New College Baseball Umpire

[gnhbua93]

I just got informed that I was accepted for membership in a College Baseball Umpire group. Suggestions to make me a better umpire for this level are appreciated.

[JaxRolo]

Congrats and I suggest you don't suck!

[hckyosgood30]

Congrats! My suggestion is find a mentor preferably a DI guy. Then create a network of 3/4 close collegiate umpire brothers to discuss with. Then get in your rule book like a mad man and learn it song a verse. If you've made it in you've shown you have some skill on the field. Now be professional on and off of it. Finally stay ahead of yourself on clinics. If they only do 2man then learn 3man and have your mentor polish you up. Be willing to go anywhere for the first few years so the conference supervisor knows he can trust you. Just my $0.02 again congrats and don't suck!

[boyinr]

Congrats and I suggest you don't suck!

Jax-So you are basically telling him "do as I say not as I do?" JK thought I would beat Jocko to the punch.

Congrats to the OP.

[BRUMP]

Congrats.

[guyinaredhat]

All great advice . I just joined my local college group this year. Biggest piece of advice I have gotten this year is make sure you look good. At this level every one can work, some better then the others but you don't want to be pidgeonholed cause your not looking your best. Poly wools, new belt, shined shoes, non faded ball bags. Good luck and I'll see you at the CWS in about 20 years.

[celt62]

Congrats! Show up early, go wherever they want you to without complaint and attend as many camps and clinics as you can because it only makes you better. Watch games on your off days in your area and see how the other guys communicate, rotate and then don't be afraid to introduce yourself after and ask a few questions. I've found most guys are receptive and glad to help out. New rule book this year so get one early and a 2013 CCA manual because for most it's the mechanics' bible. Most importantly... Good Luck and HAVE FUN!

[mstaylor]

As others have said, be available as possible and follow their rules to a T. Many college groups want you to show up in smart casual 90 minutes prior to gametime. Find out what the prevalent pants are, as well as shirts. If most wear GD pants then get them. If some wear GD, others wear Honig polywools and others wear Smitty's, get them all if possible It is always good to be able to match your partner and ot make him match you. If they are wearing Polo blue, most don't, but the Cliff Keen polo is a nice shirt but is not close to anything. Getting long sleeve shirts are a good thing too. Never, ever wear a short sleeve with a long sleeve undershirt. Look sharp, act sharp.

[jmpnjmy]

Congrats

[AZump78]

Find guys that are studs and look like them. Don't miss calls/pitches, and be careful what comes out of your mouth from the moment you arrive on site until the moment you leave. Dress well to/from games and expect to be treated better than you are at the HS level. Find someone to take you under their wings, have a good attitude and be the humble/eager to learn new guy. Remember the baseball world is small and you will have to see these guys year after year.

Also, like was said above, always get there earlier than you are supposed to.

Have fun!

[BRUMP]

Don't miss calls/pitches

Don't miss pitches?!? I don't think that's gonna happen for anyone anytime soon.

[Fittske24]

First of all.... I would ask, what are you aspirations and/or personal goals when it comes to college baseball? If your goal was just to make it into college baseball, then congratulations! You did it…try not to piss anyone off and you will be fine.

But…. if you want to work D1 games, join a conference, get assigned a regional, or make it to the CWS? Your journey is just beginning.

Inventory your look…

Dress like the level in which you are trying to achieve. If you don’t have poly wools go out and get some. Make sure you get them tailored properly. Make sure your uniform is “TV-Readyâ€. Keep your shoes shined, pants (and caps) creased, and shirts wrinkle free. Chances are there will be no more parking lot dressing, so make sure you have a gear bag with wheels that you can easily go from car to locker room./.

Be prepared to travel a lot your first few years….

Expect to work a lot of Juco, NAIA, and DIII level games your first few years. Work every game with the utmost professionalism. Treat every game like it’s the 7^th game of the world series. Coaches in these leagues can either jump start or break your career. Unlike high school, these coaches have been hired for the sole purpose of running the baseball program. They are not teachers and they don’t care about lesson plans. They care about wins and losses, plain and simple. If you have a good game, they are not afraid to let you know about your work. If you have a bad game they are not afraid to let you and your assigner know about it as well. So work hard, look good, hustle and above all else know the rules!

Find out who the top assigners are in your region…

All of the top D1 conferences in your area will have a conference assigner. Most of these guys will also assign smaller NAIA, DII, DII conferences. Some of these assigners will use these conferences as feeders for the D1 conferences. Get to know these guys. The top Coordinators will usually promote try-out camps and clinics through your local assigner.

