Handling long tournaments

[PonyUmpire]

I have a 3 day, 5 games per day tournament coming up this weekend. Seeing as I've never done that many games at a time before, I was wondering what kind of advice you guys have about staying focused and energized during long tournaments.

[scrounge]

Arrange it (beg, bribe, etc) so you only do 2 plates (2nd and 4th games, for example) a day. Drink lots of water and then some. Don't forget to eat - fruit not only will give you energy without being heavy, but has the added benefit of also being water-rich. Bring extra t-shirts and socks and change them regularly. Economize your movement when you can without sacrificing mechanics. Don't skimp on between-game breaks, even if they're rushing you - you need to pace yourself and change at your speed, not rush into your gear. Get to bed early - especially the first night BEFORE it all catches up to you. Have a quart of gatorade at night - you probably won't need it unless you sweated a TON but it won't hurt and might just help (even if only as a placebo).

[BRUMP]

Don't do more than three plates a day and stagger the plate games. Drink lots of water and always make sure that you eat well the day before. No soda or crap food.

[Jocko]

(Knuckles cracking, fingers wiggle to get loose)

1. 1st HP gets games 1,2,&5 each day (if you have same partner all day. Know your assignments for the whole day pre-1st game.

2. Hydrate hydrate hydrate

3. Sunscreen and reapply every other game

4. Stretch stretch stretch

5. Eat light food. I love watermelon, bananas, apples, and grapes (try freezing the grapes).

6. Get to the field an hour early so you have time to get your stuff laid out and organized. This will make transitions from BU to HP seamless.

7. Check and recheck your gear bag Thursday. That way all you have to do is throw it in your Standard Umpire Vehicle (KFinn )

8. Change socks/undershirts

9. Liberally spread baby powder or cornstarch on your inner thighs, and nether regions, and reapply often. There's nothing worse than chafing. Do this BEFORE you put any uniform items on.

10. Dress for the end of the game. SF is cool at night. You may feel comfortable at 4, but chilly at 7. Take your light jacket.

11. Take a coin to flip for the pool games you are HP. It's not cool to have to borrow a quarter from HC at the plate meeting.

12. Try not to suck

[mjr_2013]

(Knuckles cracking, fingers wiggle to get loose)

1. 1st HP gets games 1,2,&5 each day (if you have same partner all day. Know your assignments for the whole day pre-1st game.

2. Hydrate hydrate hydrate

3. Sunscreen and reapply every other game

4. Stretch stretch stretch

5. Eat light food. I love watermelon, bananas, apples, and grapes (try freezing the grapes).

6. Get to the field an hour early so you have time to get your stuff laid out and organized. This will make transitions from BU to HP seamless.

7. Check and recheck your gear bag Thursday. That way all you have to do is throw it in your Standard Umpire Vehicle (KFinn )

8. Change socks/undershirts

9. Liberally spread baby powder or cornstarch on your inner thighs, and nether regions, and reapply often. There's nothing worse than chafing. Do this BEFORE you put any uniform items on.

10. Dress for the end of the game. SF is cool at night. You may feel comfortable at 4, but chilly at 7. Take your light jacket.

11. Take a coin to flip for the pool games you are HP. It's not cool to have to borrow a quarter from HC at the plate meeting.

12. Try not to suck

^this.

Also, if you wear contacts, bring an extra pair or two... I had one tournament an hour and a half away from my house where I had games from 8am-8pm... In one of the games, a ball bounced in the dirt, and a piece of dirt came up into my eye... I called time once I saw no one was moving, took my mask off, and tried to blink the dirt out... I feel something on my cheek. I reach up and it is my contact, now folded and dusty.

I had to get a golf cart ride to the parking lot to my car and get an extra pair I had packed. I put one in (without a mirror, which was tricky) and came back, no harm no foul... I can't imagine what I would have done had I not packed that. I now always keep an extra pair in my ball bag or pocket.

[Umpire in Chief]

You're a better man than me. Wouldn't do 5 in a day. I prefer 2, 3 is my max.

That's 10ish hours of baseball assuming 2 hr games, could be more add between game time and everything else too long a day for me.

[Jocko]

5 games is the average for me. Sometimes 6.

[guyinaredhat]

Lots of good advice here.

Twin Creeks is dusty and windy. The weather varies from cool/cold in the morning , hot during the day and cold at night and always windy so come prepared to add or shed layers .

Get there early to get a good parking spot, so you can enjoy the comereaderie of your umpire brothers . *rolls eyes *

Bring your light shirts , cream , polo , majestic blue , nothing worse then umpiring in dark colors in the heat .

