First "Real" Game

[JacksFan]

Well, this is my first year being a certified umpire and I was planning on waiting for summer ball to work LL and VFW but I got my first action yesterday! I was out at the ball field when the home team coach told me to go get my gear, the umps that were supposed to be umping had double booked and were already at their other site. So I rushed home and got all my gear together and hurried back up to the field. It was a HS Varsity game between two state ranked teams and I was the lone ump. The game went great! I was pretty tight on a few outside pitches but most of the time it wasn't even close out there. The game only went 5 innings with the HT winning 20-7, it was a tough game for me in the aspect that I am only 2 years out of HS and all these guys on the HT were my teamates in HS and are good buddies of mine. I got pretty lucky and didn't have any close/controversial plays. The fans from both sides were great knowing I was a last minute fill in having never worked a game before. I think I got a "good game blue" from everyone in the stands afterward.

I would just like to say thanks to this site because I have learned so much already about umping and how to look the part and be the part out there on the field. I think I'm addicted now and can't wait until my next game!

[3rdGENump]

Sounds like you did a great job in your first appearance. Nothing like starting your career doing a high school varsity game! Now you have a taste for it and can work on all the small things at lower levels.

[Umpire in Chief]

What an experience!

[JacksFan]

It was a GREAT experience! Like I said I know everyone on the home team personally since we were all teamates when I was in HS and many of them play on my amatuer team and they were all extremely respectful and treated me as an official and not a buddy. Everything they said while addressing me was started with a "sir" or "blue". I asked for some feedback after the game (VT was gone when I went to talk to them) and they all gave me huge compliments on my strike zone and my consistancy. The biggest thing they told me I did a good job at was how I was so vocal with my strike and ball calls. They said there was no question as to what the call was and their was confidence in every call I made. I don't know if asking the players to give some feedback is considered a good idea in the umpiring world but I thought it wouldn't hurt and since they have better seats than most of the fans that were giving me some feeback. I can't wait to get some more games in!

[midmoump]

That's great!

Be careful about talking with players or coaches. In the future, get your feedback from your partner. Video tape is also a great way to improve your game.

Now that you have a taste, go kick butt during the summer!

Pete