Advancement happens in the summer, fall and winter.…

The best way to move and get seen is during the summer and the fall. Find out if there is a college summer league in your area. It will be easier to work with some of the D1 guys during the summer. The D1 guys will have great feedback for what it takes to work at the D1 level. Also if you do well, it can help you get on the radar for getting assigned to some higher level games assigned by your association. Also the summer is usually a more relaxed environment.

Plan to attend a College camp or clinic in the fall…..Usually these camps are attended by assigners responsible for D1 Non-conference assignments, as well as conference umpire appointment. Most of these camps/clinics will have cage work, rules application, and live games. Same rules apply just as they do in the regular season…. work hard, look good and hustle when it’s your turn to shine.

Attend your Local NCAA superclinic….This will ensure that you are up on all mechanic changes and rule changes for the upcoming season. This is also a great opportunity to network with all of the Top college umpires, assigners, and evaluators in your region. Don’t be afraid to talk to and introduce yourself to them. This clinic is also required for post season assignment for all of the NCAA divisions.

Once you complete this in year 1. Wash, rinse, and repeat....

Good Luck!

[Dannytheman]

First off congrats and good luck!

Attend your Local NCAA superclinic….This will ensure that you are up on all mechanic changes and rule changes for the upcoming season. This is also a great opportunity to network with all of the Top college umpires, assigners, and evaluators in your region. Don’t be afraid to talk to and introduce yourself to them. This clinic is also required for post season assignment for all of the NCAA divisions.

Fittski24 hit on my advice, which is make sure you get additional training. If I were to ever even return to the PIAA for high school and above I sure would spend the money training with people who have like minds and spirit.

[spiritump]

the biggest thing I had to get use to is the 9 inninng game to the seven inning game--a long day when you have a double and both are 9 innings but the pay is GOOD. Work hard and don't look back.

[Replacematt]

I just got informed that I was accepted for membership in a College Baseball Umpire group. Suggestions to make me a better umpire for this level are appreciated.

Just about everything else here is good.

One other thing to keep in mind, if you are a young guy--a lot of groups are looking years down the road and looking at what happens when a lot of the big dogs get out. If they find a stud, or someone they think they can develop into a stud, they are going to try to get him as much training as possible. Read between the lines. If you have a lot of the "names" happening to be at your games or even working with you, it's a sign that they think you can be one of the best ones down the road. If the big guys in the association are giving you unsolicited advice, take it.

My first full-time college year, I was sent a fair distance to a school whose coach was well-respected, but tough. It was those situations (brought to my attention after the fact) that my association used to get as many different qualified opinions on how I did in a difficult situation. They weren't content to have me do the schools near where I lived--they wanted to make sure I could do the job where my reputation was non-existent.

One more thing--be available. I can think of a few guys who advanced faster than they otherwise would have because they were available in a pinch. They got a game that people would have assumed was above their head and they excelled--and that gets noticed. Likewise, if you get a game, keep it unless there is a valid emergency. There's always someone else waiting to get that assignment, and that may mean your job.

[AZump78]

Great points Matt

[Haid D' Salaami]

You want some other tips..

dont trust anyone.. no one.. you think you can trust some one, but they will turn on you quick to get more games than you..I have seen it..

Dont talk to people about your games, or games you have ( i.e.) I have 10 JUCO games this year... people wil get jealous. After a game dont talk about your game to other people, goes back to the 1st point I made.. if you say to a guy you screwed up, he might call the assingor... just a few little things..

Yes Baseball umpires is a Brotherhood, but some guys will not blink an eye to put a knife inyour back if it gets them more games.

[AZump78]

And then there is THAT side of it....

[UMP45]

You want some other tips..

dont trust anyone.. no one.. you think you can trust some one, but they will turn on you quick to get more games than you..I have seen it..

Dont talk to people about your games, or games you have ( i.e.) I have 10 JUCO games this year... people wil get jealous. After a game dont talk about your game to other people, goes back to the 1st point I made.. if you say to a guy you screwed up, he might call the assingor... just a few little things..

Yes Baseball umpires is a Brotherhood, but some guys will not blink an eye to put a knife inyour back if it gets them more games.

It just seems no one wants to pay their dues anymore!

[spiritump]

You want some other tips..

dont trust anyone.. no one.. you think you can trust some one, but they will turn on you quick to get more games than you..I have seen it..

Dont talk to people about your games, or games you have ( i.e.) I have 10 JUCO games this year... people wil get jealous. After a game dont talk about your game to other people, goes back to the 1st point I made.. if you say to a guy you screwed up, he might call the assingor... just a few little things..

Yes Baseball umpires is a Brotherhood, but some guys will not blink an eye to put a knife inyour back if it gets them more games.

The old saying is true "the cream will always rise to the top" if you work hard and are good it does not matter what others do.

