Nerves

[MPLSMatt]

This is my 3rd season of J.V. H.S. ball and I have my first game of the year this afternoon (a B Squad game) and I am very nervous. For whatever reason, I always get nervous before games of even moderately high level. Do you guys have this problem? What do you do to get over it? Thanks!

[mstaylor]

You should always be a little nervous or excited before a game. The best thing to do is remember it just another game. I assure you, as I get older I question if I will be able to do it another year, then I go out, it's all good and I work the season. Don't let being nervous make you fast, use it to focus you.

[sdix00]

Be confident. Trust that you have done everything to prepare yourself. You have good mechanics, good rules knowledge, great game management, and you look like an umpire.

If you don't believe some of the above to be true, then do what it takes to make it true.

When you have prepared properly, you can be confident that you will call a great game.

Confidence should help the nerves. You are in charge.

[Thunderheads]

it's funny, ... that's how I am also. u12 to u14 I don't think anything of it ........when it gets higher, OR, when I know its' a QUALITY game with 'good teams' ...the nerves do kick in. Now, that said, when I get to the field I have no issues at all, and I'm ready to go, but I understand what Matt is saying.

[cbiesecker]

My first game (ever) is tonight. I know I'll be fine once I get to the fields, but the ride home from work should be fun. I just keep reviewing rules, rotations, and responses in my head. It helps me to stay focused and not think too much about the upcoming game.

[grayhawk]

I always get some butterflies no matter what level I am working. I am out there "performing" in front of people and that is liable to result in a little nervousness. The instant I put the ball in play, however, all of that goes away and my focus is 100% on the task at hand.

Don't consider this a "problem" because nervous energy can put put to good use. Hell, I'd be concerned if you weren't nervous!

[ukce1861]

A couple things I've figured out over the years to help me. One, be really careful not to get yourself hyped up for the game, no matter how big it is. I always try and listen to something dry on the way to the game - news, talk radio, whatever; something to keep my mind off the game.

The other thing is treat every game like it's a big game. For one - to somebody, it is a big game; they deserve your best. Two, when you get a "big game", it's just like every other game for you. If you treat every pitch or play like it really, really matters, when you get in a situation where every pitch or play really matters, it's old hat.

Finally, you've got to realize when your nerves and excitement are getting the better of you and do something about it. I've had games where I knew I was fast because of all the excitement. In some of those games, I started to fall apart; as the excitement and tension of the game built, I got faster and faster and made more mistakes, which led to more nerves and tension, which spiraled out of control. Now, when I recognize the tension building, I slow it down. I focus on tracking the next pitch and making sure I take my time. Get back to basics and don't let the tension change your game.

[HokieUmp]

Do you guys have this problem?

Yes.

What do you do to get over it? Thanks!

For me, other's mileage may vary: You don't, is the long-term answer. Short-term, the answer is, "I walk out on the field" is how/when I get over it. Once I'm there, I know it's going to be fine, no matter what happens. The muscle/brain-memory is there, and what happens, happens.

In this iteration of my career, I'm in my 10th calendar year. And I get at least a small portion of 'stage fright' or the 'I don't wanna do this'-es before nearly every game. (Multi-game days don't count, and the little-er the kids, the less it is. Other than the inevitable being-hit-by-a-pitch thing.)

Even out here, where the HS games I've done are WAAAAAAAAAY less skilled than what Hampton Roads has, there's still a little of that before the game for me.

There's probably a more Jedi way of saying it, but ultimately, knowing you're ready, and getting the game going, takes care of the issue.

[Thunderheads]

Here's another example ....

I'm about to submit all my stuff to arbiter.com for my HS assigned games, ....and like an idiot, I'm nervous about it! I just don't understand my issue with it all?! Is it because it's a "next step" and I want to ensure I do well? Is it that I'm assigned with people I won't know and don't want to be stuck with a 'smitty' ?? I just don't understand my apprehension!

[Mike Prince]

Or is it that you will be assigned to the "stud" of the association and you are nervous that you will mess up? That's what is is for me sometimes.

In actuality, these are the games I truly look forward to - my experience with these is that I will get valuable feedback that I can build off of.

