Hello.. Brand New to umpiring

[rentoon]

Hello. I'm a brand new umpire. Just wanted to say hi. Today was my very first umpire game ever. 2-man umpire for high school. I should of start at the plate position, but they game me the bases instead. Did ok, need to work on proper footwork and always keep an eye on the ball "chest to ball." Overall a great experience.

[mstaylor]

Welcome to the site. Listen to everything your partners tell you and remember you will never know it all.

[hckyosgood30]

Welcome to the site rentoon. You'll enjoy the brotherhood here, even if we are tough at times. Where are you from?

[JaxRolo]

Welcome

[semper_fi_72]

Welcome

To do your very first game as a Umpire at the High School level wow.

Sounds like you may have had some good training though.

Strive to improve every game. :home:

[Umpire in Chief]

Welcome. We're here for you.

[mstaylor]

As a baseball umpire I would suggest that is a bad idea but so far I have done it in two other sports. My first regular season game ever in soccer was a double overtime stadium varsity game. My first in volleyball was a little lower key but still a varsity match.

[Welpe]

Welcome aboard.

From what I understand, it is common out this way for brand new umpires to get their start at the Sophomore / JV level.

[Cajuncubsfan]

Welcome

I don't know how guys who have never umpired before think starting in HS is a good idea. I have worked with guys this year that have never umpired before and they just don't know where to be and what to do. You have a very big learning curve to over come. Here are my tips to you.

1) Liston to all the pointers you can from your fellow umpires.

2) Read up on the rules and know them. Your mechanics are probably going to get you in trouble with a coach at some point.

3) When HS is over you should work Little League or something to get more games under your belt

4) Find anything you can to read about umpiring. Be careful o watching YouTube videos. Some of those guys don't have good mechanics.

These are things I did. One thing I didn't do was walk on the HS ball field before I had worked 3 years of Dixie / Little League.

I wish you luck and feel free to ask questions. These guys have qualms with answering LOL :-)

[Cajuncubsfan]

Welcome to the site. Listen to everything your partners tell you and remember you will never know it all.

Very True

[zm1283]

I don't disagree that you should listen to what your partners say, but whether you actually put those things into practice is another matter. Pick a handful of umpires that know what they're talking about and use them for advice and to bounce situations off of. You'll hear all kinds of stuff if you listen to every partner, and most of it won't be things you want to actually put into practice.

I had a "veteran" umpire tell me a couple of summers ago that you should get as close as possible to second base on every steal play. This is the same guy who told me that on a play at first, you should watch the runner the whole way instead of letting the ball turn you toward first.

[mstaylor]

You definitely need to filter what you are being told. You will quickly figure out who knows what they are talking about and the ones that don't. The same is true on the internet. Do not assume everything you read is correct, figure out who to listen to and who to let pass. The other thing is what works for one guy doesn't for another. With my years of practice and my personality I can say and do things that a new guy would get crucified for.

[umpire78]

Welcome, rentoon. What a way to START a career in umpiring. But, glad you had a GOOD experience. All I can suggest is that you strive to improve EVERY game and learn from your mistakes. One last thing: ALWAYS remember you can only "please" 50% of the fans 100% of the time.

[mstaylor]

I always tell guys you are wrong 100% of the time, it just depends if it is in your right ear or your left ear.

[dmdhiker]

After 30 years out of the baseball world, I started umping this year at 50. Doing my 21st HS game today. Mainly freshman A and B games with a hand full of sophomore games. Kind of nerve-racking to start but I am much more comfortable now. Learning every game and having a ball.

[Fittske24]

Welcome! We are here to help you.... not to judge you (unless you ask us to!) :smachhead:

[Chris Hickman]

First off, why in the hell would you want to be an umpire? Seriously invest your money in some clinics in your area. Training is the most important thing in your new hobby/job.

[Stan W.]

Welcome to the avocation!............find a mentor! quick.........it will help you in the long run...then read/study/read/study...........