[Haid D' Salaami]

You want some other tips..

dont trust anyone.. no one.. you think you can trust some one, but they will turn on you quick to get more games than you..I have seen it..

Dont talk to people about your games, or games you have ( i.e.) I have 10 JUCO games this year... people wil get jealous. After a game dont talk about your game to other people, goes back to the 1st point I made.. if you say to a guy you screwed up, he might call the assingor... just a few little things..

Yes Baseball umpires is a Brotherhood, but some guys will not blink an eye to put a knife inyour back if it gets them more games.

The old saying is true "the cream will always rise to the top" if you work hard and are good it does not matter what others do.

your right... shut up and Umpire... If we all could do this.. Myself including...

[mstaylor]

One thing to remember, and this is for any level, don't talk about other umpires. This will bite you in the butt at some point

[MidAmUmp]

You want some other tips..

dont trust anyone.. no one.. you think you can trust some one, but they will turn on you quick to get more games than you..I have seen it..

Dont talk to people about your games, or games you have ( i.e.) I have 10 JUCO games this year... people wil get jealous. After a game dont talk about your game to other people, goes back to the 1st point I made.. if you say to a guy you screwed up, he might call the assingor... just a few little things..

Yes Baseball umpires is a Brotherhood, but some guys will not blink an eye to put a knife inyour back if it gets them more games.

I don't agree with this. Yes there are some MF'ers in the game and over time you'll figure out who they are. Most of them work at the lower levels, but they are scattered throughout. But there are also some really good guys in the game. Guys who want to see you succeed and are truly happy for your success. Figure out who they are and surround yourself with guys like that. You'll know who they are eventually... see who they associate with. When you go to the NCAA clinics, look around, see who's hanging out with who. Most good guys don't have their dicks flopped out at the hotel bar trying to see who has the biggest one and trying to top the other guy's war story. They aren't the loudest guys in the room. They're hanging out together, quietly catching up -- These are the guys to get to know. I'll guarantee someone in that group runs or helps with a clinic. Attend that clinic and get to know them. Once they put a face with a name (and that might take a while) they'll welcome you in.

As you progress up through the ranks know your place...If you got into college baseball it should mean you are an upper echelon HS umpire. Be the big dog there, but keep your mouth shut at the college level. Once you gain some experience, then you can talk. This is how it goes from JUCO to NAIA, D-III, D-II, up to D-I and sometimes from weekend to weekend. I've been a D-I crew chief one weekend and the 3 guy the next. Sometimes it's best to order a piece of humble pie and shut your trap . A good way to ruin your career is to run your mouth in front of veterans.

Do not get jealous of others and their success. Even if you feel you are a better umpire than they are - and that's very tough to do at times. Some people who pass you by did so by kissing ass, etc. They won't last. You'll see them in a few years lined up at the hotel bar with their dicks hanging out, measuring. Just be patient. It's better to get there a year too late and last, than be a year too early and get fired. When you do get promoted let your mentors know, but don't gloat. When I found out I was selected for the D-II World Series I sent an e-mail out to all of the guys who had helped me over the years - from high school mentors up to college clinicians. I simply told them of my accomplishment and thanked them for helping me get there.

Be on time or ahead of time. Don't make anyone wait on you.

Look the part off the field. It is better to be over dressed going to a game than under dressed. Business casual is best. Shorts, t-shirts, warm-up suits, anything with a school logo, etc. are generally considered unacceptable (maybe okay at the lower levels, but not as you are moving up). Usually on a D-I weekend we wear sport coats. Some areas are more lax than others. Again, identify the guys you want to become (your mentors) and do what they do, dress how they dress.

Finally, do what the crew does. Don't be a stick in the mud. If they want to go out, go out with them but again, know your place. Even if you don't drink...volunteer to be the DD. Stay under control off the field, that's where most guys get fired.

[AZump78]

Wow-I think I might print that out and stick it in my gear bag...thanks for passing along to the young bucks...

[Jocko]

Some truly great advice. I have spoken with a few guys from UE that I would love to actually meet and work with. There's a TON of knowledge available, but be selective who/how you ask. 5his goes for umpiring on all levels - Find someone you trust and respect and pick their brains when you have questions/doubts. I'm fortunate enough to call an officer in my HS assoc my friend. I respect his opinion, and welcome his critiques. "Even when you get older, you should never be a know-it-all. You can always learn from someone else's experience.... Every young person should have a mentor. They need wisdom and experience. They need encouragement. They need someone who has been through it all...... Experience is a great thing-everyone can learn from it." (Excerpt from When You Come To A Fork In The Road, Take It! by the great Yogi Berra)