What's Most Important?

[moblue]

I may be getting an umpire to "train" to start taking my place. I am having some issues from a few coaches in a youth league I called in last year, and have decided to try and take more games in a different league. This other league pays better, and the coaches whine a whole lot less. This guy is looking into possibly calling baseball as a way to make some extra money as he goes through college. He would be picking up whatever games I decide to give away (To avoid a side discussion, this has been cleared with the league UIC).

He already plays HS baseball, so he has a good grasp of the basic rules. What should I be most concerned with teaching him before his first game? Thanks in advance.

[Paperipper17]

First and foremost, probably making him forget everything he knows about the rules

I'd start with positioning, rotations, and mechanics. The hardest thing for me to do was to stop reacting to what I thought was going to happen and instead just following the ball and letting the play develop. However, if there's one thing every beginning ump should carve into his arm, it's this: SELL IT. We all know this rule, but until I learned it I'm sure I looked pretty hesitant. Tell him that no matter what call he makes, even if he KNOWS he blew the hell out of it, stand with it and defend it. To me, the worst enemy of an umpire isn't coaches or players or even surprise, it's indecision and doubt. A surprised umpire can still make a call, and if he got any look at it at all, probably a decent one. But if that call is made weakly or shakily, he just shot himself in the foot. Someone posted on another thread that you have to be a badass out there, and that's the truth. Be a badass, sell every call, and the road will be much smoother.

[JaxRolo]

First and foremost, probably making him forget everything he knows about the rules

+1

Forget all the rules and start over. Get the rule books and read read read, then ask question and more questions and then go back and read, read ,read, and more questions.

Do that several times!

I'd start with positioning, rotations, and mechanics.

+1

Very important. The virtual Umpire Camp is very good for someone starting out!

[mstaylor]

Give him the URL for this site.

[DirtyDawg]

Give him the URL for this site.

I agree.....there is no better way to learn than to make mistakes and ask questions later from people who have probably made that mistake before and learned from it.

[PeteBooth]

I am having some issues from a few coaches in a youth league I called in last year, and have decided to try and take more games in a different league. This other league pays better, and the coaches whine a whole lot less. This guy is looking into possibly calling baseball as a way to make some extra money as he goes through college. He would be picking up whatever games I decide to give away (To avoid a side discussion, this has been cleared with the league UIC).

Issues from coaches in a youth league - what else is new. You now want to "expose" this type of ball to a college student. He can make extra money doing something else and have less headaches.

No matter how much you teach this young umpire for the most part it will not make a bit of difference when dealing with youth league coaches or what's more commonly referred to as as "daddy coaches "

IMO, the reason the UIC cleared the approval of this young umpire is because verteran umpires like yourself are tired of this league and are moving on which means a shortage of umpires for this youth league, hence the clearance.

I would explain FULLY what he will be getting himself into should he decide to accept these assignments. See if there are any clinicis around which this young umpire can attend.

If you want to take this young umpire "under your wing" how about bringing him with you to the "other" league where from your OP the coaches are more civil.

Pete Booth

[jjb]

Apparently, in that "League", the most important thing to learn is how to write an ejection report.

[Umpire in Chief]

Take things one step at a time. Rules are important but as has been said a million times, 'Baseball is a game where 80% of the game is played with 20% of the rules' So start with a basic understanding of rules and break myths he probably believes.

Next basic mechanics and positioning. I think the hardest part of converting from a player to umpire for many is the ability not to follow the ball, but to follow the fielders to the ball. Work hard with him on that one.

[cardinalfan]

When my son decided to start umpiring as a way to make money while going to college, I gave him lots of my extra equipment and some advice. As usual, he probably didn't listen to the old man, but I also pass this along to young guys I work with now:

1) Look professional. You will be judged before you make a call just by the way you look when you arrive on the field.

2) Know the rules. There is no substitute for rules and mechanics. We can all blow judgment calls from time to time, but there is no excuse for screwing up an interpretation.

3) Sell the call. Right, wrong, good, bad. Make everyone believe you got it right.

4) Don't let the crowd bother you. Easier said than done with young guys, but when I work with a young umpire, I will come get with them between innings occasionally and encourage them that the crowd is biased and doesn't know the rules.

5) Watch veteran umpires. So much can be learned by observing. Of course, this also puts the pressure on us. You never know who is watching when you get lazy or do something unprofessional.

6) Have fun. We're getting paid for something that is supposed to be enjoyable!

I like to work with young umpires who have the desire to get better. I've given a ton of good used equipment to kids who have gone on to be good umpires. I've also seen several who could've been good but quit for one reason or another.

[moblue]

Apparently, in that "League", the most important thing to learn is how to write an ejection report.

Ejection report? What's that? There are no reports to write for this league. That is one nice thing about ejecting people.

I've made it very clear to him what he's getting into. Also, I think the problem for some of the coaches is me and that he won't have near the trouble I do. That's the price I pay for not letting coaches walk all over me.

On the other hand, if we get more umpires in this league that are actually willing to enforce all of the rules and stand up to the coaches, they will have to change how they act, or find a new league. I like the sound of that, yes I do.:Cool2:

[DirtyDawg]

Alright, I'll bite. Which league is it? I wanna make sure I stay way the hell away from there!

[moblue]

I sent you a PM. A couple of coaches isn't worth making an entire league sound bad.