Being prepared for the call...

[Stan W.]

Ump 81 posted a good response to the thread regarding CP's and protection....But I didnt want to hijack that thread so I thought I would start a fresh one and seek your thoughts....

Here is Ump 81's thoughts that I found appropriate....

"if you aspire to get to the top, use the gear the guys at the top use. Never get that late cell phone call for a rescheduled men's league or college game and have to go out there in your Little League protector and hope not to get hit. When that call comes its quick and be readly for the next level! Early in my college career I got the call for a Div I series, I made the mistake of asking the assignor why he called me for this big promotion he answered " beacause all the good umps are already working". I think he was joking! take care."

There was a thread elsewhere where the talk was about what umpries carry in the cars and gear bags on game day. For those of you who know Tim C. you know he carries everything possible on game day.

So here is the point of my topic...

"When that call comes.. its quick and be readly for the next level!...

How true this statement is...and if you arent ready you can miss your chance...I did...I got the call and because I didnt have the proper uniform elements with me that day, I had to turn down the college shot I had wanted for a long time.....took me another year to get the shot again.....and that time I was ready.....

so like the boy scouts....."be prepared".....

How to be prepared?.........have the uniform elements, the gear and the mechanics knowledge for the level you aspire to do........not just the level you currently do....

Edited November 18, 2008 by Stan W.
spelling of course....

[Umpire in Chief]

Don't only be prepared for the big game assignments which are just a phone call away, but be ready at any time for that call to do any game. I keep all of my equipment & uniforms in my car at all times, and have earned the reputation of being that "go to" person the commish can call a few hours before a game and I'm ready to go.

A. I'm a game whore and will almost always take any game I can.

B. Being available for the Commish and helping when ever possible helps in getting assigned the games you really want, it's not brown nosing, it more you scratch my back I'll scratch yours.

Also, always bring both your plate and base gear. You may agree on the phone who is doing what, but when it comes to game time if your partner forgets something, or your partner changes at the last moment. you need to be prepared.

[Majordave]

And, I go an extra step and have two of almost everything. (I drive a pickup truck with a cover on the bed.) I especially like having two shirts in most colors so if my partner is a cheap B#$*@&D and only has Navy and/or Powder and I want to wear black or cream or polo blue with black collar, I can. With the inexpensive cost of shirts from Officials Choice and my penchant for disregarding numbers on the sleeve, we match and no one is the wiser. Hats are a problem though.

[mstaylor]

I do the same as Dave. I drive a pick-up with a king cab so I have all my gear at all times. I also carry extra shirts for newer guys that have as many colors as I do. I sell unifoms and such so I have extra flex fits with me for the hat impaired. I agree that you always have your plate gear in case of last minute subs or a no show.

[Stan W.]

I work over an hour away from my home, so from March to August, I pretty much have to carry everything I have everyday....Going home to pick up gear or a differing uniform, just isnt an option...

Since not being able to take that game, I have equipped myself to cover any game, any level, base or plate...I have every (acceptable) color and like my friends above I have 2 of each color.... I even have the Grey shirt for use in the local Semi-Pro league....

[POLOGREEN]

I have a small car and I have a pole in the back seat that goes across the clothes hooks. I have my shirts, pants, undergear and jackets hung so I look neat and clean. In the trunk I have my equipment with shoe polish, fabreeze to spray on the leg guards, chest protector ect. I carry a sheet that has a pregame list to discuss with my partner, situations and mechanics. I also carry extra parts for my headgear and other equipment. I made a scorecard on Autocadd the also has places for reminders such as "coach is your team properly equipped", no. of trips, no. of conferences ect. I try to be as prepared as possible, I don't want to be surprised.

[Umpire in Chief]

POLOGREEN, would you be able to share your sheet with us?

[POLOGREEN]

Sure let me dig it out and I will get it in my word file so I can share it.

[POLOGREEN]

Checklist for Umpires’

Pregame Conference

Here’s a checklist of topics to be discussed:

 Any new or updated rules

 Field ground rules

 Foul-line coverage and dead-ball area coverage

 Base coverage, including responsibility for call and how to handle appeals

 Illegal pitch rule and responsibility for calling it

 Check swing mechanics, including responsibility for the call and how to handle appeals

 Mechanics and assignment for keeping track of balls, strikes and outs

 Management of warm-up between innings

 Communication expectations between umpires

 Watching the over slide, at second base, on DP and possible interference

Catch and tag responsibilities

Fair/foul responsibilities

Touch of base responsibilities

Pulled foot/swipe tag help if needed

First to third rotation with R1 only

 Infield fly communication and signal

Timing plays and signals

With multiple runners, I have the lead runner.

If I lose the count, I'll hold up my indicator and point to it

When BU will go out from A, and what PU will do when he does

Manage in/out warm-up between innings

Communication and hustle

Procedure for pregame conference with coaches and team captains

Also here’s a place where you can buy a laminated copy;

http://www.reegind.com/Umpire_BaseballRefCards.htm

[MCLEOD36]

Pretty darn handy....

[LMSANS]

Attached is the laminated checklist given out by the NJUA at their annual mechanics clinic. I keep one in both cars and every equipment bag, just in case.

Pre-Game.pdf

[Bigdog]

Hey all,

To me, the best way to prepare for the next level is easy. Every game you work, pretend it is at least one or two levels higher than the level of the game you are working.

If you work LL, pretend it is BR, BR pretend it's HS, etc. I don't just mean mechanically or by rule knowledge, but also in how you handle players and coaches and situations that are unexpected/ not covered by a specific rule, like a local ground rule, for example.

Bigdog:cool: