Nerves

[Kyle_Stevens]

I was supposed to have some pretty good games last weekend but mother nature had different plans. We got 1 inning in. The local university was hosting a prospect camp and I was fortunate enough to be asked to work the games at one of the sites, either that or they ran out of people to ask:D!

Anyway, these were outstanding teams, better than most of the games I work. During the HS season or if I work LL, I am nervous before games; however, before my first game I was more nervous than I normally am. I think it may that it was because this was better ball than I normally see and I just simply didn't want to screw anything up. I was working with a veteran umpire in the area who calls HS through D-II, possibly D-I next season. It was another ho-hum game to him.

Do you all still get nervous before games? Will my nerves subside after several years? I hope so!

[ump81]

Kyle, getting nervous is natural for us and I think keeps us sharp, popular AL ump Ron Luciano threw up before every plate job he did, he didnt mention that in all his books I think. Every level we step up it is a new game for us, usually it is only the speed of play that improves, the college and guys in the minors still make errors and do bone head things. The nervousness is us wanting to do our best and caring about the game, it is not a sign of weakness thats what I mean about it keeping us sharpe and in the game mentally. Us the nerves to your advantage, if you cant sleep read up on mechanics or the information on the teams, or even the rules. Take care. ump81.

[LMSANS]

I got nervous before every baseball game I played and still get nervous before every baseball, softball and football game I officiate.

The object is to channel that nervousness into positive energy. That's what I've done whenever I play or officiate. It doesn't matter the level, a LL-jr regular season game at the local field or the HS All Star game at the local minor league stadium. I've always considered that nervousness a good thing. It forces me to focus on my mechanics.

If I lose those nerves, that is when I hang up my chest protector.

[Umpire in Chief]

Kyle, getting nervous is natural for us and I think keeps us sharp, popular AL ump Ron Luciano threw up before every plate job he did, he didnt mention that in all his books I think. Every level we step up it is a new game for us, usually it is only the speed of play that improves, the college and guys in the minors still make errors and do bone head things. The nervousness is us wanting to do our best and caring about the game, it is not a sign of weakness thats what I mean about it keeping us sharpe and in the game mentally. Us the nerves to your advantage, if you cant sleep read up on mechanics or the information on the teams, or even the rules. Take care. ump81.

100% correct.