Noob from Indy

[tjthresh]

Hey folks.

Brand new umpire here in the Indianapolis area. So new that I've not even taken the FED test yet (tomorrow evening), yet not so new that I've got 7 JV games assigned to me already. I'm pretty excited to get started.

See you guys around,

Tom

[JaxRolo]

Welcome.

There are lots of Knowledgeable people on here. so keep reading! :home:

[Umpire in Chief]

Glad to have you here Tom good luck with your games and keep us informed as to how it goes.

[semper_fi_72]

Hey folks.

Brand new umpire here in the Indianapolis area. So new that I've not even taken the FED test yet (tomorrow evening), yet not so new that I've got 7 JV games assigned to me already. I'm pretty excited to get started.

See you guys around,

Tom

Welcome to umpire-empire.

It is an excellent forum and you will get all your questions answered.

Don't stress the FED test.

Just read each question carefully.

They have a way to play with words.

What umpiring experience do you have?

7 JV games assigned already, I am jealous.

Work hard it will pay off.

It is my first year doing High School.

Did my scrimmage eval last week and got moved up to Varsity.

So after a JV Tournament game this Friday and a JV Game next week, I will be getting Varsity assignments.

Hustle and work hard.

[Paperipper17]

Welcome aboard, Tom

Lot of very knowledgeable people here, I've learned a lot in the last month. Good luck on the Fed, don't stress out too much over it, Semper Fi is right. Hope you enjoy it here as much as I do :home:

[Jeff C.]

Welcome aboard, Tom. I also agree with Semper Fi. It's my second year and I'm still doing JV, which is ok. I need the experience.

[tjthresh]

Hey gang,

Kind of a re-intro. My employer blocked this forum last summer, and for some reason or another it kind of slipped from my mind. But, well, I'm back.

To catch everybody up with what I accomplished last year, I couldn't tell you how many games I work last year, but by the end of November I was ready for the off season. I ended up getting the call for some higher level summer and fall tournaments. I also ended up being recognized as one of the top 2 rookies in my association last year, which was an enormous honor. It always feels good to be recognized.

I'm looking for big things this year. I'm heading to my first camp here an a couple of weeks. I'm really hoping to be assigned my first varsity game in the next few days. Finger crossed.

I'm really excited to start my second season, and I can't wait to share it with you.

Tom

[JaxRolo]

Hey gang,

Kind of a re-intro. My employer blocked this forum last summer, and for some reason or another it kind of slipped from my mind. But, well, I'm back.

To catch everybody up with what I accomplished last year, I couldn't tell you how many games I work last year, but by the end of November I was ready for the off season. I ended up getting the call for some higher level summer and fall tournaments. I also ended up being recognized as one of the top 2 rookies in my association last year, which was an enormous honor. It always feels good to be recognized.

I'm looking for big things this year. I'm heading to my first camp here an a couple of weeks. I'm really hoping to be assigned my first varsity game in the next few days. Finger crossed.

I'm really excited to start my second season, and I can't wait to share it with you.

Tom

Good Job!!!!

Have fun at the camp.

I will be headed to my first camp on Feb 10th in Atlanta. Hopefully it won't be too cold!

[Umpire in Chief]

Welcome back! Sounds like you had a great rookie year. Lets follow that up with an even better year 2. No Sophomore slumps allowed.

[mstaylor]

Good luck with your second year and welcome back to board. As far as moving to varsity, remember it is better to move up a year late than a year early. Knowing the mechanics and rules, plus having good judgment will get you noticed. game management will get you moved up. It is what seperates you in a level and gets you moved up. If you don't have good game management skills, you ove up and screw up, it will hurt your confidence level and create a bad impression with the coaches that will take three to four times longer to overcome. Sincerely, good luck.

[UMP45]

MS that is so true. That is what is wrong with the majority of umpires today. They want to move up too fast. They work a few jv games and they think they are ready for full a varsity schedule. My mentor was an ACC official for 20+ years. When I started getting to big for my britches he would let me know real quick! Noob what you need to do is find a couple of people you trust and let them guide you. Work as much as you can, without getting burned out, and don't be afraid to ask questions Good luck. And remember why there are 3 strikes. One for the pitcher, one for the batter,and one for the umpire. ;)

[tjthresh]

You guys make it seem like its a bad thing to have goals , and want to achieve them. I'm sure I will not be assigned any varsity level games until the folks charged with making that decision feel I am ready.

[UMP45]

:rolleyes: tj, no one is saying don't have dreams. We are saying don't be in a hurry to move up.It will take you 4-6 years to develop a consistant strike zone. Things wiil be going along smoothly in your JV games and you will start thinking "hey this is easy. I need to be working varsity". You get moved up and everything is going smooth. And then...your game turns into an abortion and you start thinking "what the hell do I do now". It's not bad. It's not good. It is the nature of the job. Just be patient.

[mstaylor]

You guys make it seem like its a bad thing to have goals , and want to achieve them. I'm sure I will not be assigned any varsity level games until the folks charged with making that decision feel I am ready.

That couldn't be further from the truth. My original reason for getting on the internet was to further my education and advance my level. I have advanced, become a leader in my assoc and built a decent reputation as an interpreter on he various boards. My purpose on the internet now is to help others to learn what I have learned myself. There is nothing wrong with moving up the ranks, just do it for the right reason and at the right time.

I worked LL and Pony baseball and was asked by the local assigner to join the HS group, so I did. When I moved up to varsity I set my sights on college and adult baseball. I was told the same thing, get there a year late than a year early. I bided my time and now I am a senior umpire in all the groups, an officer of our HS group and member of the adult baseball BOD. I have seen gus move up too early and get theirself in trouble, put a bad taste in the coaches and struggle for several years trying to overcome that impression.

In HS baseball something weird is going to happen that you are going to have to handle. The way you build your reputation is by handling it in a knowledgable, confident way. It doesn't mean it is settled so the coach likes it, it may go against him, but if you handle properly and with confidence you will be fine. Show weakness or confusion and you are sunk.

My son is a black belt in Kempo. As he was coming up through the ranks you had to learn certain thngs for each test for belt. I have seen him on more than one occasion be told he could test but decline because his proficency wasn't to his taste. If you are asked to move up, if you feel you are ready, go for it. If not decline and work more.

What you don't want to do is push to move up before you are ready.

[Umpire in Chief]

I agree have goals work toward them and you will reach them, but just don't over do it and artificially accelerate your advance.

After I was working rec & JV games for a while I started to feel comfortable, Then I got thrown into some varsity action and the difference is night & day. The pitching ability, the catching, the speed of the game, the plays they are actually able to make. In some aspects it makes umpiring a little easier, but in other ways youare in a whole new world.

Then last year I worked my first college fall-ball games and it was another adjustment, they were even faster. I had a play at first I was anticipating to be routine, but the B//R was so fast he actually made it a close call.

[tjthresh]

I understand what you guys are saying.

I've already had a taste of varsity level play in some summer tournament play. The skill level of the older kids certainly makes thing easier, but I didnt have any sticky situations.

When it comes right down to it, I'm not getting the varsity call until the guys in charge are confident I'm ready.