SCRookie

Thanks for the advice. Better timing behind the plate is my next mission. I've worked hard on slowing down calls on bases and I have gotten WAY better at that. Now to bring that to the dish...that feels like it's gonna be harder for me.

All great advice, thank you. I am very loud and confident on every looking strike, and I practice very crisp, very sharp mechanics, at least I like to think so. However, "I like to think so" is also how I feel about my consistency and judgement. I think this is a fundamental thing any good umpire is constantly striving to perfect. I focus on being consistent and fair, but I acknowledge that human error is likely to creep in occasionally. Now, I took a video of the first inning...timing. That's where I visually and clearly need work. I'm quick on the draw for sure. That is a tough one, and I am glad you brought it up. I was on a very good roll up to about the 5th inning in the last game of the day. Felt like it was actually my best game. That's when the chirps started...was I tired after being out there all day? Was it because the losing team was down 8 runs? Probably a combo. I won't deny I probably missed a few, but it was literally a few. No more than I watch them miss on TV for six figures. I have never once acknowledged anyone behind the fence during a game. I actually make a point to not even look at the people to avoid putting a single face in my mind. I look up over the stands or down at the ground when facing the fence. I don't even want to know who's there.

Funny you being this up, in all cases, it was late in each game that I heard it. Always from the stands and never the dugout. I did have one batter stand there and stare at me after I banged him out looking. Didn’t like that, but I let it go. 😂

Ha…thanks for the response. Absolutely not in the dirt before being caught!

I'm a 3rd year umpire and I try not to have rabbit ears for anything on the other side of the fence, but it makes me wonder if this is just a thing that happens often for all plate umpires, or if I am still just inexperienced enough that my strike zone is still in development and it's real. Did 3 games on opening day this past weekend. Admittedly, I haven't really seen a pitch since October. Youth league, I had a slightly expanded strike zone given the age and general level of rust on these kids (and me) after winter. Things went like 95% fine, and sure I had some pitches that were questionable (none that seemed like gross misses). But it seemed like there was at least one or two "ah, come on" or "that was low!" from the stands at each game. Not much at all, but it was there. Coaches for all games were complementary, some even enthusiastically so (even the losing teams) on my performance and told me they loved the zone especially at this time of year. Was even told "Don't change a thing". I know I am FAR from perfect...I have a lot to learn, but I am also dubious to how honest these coaches are being with the kind words. Most umpires I know don't like talking about their own imperfections and are hesitant to admit they miss stuff, so I am just putting it out there: how often do you get even a little chirping from stands? Every game? Most games? Never?

Hi all, Never had this happen personally, but realized that I am not entirely sure of what the mechanic is for this situation. If it happened to me today, I'd put up my hands and say "batter is out", but that seems nebulous to LL coaches who probably don't know the rule (which of course isn't my problem). Thanks for any advice.

I’m on Bupropion as well. It’s been fantastic for me. And yes, as a kid I was the trouble maker who couldn’t learn at a desk. I really love working the dish but I’ve been exclusively on bases for the last few weeks since they want the Jr. umps to work the plate with adult umpires on bases to support and give advice to the younger kids. I find that I need a ton of focus on bases, which has been a challenge, but also really satisfying when I have a good game. Being an umpire has been such an eye opener. It honestly has changed my life. Thanks for your story…I relate 100%.

I’m an adult with diagnosed ADHD. I have been umpiring as many games as I possibly can lately because I have found umpiring to be incredibly therapeutic. It’s been training me to stay focused for 2 hours at a time and be as attentive and detail-oriented as I possibly can. I’ve been an umpire for over a year, and I’ve become hooked on it because it makes me feel a bit “normal”, since I feel like it’s a job that people without ADHD typically do. At times, I feel a bit like a charlatan because umpiring seems like the kind of job that people with ADHD should absolutely not take on. It’s being going fairly well for me, but at times, I definitely notice that I missed something because I let my mind wander or I focused on the wrong thing. It’s usually minor, and I have been feeling pretty good about the games I’ve done these past several weeks. Admitting this is a little embarrassing, but I really wanted to know if there are other ADHD umpires out there, and if you have any techniques or tips on staying focused. Thanks for reading.