Shine your shoes , ALOT it will reflect well upon yourself

I caffeine it up a red bull after #2 and #4

Bring a cool coin to flip I use a silver dollar .

Don't f up

Don't f up so bad your partner can't lie his way out it .

[PonyUmpire]

Thanks guys. I'll definitely keep all this in mind for the weekend.

[moblue]

Sleep, staying hydrated, and remembering to eat are very important. Also, like someone else said, don't be afraid to take your time between games. I'm not saying take forever, but if you need a few extra minutes between games (and later in the tournament you probably will) then slow down how long it takes for you to get ready. Waiting five or ten more minutes won't hurt anyone. If I am working with the same partner all day, I prefer to take half the plates for the day if I can. This maximizes your time between games to rest instead of changing clothes.

[JaxRolo]

Get a set of Rite Temp pads! They make a difference.

A couple weekends ago I left myhouse at 5am goth or at 230am. Now that was a long day.

[Jocko]

Get a set of Rite Temp pads! They make a difference.

A couple weekends ago I left myhouse at 5am goth or at 230am. Now that was a long day.

He's in San Francisco. It's like 60f at night. Doubt he'll need rite temp.

[JaxRolo]

Get a set of Rite Temp pads! They make a difference.

A couple weekends ago I left myhouse at 5am goth or at 230am. Now that was a long day.

He's in San Francisco. It's like 60f at night. Doubt he'll need rite temp.

Yeah but if they have an Earthquake he will need them! :smachhead:

[renegadewolf]

During any breaks in the action between games, take the time to fraternize with your fellow umpires while hydrating/eating/getting under shade. Useful information as well as straight up entertainment is available and a good laugh can help you mentally shake a not so hot previous game. Seems most umpires are story tellers of one variety or another and the stories they have can be both educational and humerous. Nothing like sharing those odd plays, wierd moments and absurd tosses we've had over the years. Having fun is an important part of the experience.

[semper_fi_72]

Start drink water now!!!!!!

As far as rest between games, if it is like tournaments I work, you might have 10 minutes between games.

Drink and eat between innings.

You need to keep your energy on a even level without going through highs and lows.

Pace yourself.

Remember you need to get into position to make a call, but conserve your energy doing it.

Will get my assignments tonight for our 3 day tournament but I know I will not have more than 3 a day.

Yes I have done 5 or more but that really is to much time on the field without a good break.

[Jocko]

There once was an Ump from Nantucket.........

:wave:

[Welpe]

15 games in 3 days...that sounds terrible. You've gotten some great advice here so I'll just say good luck!

I recommend coconut water before and between games for a good electrolyte boost. I started drinking coconut water before football games last year and never got cramps. It's now a routine for me before each baseball game too.

Vita Coco is my favorite but there are many brands. I'd recommend against Zico.

[Dannytheman]

Looks like all great advice. I have never done that many games in 3 days. I am pretty sure I would say NO to doing it. I have done 3 in one day, but had next day off.

Good luck and I hope your legs are OK at the end.

[umpcoachfather]

Use Anti-Monkey butt powder

[Jocko]

It's not that big a deal. Take each game, each inning, each pitch at a time. And I forgot to say carry a stopwatch. They're bound to be TL games. DO NOT WEAR A WATCH.

[JaxRolo]

It's not that big a deal. Take each game, each inning, each pitch at a time. And I forgot to say carry a stopwatch. They're bound to be TL games. DO NOT WEAR A WATCH.

Why not??? Look at Paul Nauert. All the stuff he wears!!!!

Rolo <------- devils advocate

[Jocko]

Looks retarded, plus evaluators take off points for it, but when you get to Paul's level you kinda have carte blanche.

[mjr_2013]

Looks retarded, plus evaluators take off points for it, but when you get to Paul's level you kinda have carte blanche.

Don't forget that if your watch gets hit, you look like a dumbass picking up and trying to find a place to put the pieces... "Hey.... Coach.... Can you, uh...."

You'll sound like a replacement NFL ref in the conversation.

[Thunderheads]

I've done 6 games before .... stupid long day!

I've done 5, and nowadays that is my ABSOLUTE MAX and I won't do it unless I have to! I'm very comfortable however, with 4 games in a day for a tourney

Regardless, .... the info here is golden!

Bananas and power bars between games. My regular partner and I will eat a sandwich between games about 1/2 way thru a day. If you prepare mentally and physically, it can be done!

[mstaylor]

Lots of good advice here.

Bring a cool coin to flip I use a silver dollar .

.

I work with one USSSA system that has their own flipping coins and you get a new one each game. Whoever wins the flip keeps the coin.