My least favorite games are when in pregame I have to hear multiple times from my partner how many years with the association he has, watch him mangle the game and then in postgame he did no wrong and I have a laundry list of things to work on. With experience these are the games I get nervous about when I get my assignments.

I had one of these in HS ball last year followed by a game the next night with one of our senior umpires (who was also one of our instructors in our preseason clinics). When he asked me who I worked with recently and I mentioned the guy from the night before, he laughed and said something to the effect of that guy should work solo because no one is as perfect as him. That really put me at ease (I was pretty nervous for this game as it was a big game and it was my first time working with this guy who had a reputation as a tough guy to work with, the experience from the previous game hadn't helped either). I had a good night that night and we had a very constructive post game - I feel like I got really honest feedback of what I did well and needed to work on and my partner asked for and accepted my feedback as well.

In any case, I've learned to take things one game at a time and not get too worried about who my partner is going to be or who is playing who. I have some nerves for any game because I always want to learn and improve no matter what level of ball is involved. I combat this by getting to the park early when possible, and having a good pregame with my partner. If we have a good pregame, I always walk onto the field feeling better that we have prepared for the game.

[Thunderheads]

Or is it that you will be assigned to the "stud" of the association and you are nervous that you will mess up? That's what is is for me sometimes.

In actuality, these are the games I truly look forward to - my experience with these is that I will get valuable feedback that I can build off of.

My least favorite games are when in pregame I have to hear multiple times from my partner how many years with the association he has, watch him mangle the game and then in postgame he did no wrong and I have a laundry list of things to work on. With experience these are the games I get nervous about when I get my assignments.

WOW, never thought of that, but .......no, ...I don't think so ....I really do think it's more or less "NEXT LEVEL" stuff ....

[Jeff C.]

This is my 3rd season of J.V. H.S. ball and I have my first game of the year this afternoon (a B Squad game) and I am very nervous. For whatever reason, I always get nervous before games of even moderately high level. Do you guys have this problem? What do you do to get over it? Thanks!

Yes, I get nervous before games, whether it's U10 or varsity ( I don't do much varsity). Driving to the game, walking to the field I'm still nervous. But once I'm on the field, it fades a bit until my first call. Too me the nervousness equates to caring. And by that I mean you care for the game, the players, your partner(s) and anyone else remotely involved in the game. And I feel if that pre-game nervousness ever fades or simply blinks out, I'm going to walk away because I won't be able to give it my best. Because regardless of the level of game, when you strap on the equipment and put on the uniform, you better be giving it your best because it matters to those involved. I've had a few partners that I feel didn't do that and it really pisses me off.

[Thunderheads]

This is my 3rd season of J.V. H.S. ball and I have my first game of the year this afternoon (a B Squad game) and I am very nervous. For whatever reason, I always get nervous before games of even moderately high level. Do you guys have this problem? What do you do to get over it? Thanks!

Yes, I get nervous before games, whether it's U10 or varsity ( I don't do much varsity). Driving to the game, walking to the field I'm still nervous. But once I'm on the field, it fades a bit until my first call. Too me the nervousness equates to caring. And by that I mean you care for the game, the players, your partner(s) and anyone else remotely involved in the game. And I feel if that pre-game nervousness ever fades or simply blinks out, I'm going to walk away because I won't be able to give it my best. Because regardless of the level of game, when you strap on the equipment and put on the uniform, you better be giving it your best because it matters to those involved. I've had a few partners that I feel didn't do that and it really pisses me off.

Jeff, ... that's great! I like it!! :D

[Umpire in Chief]

getting a case of the nerves is a good thing. At the bare minimum it shows you care enough to get nervous.

My level of nerves will vary within a game. I'll start out with a mild to moderate case before the game. These will go down pretty quickly with the first few pitches.

My level may go up on various situations a really good tight game might bring some nerves, being hit by a pitch, an altercation between players might, enforcing an unpopular call might too, as well as heated discussions with coaches.

But no matter what causes it the key is to get it under control ASAP find what works for you, breathing, re-focusing, or anything else.

[mstaylor]

When I was newer I had no problem working with any of the TOP guys except one. There was one guy that I just couldn't get comfortable with and if I was going to do something dumb it would be with him. Now he calls me for advice.