I have an opportunity to umpire this year’s “Fall Ball” season which begins after Labor Day. It’s basically a come-as-you-are for Little League kids to keep skills sharp and have fun. They get shirts, but supply their own caps and pants. They don’t technically keep score and it’s described as non-competitive. They do, however, bring in umpires to officiate, nonetheless. Has anyone worked these kinds of games before, and if so, do you apply the same level of stringency you might use in regular season, or do you tend to lighten up a little? I’ve never done this sort of ball before and don’t want to come off as a hard-ass if it isn’t appropriate. Advice is appreciated!

The crazy thing is, it was a tee ball game!

Sold! Thank you for that! @Thunderheads You can lock this one.

This is a fairly good condition original Douglas West Vest. It's just not quite the right fit for my frame. Size 15. The clips are a little rusty but function fine. The plates and straps are in good condition. $140 plus shipping.

@MadMax Thanks for the advice. It's massively helpful. I know that working inside is the real deal, but if you've only ever swam in the kiddie pool, real or not, that first jump in the ocean is going to be a little crazy. And I guess it was for me. I tried to remind myself that out of 7 innings, I had 3 cases where something went screwy, but only 1 of them was absolutely my fault, which was getting in the way of that throw. I have always taken C when I've got anything other than no runners or a runner on 1st only. Everything else, I go to C. Now, staying where I should be...that was probably my failure. One thing you mentioned that really struck a chord with me was how new umpires tend to scramble around and move too much to appear that they're hustling. You nailed it there. That is exactly what I was doing. It is indeed just a lack of experience on my part, and it was what I was doing, 100%. Thanks again for this...I re-read it a few times and took notes!

@RecontraWow, the "I'm listing all my gear on ebay" comment is *exactly* what I was thinking after that game, at least for a good 10 minutes anyway. The last time I thought that was a men's softball game I umpired that was off the charts insane. I scoped out the parking lot before making a bee-line to my car that day. I wish we had an umpire bar in town...that sounds like the best therapy ever.

Thanks, brother. I spoke to the UIC and we're aiming to work a game together soon. Like you, he also said that was an ejection-worthy comment. Once I build up a little more confidence on that diamond, the thumb is going to get a little quicker.

I think the “being outside” thing was less daunting than the sum of all the new complications added by this division. The kids didn’t seem used to having the freedom of stealing and leading, and did all sorts of weird, janky things that took me by surprise. Not their fault, it’s mine for not being ready for it. At this point, I’m all in on this and have to be fully committed to getting better.

Thank you!

This is great, thanks! I actually am in the process of trying to schedule games with one of the umpires that inspired me to get into this. He’s the UIC and incredibly great at his craft.

Thank you for this, @Velho. I definitely want to keep doing this into my retirement, so a few words of encouragement to a rookie go a long way.

So here’s the deal. I’m a new umpire, less than a year. I’ve worked mainly 12U, and have had pretty good success and no major problems. Today I worked my first 50/70 game. Wow…what a difference. Let’s just say that I didn’t make friends with one of the coaches. First off, working inside was weird. I found myself situationally unaware a couple times…luckily those times didn’t lead to problems. However I had two situations at 3rd where the 3rd base coach was livid. Both were tags on the slide, and I called both out. That is simply how I saw it. The second one had the kid returning safely on a pick-off attempt, and then he gets up and immediately leads off * while the 3rd baseman still has the ball.* I had him out on the tag milliseconds before he got back on the bag. Coach was super pissed and commented “that’s the second one you missed.” So now I’m a little miffed. But I let it go. A bit later, I’m slightly in the wrong place at the wrong time and I get in the way a little bit from a throw from short to first. I have to lean a little, but they make the play just fine. Again, first time working inside and honestly it’s just weird, and yes, I most likely was not in a great position. The game felt really “fast” to me, being my first 50/70 game. The lead offs and steals were a new thing to deal with. Coach calls time, and the proceeds to tell the PU to TELL ME to not get in the way and interfere. PU is a little speechless and now I’m getting a little bummed out…I tell him “If you have something to say to me, talk to me!” He reiterates it, but nicely. I let it go again. He seemed a little taken aback by my response. Most of the game was fine except for these things, but it was enough that I left the field feeling really down. Does anyone else have experiences feeling like you sucked in early games in your umpiring career? I absolutely love doing this, but it was defeating to get knocked down several pegs in one game. I’m a volunteer and I do it for love of the game. Thanks, all.

