When To Arrive

[T-Rav]

What time do you guy's aim to arrive to the game-site before the game? I ask because I aim at the latest to arrive 30 minutes prior to the start time but that doesn't seem to be the norm- they should up 15 minutes prior to start time around here. I know I read that KFinn tends to arrive 90 minutes prior to the start time and I know different associations require different things, what's your ideal arrival time?

And how many of you change in the parking lot or more like don't? I know I, when working the dish, wear my compression shorts, jock, and compression legging's to the park over basketball shorts with my mock turtle neck's.

[mstaylor]

Minimum 30 minutes, more if possible. Dressing in the parking lot is the norm here.

[KLAH316]

Minimum 30 minutes, more if possible. Dressing in the parking lot is the norm here.

Same here unless the tournament location has a set room to change in.... Usually only Big League Dreams has a set aside Umpire Room.

[love2ump]

When i have the plate im mininum 45 min sometimes an hour, bases im 30-45, i arrive with sliders and shorts and tshirt on and get totally dressed in parking lot

[MT_Blue]

For softball im usuallly there about an hour beforehand to change and shoot the breeze with my partner(s) (since usually there is a JV and V contest happening) for baseball on the other hand i lax down to about 30 min prior.

[LA ump]

I am for 30-45 mins prior, earlier if I haven't been to a field before.

[johnnyg08]

Ideally, at least one hour prior. Worst case scenario, 30 minutes. Absolute worst case, prior to the plate meeting.

[txump81]

I try to arrive 45min-1 hr early for High School games. For college games, they want us there 1.5 hrs early. Friday our crew was there 2.5 hrs early because the coach failed to update the game time in Arbiter.

[JaxRolo]

HS at least an hour. I try for 90 if works permits me. I have been there 2 hours prior. I make this my time to relax and look over my gear, shine shoes, etc.

I like the peacefulness of the park before others start to arrive.

Most of the guys in my association know that i get there early so when they have me on the schedule they try to get there early also.

[semper_fi_72]

I am there usually 1 hour beofre game time.

Time to relax and and clear the head from everything else.

[24sdad]

I am there usually 1 hour beofre game time.

Time to relax and and clear the head from everything else.

Same. First umpire to arrive is responsible for telling HT that umpires are here. And PU is required to communicate with partner the night before re shirt color, where/what time to meet, etc. We always dress at our vehicle.

[scrounge]

I'd say 1/2 hour is most common around here, earlier if you can for varsity. But with 5 PM game times, most can't do much earlier than that during the weekday. There's no prescribed time, just custom. Conversely, football and basketball have a prescribed 90 minute before game time arrival for varsity, but not for other levels.

[Thunderheads]

30-45 ...

dress in the lot ...

Now, if I'm doing a game that's 'more important', etc, ...I'll try to get there earlier....

[zebra2955]

30-45 minutes, Dress in the umpires dressing room, otherwise known as the parking lot

[NCAAump2]

Our association likes us there 30 mins before the game, but I like to get there between 45mins-1hour before first pitch. We, in the St. Louis area, dress at our vehicles 99.99% of the time, so I like the time to relax, shine shoes, listen to music, etc. College games we are required to arrive at least 1 hour before game time.

[Mike Prince]

For rec ball with an established partner I usually arrive 30-45 minutes prior to scheduled start. We do not pre-assign bases or plate so we figure it out when we get there.

For HS or tournament ball I am usually there 45-60 minutes in advance unless we are instructed otherwise. This gives time to check in with the administrator and/or TD and find my partner.

[grayhawk]

It depends on the level:

For high school: I get there 45 minutes prior. All my HS games are solo, so no partner to pregame with. I change into my compression shorts/jock/cup/leggings/socks at work and then put my work clothes back on. When I arrive at the school, I head right for the field and introduce myself to both coaches. I am finding that this really starts the "relationship" that we have on a good note. It shows them that I am not just someone looking for a paycheck. I have had a few coaches even comment something to the tune of, "oh, you are a professional" meaning they recognize that I have a professional career outside of baseball, and I am there because I love umpiring. I don't think JV coaches are used to getting this kind of "college" treatment, which I believe sets me apart from other umpires. I had a fan/Dad compliment me after a game on my approach because he was there early and saw me in my work clothes before the game (someone is ALWAYS watching). I then go back to my car and get my gear/uniform on in the parking lot and return to the field 15 minutes before the game time to walk the field.

For Pony/Little League: I get there 30-45 minutes ahead of time, but I make sure to coordinate with my partner (if I have one) on arrival time and uniform. I usually have on my compression shorts/jock/cup/leggings/socks and undershirt as well. I then change into my gear/uniform in the parking lot. Ideally, my partner and I can park next to each other and shoot the breeze and pregame.

For USSSA: Most of these parks are further from home, so I arrive no later than 1 hour ahead of time, giving me extra time for traffic. Similar deal to Pony/Little league in that I coordinate with my partner on arrival time/parking/uniform. We then get on gear/uniforms in the parking lot.

[Kevin Finnerty]

HS at least an hour. I try for 90 if works permits me. I have been there 2 hours prior. I make this my time to relax and look over my gear, shine shoes, etc.

I like the peacefulness of the park before others start to arrive.

Most of the guys in my association know that i get there early so when they have me on the schedule they try to get there early also.

