Finally! I'm working my first game tonight.

[tjthresh]

JV game.

A bit nervous.

A lot excited.

Its been two weeks since I've worked any scrimmages, so I'm concerned about screwing up my mechanics. I've been running them through my head all morning. I feel confident that I know them. Applying them when the time comes is another thing all together.

Rule is about the same way. To sit and talk about them, I think I got them for the most part, but seeing something and making the correct ruling could be an issue.

Either way, I'm more than tired of reading about all of your games and I'm ready for my own experience.

[Umpire in Chief]

Go out there and have fun

Oh, and Don't suck... B)

[Stan W.]

umpiring is a bit like being a student pilot............there is theory and study, but you got to put the hours in...........for us, its the games....with games comes experience and confidence....after a time, you will have built up enough experiences to rely on to make your calls confident.....

With every game you are putting deposits in the in the bank of experience.........so that one day when you need it you can draw against it and be the umpire you want to be...

[BrianC14]

umpiring is a bit like being a student pilot............there is theory and study, but you got to put the hours in...........for us, its the games....with games comes experience and confidence....after a time, you will have built up enough experiences to rely on to make your calls confident.....

With every game you are putting deposits in the in the bank of experience.........so that one day when you need it you can draw against it and be the umpire you want to be...

Stan W.

Umpire Recruiter

B)

B)

[th3]

have fun

[catoblue]

Relax!!!! You've studied the rules, you've taken the initiative to join our asylum here at UE, you've read up on all the whacked out situations shared by the members, you've read debates on rules interpretations, and you've worked scrimmages. You have a great head start on being ready for your first game.

A good way to approach it is that every game will be a learning experience. Every umpire makes mistakes, the key is to learn from them. Once you get this first game under your belt, you should get away from "rehearsal mode" and get into "review mode". Review your last game for things you would like to have done differently. Many of us find a game journal to be very helpful. After the game, write down the things you feel good about and the things you are unsure about, then use hind-sight to think through how you would have done things differently. Learn and improve.

This approach should help take away some of the nerves and make it easier for you to focus on the job at hand.

Good luck on the 1st game - have fun with it and learn from it.

[DirtyDawg]

Don't worry, they're only going to expect you to be perfect the first time, and improve apon that every time afterwards!!

[JaxRolo]

Don't worry, they're only going to expect you to be perfect the first time, and improve upon that every time afterwards!!

This is so true!!!! :rollinglaugh:

[okump96]

first of all congrats, secondly have fun, thirdly RELAX, and remember its just a game!

[blue32]

Don't worry, you'll get hollered at in your first game just like you'll get hollered at in your 1000th game.

The difference is, you might not realize how stupid the ones hollering at you are, but you will start to notice it with more experience. :wow:

[tjthresh]

Well, I got through it, but it was rough. I start my career of with a 20+ to 1, 5 inning snoozefest.

I had a nice banger pick off at second, though I might have been a bit quick on my timing on that call.

I got to call a couple of balks.

The game was kind of sad though. It was obvious to me that about half of one of the teams had just learned to throw a baseball.

A couple things I've learned.

1. I had a fly ball in the right-center gap while I'm in A. I read F8 and F9 converging to make the play, so I my first reaction was to go out. After my first step I now decide that there is no way either of these kids are going to make the catch, so I change direction and head in to my pivot. WRONG! While I didn't need to go take the ball in the OF, once I started out there I need to stay with that.

2. I had a sliding catch by F8 that I didn't really sell all that well. I just gave it one hammer above my head. Nothing verbalized. It was kind of a stinker call on my part.

3. Anybody can stay focused on a well played close game. Its the awful games like I had last night that will challenge you.

Overall, it was a good experience and I can't wait for my next game.

[catoblue]

Great job reviewing your game and critiquing yourself... have a great season!!!!

[Umpire in Chief]

Keep up the good work and make every game a learning experience.

[mstaylor]

Once you went inside, you have given the catch to the PU. If you go out you have given the runner the PU. Starting in A you will never have both the catch and runner.