations.

A – Attainable – Having the goal of improving my timing is attainable, having a perfect strike zone every game is not.

R – Realistic – If I were to have the goal of being the home plate umpire for Game 1 of the World Series next month, I may be setting a goal which is not realistic, just maybe.

T – Timely – Put a time frame to it not, I’m going to have improved timing, but I will improve my timing by next year.

Challenging – It’s not much of a goal to hay I’m going to eat a ham and swiss sandwich for lunch because there’s no challenge to it.[/INDENT]


Here is a poor goal statement:

I’m going to be a better umpire


Here’s one that fits our model:

I will demonstrate my improved timing in my evaluation scores, before the end of the 2009 evaluation period.


Now there is no ambiguity in your goal and you will be able to know if you reach it or not. Also, you can set multiple goals, just make sure you follow the model. Believe me just having the specific goal defined is a huge help, but it’s only the beginning.


Now let’s work on an execution plan for the goal. This will require some deep realistic introspection. Unfortunately, not everybody is good at this part. Once again referring to my career as a human resource professional I deal with this on a regular basis. I deliver the annual reviews to all of our staff individually. When it comes to discussing some peoples’ weaknesses or “developmental opportunities” as the PC freaks like to say, I am amazed at how some people just cannot see their shortcomings. I spoke to somebody once about their lack of organization (not that I have much room to talk). I was able to specifically document more than one occasion where their lack of organization created a preventable situation. That person vehemently denied that they were not organized and really took offense to being told this. All the while we’re sitting in their office which by any definition was a fire hazard.


Sticking with the timing example think it through, try to see yourself the way others see you and determine why you are perceived as not having good timing. Are you coming up to quickly on your calls, are you having to change your calls, are your mechanics causing you to have bad timing? So diagnose the problem and be honest with yourself.


Now depending on your specific situation and goal begin to execute your strategy for accomplishing your goal. You may decide that if you increase your head height and wait half a second more before making a call you will reach your goal. Go out on the field and try it. Maybe after a few games you realize this isn’t helping as much as you expect, time to make a new strategy. While keeping the same goal you can change your strategy for achieving the goal. Think of it as a trip where your goal is your destination, you may have to take a detour or other alternate route to get there. If you make your strategy too rigid then it has a higher chance of failure. Also remember it may be necessary to take a step back in order to move forward.


As you’re executing your plan look at each game and see how things are progressing. Get others opinions. If you haven’t noticed already umpires are overall a good group of guys who want each other to succeed. Tell your partner in your pre-game, “Hey I’m really trying to improve my timing would you take a look at me in regard to my timing and let me know what you think?” Now that you’ve asked you’d better be ready for their response. Good or bad be sure to thank them. Even if they tell you things you completely disagree with think about what they said. There is probably some level of truth in there. Find it and use it.


Also, take a look at what others are doing in your area of weakness. Focus on them, and learn from what they are doing be it good or bad. You may be able to see that you are able to take a piece from this person’s game or that person’s game helping you. If for no other reason helping you learn what not to do.


Here are my goals for the 2009 season:


For the upcoming evaluation season I am going to demonstrate my improvement in both evaluation scores and perception in regard to my base mechanics, my partner communication and assertiveness.


Breaking this down to the model above:

Specific

Measurable

Attainable -- yes

Realistic -- yes

Timely

For the upcoming evaluation season I am going to demonstrate my improvement in both evaluation scores and perception in regard to my base mechanics, my partner communication and assertiveness.


Plan for base mechanics:

  • Continue to bring down my plate to base ratio

  • Make sure when I’m in “B” and there is a pick off attempt I first step to the 45’ with my left foot.

  • Solicit feedback from partners

  • Create a specific section in my game journal to focus on base mechanics

  • Watch and learn more from others

Plan for partner communications:

  • Make this part of the game I actively think about rather than just do

  • Concentrate on eye contact with my partner

  • Be loud enough that I have no doubt my partner hears me

  • Acknowledge my partners communications

  • Solicit feedback from others

  • Create a specific section in my game journal to focus on base mechanics

  • Watch and learn more from others

Plan for assertiveness:

  • Take control from the first minute

  • Have a strong plate conference

  • Address situations, do not ignore them

  • Do not allow coaches or players to show me up in any form

  • Don’t hesitate to pull the trigger if needed

  • Show greater strength and authority on calls

  • Develop a more authoritative strike 3 mechanic

  • Solicit feedback from others

  • Create a specific section in my game journal to focus on base mechanics

  • Watch and learn more from others


I feel confident if I am successful with this goal and plan in mind, I will be successful in terms of promotion next year.]]> Thu, 16 Sep 2010 18:13:16 +0000 da4fb5c6e93e74d3df8527599fa62642