Check out the video here. I know there is a serious umpire shortage in youth ball, but it should be no mystery as to why. That ump appears to be a kid. From where I'm sitting, the ump has the call correct. The only weird thing I'm seeing is the retired batter runner strolling across the infield between the pitcher and catcher during a live ball. What do you think? The thing that really irks me about this is that nobody immediately hauled ass over there to get that coach the hell away from that kid. That coach should never set foot on a diamond ever again.

Thanks everyone...and @ThunderheadsI am certain you're right, I AM doing it wrong. I did 20 hours of clinics recently and definitely improved a lot with that training, but I just want to keep sharpening that skill and really do my absolute best. Even though this is volunteer work, I take it seriously and want to do all I can to avoid ruining a call (and looking like a mess out there myself). Slowing down my calls has been one of the best things to help me improve, as well as being firmly set and not making calls on the move which I did early on my in short career. Will try to get to some games this week and listen as closely as I can. Thank you.

Hi all, Was just wondering if there are any good resources for practicing close calls at first? Like, perhaps a string of videos where you make your best call and then rewatch the play in slow-mo to see how accurate you are? I know videos cannot replicate the on-field angles a BU would have, but I'm just looking for some productive way to practice what I consider to be a weaker point of mine. Thanks for any info!

Yes, force plays...I found the plays at first were giving me the business the most. The PU gave me a couple other bits of feedback that I think were important: he said I made my calls while in motion a lot of the time, and that for me was somehow a very hard habit to break. I also was not selling the calls very well. That also probably led to the amount of protest that I was getting. Thanks for the advice! I read every one of these comments and even write down some of them. Appreciate all the support...makes me feel a little better about trying LL in the Spring (even though that's for sure harder!)

Hi all, I have only done several games so far, I am VERY new at this, and I decided to stop umpiring for the rest of the fall season since I feel I need more training, specifically in one very fundamental, important aspect: calling safe or out. The problem I am occasionally having is a big one, so much that I feel like I may not be cut out to do this job, and I don't want players to suffer because of my own misses. It makes me bummed out, because I wanted to really enjoy this and have fun, and contribute in a meaningful way to a sport my kids are involved in. First, I should start off by saying that I am a bit dyslexic, and my brain plays tricks on me occasionally. What I see with my eyes is not what comes out of my mouth. And I know it. On maybe two occasions, I called out, hammered the signal, but in my mind, my brain was like "that was not an out, dude." One was so bad that a few of the players went nuts, and the PU overturned it on an appeal. It ruined my night. The PU between innings was like "hey man, we all blow calls...but I have no idea what the heck you saw there." He's a decades long veteran, and his whole thing is "This is an on-the-job training job." And I think he's right, but there HAS to be some way for me to build up this skill off the field. I know the rules extremely well, and I am a student of the game. So that much isn't a huge concern. It's training my eye to instinctively see it, send the signal to my brain, and then make the call. I am coming to terms with either one of two realities: my shortcomings are just not something I can overcome and I need to step away from this job, since I am hardwired to sometimes flub stuff like this in everyday life as well. Or: I need to seriously do some very specific training in this area, but I am absolutely not sure at all how to do it. Watching baseball on TV is OK, but the angles are just so different. I can call it well on TV, but being there on the field is not the same, especially in a two-man crew where I'm trying to cover action at all bases. Any advice? And it's OK if the advice is "maybe be an announcer instead."