I feel like I could have written this.

[AZump78]

I am there one hour prior-like clockwork.

[Kevin Finnerty]

Today, I was called by my assignor at 3:29 for an elite high school game that was supposed to start at 3:00. The umpires were scheduled for tomorrow, and there's nobody to do this game. (I got called first, because I live the closest.) I said, I'll do it, but I have a 7:00 game 25 miles away. I'll make a call and get my other game started for me, and I'll go take over when this one's done. ("I owe you big time." ... we'll see.)

So I called my mentor to take the field for my 7:00 base game and I left the house... at 3:33. I arrived at 3:38. I parked and I ran to the field and told the coach that we'd at least have one umpire as soon as I can get dressed. It was 3:42 when I got back to the car. I got dressed and after a brief stop, I took the field at 3:55. (I now know that I can get all my crap on from head-to-toe in like, nine minutes.)

In the fourth, my unqualified partner showed up and ran onto the field. I signaled a rotation and when he just nodded, I knew I was better off working a one-man.

Great game, but a long slugfest that I didn't need... see-saw battle with great short relievers... partner looked a little lost, but didn't kick a call... he was a nice guy, but kept the entire game fee (cash in an envelope) for himself, instead of giving some back to the school, even though he worked half a game...

So I got to the car at 6;57, 25 miles from my 7:00 game. I hung up my polywool plates, threw my shoes in a bag, slipped my gear off, threw everything in the back of the rig, threw some gym shorts over my tights, and sped off at 7:01. It was virtually all freeway, and traffic was moving at a 60-65 m.p.h pace, so I was able to cruise at 75 with short bursts of 85. I got to the park---the one where I watched my first live organized baseball game in 1966--in 21 minutes. I parked, got out, threw on my polywool base and my Majestic Cool Base pullover and my creased 8-stitch, and ran to the field (about 200 yards), eating a Power Bar as I ran. It was 7:33 when I swallowed the last of my dinner and jogged onto the field.

So, after today, I would say that I can now be at a plate game 11 minutes before game time (13 if I stop to piss); and I can be at a base game seven minutes before game time and somehow still not screw up anything. I forgot nothing; I screwed up no rotations or calls; I got no crap from anyone; I got no speeding ticket... and I wouldn't wish the experience on anybody. I loved it, but I don't look forward to anything like it.

[Thunderheads]

Today, I was called by my assignor at 3:29 for an elite high school game that was supposed to start at 3:00. The umpires were scheduled for tomorrow, and there's nobody to do this game. (I got called first, because I live the closest.) I said, I'll do it, but I have a 7:00 game 25 miles away. I'll make a call and get my other game started for me, and I'll go take over when this one's done. ("I owe you big time." ... we'll see.)

So I called my mentor to take the field for my 7:00 base game and I left the house... at 3:33. I arrived at 3:38. I parked and I ran to the field and told the coach that we'd at least have one umpire as soon as I can get dressed. It was 3:42 when I got back to the car. I got dressed and after a brief stop, I took the field at 3:55. (I now know that I can get all my crap on from head-to-toe in like, nine minutes.)

In the fourth, my unqualified partner showed up and ran onto the field. I signaled a rotation and when he just nodded, I knew I was better off working a one-man.

Great game, but a long slugfest that I didn't need... see-saw battle with great short relievers... partner looked a little lost, but didn't kick a call... he was a nice guy, but kept the entire game fee (cash in an envelope) for himself, instead of giving some back to the school, even though he worked half a game...

So I got to the car at 6;57, 25 miles from my 7:00 game. I hung up my polywool plates, threw my shoes in a bag, slipped my gear off, threw everything in the back of the rig, threw some gym shorts over my tights, and sped off at 7:01. It was virtually all freeway, and traffic was moving at a 60-65 m.p.h pace, so I was able to cruise at 75 with short bursts of 85. I got to the park---the one where I watched my first live organized baseball game in 1966--in 21 minutes. I parked, got out, threw on my polywool base and my Majestic Cool Base pullover and my creased 8-stitch, and ran to the field (about 200 yards), eating a Power Bar as I ran. It was 7:33 when I swallowed the last of my dinner and jogged onto the field.

So, after today, I would say that I can now be at a plate game 11 minutes before game time (13 if I stop to piss); and I can be at a base game seven minutes before game time and somehow still not screw up anything. I forgot nothing; I screwed up no rotations or calls; I got no crap from anyone; I got no speeding ticket... and I wouldn't wish the experience on anybody. I loved it, but I don't look forward to anything like it.

Holy crap, ...I'm tired just reading this!!! :notworthy:

[mstaylor]

Kevin:

Doing what you did is what makes you invaluable to an assigner. I have been the guy running and the guy requesting somebody else to run. Good Job!

[Kevin Finnerty]

Thank you, Michael. It felt pretty good.

[Umpire in Chief]

I try for 45 minutes but in reality it ends up 30 with the Hampton Roads traffic and the size of the area we cover.

My level of ease in terms of time depends on my partner. Someone newer or I'm not as familiar with = more time, the more familiar I'm with my partner the less.

[yawetag]

It also depends on distance. For games that are farther away, I'll probably get there 45-hour early; games nearby will be 30-45. That's because I add more buffer time for longer trips, which naturally gets me there with more time to spare.